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Global inflation and supply chain issues have derailed a lot of people’s post-COVID plans, including renovating or remodeling their homes. The cost of remodeling and renovating has risen partly because there’s a shortage of supplies, so retailers have raised prices on the supplies and materials they do have. Plus, the Federal Reserve Bank has raised interest rates in an effort to slow inflation, meaning home improvement loans cost more. This doesn’t necessarily mean homeowners must put off renovations, but it does mean that sticking to your home reno budget may require more creativity and planning.

How to Keep Inflation From Ruining Your Home Renovation Budget

Here are some strategies for keeping inflation from blowing your home reno budget:

1. Understand Renovation vs Remodel

People use the terms renovation and remodel interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. A renovation is fixing up what’s already there; a remodel is changing what’s there. That may mean expanding a room, or converting a pantry to a breakfast nook. Remodeling is usually more expensive because it is more involved and can include the need for permits, whereas renovations are often smaller projects that you can sometimes DIY. Before getting started with either, it can be smart to budget for the level of transformation you can reasonably afford in this economic climate.

2. Invest Wisely

One thing experts agree on is that the best home renovation or remodel investments are projects that can raise the value of a home at resale. Some of these projects include a kitchen or bathroom makeover, expanding outdoor space, and even just replacing the garage door. SoFi’s home improvement ROI calculator can help you identify some of these home investment opportunities.

3. Finance Carefully

Since you’re investing in your home, especially with the idea of improving its value, it’s smart to look for the right partner to help you strategize how to finance your project. It’s possible your project may be eligible for a home equity loan where you borrow against the value of your home for funds. Another financing option is a personal loan. Unlike the home equity loan, a personal loan for home improvement projects requires no collateral.

💡 Learn more about how home improvement loans work.

4. Have a Plan

Home renovation projects notoriously run over budget. Global supply chain issues are making that even worse. Many projects must happen according to a specific sequence, like receiving a delivery of plumbing supplies and scheduling workers before you gut the bathroom. If something goes wrong with the sequencing, it might mean you lose your workers to another job that’s ready to go, or you have to pay extra to expedite shipping. These hold ups can be expensive. That’s why it’s important to plan meticulously before you begin.

5. Be Flexible

Can’t get the Italian granite you were eyeing for the kitchen counters? What about slate, which can be a fourth of the price and can look just as stunning. Or Sintered Stone? Or steel? Deciding from the beginning to be flexible on the things you can, and uncompromising only on the materials or designs that really matter to you, can save you thousands.

6. Consider High Quality Items

Because there is generally lower demand for slightly higher quality and pricier items, those appliances and materials haven’t risen as much in price . So you might have an opportunity to get something you might have considered out of your price range for about the same as the more standard one.

7. Oversee the Project

The typical contractor fee for most general contractors to oversee renovation projects is 20% of the project , so if you’re planning a $50,000 remodel and you do the contracting yourself, you could save $10,000 right off the bat. But it will be your job to source and schedule the experts you need — plumbers, electricians, etc. — and oversee the work. Just remember: It’s not uncommon to pay to have a job done twice during renovations, so it’s wise to stay on top of workers if you choose this option.

8. Do Something Yourself

Using skills you already have, or picking up a few through online videos and in-person workshops, can save you some time and money. If you decide you can do the job yourself, and it isn’t one that requires permitting and licensing, you may be happy with your results. Doing it yourself does have its risks such as not ending up with the quality you could have by using a professional. On the other hand, if you have some skills, you might do a better job than a mediocre contractor who isn’t as invested in your home as you are.

9. Vet Your Craftsman

Hiring someone who does a poor job or damages your home is a common risk of home renovation projects. Shopping for carpenters, painters, plumbers, and others solely on the basis of price can very easily lead to problems, which can require more time and investment on your part to correct. Choosing a contractor that’s skilled and reliable requires taking the time to look at portfolios, ask questions, and seek recommendations and reviews.

10. Collect a few Bids

It can take more time, but getting bids from several different companies is a smart way to help keep your renovation costs low. Not only does this type of “shopping” give you options for how much you can pay for specific tasks, but it can also give you an idea of how different contractors would approach your project.

11. Shop Wisely

It can be easy to order items online or pick up everything from your local home remodeling store, but high shipping costs and limited in-store options can actually increase your expenditures. If you’re looking to minimize costs, settling for what’s most convenient isn’t likely to help you. Instead, taking the time to shop around thoroughly and think creatively about your renovation plans can help save you a bundle.

12. Price Match

If you find an appliance online that you really love, you may want to try bringing a copy of that ad to your local retailer, and asking them to match the deal. This way you not only save yourself shipping costs, but you also get the best price for the item you prefer.

13. Try Repurposing

Before you spend money replacing what you have, consider transforming your items instead. Perhaps you could refinish or paint your kitchen cabinets instead of replacing them. Changing the hardware and interior panels are also simpler options that can reflect your style. Sometimes small changes can result in big transformations.

