Impulse purchasing can be a challenge, particularly during major shopping events such as Amazon’s Prime Day. Although it’s well-known that Amazon employs various tactics to entice consumers into buying unnecessary items, these methods often succeed. This year, consider establishing your own budget and selecting products that have genuinely caught your interest before the anticipated sale on October 8 and 9.

How to Determine Your Spending Limit on Amazon

While it’s impossible to dictate Amazon’s pricing directly, you can create a notification system that alerts you when the cost of items you want drops to a desirable level. The process is straightforward and involves a few essential steps, outlined below:

• Begin by pinpointing the items you’re interested in, and organize them into your Amazon wishlist. Ensure that your wishlist is set to “public.”

• Create a complimentary account at CamelCamelCamel, a site dedicated to tracking Amazon prices. There are other comparable tools like Slick Deals, Honey, and Keepa that you might want to explore. For a comprehensive comparison, check out this summary of top price-tracking tools; however, CamelCamelCamel generally stands out as the best.

• Select “import wishlist.” You’ll need to copy the URL from your Amazon wishlist and paste it into the appropriate field.

• After importing, CamelCamelCamel allows you to set maximum prices (or percentage decreases) for each item on your wishlist. Specify the highest price you’re willing to pay, and opt for an email notification when any item’s price falls to your predetermined limit.

• Disregard the frenzy around Prime Big Deal Days and wait patiently for your email alert indicating that your desired items are affordable.

• Enjoy the moment, reassured that you are outsmarting the system. Resist the temptation to browse through Amazon’s website unnecessarily. Hold yourself accountable—this time you can indeed bypass purchasing another chocolate fountain or a self-stirring mug emblazoned with “SELF STIRRING MUG.”

Additional Strategies to Manage Your Expenditures

For those seeking to implement stricter financial boundaries beyond the basic alert system outlined earlier, here are several suggestions:

• Block advertisements: If you’re easily influenced by online ads, consider using an ad-blocking tool or application to minimize exposure. Review our guide to the top ad-blocking software.

• Monitor your spending: Whether you choose traditional pen and paper methods or opt for a budgeting app, tracking your expenses can serve as a compelling motivator to budget better. Regular budgeting can even result in a financial buffer that allows indulgence when Prime Day arrives.

• Save for future purchases: Putting money aside for future goals, be it a vacation or perhaps even an electric surfboard, can simplify the decision to refrain from spontaneous shopping now.

• Practice delayed gratification: Cultivating the habit of pausing for a day or two before completing a purchase—such as when you feel compelled to buy a new pair of sunglasses—might lead you to realize that your current pair is still satisfactory.

• Implement a one-in-one-out policy: For every new item you acquire, consider donating or selling a similar item. Knowing you must part with something can deter impulsive purchases and help maintain a clutter-free space. Additionally, selling an item before buying another can generate funds, allowing you to gain before you spend.

• Seek professional assistance: If spending difficulties become overwhelming, remember that approximately 6% of Americans encounter compulsive buying disorder. If financial situations worsen or shopping habits raise concern, consulting a professional might be beneficial.