Cee Mo Money

Impulse Purchases!

I’ll admit it.  I am (or was) an impulse buyer.  I’ve learned to control my urges since.

What is an Impulse Buyer and why do they make Impulse Purchases?

According to Wikipedia:

An impulse purchase or impulse buy is an unplanned or otherwise spontaneous purchase. One who tends to make such purchases is referred to as an impulse purchaser or impulse buyer.

So now you know what that means, how many of you guys are impulse buyers?  I’m pretty sure a majority of you are.  It’s human nature and a lot of marketing!

I used to be so bad, I’d go into Fry’s Electronics and leave with some random electronic device or goto Foot Locker and pick up the latest Jordans. I racked up a ton of debt in impulse purchases when I was in college it was nuts now that I look back on it! I can now go out, have my wallet filled with cash and credit cards, go walk through the mall and not buy a thing.

Let’s do some quick math with my previous spending binges so you have a better understanding:
Monthly Jordan Purchases: $120-$180
Electronic Purchases: $100-$200

Let’s say we go with the averages:
@ $300/mo for Shoes/Electronics Yearly Cost: $3600

Minimum:
@ $220/mo for Shoes/Electronics Yearly Cost: $2640

Maximum:
@ $380/mo for Shoes/Electronics Yearly Cost: $4560

Let that sink into your head for a bit….

Are you ready to listen now?

There are TONS of ways to approach this.

The way I personally do it is by asking myself “Do I really need this?” and “Will I be still be using it in the next 6 months?”.  If they meet the criteria, then I’ll go through with the purchase. Telling yourself “I deserve it” or “I can’t live without it” are the worst excuses you can give yourself.  I have a collection of electronics I no longer use and my Jordan collection still stands, at the same time I don’t have to buy shoes for a long time.

You can try using a list.  Before you go out for the day, write down a list of things you NEED to buy and go do your errands.  I live and die by my list.

I also keep a budget aside for “toys” and “entertainment” so if I feel like spending, I’ll go buy it guilt free. If you don’t have any kind of budgeting setup, better get started!

Or another way of looking at it is, add up all of those purchases you made in the past year and see how much value it’s worth to you now. Not worth much when it’s piled up in your closet or garage is it?

If you’re the worst of the worst… take your Credit Cards, chop em’ up, or freeze them in a block of ice!

It’s all about discipline.  Make the changes you need. If you want out of debt, you’re going to have to make a ton of sacrifices.  Sell all the old crap you’re no longer using! If you have a goal to buy a house, a car, or go on a lavish vacation, make that your motivation to save up.

ps. I would’ve used a picture of a woman, but then I would’ve gotten a lot of heat from women out there. Enjoy!