How to avoid impulse buying

Once in a while, we all make purchases on a whim. When such purchases are the exception rather than the rule, impulse buying rarely develops into a significant problem. However, if you're not careful, unplanned spending can become a compulsive behavior.

Many people have learned the hard way that making purchases on a whim - especially if done on a regular basis - can saddle them with huge financial burdens. Fortunately, impulse buying can be restrained by following a few simple rules:

• Make a shopping list. Be like Santa. Make a list and check it twice. A list can keep you focused. It can remind you of what you came to buy and steer you away from the other stuff.

  Be aware that supermarkets have researched the best product placements to tempt shoppers. Ever wonder why the eggs and milk are at the back of the store? So you'll have to traverse the whole store to find them.

  Doesn't that bread from the in-store bakery smell great when you stop to pick up a few groceries? It's not by accident. Think twice before straying from your list of needed items.

• Stay home. It's a fact: you're more likely to make impulse buys while standing in line at a department store than when curled up on the sofa reading a book.
• Beware of browsing. That goes for Internet browsing, too. Scanning through electronic gear or footwear or eBay auctions can get your adrenaline pumping and push you toward impulse purchases.
• Pay with cash. If you're tempted to buy that lovely new suit or snack or gadget, don't pay with plastic. Take time to dig into your wallet and hand over hard currency. It may slow things down and help you rethink the purchase.
• Ask some tough questions. Can I buy it used? Is a salesman pressuring me? Can I fix something I already have? Do I really need it?
• Track your expenses. This is a great way to zero in on impulse buying. By documenting your purchases over the course of a month or two, you may discover that a large percentage of your spending is "spur of the moment." That may signal the need to begin rethinking your priorities.