I find it easier to stick to a budget when I'm shopping on my own. I always find that my friends will unknowingly convince me that I have to have something when the reality is, I probably don't.

There have been a few occasions where I've gone with my one really close friend to my favorite store (Target) and have begged her to not let me spend more than the cash I have in my wallet and she's actually succeeded, despite my finding some really great stuff on a 75% off rack.