apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Wait 6 months if it's something that will still be available then.

If you still want it, 6 months later, do it.
If you forgot, found something better/cheaper, etc, skip it.

This also helps protect against buying something because of a fad (Keep Calm, anyone? Thank goodness I waited on that one!)

I always tell my clients to move in, get used to the place or a couple of weeks.... or we'll end up redoing things....

-Karen
www.cheekyliving.com
http://blog.cheekyliving.com/

I only buy returnable things.

And whenever possible I incorporate an image into a photoshop rendering of my space to see how it will look before I buy. This alone has saved me more than $2k in return freight charges.

Super! thanks for the advice AT!

list, list, list. and don't forget to always bring it. also, when in doubt, take a picture, leave and re-assess when you get home.

This is a really useful post. Thank you! I tend to make impulse purchases that I live to regret, and then get rid of on CL or freecycle. I'd rather not make the mistake in the first place, and I think this can help!

Not having lots of cash, and being vigilent about not racking up credit card fees, is a huge help! I always remember my parents saying that, looking back, they were so glad they didn't have money when they first got married (and credit cards weren't in wide use, in those days) because if they did, they would have bought a house-ful of Danish modern which they eventually would have hated. Instead, after decades, they wound up with stuff they really loved. It was worth it.

I say stay away from Ikea. I can't get in and out of that place without making ridiculous impulse purchases! Or, if you need to purchase furniture, stay away from the market hall at the very least!

I need this! Great ideas.

If it's feasible in your city at all - go shopping without a car. I cannot count the number of things I would have grabbed and brought home if I didn't have to stand in front of it thinking:

"Can I carry this to the train? Will they let me on with it?"
"Is it worth calling a taxi so I can get it home?" "Is it worth paying the delivery charge?" "Do I want to lug it around the rest of the day, or go home now?" And so on. I find this also makes dubious craigslist purchases easier to resist.

Good tips. I've found that having lists of things you need is handy when shopping for anything: groceries, clothing, books, etc. I keep a running series of lists in the back of a little notebook I keep with me.

Shop online: It's easier to track spending and there are no impulse buys.

Hmm... I am somewhat of a tightwad, so I don't have this problem so much. But when I DO make a purchase, I make sure it is returnable and leave the tags on for a few days.

Shopping online is good too - then you can get exactly what you want, compare prices, and buy a few days later after you think it over.

I usually wait overnight before buying expensive things, and I also incorporate the image of the item into a rendered image of my space.
The sad thing is, unless it´s something that clearly doesn´t fit, I tend to end up buying anyway. I´ve already donated/sold 3 sofas, a giant rug, a garden bench, a shelving system, a bed, two wardrobes, a refrigerator, a chair and more... all impulse buys from the last 3 years or so.
So, yeah...
Maybe I should read this post again a few times.
I don´t even know why I´m leaving this comment. I´m no role model.

My trick to prevent impulse buying is the same trick I use to prevent over-eating. It's an amazing secret.

All you have to do is remind yourself that this is not the last time you will have the chance to (a) eat slice of cake or (b) buy that sweet looking chair. Yes, you may never find the exact. same. chair. Or eat that exact. slice. of cake.

But you really don't need it. There will be plenty of cake. There will be plenty of chairs. You don't HAVE to eat this one. So unless you immediately know this is the right chair for you, don't buy it. Even if you decide you want it in a month, but it's no longer available....you will ultimately eventually find a better fit, a better price, etc.

I totally have the opposite problem. I find something I love and measure it and know it will fit perfectly, and then I chicken out, telling myself something isn't quite right with it. When I finally convince myself to buy it, it's sold out or unavailable and I have to buy something less perfect instead. Anyone have any cures for that?

cal, buy it and live with it for a few days! Leave the tags on and keep the receipt so you can return it if you decide you don't really want it after the few days are up.