For a lot of people, impulse shopping can be a great stress reliever—it makes us feel good to go out and treat ourselves to that new gadget or article of clothing. Of course, for a lot of us, impulse shopping can lead to greater stress a short time later: buyer’s remorse, increased debt and feelings of guilt for wasting money.

The holidays are almost the “perfect storm” for impulse shoppers. We have gifts to purchase, we’re often short on time, and the stress of the season may make us more impulsive than usual. Here are some good tips on countering the urge to splurge:

1. Make a holiday budget and stick to it. You knew that one was coming, didn’t you? It really is an effective way to keep a handle on your wallet. Determine how much money you can comfortably spend and who and what you’ll spend it on. Don’t allow yourself to exceed these limits. Unless you won the lottery or came into an unexpected inheritance, you don’t have more money on December 23^rd than you thought you’d have on November 30^th when you first made up your budget. Don’t let desperation lead you into debt.
2. From frugal-living-tips.com: put any unplanned purchases in the baby-seat area of your shopping cart. Then, just before you get to the checkout, review those items again. Has the sparkle worn off? Don’t buy them!
3. If possible, leave your credit cards at home and pay in cash. Cash feels “real” to most of us, and it’s therefore harder to let go of. Plastic doesn’t pack the same emotional wallop, so it’s easier to use on impulse. Plus, it’s easier to stick to your budget if that’s all the money you have with you!
4. Understand what’s behind the impulse. Are you hungry? Tired? Anxious? If you understand what’s driving your impulsive behavior, you can often derail it and take back control. Do you need a flat screen TV or a new outfit, or do you really just need an apple and a nap?

During the holidays, it’s easy to let our impulse to be generous overcome our need to be frugal. If you would like more tips on how to curb spending, check out “The Psychology of Spending” information on BALANCE. It’s a great way to understand your own spending habits and regain control of your wallet!

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