Isn’t that all we really want? Don’t we all wish that we could stop shopping and spending less money on things we don’t need? Don’t we want to be happy and content with what we already own?
Imagine all the money we wouldn’t be wasting on stuff? Maybe we could use that money to pay off debt, save for an emergency fund, or travel more. Maybe, with time, and some careful planning, we could do all 3!
But it’s hard to stop shopping as entertainment. We’ve been doing it for so long that it’s become a habit. And we all know how hard bad habits are to break. Coupled with the advertising we are exposed to on a daily basis and it can seem like an impossible feat.
But there are definitely things that you can do to stop shopping, or at least reduce the amount that you buy. Here are a few tactics that I’ve been using over the past few years to reduce the amount of shopping that I do (plus a free worksheet):
Tactic 1: Define a purpose.
Why do you want to stop shopping? Do you want to pay off debt? Save for an emergency fund? Do you want to have less of an impact on the environment?
Maybe you have more than 1 purpose to stop shopping. Whatever it is, write it down somewhere that you’ll see it on a regular basis, preferably in multiple places where you’ll see it throughout the day.
Put a note on your mirror or fridge. If you have a car, stick a note to your dash. Put one near your computer at work. Add a note to the inside of your wallet.
Seeing your purpose written out multiple times a day will remind you that you have better plans for the money than a shirt you’ll end up discarding in a few months, or expensive takeout that you’ll forget about in a few hours.
Tactic 2: Identify and remove the things that make you want to shop.
Maybe it’s those emails from your favorite brands that are waiting in your inbox as soon as you wake up? Or it’s the people you follow on social media that you try to emulate. Could it just be that you do it when you’re bored? How about your desire to be identified as “fashionable” (may be a little self reflection going on here).
Whatever your triggers are, take some time to think about them. When are you most likely to buy things? Write them down. Make a plan to distance yourself from them.
Unsubscribe from emails. Unfollow people who make you want to buy things. Or take a social media break altogether. Find other ways to spend your free time (see #4). Realize that other people’s opinions of you matter less than your own.
Tactic 3: Go through your belongings.
The best way to find contentment is to surround yourself with the possessions that you love. Consider getting rid of anything you don’t use or love.
One of my all-time favorite quotes is:
“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.”
William Morris
Using this as a mantra, get rid of items that don’t fit into either of the beautiful or useful categories. And we’re not talking about traditionally beautiful items. You may have a decoration in your home that people fawn over when they see it but you might secretly hate it.
It’s all about what you think is beautiful. Maybe it’s a figurine that isn’t the prettiest, but when you look at it, it reminds you of a time in your childhood that was joyful.
Tactic 4: Focus on hobbies / find new hobbies.
One surefire way to stop shopping is to replace it with other activities. If you would usually shop whenever you have some free time, spend more time on your favorite hobbies. If you don’t have any hobbies besides shopping (I’ve definitely been there), replace it with a new activity.
Some ideas include reading, book clubs, knitting, sewing, acting, singing, drawing, painting, writing, learn to play an instrument, journaling, hiking, camping, running, cooking, and so many more.
If none of these appeal to you, check out this This List of 50 Low-cost Hobbies Will Excite You.
Tactic 5: Create areas/routines that make you happy.
If you look forward to certain things besides shopping, it’s easier to resist the urge to shop.
If you tend to head to the mall to blow off steam after a long day of work, head home instead. This would be the perfect time to try a new recipe or to make your favorite dish. After dinner, you could try lighting a few candles to create a nice soothing atmosphere and then watch you favorite movie/tv show/Youtuber. Or maybe a nice bath would be more your speed.
Maybe you do head home right after work, but you have kids to take care of when you get there. Once you and/or your partner have done all of the parenting duties and the kids are settled or asleep, don’t default to your phone or computer to shop. Form a relaxing routine doing something that you really enjoy. Or maybe you can spend a little time making your home more relaxing one room at a time (tactic 3).
To help you stop shopping and be more content with the things that you own, please download and use this FREE printable that I’ve put together for you. It will help you work through each of the tactics that have been outlined above.
You might also enjoy:
7 Important Questions to Ask As a Conscious Consumer
2 Quick Questions to Ask Before You Buy More Clothes
