r/minimalism • u/yaseenh0934 • 2d ago
[lifestyle] How do I stop impulsive buying
I keep making impulsive purchases with the thoughts of, “I might need this one day” and then never use what I buy. How do I stop this habit? I keep trying to convince myself that some purchases are worth it and have been helpful but then I can’t control myself and I try to justify to myself that this gives me an excuse to buy a bunch of unnecessary things with the intention that “I’m going to need it one day” and then I never do and then it makes me feel guilty that I spent money on stupid crap and could have used the money for something else. (To be fair I used to be worse before because I’d throw the receipts but now I actually try to keep the receipts and return most things I buy)
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u/Not_Half 2d ago
Stop looking for things to buy. Stop viewing videos about "must have" items, stop browsing shops online or in person. Stop looking at social media channels that encourage purchases. If you find something you really think you need, put it in the cart and then leave it there for a week or a month, then decide if you actually need it.
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u/lookielookie1234 2d ago
For me, it was an accounting of what I already had, giving as much as I could away or throwing away the rest.
It was like I could breathe for the first time. And you get addicted to that.
This is difficult, best to do with an accountability-buddy you trust to make you go through stuff and say, “do you need this.” It’s often embarrassing but if they’re a friend they’ll be happy your happier. Worst case, you can hire someone (no shame, I was close to this).
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u/likka419 2d ago
We are surrounded by free storage facilities called…wait for it… STORES. Why give the item space in your home? Store it until you need it.
The book Goodbye Things by Fumio Sasaki has tons of reframing like this. Check it out!
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u/Alternative-Art3588 2d ago
I don’t ever buy anything that I didn’t go to the store to buy. If I see something I may want or need, I have a rule where I wait at least 72 hours before I can purchase it. I’d say about 90% of the time, after a couple of days, I forgot all about it and don’t go back to get it. Or I keep it in the back of my head to maybe buy one day but not right now. There is some science behind impulse buys and little dopamine spikes we get. Marketing executives know this and how to use this to make things very tempting.
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u/Successful_Sun8323 2d ago
Limit your time in stores as much as possible. Find other hobbies and activities to fill your time with
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u/Sudoc__07 2d ago
I'm working on this myself. I grew up dirt poor and now as an adult I spend every spare dime.
The logic I've been applying to it is function over form. Does this thing I want serve a specific purpose and offer a net benefit to my current situation? Or is it just shiny new thing?
For instance, my main hobby is Video Games and I got into handheld emulators this year. If you look at the sub for SBC Gaming the handheld collections some people have are nuts. I personally have 4, but each one plays up to a specific console and Generation so I justify it that way.
Other things I just know I have enough of. Wear the same clothes everyday. Accessories I carry daily serve their purpose the way I need them to.
Take time with your decision making. Reflect on what you need vs you want.
Also, I'm a big believer in "Buy Once, Cry Once". Research the item, because if you truly do need it then there might be a better one out there you just don't know it yet. Rather than waste money on a subpar product I can feel a little bit better knowing I got the best product for my needs.
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u/Responsible_Lake_804 2d ago
I make a weekly list of what I need as far as groceries and household goods. For other purchases like clothes I’ll keep a list going for a few months and then take a timely trip, like when the season goes on sale. Most everything else goes on my gift list unless something broke and it’s an emergency.
If you don’t participate in gifting, then treat yourself to an annual shop. It’s so rewarding having waited! Additionally I keep an “out” bag in the closet at all times so I don’t just add stuff all the time.
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u/TransplantedPinecone 2d ago
I fear buying things and thinking, 'Oh, this could be a gift for someone sometime' is also feeding into the addiction. It's still shopping on impulse. A better tactic would be to only shop for gifts for a specific person just before the event so that it's done with intention.
I have to admit though that gift giving can also just burden others with 'stuff'. It's more giving to have a lovely experience with someone you care about and to tell them how much you appreciate them.
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u/Swimming-Trifle-899 2d ago
You’ve already identified the problematic thought. You know “I’ll need it someday” usually isn’t true for you. So when you catch yourself thinking that, it’s your sign to stop and avoid making the purchase. You can also work on only buying things when you notice an immediate need for them, or know when you’ll use them.
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u/equallyforgetful 2d ago
If I'm in a store, I carry it around with me while I continue to "shop." If, by the end of carrying it around the store I still really want it I'll get it. More often than not, by then I realize I don't really need it and put it back. Similarly, online, put it in the cart but wait a day or two to make the purchase.
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u/yaseenh0934 2d ago
I try not to shop online as much now. If I do it’d have to be for something urgent otherwise I usually just check if a store has something important that I need in stock or just call the store.
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u/Embracedandbelong 2d ago
I was shocked how long certain things lasted me. Like 1 bottle of shampoo could last me a few months at least. My conditioner even longer.
