Have you ever been sucked in by a sale, or overcome by the urge to buy something you tossed aside later? Impulse spending is something we’re all guilty of. We like to think of ourselves as rational and in control, but sometimes we spend more than we’d like to. 

Tips to avoid impulse buying

Understand the traps

To understand impulse buying, it helps to understand its triggers. For example, stores are structured to awaken the shopaholic inside all of us. And although we can’t change the system, we can change how we respond to it.

Sales and discounts

The pull of an offer can be seductive. Sales make our hearts race, and compel us to act by targeting our loss aversion tendencies—we think we’re missing out on something great if we don’t grab it. Understanding this process may help you notice it happening. You’ll know if an item truly excites you, or if you’re just hooked by a seemingly good deal.

Immersive shopping experiences

Shopping is often a multisensory experience, thanks to the way stores bombard us with music, lights and vibrant colours. These elements work together to attach positive emotions to spending. Being conscious of how an immersive store can hijack your feelings may help you stay in charge of your choices.

Use emotional awareness

Often, seeking material comforts via impulse buying is driven by unmet emotional needs. We might use shoes as pick-me-ups, or search for happiness on a clearance rack. Practising mindfulness allows you to get to the source of a spending desire. Taking control of your emotions may be the most powerful way to reduce impulse buying.

Suncorp Bank Behavioural Psychologist Phil Slade suggests finding other emotional outlets, and never shopping when sad. When you’re unsure if you truly want something, Phil suggests saying you’ll ‘’make this decision tomorrow’’. Delaying a purchase can help you distinguish rational thoughts from emotional ones.

Emotional awareness helps you spot shopping traps and become the sole driver of your spending behaviour. You can’t get rid of your emotions – you’re only human! – or the never-ending sales, but you can navigate them like a pro.

Create shopping lists

Arm yourself with a shopping list before you hit the shelves, and stick to it. This way you’ll be fully aware of what you came to do. When you plan to buy bread, buy bread—even if the supermarket aisles throw you off course, herding you towards the soft drinks. Supermarket essentials (like milk and bread) are often placed at the back of a store, so it’s easy to get sucked in. That’s where your list comes in handy—it can keep you on track.

Track your spending

A budget can help keep unnecessary spending at bay. Having a fixed amount of money to spend prompts you to re-consider spontaneous spending impulses. If you’re new to the whole budget planning thing, try our free budget planner  to help get your head around the financial planning process.

Discover Suncorp Bank’s free Budget Planner

Suncorp Bank’s Everyday Options Account can also be a great way to budget better everyday—you can create up to 9 linked sub-accounts and name them whatever you like. Separating your food budget from your furniture one can keep things simple. Open a bank account online and enjoy no monthly account keeping fee for the life of the account! Bask in your newfound confidence when you next hit the shops!

Discover our Everyday Accounts

Published 8 January 2022