photo by noel zia lee

Even small impulse purchases can result in overspending because they add up quickly. It helps to have a list of frugal activities to do when the urge to splurge strikes. Avoiding temptation is an important part of reaching your goals. It’s a powerful feeling to be in control. Simply avoid situations that cause you to spend unnecessarily.

Retail merchandising is designed to lure you in. It’s not just the scents and sounds that encourage you to shop. Merchandisers manipulate how you’ll walk through a store and go as far as creating stations to encourage frequent pausing and touching of merchandise. It becomes a complete sensory experience. Retailers are counting on your impulse buying. Often, having a shopping list as a disciplinary measure isn’t enough.

I’m happy to share reader-submitted frugal ways to avoid even stepping into retail stores.

Keep this list handy so you’re prepared and can take control of your spending. Remember that “stuff” doesn’t define who you are.

THRIFTY FUN: Go to the library for books, magazines, DVDs and CDs. Look through all your craft supplies for a project to do. Play free games online. Throw a stick for your dog or dangle a toy for your cat. Watch the wild birds. — Laurie, Colorado

FRESH AIR WITH KIDS: If you have kids, go to a park or their school to play an outdoor game. — karone, e-mail

MAKE MUSIC: Play an instrument or learn to play one. — acidcookie, e-mail

SIMPLE PLEASURES: Take a long, hot bubble bath, borrow a movie, make popcorn and snuggle into the couch for a movie night. — Missy, Colorado

MENTAL AND PHYSICAL WORKOUT: Surf the Internet, read, cross-stitch, do chores and/or exercise. — Paula, e-mail

ENJOY THE OUTDOORS: Do work in the garden. Walk in the woods and collect items to make decorations. — Carrie, Maryland

CELEBRATE LIFE: Crank up the music and dance! Play board games and cards. Visit a nursing home. Offer to help those in need. Have a picnic. Finish up those projects at home that you’ve been putting off. Tell someone they’re special. Send a note to someone. — lilk, e-mail

MANAGE YOUR TIME: Make a schedule of free things to do, such as running, cards and bike riding — and stick to them. If you schedule your daily time, you don’t have time to shop and spend at the stores. Also, if you find a friend to do these things with, you’ll be more committed to go. — altbaby, Texas

WORK ON HOBBIES: I do crafts, bake and write. — Donna, Florida

APPRECIATE WHAT YOU HAVE: I organize. Seeing everything curbs my appetite for buying new stuff. I love window-shopping online. Bake something and take it to a neighbor or friend. — Constance, New Jersey

BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS: Try a new recipe, learn a new language or trace your family tree. — Melanie, e-mail

LIVE IN THE MOMENT: I enjoy taking pictures with my digital camera, browsing in bookstores and doing puzzles. — Misty, e-mail

REVISIT YOUR GOALS: I go over our budget. That always works for me. — Susan, e-mail

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