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Tip 1. Only buy foods
The most obvious understanding of this concept is that we don't waste our money on junk food, not even natural or organic junk food. We all know that junk food is bad for us, and we all know we shouldn't eat it, especially when on a reducing diet or a medically prescribed diet. Most of us are still tempted by impulse buys because the snacks look so tasty, and we've followed our diet so closely that we deserve a little treat. Sometimes we fool ourselves into thinking that because an item is all natural or made from organic ingredients that it's okay to indulge, even when we know it's something not on our diet. It is extremely easy to be tempted by these things. The fact of the matter though, is that not only are we wasting our money on these sorts of items, but we are also making our health a lower priority than our need for immediate gratification. We end up wasting our money and dealing a blow to our health goals, all with the same impulse. The best way to avoid impulse buys is to only shop when we are absolutely NOT hungry, not even a little bit, and to take a list with us whenever we shop. I plan my shopping to correspond with the boys Karate classes. While they are at class I can stop at the nearest supermarket, which is also the cheapest, and get most of my shopping done. During their next weekly class I stop by a Health Food store to pick up the things I need there. Both trips take under an hour and don't use up any extra gas because I am in the area anyway. The best thing though is that Karate class is right after supper so my tummy is always full. Also, since the boys aren't with me they can't manipulate me into buying items that aren't on my list. Actually they are pretty good about it. They know that no means no and they don't usually ask for anything special. Still whenever they shop with me, my bill is always higher. If I must stick to my budget then I must do everything within my power to keep my bill low. That means leaving the boys and Fred at home, and doing my shopping alone.
Another good way to insulate ourselves from impulse buying is have our menus already made or to have at least a good idea of what our menus will look like for the week. This keeps us from feeling deprived because we are aware of the goodies in store for us during the week. Why waste cash on potato chips or fair trade chocolate when we know there is popcorn for an afternoon snack, a yummy baked potato for dinner and luscious chocolate brownies for dessert? These days most of us know which foods are healthy and which are not. Chicken is healthy; chicken skin is not. Fresh fruits are healthy. Fruits preserved with sugar or in a store-bought pie are not. Fresh and frozen vegetables are healthy. Vegetables in a prepared sauce are not. Whole grains are healthy, pastries are not. The trick is thinking this through before we get to the store and consciously deciding that our health is a higher priority than an insecure need for quick gratification, which inevitably leads to impulse buying. Any food that doesn't further our health goals is a waste of a limited resource (cash). Not only does it waste our money, but it takes a toll on our good intentions. In order to stretch our income to cover the most territory, we have to limit it's use to goods that directly affect our well being and our good health. When we eliminate junk from our diet we contribute to our dietary goals and make wise use of our finances.
Copyright Hillbilly Housewife 2005-2007
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