We’ve all been there—you go to the shop for one thing and leave with a bag full of items you weren't expecting to get. Buying on impulse is one of the biggest barriers to building savings, and it can quickly derail your budget if you’re not careful. The good news is that getting over impulse buying is possible, and with a little discipline and a few simple strategies, you can start saving more money and making better money choices. The key is to identify the triggers behind your spending and swap those tendencies with healthier financial practices.
The first step to stopping spontaneous purchases is to set up a spending plan and stick to tips on saving money it. Knowing exactly how much money you have set aside for non-essential purchases each month can help you resist the urge to purchase items impulsively. When you see something you are tempted to purchase, give yourself a cooling-off period—give it a day before pulling the trigger. This gives you time to assess whether you really need the item or if it’s just an urge. Usually, you’ll find that the desire to buy fades, and you’ll avoid spending money needlessly.
Another useful idea is to minimise your access to triggers. If online shopping is your weakness, opt out of marketing emails and take out saved payment options from your favourite e-commerce platforms. If you tend to make impulse purchases in person, leave your credit cards at home and pay in cash. By adding obstacles to purchases, you’ll have more time to evaluate your choices and avoid falling into the impulse spending trap. Breaking the habit may take time, but the long-term rewards—increased financial security and reduced money anxiety—are worth the discipline.