14. Consider Salvaged Materials

You can sometimes save big using salvaged materials. Secondhand shops like Habitat ReStores can sell old kitchen cabinets, flooring, light fixtures, plumbing fixtures, and furnishings for a fraction of the original sale price. You can even find unused paint, hardware, and art. For additional options, online sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace can provide useful, previously used items as well.

15. Be Creative Side

Pinterest can be a great source of budget friendly renovation ideas. You can spend a few hundred dollars on a mason jar light fixture; or you could make your own. How about creating a room divider with used pallets? Necessity is often the mother of invention, and you may discover a creative side you didn’t know you had by looking for creative design solutions.

The Takeaway

Inflation and supply chain problems can make home renovations and remodeling on a budget much more challenging, but not impossible. If you choose the best projects for added value; plan and shop for materials and craftspeople with care; and are willing to be creative and flexible, you can wind up investing less money, time and worry.

If your home renovation budget is a tad bit short of your dream, a home improvement loan from SoFi could give you the extra boost you need. With no collateral, no fees and the opportunity for same-day funding, SoFi can help get your project up and running in no time.

Photo credit: iStock/LightFieldStudios

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.

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Spending money on purchases is a part of daily life (groceries, for instance) and can be a pleasure (those cool new boots you’ve been eying for weeks). But for some people, shopping gets out of hand and becomes impulsive or compulsive shopping. They literally “can’t resist” buying and find themselves purchasing often and when they don’t really need anything.

Both compulsive and impulsive shopping can negatively impact your finances and personal life, though they are not the same thing. If you feel as if you can’t control your spending and your money management is suffering from it (such as debt is piling up), know that you can take steps to regain control.

Here, you’ll learn:

•   What compulsive shopping is

•   Causes of compulsive shopping

•   What impulsive shopping is

•   Causes of impulsive shopping

•   How to take control of compulsive or impulsive shopping

What Is Compulsive Shopping?

Compulsive shopping is defined as an uncontrollable desire to shop, resulting in a person investing large amounts of time and money in the activity. People who shop compulsively tend to make purchases regardless of whether they need or want an item — or can actually afford it.

Compulsive shopping, or compulsive buying behavior (CBB), is considered a mental health condition that can have negative consequences financially and personally. It can become a preoccupation and involve the loss of self-control. Compulsive shoppers may use excessive spending as a coping method to mask feelings of low self-esteem, stress, and anxiety. They may feel a high when buying something but often experience disappointment and guilt afterwards.

Characteristics of compulsive shopping include:

•   Obsessive research over coveted items

•   Making unnecessary purchases

•   Potentially dire financial issues as a result, such as bankruptcy, credit card debt, and foreclosure

Causes of Compulsive Shopping

Approximately 6% of adults experience compulsive shopping, which can express a variety of emotional needs and wants, such as:

•   Perfectionism. The shopper may be focused on finding the perfect item, which brings them feelings of satisfaction once discovered.

•   Desire to be in control. Purchasing items can make them feel as if they have achieved something when other aspects of their life are not well managed.

•   Childhood trauma, neglect, or abuse. If a person has endured this kind of pain, buying items may feel like a reward that offsets this negativity.

•   Feelings of loneliness and depression. Buying items can be an exciting mood-lifter; a kind of high.

•   Mood, anxiety, or personality disorders. Compulsive shopping can be a self-soothing behavior.

What Is Impulsive Shopping?

Impulsive shopping is somewhat different from compulsive shopping, though some mental-health professionals consider them to be aspects of the same issue. Impulsive shopping tends to happen when a person gets caught up in the moment and spontaneously buys something. It’s a purchase without any forethought, planning, and it’s often not within a person’s budget.

People who impulse-shop are usually influenced by external triggers, such as seeing an item on sale or positively responding to a store’s atmosphere. Everyone indulges in some impulse-fueled retail therapy now and then. However, when these immediate gratification purchases become habitual, the behavior can morph into something uncontrollable and financially damaging. When it has this kind of negative impact, it nudges into the realm of a disorder.

Causes of Impulsive Shopping

Impulsive shopping can have a variety of causes, including:

•   Wanting to ease negative feelings or improve one’s mood with a “pick-me-up”

•   A need for fun or entertainment

•   Lower levels of self-control

•   Fear of missing out (FOMO) on items or experiences other people have

•   Materialism; placing value on owning possessions

Compulsive vs Impulsive Shopping: What’s the Difference?

While these two behaviors’ names may sound similar, they are actually distinct. Here are the key differences when one compares impulsive vs. compulsive shopping:

Tips for Combating Compulsive or Impulsive Shopping

Impulsive and compulsive shopping can tip into the danger zone and ruin your budget and financial fitness. They can also take up too much mental space. If you have entered that realm and perhaps are carrying a hefty amount of debt, taking control of the situation can feel overwhelming. But there is help. Consider these suggestions on how to get started if you think you’re a shopaholic:

Seeking Some Professional Help

Individual counseling with a mental health professional can help you get to the emotional root of your buying issues. Psychotherapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), can effectively treat these shopping behaviors. Medication may also help manage unwanted or intrusive thoughts about shopping. Group therapy can also be beneficial.

