Have you ever bought something that in the moment felt like the best purchase EVER, only to wonder what the heck you were thinking when you got your credit card bill three weeks later?

If so, you may have fallen prey to impulsive spending.

Money is a deeply emotional issue. Anyone who tells you otherwise is either lying or totally out of touch.

We buy things because we want to feel a certain way: abundant, pretty, comfortable, sexy, etc. But the truth is, the path to long-term, sustainable happiness is not actually paved in paper and plastic (bills and credit cards, that is.)

Just like alcohol, drugs, food, sex, and any other vice you can name, spending money can be a way to numb out. Sometimes we’re trying to avoid feeling what we’re feeling so we pull out our credit card.

So how do we stop impulsive spending? How do we make smarter, more mindful spending decisions that actually DO contribute to sustainable happiness and financial well-being?

I’m so glad you asked because this week’s Financial Freedom Friday episode covers this topic in depth.

Watch the video below to get 5 simple steps you can take to stop impulsive spending before it even starts. Your bank account, credit card balances, savings account, and peace of mind will all thank you :)

Share the #MoneyLove:

Stop impulsive spending before it even starts in 5 simple steps: http://bit.ly/17pH9Aw (Tweet it!)

Over to you:

When do you find yourself the most prone to impulsive spending? What other tips do you have for stopping impulsive spending? Leave a comment below!

Guess what?!

My new book, Money: A Love Story, Untangle Your Financial Woes and Create the Life You Really Want is out! (Amazon.com and bookstores started selling it early – surprise!)

When you get your copy you’ll also get access to a 2-hour online event I’m doing called A Course in Having Enough with guest teachers Marianne Williamson, Barbara Stanny, and Amanda Steinberg.

It’s a pretty sparkly lineup. Find out all the details at www.moneyalovestory.com. (When you order before August 31st you’ll also be entered to win a 30 minute one-on-one Skype session with me AND you’ll get access to an exclusive, live Q+A hangout!)