Impulse: A sudden strong and unreflective urge to desire or act.

Hmmm, I don’t know about you, but I’ve been a victim of that definition in one or more situations in my life so far. Sometimes, especially with shopping, it all happens so quickly that you can’t even remember the details. One minute you’re there, minding your own business and then the next thing you know, you’re wondering how in God’s name you ended up with the clothes, vacation, dessert, or one too many glasses of wine.

Marketers have also studied and refined their strategies according to these human impulses. As most of us may know by now, it’s no accident that last season’s trends are sold at such reduced prices or that your Facebook feed suddenly knows exactly what products have been on your mind recently. With the blow-up of social media marketing in the last decade, impulse buying will only increase if we don’t start and stay aware of how not to throw away our money on deal prices and instant gratification.

I’m no stranger to falling victim to impulse shopping myself. It’s happened to the best of us, but when you know better, do better.

Below are a few things I tried that have worked for me over the years as far as not beeping my credit card at things that need no part of my attention or chequing account.

HOW TO NOT IMPULSE BUY

Don’t shop when you’re feeling emotionally vulnerable.

Whether you’re fresh out of an argument with a loved one, a bad day at work, or stressed out from current world events, scrolling the websites of your favourite retail stores might be one of the last things you should gravitate to. Whether we like to admit it or not, there IS a void that we are trying to fill in the moment. The term “retail therapy” wasn’t created unreasonably.

Research and evaluate what products truly work for you.

This might take some time and attention, but try and figure out what items in your lifestyle are staples. Whether it’s a specific skincare product, a particular outerwear brand, or a shampoo that works wonders for your hair, make a mental commitment to that product and don’t test out any others. Once you tire of that product or it stops being effective (As hair and skincare products sometimes can), switch those out for others you have been researching. Being intentional about your needs can stop you in your shopping tracks the next time you see Sephora having a sale.

If you’re interested in really cutting back on skincare, I’ve talked about zero product skincare tips here.

Don’t give in to the hype of holiday sales.

This applies to Boxing Day, Black Friday, or any seasonal sales. Popular media sources tend to show extreme cases of mob behaviour to give off the impression of the scarcity of their products. That is why we get the urge to rush off and buy an item before anyone else. Again, take a step back, stay mindful of your and your family’s needs and accordingly stay away from retail.

Unsubscribe from all retail shopping newsletters/announcements/advertisements

Stores have a way of stealthily getting your email addresses from you at the right time. It’s typically when they’re offering you promo code discounts or other freebies when all you want to do is finish your sale and get out of the store.

Consumers are also unknowingly signing up for these emails during online shopping. Look closely at the boxes that are checked or unchecked during your checkout process, and you’ll be saving yourself from endless promotional emails cluttering up your inbox. The visual marketing of some of these retailers can sometimes be hard to ignore, and again, before you know it, you’re spending money you don’t want to.

Figure out and commit to your own personal style

Most people have a general idea of their fashion and beauty style by a certain age. Whether it’s athleisure, vintage, casual, or a combination of designer and street fashion, once you know what your look is, you won’t get caught up in the hype of following trends unnecessarily. Chasing trends = stupid spending.

But even if you don’t quite have it figured out yet, take some time to get inspired either through research online or through your own natural tendencies and then stick with it.

Try and shop alone

This one comes from personal experience. There’s something about shopping with friends and family that made me a little swipe-happy with my credit card. Whether it’s because I get caught up in a conversation and mindlessly pick up and try things on, or if I want to bond over similar purchases with whomever I’m with, I always end up with more regrettable purchases when I group shop rather than if I do it alone. I find this particularly happens more when I’m shopping on vacations with friends.

Disclaimer: This doesn’t happen when I shop with my mom. My mom always asks the hard questions about whether that “really looks good”? Or if I “really need one?”. Thanks, Mother.

Make lists

I love a good list. I use it for work, grocery shopping and even for retail purchases. I list wardrobe items that I have in mind or need replacements of. It could be a new coat, work-wear, or shoes – If I write it down and remember what my real necessities are, I usually don’t end up buying things that catch my attention in the moment.

Leaves things in the online shopping cart overnight

This is one of the older tricks in the book. By all means, do all the wishful thinking and dreaming that your heart desires when you’re bored, sad, or restless. But wait to hit the final “Purchase” button until the next day. I can’t tell you how many times this tactic has saved me hundreds of dollars. Lots of things (and prices) seem a lot less appealing the next day.

Create and stick to a monthly shopping budget

Knowing what you can really afford will save you financial strife in the short and long run. If you have an amount left over that you would like to splurge with after all of your monthly bills, go for it. Whether you want to shop monthly or only twice a year, you usually won’t go above it by spending it on unnecessary items if you have a hard figure in mind.

The five-year rule

One of the newer clothing shopping strategies I’ve been using is asking myself the question, “Can I use this for the next five years?”. If the answer is yes, I buy; if no, I don’t. It may sound extreme at first, but it does work. You also buy higher-quality products that can endure the test of time.

It also helps you avoid shopping fast fashion, which I’ve lamented about here.

Think of 3 uses of a clothing item before you buy it

This one takes a bit of practice but hear me out. The next time you’re shopping for clothes and something catches your eye, think of at least three different outfits you could create with it. It could be an item worn to work and on the weekend. Or it could be a pair of shoes that can be worn casually and formally. Getting creative can be fun.

There you have it, folks. These are just a few tips from my own life that I want to impart to you to help you save money, space in your home and in your mind. Comment below if I’ve missed anything or what your experiences have been with not caving into the adrenaline rush and the dopamine thrill of new stuff.

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