How To Create A Thrifty Shopping Budget

It can be tough to stay on top of your finances, especially when it feels like every time you turn around there’s another bill to pay. But one way to ease the money stress is to create a budget for your shopping. By being mindful of how much you’re spending on non-essential items, you can free up some cash to put towards your savings or other priorities.

Here are a few tips to help you create a thrifty shopping budget:

1. Know your spending triggers.

We all have our weaknesses when it comes to spending money. Maybe you can’t resist a good sale, or you have a hard time saying no to impulse purchases. Whatever your spending triggers are, be aware of them so you can avoid them when you’re trying to stick to a budget.

2. Set a limit.

Before you go shopping, decide how much you’re willing to spend. This will help you stay on track when you’re in the store (or browsing online). Once you reach your limit, put the brakes on your spending.

3. Make a list.

Before you hit the stores, take a few minutes to make a list of the things you need. This will help you stay focused on your purchase goals and resist the urge to buy things you don’t need.

4. Compare prices.

Don’t just buy the first thing you see – take the time to compare prices at different stores before making a purchase. You might be surprised at how much you can save just by doing a little research.

5. Use cash.

If you’re worried about overspending, leave your credit cards at home and only bring cash with you when you go shopping. This way, you’ll be less likely to impulse buy since you’ll only be able to spend what you have on hand.

6. Avoid sales.

It can be tempting to buy things just because they’re on sale, but resist the urge! If you wouldn’t have bought it at full price, then it’s not really a bargain.

7. Wait it out.

If you see something you really want but it’s not in your budget, wait a few days before buying it. If you still want it after that time, then you can go ahead and make the purchase. But more often than not, you’ll find that you don’t miss the item as much as you thought you would and you can save yourself some money.

Following these tips can help you stick to a thrifty shopping budget and free up some extra cash in your budget for other things. So next time you’re feeling the urge to splurge, remember these tips and you’ll be able to resist the temptation.