In a personal finance workshop led by Fitz Villafuerte, a Registered Financial Planner (RFP), an attendee raised a relatable concern: “How do we avoid spending during a mall sale?”
Villafuerte’s response was quick and candid. “Don’t go to the mall when there’s a sale,” he said, prompting laughter from the crowd.
But what if you have no choice? The attendee explained that the mall was part of her daily route to and from work. Villafuerte smiled and quipped, “Then just close your eyes while walking through the mall,” drawing more laughs.
Then came the serious advice—the kind that sticks: “If you want to avoid buying on impulse, especially when there’s a sale, then you need to have self-control. And that’s something you need to practice and nurture because you can’t learn that overnight.”
Impulse buying isn’t about weakness—it’s about awareness and discipline. Fitz Villafuerte’s approach to resisting spending temptations is rooted in self-control, and he believes it’s a money skill anyone can develop over time.
In the world of sales, discounts, and “limited-time offers,” retailers are experts at triggering impulse purchases. But Villafuerte insists that building the habit of pausing, reflecting, and making intentional decisions is the best defense.
“It will be difficult at first. But I guarantee that it gets easier after successfully resisting a few temptations,” he said.
“It really takes practice before you eventually gain that self-control,” he added.
This ability to say no during a sale—when items are marked down and the pressure to buy is high—doesn’t happen overnight. But as Villafuerte points out, consistent effort makes it easier over time.
Rather than relying on willpower in the moment, he encourages proactive behavior. Avoid sale environments when possible. Recognize emotional triggers that lead to impulsive shopping. And when faced with temptation, stop and ask yourself: Do I really need this? Am I buying this because it’s on sale—or because it serves a purpose?
Villafuerte doesn’t sugarcoat the challenge of overcoming impulsive spending. But he also doesn’t underestimate anyone’s ability to change their habits.
In today’s consumer-driven world, resisting the urge to buy—especially when you’re surrounded by red tags and flash sales—is a skill worth mastering. And according to this financial planner, it all begins with intentionality and practice.
“If you want to avoid buying on impulse, especially when there’s a sale, then you need to have self-control. And that’s something you need to practice and nurture because you can’t learn that overnight,” Villafuerte emphasized.
