Are You an Internet Buyer Junkie?

There is a programme starting on Channel 4 called the hunt for Britain's Tightest Person.

I wonder what constitutes 'tight'? Obviously the programme is taking it all to the extreme. There are some crazy characters such as Gareth Taylor whose first-ever Christmas gift to his wife was a chainsaw, so she could cut down her own firewood!*What if we were really tighter with things that we buy? What if we started taking action on what we spend, especially when it comes to buying on the internet, whether it is clothes, products, teleclasses, downloads etc. It is all so easy.

How can we question what we spend?

The best excuse for buying on the internet is that things usually cheaper. As long as the research is done it would be a good result and more importantly as long as we want what we are buying!We can spend so much money on self development which includes spending money on marketing, yourself and anything else. It is so easy and convenient.

I was the biggest spender of money that I didn't have - especially on building my business and getting information from experts. In fact I recently went through 6 A4 files of downloads that I had bought and never actually used. Then I realised I was a course/seminar/teleclass/e-book junkie. Anything that was going, I would take on board, believing it would help me.

I then realised I had probably spent more money on that sort of thing than I actually required and if I did require expert information, I could probably have signed up with a mentor, life coach or attended the great expensive courses that are being run by the likes of Tony Robbins etc.

So what are more tips, all self learned to tighten my belt on internet buying courses etc.:

1. If you do attend a seminar, don't take a credit card, all courses have things to sell, usually there is no pressure but it can lead to you buying something you won't use. Take a note of it, think about it - you can always get it later.

2. When clearing out your 'in box' check that you are not getting rid of information regarding whatever you have paid for. I once paid for a teleclass and didn't listen to it for months afterwards. When I finally did listen, it was the same teleclass that was free months before. It was the bonuses that caught my eye and the reason I signed up to the class. The problem was I must have cleared then from my in box, so I didn't even get that.

3. Make sure you listen to any teleclasses you pay for within a week or so. If you leave it too long, you may find you have the information anyway.

4. When a 'freebee' is offered, it is usually a taster for one that you can pay for - that is really a good thing as you can "try before you buy".

5. Ensure what you are paying for is something you want, can learn from and can utilise.

6. There are so many self help/information imparting teleclasses/seminars that are free or charge a nominal sum - ensure it is something you really want. Make sure you do the research.

7. Check if there is a money back guarantee on anything you buy and use it if you really aren't happy with what you have bought.

8. If you really want to spend a lot of money on something to learn from either in a marketing capacity or a learning capacity - see what there is out there. Do the research

9. I keep saying research - I mean it research and research again before you buy.

10. Don't become an "unhappy signer upper". You see something in your in box and read what it is and think that's great - some of these are so long you have to scroll down the bottom to get the amounts - that is your hook - scroll down first see how much it is and then see what you are getting for your money.

11. Check your budget before you buy anything on line and see what it is you can afford.

12. Be strong and picky.

13. Remember, there is no such thing as a free lunch*Taken from Daily MailDenise Vogel is a Life Coach based in Essex.Life Coaching provides accountability.

You have to be very strong willed to do everything you want on your own, without the support of someone else. As your life coach, I do exactly as it says on the tin.

By Denise Vogel