From A (Amazon) to G (Groupon)and beyond, it’s easier than ever to rack up big balances on your credit cards as you shop via the Internet and use digital payment systems.

Why is that, exactly?

Personal finance experts advise taking cash with you when you shop and relying on credit cards as little as possible in order to save money and stick to a budget. But what about online shopping? There’s no way to use cold, hard cash in the virtual world. Even if you opt for PayPal, there’s usually a credit card connected to your account to make up the difference if your cash balance is too low to cover a purchase.

Bottom line: in this computer-driven age, we work, communicate, and surf the Internet for hours at a time, including clicking on interesting new sites that offer bargains while also visiting familiar sites like Amazon sometime just out of boredom. Shopping online is a great convenience that saves gas money and avoids the hassle of mall traffic.

However, it’s also tempting to spend more than you meant to – often for things you don’t really need – and end up with a shock at the end of the month when your credit card bills roll in. It’s easy to overlook some basic safety considerations that could put your credit accounts at risk, too.

Tips for shopping online without breaking your budget or your bank account:

• Try an Internet no-spend diet. See if you can break the shopping-too-much online habit and get your budget under control by going a month without making any online purchases. If that seems too hard, opt for a week without Internet purchases to start. You may be surprised at how much money you save.
• Don’t use online shopping as entertainment or a distraction. With so many outlet stores and auction sites online and interesting small companies selling virtually anything you can imagine, it’s fun to surf and explore. But that can also lead to impulse buying. Try limiting your time online and exploring your own bookshelf or visiting the library. Or have fun visiting community garage sales before you click and buy one more book or decorative accessory this month.
• Consider banning yourself – at least for a month – from specific sites. If you know you lack self-control browsing on eBay, Amazon or that favorite clothing boutique, vow to stay away for a while. Is your will power in short supply? Block those sites on your browser to help you stick to your plan.
• Keep a spending log. Either write down everything you spend online or use a smartphone app to track your purchases. Don’t forget to include the money you spend to download music or monthly payments for web sites that require subscriptions, too.
• Break the click-and-buy habit by using wish lists. Surfing online and ready to make yet another purchase with a quick click? Try this strategy to cool down your gotta gotta have it fever. Put those clothes or CDs into a wish list (most sites have them) or opt to save your shopping cart for later. That way, you won’t make so many impulse buys and will have time to consider if you really want to spend that money -- or if you truly need those items.
• Beware of digital money traps. Ryerson University’s digital spending expert Justin Hein says that clicking online or using digital tools to order something virtually may be a great time saver – but delivery charges can add up quickly. For items like movie tickets or groceries, it can be far cheaper to just go pick up the items yourself.
• Don’t lose money – or your identity – when you shop online. Hein points out that the old adage "things that seem too good to be true probably are" applies to online shopping, too. Just because you’ve had many good experiences shopping online doesn’t mean every site is a safe place to make credit card purchases. Always look for security features to make sure your transactions are secure when you shop online or you could end up losing your identity as well as your money. The non-profit Advantage Credit Counseling Service, Inc. advises checking for secure servers before making purchase. They can be identified by the presence of a whole security key at the bottom of your screen.
• Designate one credit card shopping online. If your account number is stolen, it will be easier to cancel one card than several. It’s also another way to keep track of how much you really are spending online each month.
• Determine a company’s refund and return policies. That way, if you do go overboard or make a bad decision on an online purchase, you know you can return the item.