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Do you often feel like you’re the lead character, Rebecca Bloomwood from “Confessions of a Shopaholic”? Do you feel that retail therapy is all you need to get out of a stressful day? Do you feel like you MUST always take advantage of a clearance sale, even if you don’t need any of the stuff on sale? A lot of women fall victim to debt and excessive “broke-ness” towards the end of the months due to their shopping addiction. Although you may defend your honor and claim to not have a shopping problem, the truth is, denying it cloud only make it worst.
So kiss goodbye to all your debts and not having enough money by the end of the month with these tips to help you shop, without having to overspend.
1. Stop Swiping
Whether it’s a credit card or a debit card, do not swipe your card to shop for a pair of jeans, even if it’s just as cheap as RM70. It’s much easier for you to keep track of your spending by withdrawing the cash you have. It’s also a way to help you be more aware of what you have in your wallet, giving you the idea that that’s all you have and therefore shouldn’t spend it.
2. Plan a Budget
We can’t blame a woman for wanting to just shop for the sake of it each month. Being able to buy something new somehow makes all that effort in earning your money worth it. However, allocate a certain amount to spend for shopping each month from your salary. Keep it as minimal as possible, so you can look for the best deals instead of impulse buying.
3. Plan Your Purchases
Even if it’s to stock up on stationary, groceries, or even household items, list them down so you know what you need. Do this advance as it’ll give you an idea of how much you’ll need to spend. This way, you won’t cross your limit. This will also help give you an idea of how much to allocate for your shopping money,
4. Avoid Carrying Cash
Do not carry more money than you need for the day. The less you have, the less likely you’ll want to spend.
5. Keep Yourself Busy
By keeping yourself busy, you can avoid any thoughts or lures about shopping. You’ll also be able to avoid the shopping malls, which like most addictions, can help you avoid the temptation to shop altogether.
6. Spring Clean Your Wardrobe
When you constantly buy things to update your wardrobe collection, you often forget just what you have. Look at the things you have in your wardrobe and just think about how much you’ve spent on that piece of clothing. This will be a reminder of how much you’ve spent on unnecessary things. This could also give you change to re-invent your look with the things you have.