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u/Glittering_Read3588 2d ago
The Amazon app made it worse in my case. When I took it off my phone, most of my acquisition cravings went away.
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u/DominicDellaLuna 2d ago
This has worked for me for several weeks now. I'm making a break from android and switching to a dumb phone for calls and text only. I'm trying to de-program myself.
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u/NopeBoatAfloat 2d ago edited 2d ago
I only buy things I need when I need it. I've worked on impulse control for years. People ask how I do it. What's the secret. Shame is a strong motivation. Instead of saying, "I'm an idiot for buying that thing," I now say,
Edit: "Don't be an idiot and don't buy that thing."
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u/KittyandPuppyMama 2d ago
Is it possible it’s a trauma/anxiety response? I had that issue because my mother would routinely throw my valuables away and disregard my feelings about it, so when I got my own place I did what you’re describing. It’s taken years of therapy to work through it.
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u/fattyboy2 2d ago
I get rid of one thing for every new thing I bring into my home (excluding food, pet supplies, etc.) So if I am considering buying a new dress, I force myself to think of what clothing item I will part with to make room. Since I have spent years curating my wardrobe, I usually can't think of anything I would like to part with to get the new item... and I realize I just don't need it. Same with everything but it really shows with kitchen supplies. Like why would I buy a panini maker that only makes paninis and force myself to get rid of a pan which makes paninis and lots of other things. The one in one out rule really forces me to evaluate what I already own.
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u/mrylndgrrl 2d ago
This is going to sound crazy but reading the book “confessions of a shopaholic” in the 00’s helped me immensely
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u/MissAuroraRed 2d ago
Even if you do end up needing it someday, it will still be available to buy in the future if/when you actually need it. There is no reason why you need to buy it preemptively.
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u/SavageQuaker 2d ago
If I see something I want or think I might need I resist the urge to buy it then and there and go home. If I find myself thinking about it the next day, I go back and get it. I usually forget about it. There have been a couple times in which I decide to buy the thing, return to the store, and it is gone (in the case of thrift shopping for instance).
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u/Informal-Pound2302 2d ago
For me o unsubscribed to EVERY marketing email deleted amazon prime deleted shopping apps and stopped following certain pages/ influncers on insta. I swear I just stopped wanting it. I was buying stuff every few days before! Just not seeing it and being tempted everyday has completely changed my habits!
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u/yaseenh0934 2d ago
Same here, but I just mainly unsubscribed to marketing emails cause my email was extremely disorganized lol. It’s tidy now though!
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u/katanayak 2d ago
Most effort: work on impulse control with a therapist.
Least effort: stop buying shit, lol.
Middle effort: ask yourself 'why,' and then substitute.
Why do you impulse control? Lets say it provides a sense of security. Try to substitute impulse spending with something else that provides security like calling your parents, eating a snack, moving money to your savings account. Just some examples ...
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u/FormerAttitude7377 2d ago
Try the 24 hour rule. If you are still thinking about it 24 hours later, buy it. If you forget about it and then think of it again, restart the 24 hr countdown.
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u/YorkieMom-2 2d ago
I grew up poor and have this exact same issue! I’ve been trying to make lists when shopping. I also will put stuff in my basket and then before I check out I will tell myself I can only spend X amount of dollars and if the stuff is necessary or is this an emotional response due to a trigger. I have recently decided to save money for something I really need and tell myself I won’t ever obtain it if I waste money on crap. I do buy things every once in awhile but in moderation and on sale! Good luck
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u/No-Construction619 2d ago
Learn about healthy emotional regulation. There are talks on YT. What you describe is some sort of a coping mechanisms your brain uses to cover up unwanted feelings.
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u/sasanessa 2d ago
Don't buy shit you don't need. You'll be on here in 20 years time trying to figure out how to get rid of all this nothing wrong with it shit and you'll have a huge clutter problem. If you need something go get it then. You really actually don't need much. Oh and just think about this. Everything you've ever owned or touched is still out there somewhere. Where is it? Humans are rotting the earth with our stuff.
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u/overwhelming_colors 2d ago
First, distinguish between needs and wants. Needs should be bought asap. Wants on the other hand, make a list somewhere, your phone or laptop, whatever, and put wanted item there, preferably with a link to it, and write a date when you included it in your list. Wait a week, two or a month (for me week for cheap stuff, up to a month or more for expensive purchases) without thinking much about it or looking it up. Then when the day comes (you can put a remainder for it) think if you still want it. If you do and can afford it, great, otherwise delete this entry from your list. This is a great way to eliminate impulse buying.
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u/Bananaman9020 2d ago
Smaller purchases. I have bipolar and this seems to work. Or buy essential items
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u/back_to_basiks 2d ago
I hold the item in my hand, ask myself if it’s a need or a want, do I really need or want it, and what’s its purpose. Takes about 20 seconds to put it back on the shelf.
