Clever tricks to save money while shopping

Use new bills, Limit the number of stores you go to, Don't make friends with the sales staff, Take a mindful break, Avoid shopping at peak times, Suck on a mint while you shop, Sleep on it before purchasing large items, Never go shopping without a list, Wear headphones when you run errands, Make yourself walk away, Say "no" to sales, unless the item is already on your list, Leave your credit cards at home, Don't shop when you’re feeling emotional, Always double check that you're getting the best value

Whether you need to spend less when shopping or you want to be a more conscious spender, it helps to have a few tricks under your belt. But it's not all your fault! Manufacturers and sellers study us carefully to trigger our desire to buy. They understand how the human brain works, and then use this to get you to part with your money. However, there are several very effective tricks to beat them at their game and feel more in control.

Click on for some tips that will help you enjoy shopping without ending the day with a spending hangover.

Use new bills

Use new bills, Limit the number of stores you go to, Don't make friends with the sales staff, Take a mindful break, Avoid shopping at peak times, Suck on a mint while you shop, Sleep on it before purchasing large items, Never go shopping without a list, Wear headphones when you run errands, Make yourself walk away, Say "no" to sales, unless the item is already on your list, Leave your credit cards at home, Don't shop when you’re feeling emotional, Always double check that you're getting the best value

Do you prefer to keep crispy, new cash, or wilted, dirty, old bills? According to a study in the Journal of Consumer Research, you'd probably pick the first.

Use new bills, Limit the number of stores you go to, Don't make friends with the sales staff, Take a mindful break, Avoid shopping at peak times, Suck on a mint while you shop, Sleep on it before purchasing large items, Never go shopping without a list, Wear headphones when you run errands, Make yourself walk away, Say "no" to sales, unless the item is already on your list, Leave your credit cards at home, Don't shop when you’re feeling emotional, Always double check that you're getting the best value

Participants in the study were willing to spend more money when they had old bills than when they had newer ones. Go figure!

Limit the number of stores you go to

Use new bills, Limit the number of stores you go to, Don't make friends with the sales staff, Take a mindful break, Avoid shopping at peak times, Suck on a mint while you shop, Sleep on it before purchasing large items, Never go shopping without a list, Wear headphones when you run errands, Make yourself walk away, Say "no" to sales, unless the item is already on your list, Leave your credit cards at home, Don't shop when you’re feeling emotional, Always double check that you're getting the best value

The more stores you visit, the more you'll buy. A lot of people tell themselves they're comparison-shopping, but that will often not happen.

Use new bills, Limit the number of stores you go to, Don't make friends with the sales staff, Take a mindful break, Avoid shopping at peak times, Suck on a mint while you shop, Sleep on it before purchasing large items, Never go shopping without a list, Wear headphones when you run errands, Make yourself walk away, Say "no" to sales, unless the item is already on your list, Leave your credit cards at home, Don't shop when you’re feeling emotional, Always double check that you're getting the best value

The truth is many people feel like they need to buy something for all the legwork they've put in, i.e. they need to reward themselves.

Don't make friends with the sales staff

Use new bills, Limit the number of stores you go to, Don't make friends with the sales staff, Take a mindful break, Avoid shopping at peak times, Suck on a mint while you shop, Sleep on it before purchasing large items, Never go shopping without a list, Wear headphones when you run errands, Make yourself walk away, Say "no" to sales, unless the item is already on your list, Leave your credit cards at home, Don't shop when you’re feeling emotional, Always double check that you're getting the best value

Yes, they're quite friendly. But the more you interact with them, the more likely you're to purchase from them, for several reasons.

Take a mindful break

Use new bills, Limit the number of stores you go to, Don't make friends with the sales staff, Take a mindful break, Avoid shopping at peak times, Suck on a mint while you shop, Sleep on it before purchasing large items, Never go shopping without a list, Wear headphones when you run errands, Make yourself walk away, Say "no" to sales, unless the item is already on your list, Leave your credit cards at home, Don't shop when you’re feeling emotional, Always double check that you're getting the best value

Sometimes you just need to take a step back. Prevent an impulse purchase by taking a mindful break before you whip out the credit card.

