If you plan to head out into the Black Friday madness this week, here’s a piece of advice to help keep you from overspending: Make a list and stick to it.

Know what you want to buy and how much you’re willing to spend and if you don’t need something or can’t afford it, don’t get it.

Cross items off your list as you purchase them. Before approaching a cash register, review what’s in your cart and if you find something that’s not on your list, really consider whether you can afford the item or should put it back on the shelf.

Having a list and giving a second thought to items before you pay for them can help you avoid making costly impulse purchases.