I’ve had my ups and downs with buying online during all this Covid-19 stuff. I spend more time online and am exposed to more nudges to buy things. It’s amazing how I can feel I have to have something based on an ad or article I’ve read. Scary too.
There are 3 simple things I do that help me buy less and not get caught up in the gotta have it moments.
Shopping Cart Wait Period
No matter how much I think I want something, if it’s not a daily necessity I put it in the online shopping cart and leave it there for at least a day. Longer is better. I often find that the item no longer feels important once I have taken a break. If I’m still teetering after a few days I will move it to the “save for later” section. When I see these items a couple weeks later, I often wonder why I wanted them in the first place.
Taking Inventory
Since I moved from California to Missouri I have a tendency to want to stock up on winter clothing before the cold weather sets in. My first year I bought enough coats and boots to fill my coat closet and haven’t really needed any since then. But, I get that urge…
My solution is to audit what I already have that is in good shape and will last the season. I usually find that I already have enough and just buy a couple simple things each year to make my wardrobe feel fresh. I do the same thing with food since it’s another area where I seem to like to stock up. Taking inventory of what I already have has probably saved me thousands of dollars over the years.
Tracking Spending
I have a little notebook that I track my spending in. I set a goal each month and then log everything I spend that is discretionary. I do not include things like gifts, gas for the car or utilities as they are in my fixed expenses budget. Groceries, eating out, and any other shopping goes in the log.
I know this isn’t a sexy thing to do and most people avoid it, but it helps me stay in touch with how I am letting money out the door. I often go over budget, especially when I have to replace something big, like the lawn mower that died this month. But, the log helps me get back on track quickly and saves me money overall.
Saving money is a good thing. Too often, we just spend on things that aren’t useful or meaningful because we get caught up in wanting. Those things we are influenced to buy seldom make our lives better.
Yes, there are things I want, but I can save for them. I prefer buying quality items that are truly meaningful to my life over a bunch of smaller things I barely remember when I get the bill. And, I get to live debt free.
What about you? Have you been feeling more of an urge to shop lately? If you have a favorite strategy for saving, you can share it in the comments below. Who knows? You might help someone else when you do.
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I super agree, especially the last one. When unplanned expenses are put together, one can realize how much cut it has on the bank. Thanks for sharing.
So true. I may be a heartfelt kind of girl but also believe that knowledge is a wonderful foundation. Logging my spending keeps me informed.