Welcome to the ABCs of Savings! Each day we’ll be discussing another money saving topic, each beginning with a different letter of the alphabet. Be sure to subscribe via RSS or email so you don’t miss any steps along the way. You can read the full alphabet of posts here (updated as they are posted).

I: Impulse Buying

Please tell me it’s not just me. I’m generally HORRIBLE when it comes to impulse buying. I stop to get gas on the way to work, and I pick up a hot chocolate. (Hey! It’s cold outside!) Or I’m cruising through Kroger grabbing the deals that are on my list, and I can’t resist a few extras that aren’t part of my list – or sometimes my budget.

I can remember one month before we starting using cash envelopes, I added up all of those little extras. Oh my word! I couldn’t believe how quickly they added up!

I’ve only come up with two solutions for impulse buying. Maybe you can chime in and help me overcome this one.

Have a Plan & Stick to It

I’ve committed to getting better at making my list and sticking to it. That means that I need to check the cupboards and fridge before leaving home. My list needs to be thorough so that I’m not finding things that I forgot we needed. I prefer to have a game plan laid out so I know what I’m spending before I hit the grocery store door, because once I start making exceptions, I’m done.

Plan Some Blow Money

When we stock our cash envelopes for two weeks, we add a small amount of cash to an envelope that’s just blow money. We don’t keep track of it. We use it when the urge strikes. But when it’s gone… it’s gone. That’s the beauty of cash envelopes. It’s pretty easy to see what you have left to blow.

I’ve found that allowing ourselves a bit of wiggle room means we’re not always saying NO. This really does keep the budget from feeling like a seatbelt, not a shackle.

So do you have any other stragegies for curbing impulse buys? I would love to hear them.