Making a list
Is anyone else out there a victim of "spontaneous purchitis"?
How many of your belongings have been bought on impulse, only to live a lonely existence stuffed into the back of some closet, garage or basement?
Wikipedia writes: "An impulse purchase or impulse buying is an unplanned decision to buy a product or service, made just before a purchase.[1] One who tends to make such purchases is referred to as an impulse purchaser or impulse buyer. Research findings suggest that emotions and feelings play a decisive role in purchasing, triggered by seeing the product or upon exposure to a well crafted promotional message."[2]
The basic want for instant gratification could turn into the noose closing around our necks. If I think of all the stuff I've bought and not really used enough (or at all) to warrant having bought it, I cringe. Turn all of those things back into cash and I am instantly rich!
This list of tips by Terry
Rigg may help me prevent impulse buying:
"If you see something you like, leave
the store without it. Go home and look at your budget. Then if you feel
you can afford it, go back. In addition, this will give you time to
think about whether you really need it.
Always go to the grocery store or
dollar store with a list. Buy just what is on your list. If you see
items you would like to have, make a note to put them on your list for
your next trip.
Always consider the entire price of
an item before buying. In my state, if you buy a car that costs $20,000,
you have to pay about 7% in sales taxes within 30 days of the purchase.
That $1400 may not be that easy to come up with."
Some people are not in debt and don't worry too much about a budget. I, for instance, am basically interested in minimizing my stuff to make room for more life.
The idea of the list appeals to me. I write one now and then. If I could get myself 1) to make a list with only the things I really need (that's the 'checking it twice' part) and 2) ONLY buy what is on the list, I could at least brake the inflow of stuff.
To avoid impulse buying, ask yourself the following questions:
Do I have to have
it right now? (If you wait even one day, you’ll be amazed that the tsunami-force impulse passes.)
If buying clothes,
shoes, or accessories, can I wear the item to at least three different
occasions? (The only thing you can rationalize wearing once is a wedding
gown but have you thought of rental?.)
Do I have something similar to this already? ( How many pairs of
black pants, brown shoes, or beige handbags do you need?!)
Am I buying
this because I’m sad, frustrated, grumpy or even angry? Emotional buying
rarely results in a good decision and can really screw up your financial plan (you DO have one?!).
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