We all do it. We try to cut back spending, and then two days go buy and you’ve ordered three new tops online and stopped into Marshall’s for a quick run-through and suddenly you’re down $150. Why do we do this to ourselves? Our buyer-remorse grows through the roof and then we end up telling ourselves “oh – I’ll just return this” and then we never do.
I’ve decided to challenge myself to cut back my shopping on items I truly don’t need, and I encourage you all to do the same. We can start this ASAP or we can start this in September for a fresh schedule – but let’s not spend money on things we don’t need people. Save your money for entertainment, nights with good people, and travel! Not trendy clothing! (Says the girl literally operating a fashion blog).
Let’s get started:
Unsubscribe from mailing lists.
Our inboxes are flooded daily with marketers trying to sell us their products from Nordstrom’s and Payless shoes. Their e-commerce tools crowded our e-mails and encourage us to shop. If you want to be less distracted by flash sales and major discounts that don’t actually pertain to you, then unsubscribe from those brands! They will still be there, I promise. 🙂
Find new ways to satisfy your craving for newness.
A lot of time we may find ourselves shopping when we need something new in our lives. But why do material goods satisfy us for this want? Instead, get outside and do a new activity. Try a new restaurant that just opened up down the road. Or even better – try pairing clothing that you already have with new pieces you’ve never thought would look good together. You may just be pleasantly surprised.
Set reminders on your phone.
This one may seem silly, but it actually works. Set reminders on your phone once a day that says “don’t spend any money on things you don’t need today!”. It will be a subtle way that you can continue with this challenge of non-impulse spending.
Fish through your entire closet.
Take a Saturday and go through ALL OF YOUR CLOTHING. Get rid of what you have not worn in the last 365 days. Keep what you love. This will remind you of that funky t-shirt you bought last year that you love and forgot about. But this will also remind you of the weird pants you thought you would wear and they still have the tags on them from two years ago.
Don’t buy into trends, only buy into style.
We all struggle to find our personal style, and our minds can be crowded when fun trends are happening and changing every week. Instead of buying into tiny-sunglasses trends and ugly sneakers (no offense to anyone who likes the geriatric sneaker look), buy items that are more timeless and that you’re more like to wear over and over again. I always try to stray away from my easy jeans-and-tee daily vibes, but somethings always brings me back to how comfortable and “me” a simple look really is.
Don’t just buy for any occasion.
One thing I fall victim to – and I know other’s do too – is buying a piece of clothing for a small event coming up. Maybe it’s dinner with the girls, going out for the first time in a long time, or a weekend getaway. These things add up – so don’t keep buying new looks for all of these events! Only buy new pieces for major events in your life that require a bomb outfit. Not a night out at a bar.
If you’re deciding between two things, don’t buy either.
If you’re ever doubting a purchase for a SECOND then DO NOT BUY IT. Remind yourself that you probably won’t wear it and it will just collect dust in the back of your closet.
Let me know how you’re doing on your journey to stop over-shopping! Share this with your friends who probably are shopaholics as well.
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