If you’re trying to stop impulse buys online, know that you’re not alone – readers discussed this issue recently on the popular threadjack and traded some great tips. We are collecting them today!
(Btw, can anyone share how to avoid mindless shopping aisles at Michaels, TJMaxx, Marshalls, etc.?)
We talked about how to stop shopping a few years ago, but it’s time for another discussion, especially since companies are so much better at influencing us to buy things today.
Fill Cart, Abandon Cart
This, the creator of the series mentions directly, is a known but effective strategy. Fill that online cart to your heart’s content and get them clicking. If the store has an option to “save for later” or “favorites”, even better – tempting items will not be ready next time. (Yes, after shopping, you might get one of those annoying “Hey, did you forget something?” emails when you walk away without a purchase. Grrrr.)
Choose Online Stores Wisely
Another reader shared that she prefers shopping in stores with free shipping and free returns. (Nordstrom is one student favorite, of course.) That way, she’s less likely to end up stockpiling unwanted items when shopping. Admittedly, this practice can be counterintuitive — you may be more likely to click “submit order” if you know returns will be easy. YMMV, so combine strategies!
One caveat about frequent returns: Some sites, like Amazon, will listen to you if you return what they deem to be too much. (Btw, here are our tips for returning items online.)
{related: what’s your clothing budget for the year?}
Remove Payment Methods from Websites – and Your Browser
This one’s a big one — unless you’ve memorized your credit card number, that is. Make sure you fill in your payment information EVERY time. The small act of pausing your shopping dopamine rush to hold a credit card in your wallet can stop impulse purchases in your tracks.
With all the many ways to pay online today – Apple Pay, Google Pay, Venmo, PayPal, the store, etc. – it’s probably best to wipe your cookies across the board. Then it will take you more time to log into the seller’s own site the next time, too.
It really helps to unsubscribe from marketers’ mailing lists, too, although social media ads will still be in your face (unless you take a social media break!).
{related: how to stop shopping}
Select a Purchase Date
Think of it as a cheat day where you try to eat better (whether those are healthy or not) … but without the crap. Choose one day a week to shop online. One student pointed out that if you do this, it is much easier to be aware of how you spend money. If you shop on Friday and it’s the second or third time you shop for clothes that week, it’s easy to forget (or ignore) your past prices.
Delay Your Purchase
Speaking of time, one reviewer noted that she makes herself wait a day or more to buy what she wants. She wrote, “If it’s not something I need/buy on purpose, I make myself wait at least a day to click buy. Many times I forget, or my size is gone, or the sale is over so it’s not that desirable.” Push that FORMO down!
One reader wrote about her “wait and see” strategy: She notes the item’s information and tries to find it at a thrift store or resale. Saving money is always good, though.
Grow Your Clothes
One commentator urged students to dress in the equivalent of driving a trusty car down – but in a stylish way. She shares, “When I buy something I wear it out. So there’s very little need or room for new things. I buy a few fun things each season but otherwise I focus my energy on styling what I have.” (See our tips for making your clothes last longer.)
This makes me think about fashion statistics, which we have talked about before in terms of getting the most value out of your clothes. Creating a capsule wardrobe also helps, as it can bring out the versatility of the pieces you already have, too!
{related: do you keep a “best prices” list?}
Keep the Top of Your Closet and Clutter
Regular decluttering and cleaning of your closet is another recommendation for a serious reader. Thoughts like “Why do I have all these things again?!” and “I can’t fit more things in this closet” can help reduce future spending. One commenter pointed out, “Having bags of unused items at Goodwill makes one think more carefully about the next purchase.” Packing for a move, which I just wrote about last week, can give you a big boost, too!
Think Before You Click
Questions from an anonymous commenter can be really helpful to stop online shopping. Before he buys something, he asks himself the following:
Will this really give me $X of utility or enjoyment? Do I really need it? Will it make my life meaningful? I can use this money for something that improves my life or someone else’s if this is not a waste. Do I have room for this? Will it become clutter? Is it actually what is pictured/good quality? Will it last? Will it last long and will I feel guilty about throwing it away later?
Bonus Tip, Maybe
One interesting (weird?) strategy I heard about the other day in the Threads is to use fake buying tools. An example is FoodNeverComes, a South Korean app that allows users to continue ordering food delivery – and getting dopamine from the feeling of anticipation – without spending money or getting food (Fast Company).
Maybe we’ll see more apps like this soon — who knows? A similar strategy is to distract yourself from even visiting a shopping mall by turning to a phone game (which has no ads, either!). When you’re done, you’ll probably be distracted enough to forget what you were doing.
{related: what are your workwear shopping habits?}
Readers, please share: What are your tips on how to stop impulse purchases online? Are you using the strategies above?