There are simple ways to know whether or not you are spending your money wisely.

Does your spouse complain that you spend too much money? Are you guilty after shopping? Do you feel as if you bought something that you shouldn't have? Does shopping make you feel great, until you get in your car for the drive home? Does your credit card bill surprise you? Are you in debt? Do you have things you have never used/worn? Do you come home with things you didn't specifically go to buy?

If you answered yes to several of the above, you are probably shopping as a recreational activity. You are an impusle shopper. I am too, so I understand. But with a little self-control and some hard work, it is easy to get it under control. And once you do, you are able to save money for the things you really want, like a house, a car, a vacation or retirement.

Think about it this way. Each time you buy something you don't absolutely need, you are robbing yourself of a future. You are taking money from your retirement. You are taking money from your children's education.

These goals can really help you resist spending money on items that don't mean anything to you. It is hard to stop shopping, I know this first hand. But it is possible.

Once you start saving towards a goal and are successfully not impusle buying, you can add yourself a fund for occasional spending money on unplanned items. I like to give myself $20 a week to spend on little things. I often find that I will save my $20 until the next week and buy something a little bigger.

The key is realizing the difference between needs and wants. Don't buy anything that you aren't out of at home. Don't buy more sewing stuff until you have sewed every single piece of fabric together. Don't buy more scrapbooking stuff until you don't have a single paper or eyelet left. This will also build your creativity!

They real secret is never going into a store without a specific item in mind for purchase. Make lists and set yourself a spending limit. Then only carry that amount of cash with you. Don't carry your checkbook or debit card. When you only have cash, you won't take the risk of being short at the register.

Learn to put things down. Control your impusles. When you feel the need to go shopping, start going through the things you already ahve. You may find that you don't need something new after all.