You know the feeling. You pop into the shop for milk and bread, and somehow come out with a meal deal, a magazine, and something on special offer you didn’t even know you wanted. We’ve all been there, and there’s no shame in it—but when those little extras start adding up, it can be hard to figure out where it all went.
How they get you every time
The thing is, shops know exactly what they’re doing. You don’t have to live on Oxford Street or at Westfield to notice how the reduced items seem to always be right by the entrance. Or how there’s always something tempting at the checkout while you’re stuck in the queue? It’s not an accident.
They’re everywhere – Whether you’re walking down the high street, scrolling through your phone, or just trying to get home on the tube, there’s always something trying to catch your eye. Bright colours, big discounts, “limited time only”—your brain’s processing it all, even when you think you’re not paying attention.
Making you panic – “Only 2 left!” “Sale ends tonight!” “You’ll kick yourself if you miss this!” Sound familiar? That horrible feeling of missing out is powerful stuff. Even the weekly shop can feel like a race when everything’s got “reduced to clear” stickers on it.
Let’s be real about the damage
Look, a fiver here and there doesn’t seem like much. But when you’re already dealing with London rent and the soaring costs of just about everything, those impulse buys can really mount up. A coffee on the way to work, lunch because you forgot to bring something, that thing you saw online at 11pm—before you know it, you’ve blown through money you needed for something else.
If you’re spending £2-3 on little bits most days, that’s easily £50-80 a month. For a lot of us, that’s a phone bill, or groceries for a week.
Tricks that actually work
- Know what they’re up to – Once you clock the game, it’s easier to play. That “amazing deal”? Ask yourself: would you have wanted it yesterday? If not, probably don’t need it today either.
- Give yourself permission to treat yourself – This might sound backwards, but it works. Put a£10 or £20 aside each week just for whatever. When it’s gone, it’s gone—but at least you won’t feel guilty about that coffee or magazine.
- Cash is your friend – When you’re just nipping out for essentials, take exactly what you need in cash. You can’t spend what you haven’t got with you, and it makes you think twice about everything that goes in the basket.
- Sleep on it – See something you really want? Give it 24 hours. If you still want it tomorrow and you can actually afford it, go for it. But often that “must have it now” feeling just disappears.
- The old envelope trick – Some of our members swear by this. Each week, cash goes into different envelopes—food, transport, fun stuff, whatever. When an envelope’s empty, you’re done until next week.
How we can help you stay on track
At London Mutual Credit Union, we get it. Managing money in London when everything’s expensive isn’t easy, and we’re not here to judge anyone for buying the odd treat.
- Christmas savings that actually work – Start putting away a few pounds each week from January. Come December, you’ve got money set aside for presents and parties without the January credit card shock.
- Loans that don’t rip you off – Sometimes you need something now and can’t wait. Our loans start from 4.50% APR—way cheaper than store credit.
- Proper savings accounts – Build up a little cushion for when life happens. Plus, when we do well, our members get dividends—it’s like a bonus for saving.
- Someone to actually talk to – Need help working out a budget? Our team gets what it’s like, because we live locally just like you. No jargon, just practical guidance that actually works. Book a wellbeing call
The bottom line
There’s nothing wrong with buying something nice if you can afford it. But when money’s tight, those little impulse purchases can be the difference between being alright and struggling.
The key is being honest with yourself about what you actually need versus what just caught your eye. And having a plan for both.
If you’re tired of your money disappearing on stuff you don’t really need, or you want some help getting your spending under control, we’re here. No lectures, no judgment—just practical support from people who understand what it’s like.
