I have recently fallen down the rabbit hole of make up purchases. Your video has made me realise that I am trying to recreate youthful skin because I am feeling bad about myself. I actually don’t need a new concealer or foundation, I need to accept the ageing process and focus on feeling content as I am. Thank you for the refocus! Xx
I can definitely relate to this. I just recently spent a lot of money on cosmetics for the same reason. I hope to learn from it and start doing better.
I just wanted u to know that u r not alone. I did the same thing. I went from shopping at Sephora about 1 time every 2 years to having an account, maxing it out and trying to figure out how I’m going to pay this stuff off. Unfortunately, 2/3 of the makeup I bought is not my favorite. I always bought things that I absolutely loved. My marriage has not been good, my self esteem was down the drain and makeup was just an escape for me. You’ve realized your mistakes. Try your best, moving forward to do the best u can and that other bs in the past. I wish I could give u a big hug, bc I think we both need one🥰
Whenever I want to buy something online I just declutter my closet. All what I want is a change. I guess the change I really want is to get RID of clothes but my brain mixes it up and thinks it wants to get more
Can I suggest that maybe the change you're seeking is a more cohesive wardrobe, if you haven't made that change already? I decluttered the crap out of my wardrobe and felt so at peace and happy but after a while, started wanting to shop again. I realized that my individual pieces hardly went together. So though I'd gotten my clothing down to my absolute favorites, they didn't necessarily go with each other and now my outfits lacked variety. Now my goal is whenever I do intentionally shop, to always consider if the piece goes with most of my other items for a very minimal wardrobe, but one with variety. Prior to decluttering, I hadn't been shopping because I felt I already owned everything! I'm sure if we all felt more satisfied with our wardrobes as opposed to individual pieces (in addition to acknowledging our other consumption issues), we'd all shop less!
I also desire novelty, and try to get that need met through trips to the library, excercise, and creative pursuits, including mending, dyeing, and/or altering my clothes. For example, I recently mended a holey shirt and took a too-short dress to the tailor for him to shorten it into a top.
I stopped the "Treat Yourself" shopping mentality. I practice more of self care, paint my own nails after I do a foot sock, a sothing mosturize face mask, using what I have.
My “test” is taking screenshots. I’m always surprised when I go through my camera roll because most of the things I have already forgotten about. And whenever I’m really rushing things I take a minute before placing the order to ask myself how upset I’d be if I missed out on the item/bargain. So many orders were avoided this way :)
My good friend and I have been each other’s support through the emotions that come out of our finances/financial journey. We randomly do challenges throughout the year (right now we’re doing a no spend challenge until June 1st) and whenever I want to buy something outside of my “allowed items” I text her first. It’s sooooo helpful because she isn’t emotionally attached to the item. She’s like “don’t you already have something like that?” or “Can you wait until the challenge is over?” Changes everything for me. I recommend getting a buddy for impulse buys.
Brilliant tips! Here are some of the things I do when I feel spendy: - I pay bills immediately so then I don’t even have the money to think about being spendy anymore. - When I build carts for things I want (clothes, pointless stuff from Amazon, etc.), I back out and build carts for things I need (groceries, toiletries, etc.). Once I see how there’s not much left for what I want after I buy what I need, I just don’t buy it or save it for later and think about it. - I review my budget over and over. I look at my goals, and I remind myself of what is more critical or important. I try to focus on a certain win that is more important to me than the thing I want to buy. - Create a no spend streak on your calendar. I used to need to spend money every. single. day. - An oldy but a goody, I make sure it’s never as easy as clicking a button. Cc is never saved so I can’t just push a button. Even getting out the physical card is a chore. - I really take an inventory about my surroundings and what could be triggering me to want to spend. Social media, family, boredom, stress, etc. - Last but not least, watch your videos to help me feel hopeful and relaxed, then let the spendy feeling pass.
I get a similar ‘rush’ when I don’t hit ‘confirm purchase’ as much as when I do press it. I feel good about saving that money and having the self control to do it! 👏🏻
Little hack is to look at things you can’t afford because it gives you a similar boost for looking at something valuable but know you can’t buy it so it won’t even be tempting 😅 I’ll follow 3 digit auctions on eBay just to feel like I belong but I know I couldn’t realistically afford it. Lmao. Feels nice though.
