Worried about Money? 9 Ways To Avoid Overspending

Every Wednesday is Tip Day.
This Wednesday: Nine tips to avoid overspending.

One source of unhappiness for people is feeling out of control of their spending - and this is a problem that's far more widespread now than it was a year ago. Feeling regret about having bought something is a very unpleasant sort of unhappiness.

Being an under-buyer, as opposed to an over-buyer, I don't generally have much trouble avoiding overspending. I have more trouble prodding myself to make the effort to buy things I actually need.

Nevertheless, even with my under-buying ways, I sometimes come home with something I didn't really need to buy. Stores use extremely clever strategies to winkle customers into making purchases. Here are some strategies to make sure you don't make purchases you regret:

1. Be wary of the check-out areas. There are lots of enticing little items here; ask yourself if you really need something before you add it to your pile. How many times have I picked up a jar of Balmex?

2. Get in and get out. The more time you spend in a store, the more you're likely to buy. Even better: don't even go in the store. Then you definitely won't buy.

3. Question the need for an upgrade. You might want that device with a slick new function, or to get the improved version of what you have now, but do you really need it?

4. Be polite to salespeople, but don't feel like they're your new best friends. Don't buy something because you're worried about hurting their feelings or having made them do a lot of work helping you or explaining products to you. (At the same time, be respectful of clerks' efforts. The other day, I was in Gap Kids, and I saw someone rifle through a pile of beautifully stacked shirts in a way that meant that they'd all have to be re-folded. Was he malicious or oblivious? I couldn't tell.)

5. Don't shop when you're in a hurry or when you're hungry.

6. Stick to a list. I've found that after I've decided to buy one thing, I'm far more likely to throw in other impulse items, because I know that I'm committed to going through the hassle of paying.

7 . Beware of sale items, which make you feel like you can't afford not to buy, or limited-time offers, which make you feel like you have to take advantage of a special deal. If you don't need or want something, it's not a good deal, not matter how cheap it is. A friend of mine told her husband, "I got this 50% off!" and he answered, "That means it was 50% ON." Along the same lines...

8. Don't buy anything that you don't know you need - this is especially important with clothes. If you're not careful, you can buy a pair of pants marked down 75%, then realize that you can't really wear them unless you buy the right shoes to go with them.

9. Choose cash or credit card. Some people find it far harder to spend actual physical cash; other people find that paying cash makes a purchase seem trivial, even when the dollar amount is high. Know whether you're more inclined to overspend with cash or credit cards - and leave that payment method at home.

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I discovered a terrific new site for working mothers, Mama Bee. Great material, helpful information, and beautifully written.

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Interested in starting your own happiness project? If you'd like to take a look at my personal Resolutions Chart, for inspiration, just email me at grubin, then the "at" sign, then gretchenrubin dot com. (Sorry about writing it in that roundabout way; I'm trying to thwart spammers.) Just write "Resolutions Chart" in the subject line.

 

 

 

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Comments

[timezone]

04:14 PM on 02/09/2009

I think some people use buying like a "comfort" food. I didn't know how much a friend spent until she shared she had to move back home to pay back credit cards. I found out she literally had trunks of clothes (clothes seemed to be her weakness). I think many people know HOW to balance or what they shouldn't spend on, but when it's done as some sort of comfort, albeit temporary, perhaps it's time for professional help, because it's so attached to them emotionally. I believe shopping, for some, can be part of an obsessive-compulsive or other disorder.

[Seeitmyway]

09:44 AM on 02/06/2009

When it comes to overspending, I think everyone should come up with a formula that works best for him or her. Store circulars are my salvation. I spend about 30 minutes each week going through the sale ads from 2 of my favorite grocery stores and making a list. I then go through the fridge and pantry and come up with a "meals for the week list", adding any additional items, if necessary. (As I usually buy things like rice, flour, cans of tomatoes, etc. in bulk on sale, this isn't necessary very often) I then go through my coupons. I'm not a coupon queen but once in a while they'll be a good one for something I really need (orange juice, oatmeal, etc.) Beware that most coupons are for pre-made meals or for things you could make yourself cheaper even with the coupon.) Being able to cook also helps A LOT. As does eating at home and making lunches. A nice rice and beans dish or pot of oatmeal once or twice a week really helps the food budget too. I figure the 30 mins or so I spend planning, saves me at least $30 per shopping trip. That's like getting paid $60/hour!

[FreetoBme]

08:27 PM on 02/05/2009

OK, here's a new thought:
I have a credit card that gives me 2 miles for every dollar I spend.
So I use my credit card for everything I buy.
The trick is that I don't think of my credit card as money I'll get later.
At the end of the month I pay my ENTIRE bill, no matter what it is.
It is money that I would have spent anyway,
I don't buy stuff I don't need or really want.
Paying it ALL, I don't get interest included in my bill
and I am able to use the credit card company's money for a month
without interest and with benefits.
It does take discipline, and I NEVER make a payment - Always the entire amount.
I've gone to Thailand free and China free using the miles.
I'm now considering a trip around the world - free.

[OttoMann]

05:51 PM on 02/07/2009

I do the same thing, except instead of miles, it gives me cash back. I'm gonna be buying gas and groceries anyway -- why not put in on a card? BTW, anyone with good credit can get a cash-back credit card; take advantage (unless you have no fiscal discipline).

[SoManyShoes]

05:37 PM on 02/05/2009

When it comes to clothes shopping, other good tips include: (1) Know the store’s return policy - we all make mistakes and the fashionably and financially responsible thing to do is return the item when that happens. (2) Buy for the body you have, not the one you want: Spending money on a size four when you are an eight is not smart – yes, I know you will be a four in no time, but the point is, you’re not a four this minute. (3) Buy complete outfits; otherwise you will have a closet full of clothes and nothing-to-wear.

You can also use new cell phone application technology to help you find the best prices like Lucky Magazines new At Your Service or ShopSavvy's barcode.

[fcsakes]

10:12 AM on 02/05/2009

Great post - shopping in a hurry continues to be a problem for me and you are absolutely correct, I tend to do more impulse buying when I'm in a hurry and don't have time to think about it. I am also an underbuyer and often will not go out until I'm am down to two cans of pinto beans and a teaspoon of milk.

Am I the only person who thinks that grocery stores purposely keep not enough checkout stands open so that you have to stand in line and be tempted by all that garbage surrounding you, magazines, gum, candy, worthless gadgets? And thanks for reminding me that it is better for me to carry cash because I am less likely to spend it on stuff I don't need. Handing over a debit card is just too easy.

[timezone]

04:32 PM on 02/09/2009

Fcsakes, I understand and make a grocery list for my once a month shopping where I stock up on any non-perishables I think I need for the month (and usually buy just a little extra, in case). I go through the house and list anything from paper products to detergent to canned or boxed foods and even things like ketchup I need to stock up on. Sure it's a big bill when you go through the line (I also try to buy on sale and use coupons, which helps), but that way, I don't seem to run short before my next monthly shopping. For those trying to make ends meet or who really want to know where their money is going, this can work really well.