Once in a while, I fall into this impulse buying trap. This is usually when I chance upon a big sale at some popular chain or brand. You see, I consider myself “mostly practical” spender which basically means I don’t just buy things without giving it much thought and I am proud to say that I was able to help a couple of impulse buying friends reassess their spending habits but that doesn’t mean I don’t have my own loophole to contend with. Once in a while, I find myself buying something that I don’t really need but I really, really want.

Impulse buying seldom yields desirable results. Usually it brings about bad feelings such as regret and guilt and of course, impulse buying is rarely cheap. It is not even impossible for a moment of impulse buying to drive you to bankruptcy. With that said, we all agree that impulse buying is something that you must avoid at all cost and for seniors to be empowered, we must consider doing these steps:

* Make a shopping list and really stick to it! When you make a list, you’re given time to think about the things you are going to write down – assess if you really need to be paying for them. Upon bringing your shopping list to the store, you now have a firmer grasp on what comes into your shopping basket as well as your budget for the whole trip. When the urge to buy impulsively hits, you just have to take one look at your list and you are back to proper shopping perspective.
* Allow it some time. “Love at first sight” usually strikes unexpectedly, so does impulse buying. Allowing it a little more time, let say, a week will help you decide if you really want it or it was just a “puppy love”.
* Buy something, sell something. Keep things at minimum by keeping only the things that you need. If you have to replace your old sofa for a brandnew one, then sell or donate the old one. This way, you’ll be able to really enjoy your new sofa without feeling all guilty about it.
* Be a smart buyer. It’s not bad to buy impulsively sometimes especially if it’s a one-day sale and there’s no way you could allow time to think but at the very least, using your head while buying will help you stay on top of the game and not be fooled into buying things you don’t really need.
* Avoid using credit cards. If you feel – yes, don’t ignore that nagging feeling – that you are about to buy on impulse, then might as well pay in cash. Cash is harder to let go and will bind you to only buy what you have onhand whereas if you buy with your credit card, you are more or less, without limit.
* Be specific when shopping online. I don’t know about you but the things I see online are much prettier than seeing it physically on a department store. Hence, it becomes easier to convince yourself on buying “eye-candy” things that you don’t really need. When shopping online, it is best to look specifically for the things you intended to buy and avoid browsing through marketplaces.