Oct. 30--Dear Action Line: Our plan for cutting back involves ceasing impulse buying. This is easier said than done, as saying you're not going to do it makes you do it more. Spare some wisdom on this, such as the joys of saving money on good deals. -- S.H., Tulsa.

The first thing to do when trying to give up something is to admit you are doing it and then realize the need to stop doing it. The next step is identifying the lures or traps along Shoppers Road that get you. "Caution to the wind" is no way to save money shopping.

Impulse: The November issue of Consumer Reports' monthly shoppers' magazine, ShopSmart, cites a poll by the Consumer Reports National Research Center on discount shopping versus impulse shopping, saying 60 percent of women admit they have made expensive impulse buys in the past year and 39 percent have done so in the past month.

Fifteen percent say they "often buy things on impulse" and 35 percent of women regret impulse purchases made in the past 12 months, though only 25 percent say they returned the items. The primary reason for the problem, in 42 percent of cases, was "the great price" or the item "was on sale."

Warehouse stores: The big discounters Target, K-Mart, Wal-Mart, Big Lots and Sam's Club offer deals that can't be beaten by grocery or drug chains. ShopSmart says warehouse clubs can save you 40 percent to 50 percent on most things. Ask at the front desk if they accept manufacturer coupons.

Surf the Net: Use sites such as Shopping.com

and PriceGrabber.com to find price comparisons for the warehouse stores.

Store hop: Shop with a list, and check each item at as many stores as you can work into an afternoon to become aware of where they can be had the cheapest.

Rebates: Check Rebate-Tracker.com for a list of deals to save even more on rebates on purchases.

Department stores: Page 429 of the Tulsa Yellow Pages lists dozens of department stores. The most plentiful among them: Dillard's, Dollar General, Family Dollar, Gordmans, J.C. Penney, Kohl's, Sears Roebuck & Co., Stage Department Stores, Target, Walmart Neighborhood Markets and Walmart Supercenters. Some of these are located in shopping malls, while most are stand-alone stores.

Online: In the address box of your Internet browser, type "www." then the store's name (with no spaces) and then ".com"; and press Enter to view the store's offerings online. Their sites will offer detailed information: a store locator, product sales, departments to shop in, current advertising fliers, catalog ordering, obtaining store credit cards and discounts for shopping with one, order status, e-mail sign-ups for sales notifications, weekly ads and the name brands they carry.

Submit Action Line questions by calling 699-8888 or by e-mailing phil.mulkins@TulsaWorld.com or by mailing it to Tulsa World Action Line, PO Box 1770, Tulsa OK 74102-1770.

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