1. Leave the cards. If you are prone to overspending, it may be good idea to leave your credit card -or even debit card- in the house. Easy access to cash or credit makes you more prone to overspending.
2. Plan your purchases. Make a list of items you’d like to buy before heading off to the mall. Write an amount you plan to spend on each item. Stick to your list.
3. Ask yourself, do I really need this now? When you see something you like, ask yourself why you’d like to buy it. Do you really need it now? Or it’s just the pleasure of buying that you’re after? Leave the item behind and go back for it after awhile while you think it over. Sometimes, you can think clearly when the object of your desire is not in front of you. You may even try sleeping over it.
4. Be critical. Think of reasons why you shouldn’t buy the item. Look for damage or defect on the item. Convince yourself it’s not a good buy.
5. Bring a buddy along when shopping. Somebody who’s supposed to reason with you, whose role is to be kontrabida and discourage you from too much shopping.
6. Keep track of your daily spending. Review regularly. In hindsight, you will see how much you could have saved if it weren’t for compulsive buying.
7. Stay away from the malls. Think of other real productive activities like gardening, playing the piano, painting, writing letters or emails & bonding moments with family and friends like baking, swimming, going to mass, watching a DVD at home. There’s a whole lot of other things you can do. Make a list now.
8. Be firm with yourself. Treat yourself like a little kid. Reason with yourself but be patient also and learn to celebrate small successes.
No comments:
Post a Comment