We’ve all experienced it—you pop into a shop for one thing and end up leaving with a bunch of things you didn’t plan to buy. Spontaneous spending is one of the major obstacles to accumulating wealth, and it can easily disrupt your money goals if you’re not careful. The good news is that breaking the impulse spending habit is possible, and with a little self-control and a few helpful tricks, you can start increasing your savings and making smarter financial decisions. The key is to understand the causes behind your spending and shift those behaviors with healthier financial practices.

The first step to stopping spontaneous purchases is to set up a spending plan and stick to it. Knowing exactly how much money you have set aside for non-essential purchases each month can help you avoid the impulse to purchase items impulsively. When you see something you are tempted to purchase, give yourself a cooling-off period—give it a day online financial advisor before pulling the trigger. This gives you time to assess whether you really need the item or if it’s just an urge. Usually, you’ll find that the desire to buy fades, and you’ll avoid spending money needlessly.

Another useful idea is to limit your exposure to temptation. If online shopping is your challenge, remove yourself from mailing lists and take out saved payment options from your favourite retail sites. If you tend to make impulse purchases in person, avoid bringing your credit cards and use only cash. By putting limits on your ability to spend, you’ll have more time to think about your purchases and avoid succumbing to spontaneous purchases. Changing your spending habits may take time, but the eventual payoffs—greater savings and less financial stress—are well worth the effort.