Maybe you have too much downtime.
Maybe you dont have nearly enough.
Whatever your particular trigger, its easy to indulge in retail therapy.
Thats when you use shopping to cheer yourself up or stave off boredom.
Were here with some strategies for stopping the credit card creep before it starts.
Spending yourself into debt is not one of them.
Create a Routine
Retail therapy often fills a void when theres space in your day.
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Keep your morning routine of breakfast, exercise learn a new skill, he said.
Thats good advice for lazy afternoons on weekends or breaks between Zooms during the week.
Make a Budget
Nothing kills the thrill of shopping indiscriminately like seeing your credit card balance.
Im looking at you midnight shoppers.
), write that amount on the sticky note so you know your monthly limit.
Were tempted by wants, not needs.
So make a list of necessary items, and then stick to it.
Keep your list next to your rig (right next to the budget sticky!)
I dont care that those aviators are never on sale you dont need them.
Another trap to avoid: the envy-inducing Instagram feed featuring fabulous living room makeovers and that must-have jacket.
Stay off social media Its a breeding ground for discontent, Christensen said.
Make It Tougher to Buy
For those sites that you regularly browse just browse, you swear!
make it harder to complete the purchase by deleting the credit cards from your online wallet.
Even better, cut up [your credit cards] if youre really struggling, Christensen said.
Fill Up Your Cart!
Let yourself enjoy a little retail therapy window shopping.
Spend an hour (or two) filling up your online cart with everything frivolous.
Then, when you reach the checkout, abandon your cart.
Dump all the items if you think theres any chance youll return to complete the purchase.
And if theres something that you simply cant live without, enforce a 24-hour waiting period on every purchase.
Tiffany Wendeln Connors is a staff writer/editor at The Penny Hoarder.
Readher bio and other work here, then catch her on Twitter @TiffanyWendeln.
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