We’ve all been there — whether it’s grabbing a candy bar at the checkout or falling for a late-night Amazon deal. Impulse buys feel exciting in the moment, but they can quietly mess with your budget and even chip away at your savings. 💸

Whether you consider yourself a shopaholic or just someone who can’t resist the occasional temptation, these six simple tips and can help keep your wallet healthy.

Before clicking “checkout” or swiping your card, sleep on it. At least a 24-hour pause can help you distinguish between wants and needs. But here’s the important part — don’t set reminders or write it down. Just see if you even remember it the next day.

Surprise! Most often, you’ll find that the urge has faded and the item forgotten, proving that it wasn’t really something you wanted in the first place.

Online retailers are experts at creating urgency. Pop-ups screaming “Only 1 left!” or “Cart expires in 10 minutes!” and emails like “You left this behind!” are designed to push you into buying now. 🤑

These are marketing ploys, not genuine scarcity. Stick to your 24-hour rule and don’t let these tactics sway you.

Discipline starts with a plan. Before shopping, be it online or in-store, make a list of what you need and commit to it. 🛍️

Obviously, we all sometimes forget to add basic things like milk but if something non-essential catches your eye, apply the 24-hour rule before adding it to your cart.

Of course, everyone needs a little room for enjoyment. So, allocate a small, fixed amount each month (even just $20 or $50, or more… depending on your finances) for non-essential, no-excuse-needed purchases.

Staying within this limit helps prevent impulsive splurges while allowing you to indulge here and there guilt-free. And if you want something pricier, use it as motivation to save up, just like you did with a childhood allowance.

Retailers’ “exclusive offers” and “limited-time deals” can trick you into thinking you’re saving money by buying now. But cold, hard truth? Unless it’s an item you’ve planned for, you’re not saving — you’re spending.

So, best thing you can do? Unsubscribe from promotional emails or filter them into a separate folder to check only when you’re ready to shop intentionally.

Emotions, be it boredom, stress, or excitement, can seriously cloud your judgment and lead to regrettable purchases. Avoid shopping when you’re not in a neutral state of mind. But if you do, make sure to check the return policy and don’t be afraid to take advantage.

And, as always, if you’re tempted, lean on the trusty ole 24-hour rule to ensure your decisions align with your financial goals. 🤑