Is there a way to stop the impulsive buying habit?

I think it's just exercising your self control. It's hard for everyone. I have this problem myself a lot. Money generally burns a hole in my wallet/pocket. For example one of my big faux pas is that I love eating out for lunch. Whether it be fast-food or sit down, I have 1/2 an hour every day and I can never seem to plan ahead enough to actually cook something & pack a lunch. For the past two weeks - I've only eaten out ONCE though ($6) and that's a HUGE improvement over eating out every day... So anyway, I think the first thing is finding out WHAT you spend the most (unnecessary) money on. Junk food? Eating at fast food restaurants? Eating out in general? And cutting back. It's hard, and I"m having a hard time too, but I'm DOING it. And once you start doing it, and maybe putting those savings toward something else (like buying yourself a new shirt with HALF the money you've saved and actually SAVING the rest or putting it toward a debt or bill) - I think it feels good and so you want to 'save' more. Baby steps, though, don't forget. It's not like you can really expect to go 'cold turkey' on spending money... It's tough. Anyway, best of luck to you!!! Hope all is well!!!

I too sometimes is an impulsive buyer. There are times that once i get home, I will just realize that I don't really do not need those things. So what I do is, I list all of my to do things like pay bills, grocery (these are only the things that i really need like soap, veggies, milk, etc.). I do not carry all of my credit cards, just one card will do. Bring just enough money for the things that I really need. Once I am at a mall, I check out my list and do it first and make sure to buy whatever is on my list. Then once I am done, I go straight to the exit door and go home.

I just have to stay away from shops as I can't help myself sometimes and I am on a strict budget at the moment and I hate it....

The only way to stop your habit of buying things on impulse is to understand that only you can be responsible for the way you spend your money. Some important tips are: 1) Plan ahead. If you have commitments, bills to pay and so on, make sure they are covered until your next pay day by putting the money aside. A savings account which you use for this is a very good idea because you may even earn some interest on the money you save. 2) Do not carry large amounts of cash in your pocket. Make sure that you have enough for the day and no more. If you carry only a small amount of cash, you are far less likely to be tempted to spend it. 3) A bargain is only a bargain if you actually need it. When you see something you want to buy, tell yourself that, if you really want it, it will still be there tomorrow. Go home and think carefully whether it will actually be of value to you and do some research: very often you will find that you can get something just as good at half the price. 4) Make sure that you know the difference between "need" and "want". Train your mind to ask whether what you are looking at has the "need" label on it ... or whether it's only a "want". 5) Make a list of a few specific things that you really want. Calculate how much you can afford to put aside regularly for them and how long it will take and do so. It is surprising, once you get into the habit of saving, how quickly you can achieve your goals and how each small amount adds up to the thing you want (or need). When you have enough money for whatever it is, you need not feel guilty but you can reward yourself for achieving your goal!

Yes I have that habit too once I got money I thought of goig to the mall better if I don't have money I just stay at home. I think the better way to avoid it, let's not think of the mall. Now I think first of my other obligations and then I would think of what is needed most. I also think of eating first before shopping so if I consumed my time at the restaurant it would prevent me in going to the mall and be an impulsive buyer.