Use new bills, Limit the number of stores you go to, Don't make friends with the sales staff, Take a mindful break, Avoid shopping at peak times, Suck on a mint while you shop, Sleep on it before purchasing large items, Never go shopping without a list, Wear headphones when you run errands, Make yourself walk away, Say "no" to sales, unless the item is already on your list, Leave your credit cards at home, Don't shop when you’re feeling emotional, Always double check that you're getting the best value

Sit down somewhere outside the shop and ask yourself: "Why am I here? How do I feel? Do I need this? What if I wait? How will I pay for it? Where will I put it?" Then, decide if you're really going to make the purchase.

Avoid shopping at peak times

Use new bills, Limit the number of stores you go to, Don't make friends with the sales staff, Take a mindful break, Avoid shopping at peak times, Suck on a mint while you shop, Sleep on it before purchasing large items, Never go shopping without a list, Wear headphones when you run errands, Make yourself walk away, Say "no" to sales, unless the item is already on your list, Leave your credit cards at home, Don't shop when you’re feeling emotional, Always double check that you're getting the best value

When shoppers are in a crowded store, they feel out of control, which can lead to them spending more money. Also, a lot of people end up overspending when they go shopping with their friends because they want to keep up with them.

Use new bills, Limit the number of stores you go to, Don't make friends with the sales staff, Take a mindful break, Avoid shopping at peak times, Suck on a mint while you shop, Sleep on it before purchasing large items, Never go shopping without a list, Wear headphones when you run errands, Make yourself walk away, Say "no" to sales, unless the item is already on your list, Leave your credit cards at home, Don't shop when you’re feeling emotional, Always double check that you're getting the best value

Instead, try to buy what you need during the time when malls are almost empty, and preferably do it alone.

Suck on a mint while you shop

Use new bills, Limit the number of stores you go to, Don't make friends with the sales staff, Take a mindful break, Avoid shopping at peak times, Suck on a mint while you shop, Sleep on it before purchasing large items, Never go shopping without a list, Wear headphones when you run errands, Make yourself walk away, Say "no" to sales, unless the item is already on your list, Leave your credit cards at home, Don't shop when you’re feeling emotional, Always double check that you're getting the best value

Chomping on mint-flavored candy or chewing gum can overwhelm the surrounding aromas, and help you avoid any impulsive buys.

Sleep on it before purchasing large items

Use new bills, Limit the number of stores you go to, Don't make friends with the sales staff, Take a mindful break, Avoid shopping at peak times, Suck on a mint while you shop, Sleep on it before purchasing large items, Never go shopping without a list, Wear headphones when you run errands, Make yourself walk away, Say "no" to sales, unless the item is already on your list, Leave your credit cards at home, Don't shop when you’re feeling emotional, Always double check that you're getting the best value

For items over a set amount, give it a one- or two-day waiting period before pulling the trigger. With online shopping, you can put the items in your virtual shopping cart but avoid checking out immediately.

Don't carry items around with you that you're thinking of buying in a store

Use new bills, Limit the number of stores you go to, Don't make friends with the sales staff, Take a mindful break, Avoid shopping at peak times, Suck on a mint while you shop, Sleep on it before purchasing large items, Never go shopping without a list, Wear headphones when you run errands, Make yourself walk away, Say "no" to sales, unless the item is already on your list, Leave your credit cards at home, Don't shop when you’re feeling emotional, Always double check that you're getting the best value

The problem with carrying items around with you is that they begin to feel like yours. You get used to them, and you feel a little "pain" if you have to put them back.

