Staying on budget despite spendy friends

I’ve always had trouble staying on budget when I shop at Target and never knew why. But when I shopped with my father this past weekend, I realized my downfall was never Target – it was my enabling friends.

Here is how to detect if your friends are passing on bad shopping habits and a few solutions to avoid letting them put a dent in your pocket book.

Bargain Hunter
Many of my friends fall into this category. They have an eye for good deals and can talk their way to better deals. But their savvy ways put me in a hole because around them I find myself buying things because they’re on sale and not because I need them. If this rings true for you, then your friend is an enabler. When shopping with them, stick to your shopping list without one slip up. Try carrying cash instead of plastic to make sure you stay on budget.

The BIG Spender
Have you noticed that some people can’t seem to keep their money in their pockets for long? Whatever catches their eye they must have. It’s almost as if their money burns a hole in their pocket. If hanging out with these friends makes you burn money faster, consider finding a new shopping buddy. Instead suggest activities away from the mall – or you’ll pay for it in the end.

The Latest Thing Lover
You know exactly the person I’m talking about: the hipster in your group that is on top of all the latest trends, from fashion to technology. If it’s new, they’ve shelled out the big bucks for it. Good for them if they can afford it, but it’s really hard when they show off the latest cell phone and tease you because you’re still sending smoke signals to communicate. If you find yourself buying one just to fit in, cut them off and move on. This person may be lovely but you’re on a mission to spend less and they’re not helping.

Mr. and Ms. Mooch
This is possibly the worst out of the bunch. These friends are not only teaching you bad spending habits, they are making you pay for theirs. You’ll recognize these “friends” as the ones that always seem to forget their wallets or tend to disappear when the check comes around. If you’re always stuck paying the bill for things, a simple reminder and a sweet “do you mind covering me this time?” should do the trick.

I find setting ground rules with friends from the beginning lets them know what to expect. At the end of the day, it’s you, not your friends, who have to pay your credit card bills. Remember this and you won’t get talked into spending money you don’t have on things you don’t need.

How do you deal with enabling friends?