Whether walking through the mall or just surfing around the internet, shopping is a very easy way to waste time. But if you don’t need anything in particular, this can turn into an expensive practice. You’ve got time to waste, which can be nice sometimes. However, if you don’t have money to waste, then strolling through the mall or clicking around online can cost you – even land you in credit card debt.
You’ll wind up with credit card debt if you’re shopping too much.
Now, I don’t want to judge anyone here. I’ve certainly been guilty of window shopping and browsing online retailers to waste time. Most of the time I wind up walking away with nothing (luckily). But, occasionally, I might spend money on things I never even thought about buying before. If you do this too much though, it can easily derail your budget.
If you ever find yourself shopping to waste time, then refer to the 10-second rule. Take 10 seconds to consider making a purchase. If you can’t decide that you definitely need that item, then walk away. You can continue to think about it and maybe get it later. This also gives you a chance to shop for a better deal if you don’t need the item immediately.
The point is, don’t make a hobby out of shopping. If you find yourself with time to kill, find something productive that is a better investment of your time and money.
If you’re struggling to pay off debt, ACCC can help. Schedule a free credit counseling session with us today.
