Bring a Kid

Unless it's a kid who's really good at getting you to buy things we didn't plan on buying, bringing a kid along while shopping is a great way to buy less. Paco Underhill, the author of Why We Buy, advises stores to keep kids occupied so that grown-ups will buy more. We should do the opposite.

Of course, more important and valuable, is instilling lessons to the next generation about being thrift. The more exposure to this behavior, the less likely our kids will squander there even more-easily earned money.

OK, but what if one doesn't have a kid? An annoying spouse, friend, or sibling is just as good. Treating shopping as a bonding experience and not just an exercise in acquisition is a two-for-one special.