Everyone’s done it—you pop into a shop for one thing and end up leaving with a bag full of items you weren't expecting to get. Buying on impulse is one of the largest challenges to accumulating wealth, and it can quickly derail your budget if you’re not mindful. The good news is that breaking the impulse spending habit is possible, and with a little self-control and a few helpful tricks, you can start saving more money and making better money choices. The key is to understand the causes behind your spending and shift those behaviors with positive, money-saving behaviours.

The first step to stopping spontaneous purchases is to set up a spending plan and adhere to it. Knowing exactly how much money you have available for discretionary spending each month can help online financial advisor you resist the urge to purchase items impulsively. When you see something you feel like buying, wait before buying—pause for 24 hours before pulling the trigger. This gives you time to assess whether you really need the item or if it’s just an impulse. More often than not, you’ll find that the desire to buy fades, and you’ll save yourself from unnecessary spending.

Another great tip is to reduce opportunities for temptation. If buying online is your challenge, opt out of marketing emails and delete stored payment info from your favourite shopping websites. If you tend to spend impulsively in person, avoid bringing your credit cards and pay in cash. By adding obstacles to purchases, you’ll have more time to consider what you’re buying and avoid succumbing to spontaneous purchases. Changing your spending habits may take time, but the benefits over time—increased financial security and reduced money anxiety—are worth the discipline.