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With the ability to purchase an item without thinking, people have been getting more and more into impulse buying. It’s a phenomenon that has been occurring since the advent of shopping malls, but it has become a true epidemic in recent years. If you find yourself “bouncing” from one sale to the next without actually considering what you’re doing, no matter how great they seem at first glance, this list of seven ways to control your impulses is going to help. They’ll help you avoid wasting money on things that initially sounded like a great deal, but end up collecting dust in your closet.
1. Learn to Map Out Your Shopping List
Before you head out the door to your local shopping center, take a minute to go over what you’re looking for. Some people like to look over the receipt (especially if it’s before the holidays) and write down exactly what they’re going to buy, but I suggest mapping out a spreadsheet first. By making a detailed list of all the things you’ll need, you can also see how much money you have available at any given time and which items have overachieved their “shopping budget” accordingly. Note: The closer to Christmas your shopping list is, the more important this step becomes.