We’ve all been there—you go to the shop for one thing and leave with a bunch of things you didn’t plan to buy. Spontaneous spending is one of the major obstacles to saving money, and it can easily disrupt your financial plans if you’re not cautious. The good news is that getting over impulse buying is possible, and with a little focus and a few simple strategies, you can start putting more aside and making better money choices. The key is to identify the triggers behind your spending and swap those tendencies 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 allocated for extras each month can help you resist the urge to purchase items impulsively. When you see something you are tempted to purchase, give yourself a cooling-off period—give it a day before pulling the trigger. This gives you time to evaluate whether you actually need the product or if it’s just an unnecessary desire. Usually, you’ll find that the desire to buy fades, and you’ll keep your money in your pocket.

Another useful idea is to limit your exposure to temptation. If buying online is your challenge, remove yourself from mailing lists and remove saved payment details from your favourite shopping websites. If you tend to spend impulsively in person, shop without credit cards and use only cash. By creating barriers to spending, you’ll have more time to consider what you’re buying and avoid succumbing to spontaneous purchases. Breaking the habit may take time, but the long-term rewards—more savings and less financial stress—are worth the tips on saving money discipline.