SEATTLE - If you're like most Washington residents, you're coping with the recession by doing your best to watch almost every penny. However, a new survey from AARP finds that sense of watchfulness can break down when shoppers find themselves making unplanned, last-minute purchases.

The prevention strategy? Don't shop when you're hungry, tired or have a lot on your mind, according to Doug Shadel, state director of AARP Washington. His group's survey of consumer habits pinpoints the spots at which local shoppers are most likely to go off-track in their efforts to curb spending.

"Two-thirds of the people we surveyed said they were trying to cut back in their spending, but 85 percent of them say they continue to impulse spend, meaning buying things on the spur of the moment."

Shadel says shoppers who can limit the amount of time they spend in a store end up saving money, and there are other small, easy steps that can lead to spending less each day.

"People who use things as simple as a shopping list; paying with cash as opposed to paying with credit cards; and surprisingly, not taking children with you to the store. Children tend to be a source of impulse purchasing."

The full survey, "To Buy or Not to Buy," along with a list of shopping "dos and don'ts" will be posted today (Wednesday) at www.aarp.org/wa.

In partnership with the Federal Trade Commission, the Washington State Attorney General and others, AARP Washington is also presenting a series of "Money Smarts" seminars across the state. The first, being held today (Wednesday) in Seattle, is full; on the Web site, other dates and locations are posted.