"One of the key findings with both spending and eating is that when people "break" their diet or budget, they tend to go big, figuring that they'll just start over tomorrow because it is broken for today," Wallaert says. Case in point: One study found that dieters who ate a single Hershey's Kiss in the morning overate for the rest of the day, saying they had already "failed" on their diet. Don't throw away good money after bad, Wallaert warns. "If you overspend, or overeat, each additional dollar or calorie is just making things worse."
Take action: Next time you experience a moment of weakness, don't let it derail you completely. Instead of giving in to an all-out shopping (or eating) spree, find a way to change gears. Put down the cookie (or those Louboutin heels) and go for a walk outside to refocus on your goals and avoid falling into a downward splurge spiral.
