Impulse spending is a common problem that many people have. The first step in fixing this problem is to monitor your urges for about two weeks. Keeping a small notebook in your pocket and using it to tally every time an urge comes along to buy something can be very useful. Even if you decide not to purchase the item, it would be a good idea to keep track of the urges. The reason being is that these urges are commonly in our subconscious. If we record every time we have an urge to buy something, it will be our first step toward awareness which will allow us to take more control over our spending. After a month, we should revisit the list of items we were going to buy impulsively and see how many of those items we actually still want. If we have the money after that time period and still want the item, it is ok to purchase it now rather than on first impulse. It is a good idea to avoid shopping areas and malls because we will most likely make a purchase in this sort of an atmosphere. If shopping is a must, it would be a good idea to carry a list of what you need and stick to the list. It’s never a bad idea to go somewhere that impulse buying would not be as likely such as the park or the beach. Last but not least, when the urge hits, take a deep breath, become aware of the urge and take a drink of water. A quick break can actually help us overcome our urges.