Shopping should be included in the seven deadly sins, for it has definitely become the bane of some people. If only it were that easy to not overspend in the stores. The good news is that it’s not impossible either! Here are ways on how you can help yourself reduce your shopping sins.

Before you go to the store, take with you a list of the things you have to buy and stick to it. The list can do wonders. If you stick to it, you won’t resort to deficit.

Bring only the money you need. If you have a list you plan to follow, you can have an idea on how much money you’ll need, and that’s about how much you should put on your purse. Looking back on the times I overspent, they were mostly times when I brought more money than I needed. A good shopping rule: shop with a purpose.

Should you bring your ATM and credit card? Limiting your expenses to the cash you have may not be that effective if you’re willing to swipe that card or if you can’t fight the urge to withdraw. You might need your cards for emergencies. So think it thoroughly. Are you the type of person who can control your card use?

The more things you buy, the more bags you’ll have to carry. It’s not at all fashionable to carry more bags than you can handle so don’t splurge. If you’re carrying a few bags, you can strut more fashionably.

Shop with someone. When you go out shopping to fight boredom, you may end up buying things you don’t really need. Bring along someone who’s chatty and picky so your attention will not be focused on the items on sale plus, your friend’s picky attitude will make you think twice before buying anything.