I am an impulse shopper. It is true.
This is my nature and I have to place solid guidelines in the arena in my finances for the rest of my life to truly combat this.
I get what I like to call “buyer’s remorse.” I will be super excited about something and then get it, then I get into this funk where I feel guilty and stupid for spending so much on it.
This happened about 3-4 months ago when I purchased my iPod Touch. If you know me you know I have an unhealthy obsession with iPods. I don’t know what it is but I feel incomplete (as though I can’t function) when I am without it.
Let me put it this way:
- its the first thing I hear when I wake up;
- it is what puts me to sleep;
- I have my quiet time with Zondervan reading me scripture while I follow along;
- I learn from financial podcasts (daily)
- I absorb sports info from other podcasts
- Oh yeah, it plays music too
But once I got it, I immediately had buyer’s remorse. I tried to return it but through a story in itself I was unable to. I find myself time & time again giving into impulse rather than patience.
I have learned (and continue to learn) this about myself. Therefore I have implemented what is called the $100 rule in my life.
For every $100 that I want to spend on a purchase, I must wait one day before I make the purchase.
If a new purchase costs $100, I have to wait one day until I can purchase the item.
If a new iPod costs $400, I have to wait four days until I can purchase the iPod.
If a new MacBook Pro costs $1400, I have to wait two weeks until I can purchase the MacBook.
By doing this I have a built in period where I can fight impulse. If you find yourself wired like me, implementing healthy guidelines can absolutely aid to transitioning from being in a financial mess to being financially free. Putting yourself in a position to experience life-change!
