Dear Monday Motivators!
Did you run into any instances this weekend when you emotionally shopped? I bet a lot of the shopping we do is emotional. For example, you go into the local Hallmark store at the Christmas holiday to purchase a card and get all warm and fuzzy seeing all the Christmas wrap, bows and other goodies and walk out with $30.00 or $40.00 worth of merchandise more than you were going to spend. Or you had a really bad day at work and had to stop at the mall on your way home to get a birthday gift for a family member. While walking around you see a great outfit and you think, “I deserve that after the day I’ve had.”
Whether our kids tug at our hearts for a toy they see in the store or you go supermarket shopping on an empty stomach, we all buy more than what we need. It’s just human nature. We don’t have to beat ourselves up for it but we should get away from too much emotional spending because hours or days later, we regret the extra purchases.
So what can we do to help?
1. Eat before you go to the supermarket—even a small snack that will curb your appetite.
2. Make a list for the market and stick to it.
3. Follow Dave Ramsey’s advice and set aside cash to food shop the month before you are going to use it. If you set aside $500.00 for the month of May, you only get to spend the $500.00! That will force you to be more selective when shopping.
4. For clothing and accessories: keep a running list of what you need and let it build until you absolutely must shop. As you build the list, set money aside for these items. Keep in your mind that you are not going to use a credit card. Or if you do, you have set the cash aside so as soon as the bill arrives, you pay it in full. Also by keeping a list and holding off, you may find by the time you actually do the shopping, you don’t need everything you wrote on your list.
5. There is a difference between “need” and “want.” Believe me; I’m always working on this one.
6. If you had an argument with a family member and want to get out of the house—fine; but don’t go to the store. Instead take a long walk, run or go to the gym or a friend’s house.
7. I think women can get really excited about shopping for a special event. We need the perfect dress and, of course, the shoes to go with the dress. Then we need the purse and jewelry and on and on. Is there any way you can coordinate colors when shopping for outfits so you can get multiple uses from the clothing or accessories?
If we can lessen the number of times we shop emotionally, I know we will save more money and use it more wisely.
Good luck this week!
Joan Burge