Think back to the last time you made a purchase that wasn’t absolutely essential. Now, imagine someone offered you a choice between that item and the cash you spent on it. Which one would you choose? If you’d reach for the money instead of the item, it’s a sign that you probably never needed the item in the first place. In this post we’ll explore 15 simple tips to help you stop buying things you don’t need.
15 Ways to Stop Buying Things You Don’t Need
In today’s consumer-driven society, it’s easy to get caught up in the cycle of buying and consuming. We’re constantly bombarded with advertisements and messages that encourage us to buy more and more. But the truth is, most of the things we buy aren’t essential to our happiness or wellbeing. In fact, they often end up cluttering our homes and draining our bank accounts. That’s why learning how to control your spending is so critical.
1. Question Your Spending
The first step to controlling your spending is questioning it. To do so, let’s revisit the initial question I asked: if someone offered you the last item you bought or the money it cost to buy it, which one would you choose? Many of us would say the money it cost to buy it – which is essentially buyer’s remorse in a nutshell.
Buyer’s remorse is a feeling of regret that a person experiences after making a purchase. You can avoid buyer’s remorse by questioning your purchases before swiping your credit card.
To do so, always consider the opportunity cost of the purchase – what else could you do with the money you’re planning on spending? Perhaps you could have put it towards your savings goals or a trip you’ve been planning forever. But by spending it on yet another non-essential purchase, you’re missing out on that opportunity. By thinking about your purchases in terms of what you’re losing instead of just what you’re gaining, it can help you make better financial decisions.
2. Question Why You Own the Things You Own
Speaking of a closet full of clutter – have you ever considered why you own so many things you don’t actually use? Why you have a closet full of clothes but ‘nothing to wear’? It may be because you’re buying things for the wrong reasons. Maybe you shop out of boredom, outside influence, stress, or anxiety. Whatever it is, once you understand the underlying cause, you can work on addressing it directly.
If you know you shop out of boredom, you’ll want to find alternative things to do with your downtime. If you can’t help but click ‘add to cart’ when you’re mindlessly scrolling on your cell phone, you’ll want to take steps towards spending less time on your phone. To help you out, here are 15 tips to help you cut down on mindless scrolling.
3. Stop Browsing
If you’re trying to curb your shopping habits, stop browsing. I know this may seem like an obvious tip, but it’s a crucial one.
Browsing is a slippery slope of temptation. One minute you’re innocently scrolling through your favorite online store, and the next thing you know, you’ve added three new dresses and a pair of shoes to your cart. By avoiding browsing altogether, you eliminate the risk of falling prey to the allure of “just one more thing.”
But, how do you avoid browsing? One way is to only shop when you actually need something. By going in with a specific item in mind, you can quickly make your purchase without getting distracted by other items. And once you’ve found what you need, it’s important to resist the urge to keep looking around. Instead of continuing to scroll or wander, close out of the website or leave the store.
4. Add Stuff to Wish Lists
I know, not browsing is easier said than done. Especially when stores are always reorganizing things so that you spend more time looking for whatever it is you went in to buy.
If you do find yourself wanting something you never had the intention of buying, consider adding it to a wish list instead of making the purchase right then and there.
This method is especially helpful if you buy things out of fear that you’ll never find them again. By adding items to a wish list, you’ll have them saved for later. And more often than not, by the time you revisit your wish list, the urge to buy that item won’t be as strong. Take it from me, 99% of the stuff that makes it onto my wish list is forgotten about in two days.
5. Stop Thrifting
Not thrifting might seem counterintuitive if you’re trying to save money, but hear me out. If you’re someone who buys things out of fear, thrifting won’t make it any better.
Each item at a thrift store is one of a kind, which means that if you see something you like, you have to act fast or risk losing it forever. This can create a sense of urgency that leads to impulse buys and ultimately, cluttered closets.
If you do find yourself at a thrift store, make sure to have a clear plan in mind. Make a list of the specific items you’re looking for and stick to it. Don’t get sidetracked by the rows of vintage clothing or quirky knick-knacks. With a little bit of self-control and a clear plan, you can still score great finds at a thrift store without falling into the trap of buying things you don’t actually need.
6. Don’t Buy Things You Can’t Easily Return
Have you ever bought something online only to find that it doesn’t quite live up to your expectations? Maybe it’s the wrong size, the wrong color, or just not as valuable as you thought it would be. Unfortunately, returning the item is easier said than done. You have to buy a box, pay for shipping, go to the post office and hope that the return process goes smoothly. It’s enough to make you want to keep that item forever, even if you know you’ll never use it.
That’s why it’s important to only buy things that you can easily return. This not only takes the hassle out of the return process but also forces you to be more intentional with your purchases. When you know that you can’t just shove that impulse buy to the back of your closet and forget about it, you’re more likely to think twice before clicking “buy now.”
One way to ensure easy returns is to only buy from online stores that have a physical location in your town. That way you can simply pop into the store and make your return in person. No need to deal with shipping labels or waiting for a refund. Just make sure not to buy anything else while you’re there!
7. Calculate the True Cost
Always calculate the true cost of a purchase.
