How to Stop Yourself From Impulse Buying

When my boyfriend broke up with me unexpectedly, all I wanted to do was buy a Taylor Swift concert ticket. Or a golden retriever puppy.?

For context, this was the weekend Taylor came to play at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. As a lifelong fan and New York City resident, the idea of splurging on a ticket had crossed my mind long?before the heartbreak.?

Suddenly, I had the perfect opportunity: Distract myself with three hours of a?once-in-a-lifetime concert?experience.?

The problem? Money. As much as I wish I could randomly drop more than $1,000 on an impulse purchase, that’s simply not in my budget or in alignment with my financial goals.?

But it was?hard?to resist. That’s a common problem: When emotions are running high, many people have the urge to buy things?for a quick endorphin rush.?

It’s part of why?“buy now, pay later” apps?and?credit cards?can be so dangerous. With a few clicks, you can spend thousands of dollars on a whim.?

So how can you resist the urge to impulse buy?

Ryan Phillips, founder of GuidePoint Financial Planning in Virginia, recommends a 24-hour waiting period for anything in your shopping cart. Afterwards, you’ll likely have a better sense of whether you really want the item.?

You can also set aside a certain portion of each paycheck as “fun money” and then spend it guilt-free, said?Karen Ogden, partner at Envest Asset Management. If that bucket is low one month, opt for?free activities to boost your mood instead, like going on a picnic or taking a hike.?

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