When you see that you need (or want) a new thing it is very important to plan the purchase. For those of use with a spontaneous personality this can be a problem. The sale signs in the stores these days do not help.

The key may be to write down what you need/want, do the research, save the money, and then make the purchase. If you are like me and see something that you really want it takes discipline to say no, to wait, and walk out of the store empty-handed. I am doing better.

You remember that iPod Touch I wanted? Well I’ve decided that I have to sell a certain number of books before I reward myself with it. I delay my gratification of having it now, but I’ll still get it eventually.

In the mean time I can tape a picture to my fridge, go to the Apple store online and look at the features one more time, and plan what software I’m going to use on it. I am planning my purchase and so can you.