Having trouble staying in your budget?  You’re not alone.  The human tendency to consume more than we create was identified thousands of years ago: the virtue of conquering this proclivity is touted in the Bible, in other religious texts, in ancient philosophy, in modern stewardship movements… it seems like everyone but the salesman sees the wisdom of conquering consumerism.

Studies show the link between financial insecurity and divorce, ill health, and unemployment.

Here are some tips to help you do right by your debit card:

Turn off the Television

Sure, I enjoy Hogan’s Heroes as much as the next guy, but the program airs because advertisers pay for it.  Those adertisers know full well that if they can get me to watch their message four times, I’ll learn that message enough to respond to it when I see their product in stores.

But even more than this, modern product placement schemes are slick.  Even unintentional product placement works.  Within days of meeting Sarah Palin, the American public responded with a full-scale assault on the Kawasaki 704 eyeglasses inventory.  Buy, buy, buy!

Replace the High

Instead of chasing the euphoric fix that comes from indulging your shopping habit, chase another carrot.  Get fit!

If you set a fitness goal and acheive it, you’ll feel great about your accomplishment, you’ll live longer, you’ll improve your health and well-being, and you’ll have found something productive to long for instead of filling up your shopping bags with junk.

Feed Before Your Forage

You’ve heard this one before, right?  If you’re grocery shopping on an empty stomach, you’re more likely to indulge on more than you need, and all the wrong foods at that.

Don’t shop hungry.  It helps.

Put it Off, Do it Later

If you’re anxious to add to your inventory of [fishing poles, consumer electronics, shoes, whatever 'your thing' happens to be], set a date to make the purchase, and don’t speed things up.  If it’s over $100, pick a date at least sixty days away.

Your logic might fight it.  You’ll say, “I’m going to buy it anyway, why wait?”  This tactic helps you recognize how many things you crave to own.  It also gives you time to process your sense of want, and often gives you the time you need to power through it and conquer the impulse.

Try the Freezer Trick

Here’s another old trick.  Your credit card will make it through the wash, right?  Drop it in a bowl of water and stick it in the freezer.  If you’re an impulse buyer, and you like your credit cards, this will make you think twice!

Sure, it sounds absurd, but it might be just what you need!  Then, the next time you sit down for a cool, refreshing glass of lemonade, you can taste the sweetness of debt-free living!