Have you ever been caught in the situation where a shopping trip intended for buying gifts turns into a shopping spree for yourself? You’re not alone. Indeed, it is easy to be swayed into self-indulgence while shopping for others during this festive season. But beware, such behaviour could leave you stretching your budget to the limit towards the end of the month. Here are five suggestions on how to resist the urge to purchase for yourself while gift shopping.
AVOID STRESSFUL SHOPPING
If your holiday shopping is squeezed into an already stress-laden week, you’re more likely to make frivolous purchases. Stress often nudges us into believing that we’re due some retail therapy. Therefore, it helps to do your shopping on days when your stress levels are low. A useful tip is to always question your motives while making an impromptu purchase. Does it really add happiness or reduce stress? The answer might be an instant yes, but usually turns out to be a hard pass over time.
GIFT GIFT CARDS
All of us wish for our offerings to be appreciated. Despite being somewhat traditional, gift cards are well accepted and eliminate the temptation to splurge on oneself. Gift cards can be conveniently bought at grocery stores which helps steer clear overspending.
EXCLUSIVELY CARRY CASH
An effective tool to control your spending is to carry only cash while shopping. It forces you to be mindful of your budget. The elimination of excess cash will dissuade you from making unnecessary purchases, for instance, discounted boots, because of insufficient cash. Level-headed budgeting strategies, with cash at hand, can keep you within your gift budget, warding off the allure of high priced items.
AIM FOR A DEBT-FREE HOLIDAY
The essence of the holiday season is in giving, but a hyper-commercialized mindset frequently introduces a touch of greed. Shop with the mindset that you truly don’t need the extra items. Even if a deal seems irresistible, remember that the pleasure of ending the season debt-free is largely unparalleled.
KICKSTART YOUR SHOPPING EARLY
If you find it hard to resist overspending on personal purchases, try starting your shopping well in advance next year. You don’t have to wait till December to buy holiday gifts. With a variety of deals available throughout the year, you could shop as early as February or June and stock up for the holidays. An early start might help curb impulsive spending as you avoid the holiday rush.
How do you manage to keep self-spending in check while shopping for others?
Source: smartasset.com
