We love online shopping; so much choice, all from the comfort of your couch. But sometimes, we can love online shopping a little bit too much, with so many opportunities to spend our hard-earned paycheck.
How many times have you bought something online and then couldn’t remember what it was by the time it was delivered?
It’s not just you…
When you have every store imaginable at your fingertips; combined with the ability to enter your credit card and shipping details with just a single click; then have an online shopping haul conveniently delivered to your home or workplace, it can be harder than ever to say no and keep your spending under control.
Online shopping is normally just a fun habit rather than a necessity. Casually scrolling through your favorite online stores seems like an easy and harmless way to relieve boredom or stress at the end of a long day.
But if you want to have more control over your finances, or if you’re trying to get out of debt, the lure of online shopping can be hard to resist. The good news, however, is that like any other bad habit, you can put more positive strategies in its place, and take the power back.
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Let’s take a look at the most effective ways to stay strong and break an online shopping habit.
- Delete those deets
Log out of your favorite online shopping websites and apps. While you’re at it, delete any online shopping apps from your mobile devices to free up some space there too. You can also delete passwords, credit card, and shipping details that are automatically applied or saved in your online shopping accounts or web browsers. Try and do this at a time when your motivation to change is high so you follow through. Having to fill out all of this information again next time you add something to your cart gives you enough time to think about whether you really need that online purchase. - Unsubscribe from emails
Set your inbox free by hitting the unsubscribe button so you no longer hear about all those flash sales, specials, or last chance discounts from your favorite stores. - Unfollow on social media
For the same reason, unfollow your favorite stores and brands on social media to reduce the noise there. - Cancel unused subscriptions
While you’re having an online overhaul, go through your accounts for forgotten subscriptions and payments to online services like Netflix and cancel them if you aren’t using them as much anymore. - Make a ‘shopping diary’
Like a food diary for losing weight, write down the times and places where you’re most likely to splurge online over a couple of weeks. Once you identify your particular online shopping habits, plan alternatives to tackle them. For instance, if your weakness is browsing online during your lunch break at work, go for a walk instead. If it’s late at night when you can’t sleep, get up and watch a show instead. - Close unused credit cards
If you have credit cards languishing in your wallet with a zero balance, close the accounts or cut them up (cutting through the number strip so you can’t read them), so there’s no temptation to use them in a future online shopping blowout. - Make impulse buys history
Make a rule never to buy on anything impulse. If it’s not something you were already intending to buy, step away for 24 before making a decision so you can cool off. - Break up with fast fashion
So-called fast fashion is bad for the environment as well as your wallet. It often uses non-sustainable production methods and increases waste when we get rid of out-of-style clothes. As an alternative, change your approach and choose fewer, but longer-lasting pieces, instead of replacing clothing every season according to new trends. You’ll naturally buy less and help the planet too. - Organize a clothes swap party
If you’re a fashionista who shudders at wearing the same outfit multiple times, set up a swap party with friends and change up your wardrobe without spending a dime. - Unleash your inner stylist
Take this break from shopping as a chance to be more inventive with your outfits. Bring out everything from the darkest reaches of your closet and you’ll soon come up with some killer new outfits using pieces you already own. Or, if you’re handy with a needle and thread, alter what you have to make it new. - Hire it
If you need to look good for a fancy event or special occasion, try websites that let you rent designer items for a fraction of the cost to buy. Sites like Rent the Runway where you can pause or cancel membership at any time are made for this.
If you are worried about forgetting your details for the future, use this handy notebook
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