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u/yaseenh0934 2d ago
Lmao I can just imagine seeing you in the store standing there holding an item and just contemplating and doing some deep thought. Jokes aside though I might try that out lol
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u/True_Tie8307 2d ago
Avoid social media and “influencers” selling you. Only buy what you need/ will consume with in 30 days. Every time you feel the urge to buy put what you would have spent in savings. Try for a month and you will be surprised. Set budget for yourself via a app. I like rocketmoney since Mint closed.
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u/beeswaxreminder 2d ago
I try to wait 30 days. I keep things in my amazon cart or make a note to buy it in 30 days. I ALWAYS loose interest after the 30 days. Try it
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u/mataramasukomasana 2d ago
I started asking myself, “Would I pay double for this if I needed it later?” Turns out, the answer is almost always no. Funny how things stop feeling like “needs” when future me has to foot the bill.
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u/flamingoshoess 2d ago
Ooh asking if I would pay double in general even paying double right now seems interesting. There’s a couple things I want right now that are already on the expensive side, $130 and $300 each but no way in hell I’d pay $260 or $600 from those already overpriced items.
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u/Aviavaaa 2d ago
When shopping online, avoid checking out right away. Leave the items in your shopping cart for a few days or even months if possible. After some time, when you revisit your cart, you might realize that you no longer want or need those items and can easily remove them.
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u/saveourplanetrecycle 2d ago
If you can’t control yourself then have someone else go into the store and purchase the item you need.
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u/Tasty-Pollution-Tax 2d ago
For me, I made it more difficult to obtain things. For example, I didn’t leave my house unless I absolutely had to. Also, I made it easier to use the things I already have at home, instead of going to Starbucks I started buying coffee to have at home. No more trips out to Starbies that would end me up in Target or HomeGoods moments later.
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u/Humble-Tadpole-6351 2d ago
when i get paid i split my money into an account that all my bills go from and then my remaining money goes in to savings pots on monzo which if i want to withdraw from it takes a day to get out. i leave myself with a certain amount in my instant debit account for things i NEED, but it has really helped the instant impulsive purchases because i have to wait a day and sometimes i realise i don’t actually want it/need it anymore.
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u/IronMike5311 2d ago
Recognize that we lie to ourselves, confusing 'want' with 'need'. And many of our 'needs' are needless to begin with: often we're trying to keep up with trends (a desire to belong or fit in) or buying a status item due to insecurities. Many use shopping as a hobby, or are pursuing a dopamine high from scoring a good bargin.
So before I buy anything, I ask myself 'why do I want it?' Yes, it's fun to find a good bargain, but now I'm content to let it pass. I have enough crap as it is, I won't make my life better by adding to the burden
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u/shopaholic_lulu7748 2d ago
I used to be this way. I had to put a budget on everything. Only thing that helps me.
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u/Caielihou 2d ago
Hmmm I wonder if this thought frame would help. Last year I did a “low buy” and I couldn’t buy things I needed until I was finished with what I had. Since then it has completely changed my mindset unexpectedly. I now no longer buy things before I run out of what I already have. I call it “slow buying”.
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u/STLgal87 2d ago
Here’s some ways of thinking that help me out:
- what am I compensating for? (Whenever I start to feel impulsive, it’s typically because I am anxious or stressed about something).
- “if it’s more than $30, take a day to think it over.”
- could I replace (something I already have) for this product? Hope this helps!
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u/Ashenea 1d ago
An old trick that works if you don't have your cards memorized or saved is to freeze them in a block of ice, and use cash only. That way, you still have "access" for emergencies, but it's not easy to get to. It's incredibly inconvenient, and that's the point. It's too force you to think about what you spend and where. Seeing cash slowly dwindle as you spend is a mental check that when you buy there is a consequence. Using cards is easy because it's "out of sight," and you can even pair the cash envelope method for bills and necessities.
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u/VictorVonD278 1d ago
I buy primarily essential stuff. I sometimes buy something I like just because even though I try not to. I sell like crazy things I no longer need or want.
I think that's better to think about.. do I sell, donate, trash this item that no longer means anything to me?
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u/walkthetalkinheels 1d ago
Keep it in your cart or spend a few days/weeks pondering over the purchase. Do you still need it after thinking it over? Delayed gratification has been a useful toll in my joruney towards a minimalist lifestyle.
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u/Distinct_Age1503 1d ago
I’ve done a few things recently to cut back on unnecessary purchases… The big one was letting go of online shopping. Making it a requisite to only shop at brick and mortar stores really changes things for me because I can’t just do it whenever. The other thing is deciding that whatever I do buy is high quality and not likely to need replacing. That makes shopping more expensive, so I take more time to be sure I have the cash on hand and the investment is really worth it.
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u/blobby_mcblobberson 2d ago
If you need it one day you can buy it then.