How to Budget When You’re a Shopaholic
Shopping therapy is real. There’s something about ordering yourself a new pair of shoes or buying that new trendy item that just makes you feel good – it’s a gift from you to yourself. Yet, there’s a difference between shopping to get something that you really want and shopping to get something that you actually need. A good way to channel your love of shopping in a more practical manner is to prioritize purchases based on use. That sparkly pair of heels that you might wear once a year might not be as savvy of a purchase as that neutral jacket that you’ll probably throw on almost every day. Save the items that you probably won’t use as often for times when you have a little extra spending money and, instead, try to focus more energy towards finding items that you know will be used enough to justify the cost, even if they’re not as fun and flashy.
In the long run, you’ll find that you still get that warm and fuzzy feeling when you get items you really need, while eliminating wasteful purchases that just end up cluttering your closet and rarely being worn. There are some great resources that you can make use of to further track your shopping expenses and keep them within your personal budget. Apps like Mint and YNAB (You Need A Budget) can help you record your expenses and plan for the months ahead, making future splurges possible if you generally follow a strict self-imposed spending limit.