I recently went on a shopping spree, and upon returning home realized that I spent way too much money. To make things worse, I used by credit card for each and every purchase. What can I do? This is a situation that many people find themselves facing – it is known as buyer’s remorse. While you are going crazy spending money everything feels good. You are happy with what you are buying, and nothing could be better. But soon enough you realize your mistake, usually when you get home, and begin to think about the repercussions that are forth coming.

To avoid buyer’s remorse, as well as increased credit card debt, consider these tips:

1. Don’t take your credit card with you to the store. This is one of the easiest ways to rid of this problem. If you don’t have your plastic you have no way of using it. In turn, experiencing buyer’s remorse is much less likely. Sure, you can still use cash but at least you are not getting yourself into debt.

2. Avoid impulse buying. Some people head to the mall with no idea of what they are looking for. Does this sound like you? If so, you are probably all too familiar with the idea of impulse buying. This is when you see something you like and purchase it without thinking of the long term pros and cons.

Tip: the bigger the purchase the more research you should do. In other words, buying a pack of gum on impulse is much better than a big screen television.

3. Know the return policy of everything you buy. Even though you should not purchase something with the idea of returning it, you never know what will happen. Can you return the item and receive all your money back? Can you only get store credit? Do you need the receipt? How long do you have to make the return? Every store is different – make sure you are well aware of the return policy and all the finer details that govern it.

4. Are you having a hard time deciding whether or not to buy something with your credit card? If so, it is time to run out of the store. It is better to do without something for the time being than to make the wrong decision and face buyer’s remorse. If you change your mind you can always go back to the store at a later date.

Anytime you are carrying a credit card in your wallet you are at risk of making a bad decision. Buyer’s remorse is a serious problem, and one that you do not want to face.

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