Never go shopping without a list

Use new bills, Limit the number of stores you go to, Don't make friends with the sales staff, Take a mindful break, Avoid shopping at peak times, Suck on a mint while you shop, Sleep on it before purchasing large items, Never go shopping without a list, Wear headphones when you run errands, Make yourself walk away, Say "no" to sales, unless the item is already on your list, Leave your credit cards at home, Don't shop when you’re feeling emotional, Always double check that you're getting the best value

Making a list ahead of time can help avoid impulse purchases and future buyer's remorse. This is because creating the list forces you to really think about what you actually need.

Wear headphones when you run errands

Use new bills, Limit the number of stores you go to, Don't make friends with the sales staff, Take a mindful break, Avoid shopping at peak times, Suck on a mint while you shop, Sleep on it before purchasing large items, Never go shopping without a list, Wear headphones when you run errands, Make yourself walk away, Say "no" to sales, unless the item is already on your list, Leave your credit cards at home, Don't shop when you’re feeling emotional, Always double check that you're getting the best value

According to a study published in the Journal of Marketing, slow-paced music can make shoppers slow down as they roam through the store, leading them to spend more money.

Make yourself walk away

Use new bills, Limit the number of stores you go to, Don't make friends with the sales staff, Take a mindful break, Avoid shopping at peak times, Suck on a mint while you shop, Sleep on it before purchasing large items, Never go shopping without a list, Wear headphones when you run errands, Make yourself walk away, Say "no" to sales, unless the item is already on your list, Leave your credit cards at home, Don't shop when you’re feeling emotional, Always double check that you're getting the best value

The very act of shopping triggers the pleasure centers of your brain. As dopamine flows through your synapses, a shopper's high can take over your mind, making you buy things you don't need or even want.

Say "no" to sales, unless the item is already on your list

Use new bills, Limit the number of stores you go to, Don't make friends with the sales staff, Take a mindful break, Avoid shopping at peak times, Suck on a mint while you shop, Sleep on it before purchasing large items, Never go shopping without a list, Wear headphones when you run errands, Make yourself walk away, Say "no" to sales, unless the item is already on your list, Leave your credit cards at home, Don't shop when you’re feeling emotional, Always double check that you're getting the best value

Sure, it's exciting to get something on a discount. But remember: the point of store promotions is to get customers to spend more money.

Leave your credit cards at home

Use new bills, Limit the number of stores you go to, Don't make friends with the sales staff, Take a mindful break, Avoid shopping at peak times, Suck on a mint while you shop, Sleep on it before purchasing large items, Never go shopping without a list, Wear headphones when you run errands, Make yourself walk away, Say "no" to sales, unless the item is already on your list, Leave your credit cards at home, Don't shop when you’re feeling emotional, Always double check that you're getting the best value

Research shows people are willing to spend more money with cards than with cash. When you pay with cash, you see the amount of money spent. However, paying with a card makes it harder to track your expenses.

Don't shop when you’re feeling emotional

Use new bills, Limit the number of stores you go to, Don't make friends with the sales staff, Take a mindful break, Avoid shopping at peak times, Suck on a mint while you shop, Sleep on it before purchasing large items, Never go shopping without a list, Wear headphones when you run errands, Make yourself walk away, Say "no" to sales, unless the item is already on your list, Leave your credit cards at home, Don't shop when you’re feeling emotional, Always double check that you're getting the best value

If you consider your finances to be a source of stress, be especially cautious when you're spending, since your emotions may further cloud your judgment.

Always double check that you're getting the best value

Use new bills, Limit the number of stores you go to, Don't make friends with the sales staff, Take a mindful break, Avoid shopping at peak times, Suck on a mint while you shop, Sleep on it before purchasing large items, Never go shopping without a list, Wear headphones when you run errands, Make yourself walk away, Say "no" to sales, unless the item is already on your list, Leave your credit cards at home, Don't shop when you’re feeling emotional, Always double check that you're getting the best value

It's easy to get sucked into a "shopping high," making the decision-making parts of your brain less rational.

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