Smart Shopping: Keeping Impulse Buys in Check
I like to shop. There, I said it. But with a tight budget, a changing economy, and mouths to feed—my shopping addiction can get out of hand. Purses, clothes, and snacks are my weaknesses!
The key to keeping contentment in check? Stay on budget and have a gift guide ready at all times. It’s a game-changer! Keep a note dedicated to a wish list in your phone’s note app. You can create one for yourself and another for your kids—allowing you to pull from the list whenever you need a gift idea or even just a place to write down a dream purchase. Think of it as an “Amazon Save for Later” list but without the mega-retailer’s constant temptation. Whether it’s kitchen appliances or a quirky snack you want to try one day, the list keeps you sane, removes impulse purchases, and helps you stick to your budget.
Think you’re the only one struggling with impulse shopping? Think again.
“It’s psychologically so powerful,” says Joshua Klapow, a psychologist and adjunct associate professor of public health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. According to recent statistics, 64% of impulsive shoppers make at least one unnecessary purchase per month. When you pop online to shop, it releases a hefty dose of dopamine—the feel-good chemical in the brain—making you want to do it again and again.
So how do you get the dopamine release without the financial regret? Write it down. Remove the stress of forgetting your desires, and create a place to revisit them later when you can make a sound financial decision. Ramsey Solutions recommends waiting 24 hours before making an impulse buy, while social media influences like The Minimalists suggest waiting 30 days.
By keeping a wish list and exercising patience, you can curb the impulse to splurge while still allowing yourself the joy of shopping—just in a way that aligns with your financial goals. Smart shopping isn’t about denying yourself; it’s about making mindful choices.
Next time you feel the urge to impulse buy, grab your phone, open your wish list, and take a breath. Your budget will thank you!
Simply Blooming Grace 