How to Spend Less
Hey, impulse shopper. Yes, you. How many shopping carts have you filled today? As tempting as it might be to just press that "checkout" button, we're here to prevent you from spending more cash when you shouldn't. Because yes, just because you're getting a "deal" doesn't mean all those little extras won't add up quickly. So, before you pay, here are some tricks to lower that scary total.
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1. Make a Shopping List (and Stick to It)
Ever gone grocery shopping without a list? You probably came out with way more than you originally intended to buy. Unfortunately, the same will happen if you shop for clothes and skincare without making a list first—after all, this step gives you something to follow. Make sure to actually stick to it, though!
2. Wait 24 Hours
We know, we know—that purse might seem like it's to die for now, but we promise you, if you give it some time you'll probably not care about it anymore. So, wait at least 24 hours. The longer, the better. If in, say, a week's or a month's time you still want it, then you can seriously reconsider it again.
3. Set a Spending Limit Before You Shop
Without a budget, you're bound to go wild even if you say you won't. And since you know yourself best, you definitely don't want to spend, spend, spend, only to regret your decisions afterwards! Set a realistic budget based on what you need and, as you keep adding items, stay on top of your total amount.
4. Unsubscribe From Promotional Emails
Retailers love trying to persuade you to spend more, so they're going to be sending out emails with special coupons and discounts all the time. All the time. If you already know you can't give up a good sale, it may be worth unsubscribing from these stores altogether.
5. Remove Your Saved Payment Information
When all you need to do is press one single button to complete your checkout, you remove any friction at all. Do yourself a favor: remove your payment information. Not only will this mean you'll be forced to go through more steps when checking out (which might make you pause and think), but it'll also prevent fraud if your data gets leaked.
6. Compare Prices Between Different Stores
Just because you've found something you want doesn't mean you've found the best price for it. If you really want it, spend a few minutes checking other retailers. Some stores offer price matching, and you might actually find better deals elsewhere.
7. Use a Basket Instead of a Shopping Cart
Shopping in person? If you're only picking up a handful of items, try to grab the smallest bag or cart available. That way, since you'll have limited space, you'll be less likely to fill the entire basket up. You'll probably think twice before tossing in something bulky, too!
8. Calculate the Final Price Before Adding More
It's easy to underestimate your total when shopping in store as well. And as much as you might not like doing math, it'll help you to quickly calculate your potential total before you go even more crazy. Remember to account for applicable sales taxes, since that could drive the amount way up!
9. Shop with Cash When Possible
Here's another trick that might help keep you in check: use cash! Unlike a credit card, having a fixed amount of change to spend means you can't exceed, well, that budget you've set out. It also makes you more conscious of how much money you're handing over at checkout.
10. Never Shop When You're Bored
Browsing clothing and beauty stores can seem like a fun way to pass the time, but it really, really isn't. Trust us—your wallet will be weeping afterwards! You should always ask yourself whether there's anything you actually need before you make unnecessary purchases, too.
11. Check the Clearance Section Carefully
Those clearance racks might offer worthwhile discounts, but look closer: they'll also tempt you into purchasing things you wouldn't have wanted in the first place. Are you really going to use it? Will you actually wear it? If you have to justify getting it, it's a no.
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12. Leave Items in Your Online Cart Overnight
As we mentioned earlier, one of the best tips for curbing your impulse spending is to simply let things sit. Leave your cart be overnight! There's no rule saying you have to complete an online order the moment you've finished browsing. Once the initial dopamine hit wears off, you may wonder why you wanted those items in the first place.
13. Compare Unit Prices Instead of Package Prices
A larger package might look like a better deal, but that's not always the case, so always do some math to see how much you're paying per ounce. That skincare cream or foundation you've been eyeing could suddenly seem way more expensive than you initially thought.
14. Avoid Browsing the Checkout Aisle
You know why they put more products at the checkout lane? You guessed it—so you'll toss some more stuff into your car. And since these items are often mini-size and "cheaper," you'll be much more tempted to. Our advice? Don't be tempted!
15. Check for Coupons Before Paying
Sure, that item you have in your cart might already be discounted. You never know, though: a quick coupon search can sometimes bring up some pretty good discount codes that could reduce your total by a ton. You just need to know where to look!
16. Take Advantage of Store Loyalty Programs
Shop at a certain retailer often? Well, if they have a loyalty program, you should consider joining. That way, you'll be privy to member-only pricing or personalized discounts. Some programs may even offer birthday gifts or let you accumulate points toward future rewards.
17. Skip the Buy More, Save More Offers
You've probably been a victim of the "buy more, save more" scheme on more than one occasion. After all, some deals just seem too good to pass up! However, this is another time when doing some math beforehand will help. If you know you don't need three of the same thing, why buy three?
18. Shop Alone
Shopping sprees are certainly more fun with friends and family, and if they're good at keeping you in check, their company is more than welcome. But if they're the type to egg you on to buy more, you should really consider shopping alone.
19. Review Your Cart Before Heading to Checkout
Always, always review your cart before paying. For each item you have, weigh out the pros and cons. And yes, we mean every item. Do you really need it? Why? How likely is it that you might regret your purchase afterwards? What's the return policy like? You want to be absolutely sure before you fork over your hard-earned money.
20. Turn Off Shopping App Notifications
Don't just stop at unsubscribing from emails—turn off those annoying notifications, too. Just like those promotional emails, these constant pings will only kick up the urge to shop, and you want to tamp down the temptation as much as possible. Better yet, delete any apps you rarely use.