Paying Close Attention to Spending Habits

Figuring out your particular shopping triggers can help you avoid or eliminate them. For instance, when buying, do you use credit cards instead of paying with cash or a debit card? Make shopping a priority over paying bills? Grocery shop without making a list? Being honest about how and why you may engage in certain overspending behaviors is vital to understanding the issue. Changing spending habits can then help you manage your finances better.

Recommended: Are You Bad with Money? Here’s How to Get Better

Having an Accountability Mentor

Get some support: A financial counselor, advisor, partner, family member, or friend can assist you on your journey to curb compulsive or impulsive spending. Try taking a trusted, non-judgmental confidant with you when you go shopping. Ask them to help rein you in if you start overbuying. You can also consider having them hold onto your credit cards to eliminate access, chat regularly with you to keep tabs on your progress, and be a sympathetic listener when you need to talk through your feelings.

National 12-step program support groups such as Debtors Anonymous (especially if you’ve racked up credit card debt) and Spenders Anonymous are also an option. They can connect you with others who are dealing with similar issues.

Setting a Budget

Creating and sticking to a budget allows you to gain control over your spending. A well-thought out budget will help with personal accountability and achieving financial discipline. Since life needs to be about balance and we all need to spend money on something fun here and there, try to set yourself up with the flexibility to splurge sometimes. This will help keep you from feeling completely deprived.

One suggestion is to consider incorporating the 50/30/20 budget rule. This guideline recommends spending up to 50% of your after-tax income on must-haves (say, housing, car payments, utilities, healthcare, and groceries). Then, take 30% of your money and reserve it for wants such as dinners out, vacations, concert tickets, electronics, and clothing. The remaining 20% should be allocated for investments, an emergency fund, debt repayment, or savings.

Recommended: 10 Personal Finance Basics

Minimizing Temptation

Many stores are carefully designed to get you to shop and spend, perhaps to an extreme. If a store’s atmosphere — the design, the scents, the music — tends to get you buying, avoid it. Don’t walk down the streets filled with your favorite shops; try to escape the triggers that make you shop too much. If you often spend free time at the mall or online shopping, sign yourself up for a class, take up a new sport, volunteer, or find other ways to fill the hours.

Online promotional discounts, coupon codes, and the ease of electronic transactions can make compulsive or impulsive shopping easier and more appealing. Go ahead and unsubscribe from retailer emails.

Curbing social media exposure can help, too. Research suggests ads and posts from social media influencers and seeing purchases from people in your social networks may encourage a “keeping up with the Joneses” mentality, often leading to impulsive and compulsive buying.

Starting a No-Spend or 30-Day Savings Rule

A quick way to stop spending money is to freeze any non-essential spending for an entire month. Commit to a 30-day shopping ban on things such as clothing, make-up, tech gadgets, or take-out, and see how much extra money you have at the end of the month. The difference may be eye-opening and help you break the cycle.

Successfully controlling your spending can provide a feeling of accomplishment and a confidence boost. Participating in a no-spend challenge can even become a fun game; you can involve other budget-conscious friends and know you’re all in it together.

Recommended: Using a Personal Loan to Pay Off Credit Card Debt

The Takeaway

Although there are differences between compulsive and impulsive shopping, both can seriously affect your financial and personal life. Facing your impulsive or compulsive shopping habits can be daunting, but taking positive, concrete steps is likely to help conquer the problem. Getting past this spending issue, whether by shifting your behaviors or seeking professional help, can be a positive step, both for you personally and for your finances.

Want to get a better handle on your spending? Get started today by signing up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account. You can easily track your weekly spending on our dashboard. What’s more, when you open a SoFi online bank account with direct deposit, you’ll earn a competitive APY and pay no fees, so your money could grow that much faster.

FAQ

Is breaking a budget a sign of compulsive shopping?

Breaking your budget is not necessarily a sign of compulsive shopping. However, if you regularly deviate from your budget, spend money allocated for needs on wants, and find yourself saddled with credit card debt, you may need to rein in your compulsive spending. Analyze your shopping habits and budget to understand your behavior better.

Is making an impulse purchase a bad thing?

The reality is, most of us make occasional impulse buys, and they are not always such a bad thing. However, if this kind of shopping becomes habitual and leaves you with debt, pay attention and take steps to improve the situation.

How do I limit impulse purchases?

One way to limit impulse purchases is to avoid stores or websites where you know you tend to overspend. Also, ask yourself, “Do I need this or do I just want it?” when tempted to make a purchase. If the answer is the latter, wait 24 hours, and see if you still really want it. Your desire may dwindle during that cooling-off period.

Photo credit: iStock/jacoblund

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Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

External Websites: The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third-party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. Links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement.

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