<prompt> Human: I have a problem. I have financial goals most revolving around paying off my student loans but I find myself spending money instead of putting it towards reaching my finacial goals. I realize this is a problem and I have been trying for the last few months to get it under control but the numbers havent changed in the slightest. Granted I have seen quite a few financial setbacks the last few months which worked against my goals, but my spending is still upwards of 500 over my budget each month. What tips can you recommend that may help me in this case, a lot of my problem comes from visiting lowes and buying a jigsaw because you know, I dont have a jigsaw or other impulse buys. My goal was to hit a savings checkpoint of X amount and then once I get that number I was going to double my student loan payments. If I just went ahead and doubled it, do you think it would help because I would no longer have the extra money to spend on frivolous things or is it unlikely to matter until I change my habits?  <response>: No impulse buying. Set yourself up with a 3 day rule. If you see something in store go home and write it down. Let it just sit there for three days and come back and read just the words on the scratch pad. If it isnt something you can look without the gimmicky sales prices and say you need, you just save yourself some money. 