Let’s say you’re eyeing a fancy coffee maker that costs $200. At first glance, that might not seem like a huge expense. But when you consider that you had to work 10+ hours to earn that $200, suddenly the coffee maker doesn’t seem as appealing. Remember, the true cost of a purchase goes beyond just the monetary value. It’s also the time and energy it took to earn that money, and the opportunity cost of what else you could have done with it. Maybe you could have spent that $200 on a concert ticket or spent those 10 hours simply relaxing around your house.
So next time you’re tempted to buy something on a whim, ask yourself if it’s worth the true cost – not just the sticker price.
8. Always Try Clothing Pieces on Before You Buy Them
Picture this, you’re scrolling through social media and you see your favorite influencer wearing the cutest outfit. All of a sudden you feel the urge to buy the same one. But before you hit the “Add to Cart” button, remember this: that outfit may not look the same on you as it does on them.
I know, I know, it’s easy to get swept up in the idea that buying a certain clothing item will make you look like the trendy influencer you follow on social media. But the truth is, there isn’t a dress in the world that will magically transform you into someone else. By trying things on before you buy them, the magic of that clothing item will disappear and you’ll be left with the reality of how the clothing looks and feels.
Read my post on how to stop shopping for your fantasy self.
9. Match Purchases With Savings
Matching your purchases with your savings is a smart way to keep your spending in check. By putting an equal amount of money away in savings, you’re forcing yourself to consider whether your purchase is really worth it. You’ll have to ask yourself it that $40 blouse is worth $80.
And the best part? You’ll start to see your savings grow over time! Before you know it, you’ll have a nice little nest egg set aside for emergencies or future goals.
Looking for more ways to reach your savings goals? Click here to discover 10 money saving methods!
10. Wait 30 Days
Waiting 30 days before buying something is a great way to avoid making impulse purchases. Think of it like a game: can you resist the temptation to buy that cute dress for just one month?
During that time, you can ask yourself some important questions: do I really need this item? Will it bring me long-term satisfaction or is it just a fleeting desire? And perhaps most importantly, can I afford it without putting myself into financial stress?
After the 30 days are up, you may find that you’ve completely forgotten about the item, or that the initial allure has faded. Or, you may realize that it’s something you truly do want and need in your life. Either way, you’ll have given yourself time to make a more informed decision.
11. Evaluate Why You are Replacing Something
When you replace something, do you ever stop to think about why you did? Maybe the item was never right to begin with, or maybe it no longer serves your needs.
If it was never right to begin with, it’s important to recognize that and not make the same mistake again. Let’s say you bought a pair of shoes you thought were cute, but they weren’t comfortable enough to wear day to day. In this case, you’ll want to avoid buying uncomfortable shoes in the future.
If it needs fixing, try to figure out what’s wrong with it and see if it’s something that can be easily repaired. This can save you money and also prevent unnecessary waste.
And if it no longer suits your needs, get creative! Maybe there’s a way to repurpose it or trade it for something that will better suit you.
12. Allocate Money Each Month for Impulses or Wants
Allocating money each month for non essential purchases is a great way to cut back on your spending. By setting aside a specific amount of money each month, you can indulge without going overboard. You can even create a separate wallet or account just for your impulse purchases. It’s like having a secret stash of money that’s specifically meant for treating yourself! Plus, by auto-transferring that set amount every month, you’re making it a part of your budget, so you don’t have to worry about overspending. The key is to train your mind to consider only that account for your non-essentials.
13. Organize the Things You Currently Have
Organizing the things you currently have is a great way to stop buying things you don’t actually need. When everything is in its place, you’re more likely to use what you already own. You might even discover things you forgot you had, which is like buying something new without spending a penny.
Plus, by keeping your things organized and well maintained, you can gain appreciation for what you already have! When you take the time to maintain your possessions, you’ll start to see them in a new light. That shirt you were about to replace might look like new again after a good wash and fold!
14. Cut Yourself Off From Media
Social media, TV ads, and magazines are filled with tempting images of new products and trends. But if you don’t see them, you won’t want them! By taking a break from media, you can give yourself the space to focus on what you actually need, instead of letting ads decide for you.
When I was in high school, I was obsessed with watching ‘beauty gurus’ on YouTube. And guess what, I was always buying new makeup! I stopped watching beauty YouTubers and haven’t bought a single makeup product since.
15. Keep Busy
Last but not least, keeping busy with things that genuinely make you happy is a great way to distract yourself from the urge to buy things you don’t need. Whether that’s spending time with loved ones or pursuing your passions, both can be a powerful antidote to the loneliness and isolation that may be driving you to overspend.
Remember, if you’re feeling bored or unfulfilled, it’s natural to turn to shopping as a way to fill the void. But this is a temporary solution that ultimately leads to more emptiness and dissatisfaction. Instead, divert your attention to things that truly light you up and make you feel alive.
In Conclusion
So there you have it – 15 tips to help you break the cycle of buying things you don’t actually need.
Remember, it’s natural to want things, but it’s important to ask yourself if you really need them. So, the next time you’re tempted to make an impulse purchase, ask yourself: “Is this something I really need, or am I just trying to fill a void?”
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