Impulse purchases are one of the biggest enemies of savings. A purchase here, another there can cause some problems in your family budget, even without realizing it.
Nowadays, with the evolution of marketing strategies, it is increasingly easy to capture consumers’ attention for more emotional and less rational purchases. So, in order to keep your finances healthy, learn how to avoid falling into the temptation of impulse purchases.
10 tips for building your emergency fund
Impulse purchases: Really need the product or service
Table of Contents
One of the first things you should do to avoid impulse purchases is to find out if you already have something that serves the same purpose or performs the same function . That is, ask yourself: “do I really need this?”.
This is an important tip to understand your level of awareness for saving. And if you need a little help, you can use Doctor Finance’s Shopping Demotivator . With this tool you’ll be able to find out how many hours you need to work to pay for that good or service you’re thinking of purchasing . Thus, you can compare in a practical way whether the effort is compensated by the utility you will get from the acquisition.
Avoid shopping with a credit card
One of the ways to avoid impulse purchases is not to carry your credit card with you when shopping, as this can be a great trigger for impulse purchases. The same goes for online shopping . The ideal is to take this means of payment out of the equation , for everything that comes from using it.
Keep your credit card at home and only use it for urgent expenses.
Avoid shopping with a credit card
One of the ways to avoid impulse purchases is not to carry your credit card with you when shopping, as this can be a great trigger for impulse purchases. The same goes for online shopping . The ideal is to take this means of payment out of the equation , for everything that comes from using it.
Keep your credit card at home and only use it for urgent expenses.
Reduce newsletter subscriptions from online shopping site
Being constantly bombarded with promotions and shopping opportunities in your email can make you more easily tempted. In addition to subcharging your email box. Therefore, if you want to escape impulse consumerism, reduce your subscription to store newsletters.
Impulse purchase? Always make a shopping list
Making a shopping list is one of the top savings tips . When you go to the supermarket or even buy clothes, list what you actually need to buy. This is a good way to avoid impulse purchases.
But don’t forget, it’s not enough to just make a list. The list is for you to buy only what you have listed . Therefore, it is necessary to fulfill it.
Before you buy, compare prices
Before proceeding with the purchase of any product or service, it is also very important that you compare prices.
Nowadays, it is easy to search and compare prices using certain websites. You can also use the opinions of other consumers to guide purchase priorities. The more information you have, the better. Therefore, find out about prices, reviews, returns policy, among other details.
Avoid buying now
Ask yourself if you really need that product or service right away or if you can postpone the purchase until a more financially favorable occasion. You have to think very carefully if you really need to buy that piece of clothing or that mobile phone at the moment.
Wait a few days or weeks before buying. When that period is over, if you still think the investment is worth it, then do it.
Set a budget and counter the urge
Drawing up a budget is also part of the basic savings tips . It’s normal to have small slips throughout the month. But it’s important to know the difference between impulse purchases and non-essential purchases.
It is also important to treat yourself or those you love the most. You may not need that pair of sneakers, but you like them so much that you want to buy them. Just reflect and don’t do it on impulse.
So, here’s the suggestion, if you can, within your monthly budget, set an amount for small pleasures.
