There are many different kinds of shoppers out there. Those who only shop online, those who only shop when they absolutely need something or there’s a special occasion, or those who shop as a hobby because they genuinely enjoy it. Regardless of how you spend your money, there are always items that we can be found guilty purchasing, whether or not we’ve budgeted for it. That’s why we created a list of the most common impulse purchases we hear about, those things we always seem to buy, regardless of whether or not we need it.
Daily Coffee
The most common indulgence we hear about is your daily caffeine habit, as most of us can’t start our days without it. No, it doesn’t seem like a lot at the time, but add up the daily costs and see what you spend in a week, a month and so on. We need a budget just for our coffee intake. But do you know at what price your daily caffeine fix is? Even if it’s not a daily thing, most people don’t realize how much their caffeine habits will cost them.
Clothing
When it comes to shopping for clothes, it can be very tempting to purchase everything that’s the latest style and new in store. But unless you have a specific occasion or know you will wear it regularly, some of those pieces become less relevant when they hang in your closet with the tags still on.
Gym Memberships
Everyone goes through phases of wanting to be healthier, and that can include wanting to be in better shape, exercising more, or changing your eating habits for the better. And we fully support your goals! But if you’re thinking of joining a gym, make sure to do your research beforehand and you’re getting your money’s worth. We have heard about people budgeting for gym memberships but they only go about once a month.
Take Out
We’re all guilty of this. Who hasn’t had a busy day and just wants to pick something up for the way home? How many times a week has this happened? Especially when you’re craving something specific, impulse food purchases are something we commonly forget to budget for. Because life gets busy and there isn’t always enough time in the day, start including a certain dollar amount in your monthly budget for these impulse cravings.
On Sale
No matter what the item is, it could be groceries, stuff for your home, or shoes, it is very common for impulse buys to take place when something is on special or on sale. There’s usually a big sign, or an email in your inbox with a great deal that you sometimes give into, even if it wasn’t on your list or something you’ve absolutely needed.
What impulse purchase are you guilty of? Let us know in the comment section below.
