Why does spending money makes us feel better? For many, going shopping is a type of cure for the blues. Just like using food as a stress reliever can wreck havoc on our diets, using money to cure depression can destroy your budget.
When the kids are whining at the store, do you promise them a new toy if they calm down? This is the beginning of teaching pleasure in spending. Stop it with yourself and your entire family.
One of the fastest tips to cure the emotional spending bug is to not carry your cash or money with you, when you don’t need it. This will reduce temptation and impulse buys. If you don’t have money or a credit card with you, then you will have to come back later to buy something. It is a good test to see how bad you really want it.
The other helpful tip is to be careful about timing when you shop. If you tend to grocery shop with the kids right before dinnertime, you are sure to overspend. You and the kids are hungry and grumpy… a perfect recipe for disaster. If you wait up to the last minute to buy that special dress for your sister’s wedding, you will end up paying too much. By planning for large or special purchase, you have more time to shop around and compare prices.
Also, rethink your habits. Do you always head to the mall after a fight with your husband? Does a fun outing with friends have to include a trip to the department store? Do you take the kids to Toys ‘R Us as a boredom reliever? Stop yourself. Are there other activities you could do instead? Wouldn’t a trip to the gym be a great way to relieve the stress of an argument? Spend time at the coffee shop relaxing and enjoying your friends’ company – a cup of coffee is much cheaper than new pair of shoes! Take the kids to the park, instead of the toy store for fun.
Take a moment to rethink your emotional spending…
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