Finance

What slynkey girl doesn't love to shop? Unfortunately, very few of us have wallets that can support the Sex and the City lifestyle.

The best way to talk yourself out of unnecessary spending is to redefine your thinking. Buying blindly is the surest way to buyer's regret. Before you hand over your hard-earned dosh, stop and ask yourself if you really want and need it. Here are some ways to talk yourself out of careless spending:

Cost Per Use
So you've found a gorgeous pair of buttersoft leather boots. The only thing is... they're $500. Realistically, how often are you going to wear them? Once a month? Every two weeks? Three times a week? Obviously, the more use you get out of them, the more worthwhile of a purchase it is. My last purse, a cheapie silver tote from the Warehouse which I used everyday for a couple of years, probably ended up at almost zero in terms of cost per wear. Quality also needs to be considered here - some items just aren't going to last forever.
 
Hours Worked
This one's nice and simple. Divide the purchase cost by your hourly wage to determine how long it would take you to earn it. Is that pretty, but impractical, white jacket really worth that much of your time?
 
Fitting In
Before shopping for clothes, it pays to go through your wardrobe so know exactly what's in there. That way, when trying on things, you can answer the question "What will this go with?" Try to picture yourself wearing it in at least three different situations and outfit combinations. If it works with your existing wardrobe, that's one sign it could be a worthy addition.

The Big Picture
No doubt you have bigger goals to save for - a holiday, a car, a wedding, a house. Pause for a moment and consider whether you'd rather drop $30 at happy hour, or put it towards your Fiji fund.

Finally, my personal favourite: Sleep On It. I hardly ever buy anything the first time I see it. Instead, I'll go away and think about it until I figure whether I really love it. Can you see yourself using that shiny new food processor? Carrying around your new purse? Is that deeply discounted treadmill really going to fit into your lifestyle) and living room?
 
I'll leave you with this food for thought, borrowed from one of my favourite blogs, Working Girl: Your top dollar items should go towards things you both NEED and LOVE. Your bottom dollars are for necessities, and the rest should be spent on things you love, but don't need.