If you're worried your spending might be out of control, remember that little changes can make a big difference. Next time you're craving some "retail therapy," read over these reminders.

Before making a credit card purchase, ask yourself: Will this item be useable after I finish making payments? If you're charging items that aren't reusable (your daily latte, dining out, movie tickets, etc.), the interest fees you're incurring make these purchases very pricey. And if you are having a hard time paying off your monthly charges, it is an issue!

Don't shop for emotional comfort. Have you shopped to soothe yourself because you've had a hard day at work--or a fight with your boyfriend? Doing this won't solve your problems and could very well be adding to them. Find another way to nurture yourself. Good replacements: Vent to a close friend, or read a book that answers the questions on your mind.

Before you buy something, think about how many hours you had to work to pay for it. If you're buying an $80 dress and you earn $14.55 an hour, you worked 5.5 hours for it. Is it worth it?

Keep an "I WANT" list. We've become accustomed to instant gratification. Try waiting at least a week before buying anything on your list. You may be surprised at how quickly your priorities change. Be patient and watch for sales on those items that remain on your list after the week has passed.

If you realize you've made an impulse purchase, keep the receipt and don't use the item for at least a week. If you can live without it, take it back.

Set money limits before you go shopping. If you don't think you can stay within your limits, take cash only.

If you shop online, use price comparison sites such as BizRate.com or PriceGrabber.com, especially for major purchases. Make sure to factor in shipping costs.

Always Google the store name before finalizing your online purchase to find any coupon promotions. Example: If you're about to buy printer cartridges from Staples, enter "Staples coupons" into a search. The results should give any currently available coupons, though it might take some digging to find them. Or, visit one of the many all-coupon sites and browse by category.


Adapted from The Money Therapist by Marcia Brixey, Seal Press.