One thing I try to use is to ask myself if I want to deal with the mess of decluttering or selling it in the future. I think it was A small wardrobe who said that if you can’t just declutter your stuff and give it to charity but Instead have to sell it or give it to someone, you think twice before buying since it can be such a pain in the butt. And it also gets quite obvious that things decrease ALOT in value (if it’s not like a designer handbag or something similair).
Most designer handbags (with the exception of Hermès Kelly or Birkin or a very hard to get Chanel) decrease in value by approx. 30 - 50 % and sometimes more. I used to kid myself that these bags were 'investments ' until I came to my senses 🙃
My way of talking myself out of impulse buying is to find faults in the item I have my eye on. If there is ONE thing that I don’t like about it or if I wonder if it fits with what I already have, I put it back. It works for me so far.
I’m so glad I found you, I have been struggling with shopping addiction for thirty years of my life on and off and it’s something I’ve never really addressed. I have suffered from severe depression for the last five years and now my shopping addiction has come back and it’s destroying my recovery. Your videos are very practical and although I have only just discovered you, I feel that I can implement a lot of your advice. Thank you so much!
Sometimes I wait long enough to buy an item in my cart and when it goes out of stock, I breathe a sigh of relief like phew that’s one or two less items i’m tempted to buy 😅
Had to watch it 2x for maximum absorption. The who is this benefitting question is actually what helped me finally quit smoking 25 yrs. ago. The tobacco company was getting richer and all I was getting was dead
I came across one of your low-buy videos a few months ago and it inspired me to journey through my own low-buy year. It's...going 🙃. I've limited myself to one item per month.I talk myself of out unnecessary shopping by STERNLY telling myself, "You don't need that." Then I walk out of the store feeling sad I didn't buy the cute shoe, but it's alright, because it means I have more money in my account than I would've had, had I bought the shoe
Definitely needed this video so badly right now. I have really been using impulse purchases as a coping mechanism to help with stress but in reality it makes me more stressed!
Completely agree with 4:20, these products made us poorer and poorer and these money goes to the companies that do a lot of damages to the world environment.
Currently working my way out of a shopping addiction.. I’m moving to a different state to a much smaller space and trying to downsize to fit what my new lifestyle will be. Surprisingly, one thing that has helped me is over the past year; I have been exercising self-restraint by actually going to stores, looking at items and not buying them. Leaving stores empty handed. For some reason, this has psychologically been a big factor in helping my brain to not rationalize impulse buys. Now I feel I have the strength to go out and do things and NOT be spending $300 a day on my days off. I still get the satisfaction from looking at items and realizing that if I don’t LOVE it I don’t need to go home with it. It made me realize a lot of the things I had been buying I didn’t actually LOVE, but instead was filling a void. Resulting in me using once and forgetting or never using the items at all. I love your tips here!!
Before I purchase something , I ask will I use/wear this one year from now? Three years from now? five years from now? As someone who is going to enter my 30s in a couple years, I need to buy with more intentionality. I experiment to a minimum. I know what cuts are flattering on my body and what I will actually wear. Also, living in a desert, just from a practically standpoint, the composition of clothes is very important. If a top is synthetic, no matter how much I love it, I won't buy it. I also got into jewelry around 2020. I save up money and buy vintage, estate, or from a local jewelery designer. It's constructed way better and I love the history behind the pieces.
How do you talk yourself out of an impulse buy? Time stamps below! intro 0:00 1) ask WHY 1:54 2) WHAT am I rationalizing? 2:13 2a) what else do you deserve? 3:35 3) WHO is benefitting from my money? 3:46 4) Is it time to take a break? 4:49 5) am I comparing myself? 5:30 6) does it pass "THE TEST"? 7:12 7) am I self-sabotaging? 8:52 8) will this purchase contribute to my well-being? 10:20 9) remember how far you've come 12:00 Outro 13:23
I think you might have mentioned in another video, but shopping in my own closet helps to remember how much stuff I got. Then also waiting some weeks before making a purchase. One thing I will try now, inspired by this video. Is write down everything (non-essential) I bought on a list and whenever I feel like shopping just look up the list and remember what I already 'treated' myself with. Thinking of maybe setting a cap? Dont know with a budget or just by itemnumbers... You had great tips! Will use these too :D
This really helped me. It really made me realize that I've spent so much on things that I ended up just storing away and not truly using. I'm going to start not only looking at my bigger goals but to declutter and sell all my extra stuff
How is that your videos always appear when I need them most? I recently went a little bit overboard with some online shopping. I am normally really good about sitting with a possible purchase for about a month before I buy. But my mental illness has been living her best life at my expense lately, so even if I sat on a purchase for a month, I wasn’t thinking it through properly. So now I have, not even kidding, 3 purchases I need to return. I am not happy with myself right now because of it and I am going to learn from it. You telling us to ask ourselves why made me realize some harsh but necessary truths today. So instead of online window shopping today, I’m going to go use my exercise bike for an hour to bring myself peace and well-being. Thank you ❤️❤️❤️
The grey sweater resonated with me, I’ve decluttered something because I never wear it and then gone and bought the same thing. This is a great video with a lot of sound advice so thank you.
