Answer the questions listed below in a truthful manner:

1. Does your husband or wife complain that you indulge in unnecessary shopping?

2. Are you shocked to find that every month your credit card charges are mounting that leaves you struggling to make both ends meet?

3. Do you have more shoes and clothes in your closet than you could ever possibly wear?

4. Are your drawers brimming with gadgets and gathering dust?

5. Do you buy things you did not know you wanted until you saw them on display in a store?

6. Do you regularly buy items that do not exist on your shopping list?

7. Do you exercise keep-up-with-the-Joneses lifestyle?

If you answered "yes" to any two of the above questions, you are an impulse spender and indulge yourself in retail therapy.

This is not a good thing. It will prevent you from saving for the important things like a house, a new car, a vacation or retirement. You must set some financial goals and resist spending money on items that really do not matter in the long run.

Impulse spending will not only put a strain on your finances but your relationships, as well. To overcome the problem, the first thing to do is learn to separate your needs from your wants.

Advertisers blitz us hawking their products at us 24/7. The trick is to give yourself a cooling-off period before you buy anything that you have not planned for.

When you go shopping, make a list and take only enough cash to pay for what you have planned to buy. Leave your credit cards at home.

No matter how savvy your control is on your purse strings, there will be occasions when you will have to pick up a product or service for convenience or comfort. During such times ask yourself the question, "Can't I manage without it?

Discover how debt elimination help can sow seeds of a secured financial future. Visit Surin Fallon's site to find out all about money matters and why you should have a tight control on your finances.