Thrifty Thursday - Curbing Impulses

This week for my Thrifty Thursday post, I'm talking about stopping yourself from impulse buying.

Scenario: "The Deal" While out doing your errand (or window shopping), you find an incredible deal. It calls your name... buy me! Buy me! If it is something that is clearly on sale, and you are truly positive you won't find a better deal, put it in your cart.

Yes, I said put it in your cart.

Now walk around the store for at least five minutes, looking at things in the store.

Does it still seem like a really good deal? Are you still hesitating? You are? Good! Put it back. Unless it's 90% off, or something that has been on the necessary wish list, you probably don't need it if you have that nagging feeling starting.

Scenario: "The New Gadget" The newest game just hit the shelves. Or you're dying for a new pair of boots. Maybe it's fancy pasta machine - insert gadget/desire of choice here. You really want it. Great! You can have it - but there's a catch. You have to wait 30 days to purchase it.

Fifty bucks says you either won't want it anymore, or if you do - you'll be lucky enough to snag it on sale.

Excess spending situations averted. ;) For any purchase that's not a need - and I mean need as in food and necessities, not want as in clothing and household goods - give yourself at least 24 hours before purchasing it. You may find that you no longer want it as bad as you did the day before. Sometimes it helps to think about the cost per hour of purchasing something. Find a great pair of shoes for $50? If you wear them at least 50 times, that brings it down to $1 per wear, which may be worth it to you. How about a $50 video game? Will your (or your kids) beat in in less than 5 hours of straight playing? That's $10 an hour worth of playing - in that case, you'd have been better off renting it from somewhere like Blockbuster or Game Fly!