Be a smart Shopper

Here's how to resist the urge to splurge

1. Examine your spending habits -  Are you buying decisions motivated by your own values or by advertisments?  Don't be influenced by consumerism and an obsession with spending.
2. Break down why you shop and ask yourself what real needs are satisfied by shopping trips - Are you doing it out of habit because that's what all your friends do, and get bored easily?  Finding other shared experiences like sports, hobbies, and special interest club cna help break that cycle.
3. You can get the same or better, shopping at flea markets and thrift shops - Are you rewarding yourself for small achievements?  That's a good pattern, but you can look closer at what type of rewards motivate you best and ask yourself if time doing something fun is a better reward.
4. Stay home - If you don't need to shop, don't go shopping simply because you are bored.  Don't use shopping as a recreation or amusement.  Find other amusement and hobbies, if it's lonely, then invite people over, or organize a group to play games togather.
5. Leave the money at home - The easiest way to not buy anything is simply not to take any cash, checks, debit cards or credit cards with you when you go out.  At most, take a small amount of cash with you for emergencies.
6. Buy used - If you really need something and haven't been able to beg, borrow or dumpster-dive it, go to Cash Convertors and get one for a few ringgit.  Online auctions and yard sales are also good, although there is still the temptation to buy "stuff" you don't really need.
7. Buy for durability - If you decide to purchase something, choose something that won't wear out, or won't wear out quickly.  Also avoid purchasing items that will go out of fashion.  Think through how you will use the item and how your choice will meet your needs for as long as  possible.  Thinking in the long term, a more durable items costing 30% more up front will still save you money if you can use it twice as long.
8. Buy for easy compatibility - If you really like an item, think how well it will work with what you have already.  Maybe a clothing item is fresh and flattering, but if it doesn't coordinate will with at least two or three pieces you won, you will either get limited use out of it, or worse, you may 'need' to buy more to use it at all.
9. Pay cash - Studies show the average person spends less when paying with cash and mush more when paying with credit, possibly because when you use a credit card it feels as though you are not parting with 'real' money.
10. Make a budget and stick to it - Don't treat your budget like a New Year's resolution.  While creating and sticking to a budget requires self- control, it is a really good way to get your finances under control.