Combat spending triggers

photo by timparkinson

Are you an emotional spender? Often, a trigger can lead many of us into a shopping spree for things we don’t need. Maybe you feel incredibly happy while buying. But the joy is temporary. You get home, and the guilt and anxiety sets in. Identifying your emotional triggers can help you confront the real issues and learn strategies, so you can make the best choices to bring you closer to your financial goals.
Do you see yourself in any of the following scenarios? How do you combat spending triggers?

ENTERTAINMENT: Shopping is social. You get together with friends or family, go to the mall, have lunch and then shop. They buy, so you buy.

SOLUTION: Share with others that you’re trying to save money. Suggest gathering at home, rent or borrow a movie, and everyone can bring a dish to pass around. Or go to garage sales, thrift stores or the library, where you’ll spend less or nothing at all, and pack a lunch to eat at a local park. You don’t have to spend money to enjoy the company of friends and family or for them to enjoy time spent with you.

ENTITLEMENT JUSTIFICATION: You work hard and deserve to buy something you want. One reader, Betsy in California, shares: “Sense of entitlement is probably the one trigger I fight with the most. When I worked full time and was unhappy with my job, I would justify buying stuff because if I had to work in a crappy job, I deserved “xyz.” Stupid me! I should have been thinking that spending money on “xyz” made me HAVE to work. And that I needed to save my money and then I wouldn’t feel as if I had to work at that job and I could have looked elsewhere.”

SOLUTION: If you can’t be kind to yourself, you can’t be kind to others. What you really deserve is time for yourself to do something that is comforting, inspiring or just plain fun and isn’t shopping- or money-related. Take time to write a journal. Your journal can include tracking your spending. Learn to write down how you feel and look for patterns. Your “me time” can include free activities such as reading, gardening and listening to music. You deserve a healthy financial future. You have to know you’re worth more than a shopping spree.

STRESSED, SAD OR ANGRY: When feeling lonely or upset, it’s easy to head to the store for a little retail therapy. It takes your mind off things temporarily. But overspending perpetuates this cycle.

SOLUTION: Understand that over time it will take bigger items to make you feel better. Stay home and out of stores. Start a healthy habit. Exercise can help you work off your stress. It’s good for you, and you’ll feel great afterward. Working out can be as easy as cleaning and organizing a room to shift your thoughts and let off steam. You can work on a project that’s been on your to-do list, too.

BARGAINS AND IMPULSES: It’s easy to be tempted to buy when an item is on sale. Maybe you’re afraid you’ll miss out on an incredible bargain, so you shop often and overspend.

SOLUTION: Keep in mind that buying something you don’t need even when it’s on sale isn’t a bargain at all. Give yourself an allowance or set a limit and stick to it. Small, planned indulgences will help you stay on track with your frugality. But stay focused on your goals.
Ask yourself the following questions prior to purchasing: Do I need it? Will I use it? Is there room for it? Can I borrow this? How long will it last? Can I do without it? Can I find a better price? Are there negative consequences?

Posted by Sara Noel on May 9 2009. Filed under Frugal & simple living.
Sara Noel owns Frugal Village, LLC and is a nationally syndicated columnist with Universal Uclick. Bio, Follow me on Twitter, Join us on Facebook