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5 Steps To Avoid Impulse Buys

June 13, 2019 What’s really behind your spending – and what can you do about it? Mindfulness isn’t something most of us can just turn on like a light switch. It takes commitment, practice and lots of baby steps. But guess what? We know you can be more mindful about your spending and that your life will be happier if you are. So go to it!

Step 1: Send yourself an SOS.

Hey, we’re not stress experts, but the folks at are and they recommend this technique when you feel the stress building and the urge to spend growing. First, Step back and clear your thoughts. Take some deep breaths and leave your worries behind. Next, Orient yourself. This means thinking about your values and how your spending affects them. Sure, we’ve all felt that hit of pleasure as we watch the clerk bag up that cute purse or such-a-good-deal sweater. But are a few minutes of bargain joy worth not being able to put money into the things that really matter to you? Whether it’s saving for retirement, funding your kids’ college account or taking a great vacation? And, last, Self check. Using a 10 (stressed-out mess) to 1 (completely calm and relaxed) point scale, ask yourself how anxious you are and whether you’re focused on your values (10) or completely going on impulse (1). And do an SOS when you’re not stressed too so you have something to compare your stressed SOS against.

Step 2: Hit the pause button.

Tempted to buy something you know you can’t afford or don’t really need? Wait. Leave the store (whether it’s online or the real deal) empty handed. Give yourself 24 hours to think about whether you really need or want whatever it is.

Step 3: Recognize your triggers and eliminate temptation.

Where and when are you most likely to buy something you later regret? Shopping online? When you’re out having a “girls’ day”? If online buys tend to be the problem, avoid hitting your computer or phone when you’re feeling stressed, sad or bored. Take a walk, read a few pages of a book or call a friend just to say “hi.” And make it harder to buy online. Borrow these tricks from : remove your one-click checkout option at Amazon, don’t store your credit card information (if it’s more of a pain to buy, it might slow you down) and set a limit to your time online. Although shopping with friends can be fun, it can be a great way to spend more than you planned. Find other ways to spend quality time with your friends – or only hang out with friends who are frugal and would never buy something unless they’d paid off their credit cards and made a contribution to their 401(k). You can also set a budget before you leave home to keep you from spending more than you should.

Step 4: Only shop at places that take returns.

Many businesses will accept returns if you have the original receipt and haven’t used the item. When you buy something new that wasn’t in the budget, don’t use or wear it for a couple days. With any luck, you’ll recognize you’re better off returning the item – even if you have to deal with the hassle factor. And over time, you’ll be able to avoid buying and get to skip returns altogether!

Step 5: Indulge – sometimes.

Everything in life can’t be calculated or planned and sometimes that fancy coffee or fun pair of socks just has to happen! But when you do indulge, savor mindfully and really enjoy it (hey, you’re owning this!). Smart money tips brought to you by  , Summit’s exclusive financial wellness program. You might also be interested in Whew – what a journey! has officially come to a close, and these four teams have been impressive. And they’re leaving this program with less debt, mo Financial success isn’t how much money you have — it’s feeling good about what you’re doing with the money you have. How can we help you avoid difficult money situations and put you in the best financial position for success? This question is at the heart of so many things we do here as your financial partner – including our decision to eliminate the non-sufficient funds (NSF) fee as of April 1. Are you struggling to come up with the perfect New Year’s resolution? Here are three great reasons why focusing on your finances should be a priority this year! It’s not every day that someone gives you hundreds, or maybe even thousands, of dollars for (seemingly) no reason. That’s what makes getting a tax return so exciting. So before that much-anticipated check arrives, stop and consider what you should do with your tax refund, as well as what you want to do. Simple, everyday choices can reduce consumption and our impact on the environment. Learn ways to be more eco-friendly…and your spending at the same time! Sometimes having a little extra cash is the only thing between you and your dreams. Check out these financial tips to be smart about borrowing money and avoid common mistakes. With a little planning, you may be able to actually save a little money during the holidays. Check out these tips to keep costs down without missing out on the holiday fun. Your home is your castle, your refuge and—let’s face it—a place where it can be very easy to sink a big chunk of money. Which is why you’re always on the lookout for “sweet spots”:  those home improvements that add comfort, safety or a little zing of style while you’re living in your house and will boost the asking price when it’s time to sell. And if you can find a way to save money on those improvements or cut home expenses at the same time, well that sweet spot just got a little sweeter! Featured Products Certificates Checking Accounts Home Equity Loans Home Loans Business Banking Certificates Checking Accounts Home Equity Loans Home Loans Business Banking Financial Education Upcoming Events Programs Tools & Calculators On-demand Webinars Podcasts Upcoming Events Programs Tools & Calculators On-demand Webinars Podcasts About Equity in Money™ About Summit Careers News Community Giving Equity in Money™ About Summit Careers News Community Giving Help & Support Contact Us Member Support Center Schedule an Appointment Find a Branch Contact Us Member Support Center Schedule an Appointment Find a Branch Please read the following before proceeding to: The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site. NCUA Insurance Estimator Privacy, Security & Accessibility Rates, Fees, Terms & Disclosures Routing Number *  The Wisconsin's #1 Mortgage Lender designation is based on the number of loans in 2022, gathered from the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data compiled annually by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The results of the data were obtained through the LEI: 254900NTAC4H10MGSU23 **  SBA Lender of the Year Award for Credit Unions as awarded by the Small Business Administration of Wisconsin in 2023. Copyright 2024 © Summit Credit Union. All rights reserved. If you are using a screen reader and are having problems using this website, please call 608-243-5000 for assistance. Insured by NCUA