Doing extra shopping during holiday seasons is a popular activity for most people. We love to get into the holiday mood and sometimes that means spending some extra cash.
There is nothing wrong with treating yourself during Christmas but you should know that overspending is a real thing that’s common during holiday seasons.
It starts with a few buys here and there but accumulatively you’re hit with the realty that you’ve gone way beyond your budget.
In case you’re wondering if you’re a victim of over shopping, here are some clues. You have a hard time separating your wants and needs when shopping and you have a lot of stuff you buy but never use.
Don’t beat yourself if you’re guilty. Most of us are.
You can turn things around this season and start practicing good money habits by trying these strategies instead:
Resist the trap of advertisementsEvery year, millions of shillings are spent on advertising only. There are experts who can get you to buy something you don’t necessarily need because they understand how to influence a buyer’s psychology.
Knowing this, you will be more aware and avoid getting caught up in all the December shopping madness.
Realize that you don’t have to buy anything extra just because there is a 50% off festive offer during this season. If you don’t need it, leave it.
This year, emotional spending is at an all-time high. Many of us have had a tough year because of Covid and there is still a lot of anxiety in the atmosphere that can push people to numb themselves through shopping.
Before you buy anything, take time to understand your emotional state and note whether you’re only purchasing something because of a deeper emotional struggle or what.
Is there is an ‘I feel’ feeling attached to the items you are choosing rather than a logical decision? If you answer yes, you’re at risk of over shopping.
Prioritize your financial healthIn order to prevent any festive impulse buying, make decisions based on your financial health. You might be tempted to go overboard with spoiling yourself when in reality, you are in the middle of a financial crisis.
If your books don’t balance and you find yourself struggling to pay for essentials every New Year, it’s a huge sign that you need to set boundaries with how you spend your cash over the holidays.
Be more aware of your spending by tracking. You have access to apps that can help you manage your money better or you can even go the old-school way and write it all on paper.
Whatever your preference is, you need a tracking system that will remind you of your spending limits and keep you from over shopping this December.
Find accountability partnersFind likeminded people who want to keep their finances healthy during this season.
This is a great way to nurture some accountability especially if overspending is something you have been dealing with for a long time.
An accountability partner will keep you on track and it’s a great space for sharing some ideas that will get you to the next level financially.