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(HealthNewsDigest.com) – Everyone knows it’s easy to buy things you don’t need. Sometimes, picking up one or two items can become part of an unhealthy spending lifestyle.
If you need to get a handle on spending, we’ve got some suggestions for you. Make the tips that work for you a part of your life so that you can adopt a healthier approach to shopping, especially as the holiday season approaches.
1. Wait before you buy. Even for small things, ask yourself if you really need the item. Be honest. Tell yourself, “If I still want this in five minutes, I’ll come back and get it.” To be extra safe, don’t touch the item. Some studies show that people who pick something up are willing to pay more for it.
2. Write it down. Before you buy an item that you’d not use for daily use, write it down instead on a list you carry in your wallet or purse. After a week or a month, check the list to see if you still need the item. Often, you will find another solution or realize you do not need the item.
3. Pay in cash. Paying cash helps you spend less in two ways. If you don’t carry much cash, you can’t spend too much. Also, research shows that people who pay with a credit card are willing to spend more, because credit cards delay the “pain” of paying.
4. Plan your shopping trips. Think before you run errands. Make a detailed list for every store where you shop. Buy only what is on your list. As a bonus, shopping trips will take less time and be less stressful – and you won’t feel guilty when you carry your packages into your house.
5. HALT. Often, people shop to try to escape emotions. Before you go shopping, ask yourself if you are feeling HALT: Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired. If you answer “yes,” to any, help yourself another way. Have a snack, call a friend, go for a walk or take a 10-minute nap. These healthy choices also are better for your budget than buying something that will feel good in the moment – but may cost you for a long time.
6. Challenge yourself to bargain hunt. If you want to buy something that is common, can you find it used? If so, you could save significantly. Look for values online, on eBay, at a thrift store, or at a yard or estate sale. At yard sales, it is possible to save up to 90 percent off the retail price.
7. Take along a supportive friend. Shop with someone who is more thrifty than you are. Ask your friend to tell you if you are making a bad decision.
8. Learn from your mistakes. Before you buy clothing, look through your closet. You might find clothes you like, but have forgotten about. Or you might find things you bought but never wore. Remember these mistakes before you repeat them.
9. Do not be a sucker for sales. Some stores offer special deals to make you want to buy something right away. Compare the sale prices with prices at other stores. Sometimes, the “sale” price is higher than a regular price at another store. If the value is not good, pass it by.
10. Just say no. If you realize that you should not have bought something, say no. Ask the cashier to take it off your purchase, or go back inside and return the item. Don’t be embarrassed — chalk it up to learning a lesson.
Remember, stores are in business to make money. But going into debt will only harm you in the long run. Break this bad habit to keep you and your wallet healthy.
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