Budgeting: 5 Tips to Help You Avoid Buying All the Things For Yourself When You’re Buying Gifts For Others

Oh hey major shopping season. Now’s the time when it can feel like you need to pick up all of the presents, but still stick to your budget and get everything done on time. No pressure, right? It can lead to a lot of stress which can lead to stress eating and stress shopping (a little retail therapy, anyone?).

While retail therapy can be fun sometimes, this is already a time of high spending, so it’s not really the best idea. Plus, when I did my survey back at the beginning of the month, many of you mentioned that you wanted to post about how to avoid shopping for yourself when you’re buying presents this holiday season. Though it may seem difficult, it’s not completely unavoidable, I promise. To help you get it accomplished, I’ve put together 5 easy tips to teach you how to not buy anything for yourself when you go shopping this holiday season.

How to Avoid Shopping For Yourself When You’re Buying Presents

1. Go in with a list

It seems so simple right? But how many people think about writing a list and then never really do? That’s why I had you write a list back at the beginning of the month! Before you go shopping, sit your little butt down and write down everyone you’re buying a gift for during this trip and EXACTLY what you need to buy for them.

If you don’t know what you need to get for someone, just that you need to get them something, have a few ideas brainstormed on that sheet of paper and one or two stores that you’re going to. If you really have no idea what to get for them, then don’t go shopping for them on this trip. You aren’t going to find anything for them on this specific trip and you’re going to waste time.

Why does this tip work?

You know who ends up buying things for themselves when they don’t mean too? Browsers. People who wander from aisle to aisle and think, “oh I could use something like this, or I’ve been meaning to pick up something like that!” People who have a list go directly to the thing they need, put it in their cart and are on to the next thing. They don’t have time dawdle and pick up extra things.

2. Shop with cash (and only bring a specific amount)

When you go shopping with your credit cards, it’s easy to buy a little extra something for yourself if you want to throw it in your cart. No problem! But if you ONLY bring cash with you? Well, then you have to be incredibly careful with your spending. You have to make sure that you buy everything on your list first, because if you run out before you’re done, you’re in trouble. Especially since you can’t run to the bank and get more money because you don’t have your debit card with you (see what I did there?).

Why does this tip work?

Cash keeps you accountable. You can actually see your money disappearing in front of you. You can watch your money go away when you spend it on yourself instead of your presents. It’s also embarrassing enough if you run out of cash mid-presents shopping, that you’ll absolutely make sure to avoid it.

3. Time yourself OR go when you have limited time

I love squeezing errands in between things in my schedule. I’m so much more efficient at getting things done when I’m on a strict time crunch. And you know what, I bet you are too. You aren’t going to waste time in the $1 aisle at Target because you have things to do! You aren’t going to pop into the dressing room quickly to try something on, because this isn’t your browsing time. This is the time to pick up presents.

Why does this tip work?

This tip works because once you know you have a limited amount of time to get something done, you focus in on that one goal. You’re able to block out the distractions and zero in on what’s important. Additionally, if you aren’t able to get things done during that time period, it means that you have to make more time for it later on (which you won’t be happy about). It’ll give you more incentive to work harder to accomplish your goal.

4. Don’t go when you’re hungry or tired (hello impulse shopping)

Have you ever been told to avoid grocery shopping when you’re hungry? I think the same thing applies to any sort of shopping. When I’m hungry I A. Don’t want to be shopping, B. I’m in a bad mood, and C. will get nothing accomplished. It’s a losing battle and a waste of my time. Plus, much like grocery shopping, I’ll probably just pick out whatever looks good instead of what’s on my list.

Why does this tip work?

One word: hangry. Avoid it at all costs. You want the sales people to still like you when you have to make returns later in the month.

5. Go by yourself

Shopping with your friends is fun and I highly encourage it, but let’s face it, in terms of efficiency, it’s highly inefficient.You’re both more likely to talk each other into buying things you don’t need and the whole trip will take longer than necessary. Instead of bringing your friend on this trip, go by yourself and meet up with your friend after to get coffee and chat.

Why does this tip work?

You’re looking for maximum efficiency with trip. You’ll have your game plan in place, but throwing someone else in is like throwing a wild card into the mix. It can be a lot of fun, but when your whole goal is to AVOID spending money on yourself, it’s better to just go by yourself. The only exception is if you have a badass friend who is a. great at picking presents, b. a fast, frugal shopper, and c. will stop you from buying things for your shopper. She’s TOTALLY allowed to come with you.

For my final trick…

If you need some ideas for last minute presents, check out my Amazon Gift Guide (for anyone on your list) or my Pinterest Holiday Shopping Boards. I also have some good gift suggestions below. Just find an item and head over to the site to get it immediately! There’s no risk of browsing or adding anything else to your cart. Just get it and check out.

Do you have any tips to help you avoid shopping for yourself when you’re buying presents? Leave them in the comments below, I’d love to hear them!