Trick Yourself Into Curbing Your Compulsive Spending With The 30 Day Rule

There are many times in my life when I have a compulsive urge to buy things. I am definitely a borderline compulsive spender and an impulse shopper. My wife will surely attest to that. But, I have managed to curb my desire to buy something on impulse over the years as I have grown older. One way that I have curb my shopping cravings is through the 30 Day Rule.

Here is a template on how to use the 30 Day Rule

Put Down The Item And Leave The Store

Going into the store in itself can be the first mistake you make if you have a shopping problem or a problem with spending too much money. Do you routinely bust your monthly budget? It is probably because you cannot control your spending. I would bet that you might have a higher than average credit card balance as well to go with your spending habits. But, it does not have to be that way. When it comes to making large purchases, truly thinking about if you need that item or how your life will be better with it is what makes a difference between instant gratification and budget busting. The best thing you can do besides never entering the store in the first place is to stop, put the item down, and take a timeout to think about your purchase. Put the item back and reassess your situation in thirty days.

Write Down The Item That You Want To Buy

So, you took a timeout, stepped back, and are going to wait for thirty days. Use this time to write down what you wanted to buy. Make sure that you include the price, where it was, and why you wanted it. Keep the paper you wrote your item down on some place where you will see it in thirty days. You could put it on your bathroom mirror or on your refrigerator even. You can even turn it into a savings goal. Write the dollar amount that you need to save in order to pay cash for the item on your mirror or right on the piggybank. It will give you that little spark you need to pay cash for it instead of busting your budget or reaching for the plastic allure of your credit cards