What are Some Ways Avoid Impulse Buys?

As Impulse Buy Nobility, I pursued my love in under the cloak of darkness and would brag about any savings or I simply would hide my purchases. This would even happen at the grocery store.

The most standard method is wait a standard period of time. This does not work with me. If I see it and I want it, I am going to buy it. Unless I don't have any money. So, the key is to make sure I don't have any money. Credit cards frozen in blocks of ice are effective. I've been told that you have to be patient and let them melt or you screw up the mag strip. Of course, if you are really in a hurry, you can just run it under hot water. Of course you can cut up the card, but if you are like me, you will lie and say you did and just hide it in your wallet.

I have come up with a few methods that seem to work well:

1. I have sponsors - financially responsible people I can text or email in an emergency who will talk me out of something or talk me off the ledge. Now, this is tricky because I can also simply avoid that. So, what I've been doing lately is tattling on myself the night before I think I will end up in a problematic situation. For example, I knew that Saturday I would have a block of free time and I would be very close to Vegas's designer outlets. Sponsor was notified beforehand and scolding began early and continued on. Instead of dealing with the interrogation (sponsor on call is another lawyer), I went home and took a much needed nap.

2. I have my money coach and he monitors my spending. This is because I am a lying liar who lies and I can't be trusted to be honest. Money Coach was given access to my mint account to track my spending. Even if you don't have a money coach, give someone you trust access and they can grill you on certain purchases.

3. Avoid the danger zones. Kohl's is the devil. Target is the red bullseye of death. Whole Foods is whole paycheck. I can't drive near West Elm because there is some sort of magnetic force between it and my body. I have to stay out of the danger zones. When I want to go to them, I try to trick self and go to the library instead. That is sort of like having new stuff. For a little while.

4. Most of the time, I just like to look at pretty things. So museums and galleries also work. So does eyebrow maintenance and home organizing projects.

5. I went to Catholic high school and I am easily persuaded by guilt. When I want to purchase something, I open my budget spreadsheet. After the panic subsides and I stop crying, I usually lose the urge to purchase something, regardless of the good deal.

The best deal is not spending any money at all. (LOOK WORLD - Look at how I've grown!) I still feel heartache over not getting Manolos at 50% off. They had RED FEATHERS. 50% OFF.