i live on low-buy, but when i feel "spendy" i will refer to my list & get a functional item that has been on there for a considerable amount of time. the key is waiting as long as you can. it also helps to declutter, watch decluttering videos or minimal home tours to reawaken that value of having less.
When I am feeling the rush to buy like if two people appear in my head, one is saying - ''I really want this'', another - ''stop it, you don't even need it''. Recently, the one who urges to buy gets silenced more than before and I am really pleased about it. I loved the video, it's exactly what I feel. Thank you 🌹
I stopped this year when I when I took down my Christmas decorations and decided to go through every space in my house. I was holding on to old shampoos...towels....putting stuff under the beds....I could go on. It took me a month. I feel free now and my savings account looks great. I now know that when you free the clutter it frees the mind and blessings come.
Thank you so much for your advice, as always! I’ve been struggling in the past two years to pay off my credit card debt and I can say now I’m debt free. Finally! So whenever a new temptation comes by, I try to remember how guilty and weak I felt in the past... and keep the satisfaction of seeing 0 euros left to pay in my credit card status. And it’s way more satisfying to feel that way. The freedom you experience, it is nothing but great!! I’m now facing a no buy year, it’s my fourth month now 💪. Again thanks for your videos and thanks for letting me share this experience here! Take care ♥️😘😘
I use the Notes app to list the items I will buy every month. So I know exactly what I can buy month to month. When I am at the checkout I open my notes app and if it aint on the list, I can’t get it OR I have to replace an existing thing with it
One of the worst things about an impulse buy is when it ends up being a total winner. The losses still outweigh the wins but we just dismiss the losses and continue to spend. Im trying to be more conscious about not dismissing the losses (whatever that means to you) and continue to tell myself that I don’t have the money/don’t need the perfect wardrobe when I don’t have any money in savings and my car still needs a service! I’m enjoying the stuff I do have and reminding myself of the feeling I got when I purchased those things, which suppresses the impulse purchase rush.
Super insightful points that many of us tend to forget! I’m guilty of succumbing to this pattern of ‘’but I deserve this’’ when in fact, you’re right that we all deserve financial peace of mind much more than stuff we don’t need/can’t afford. Another trick that helps is to really picture yourself buying and owning the item you’ve been coveting...and then realizing, what now? The adrenaline rush subsides, the item quickly becomes old in your eyes and you’re $$ poorer. It’s an unhealthy cycle that benefits brands and toys with our self esteems!
what helps me is to use things up first that i already have and then purchase it if i still love it or use it. i also make a list and i make sure i stick to it! these two things have been key for me! great video as always!
Hi there I’m new and I’m so glad I found you. All the minimalism videos have helped me fighting my impulse shopping. I used to not be like this. I’m a Capricorn so I was pretty good with money. I tried to pay cash for everything and we paid off our house at age 24 it took us 3 years to pay off plus acquired 2 more vehicles totaling to 4. My budgeting really bothered my husband and created many problems in our marriage so I stopped. We spent on everything we wanted causing us not to save anymore. My husband kept blaming having kids but I knew that wasn’t the issue. The lack of self discipline is the issue. I don’t want to be the person that I’ve become. Not meeting my goals has really made me lose sleep. Not meeting goals had never been an option for me.
If I catch myself in time I put my phone down and walk away. Its the online version of walking out of a store. On the wellbeing point I recently bought myself a mini fire pit. Getting outside and using it has been the best investment I could have made . It also handily has stopped me scrolling and being as tempted.
The quote I live by lately is : “I saw Cady Heron wearing army pants & flip flops... so I bought army pants & flip flops” LOL If the thing I’m looking at buying feels like it fits that quote I don’t get it, I just leave it in the cart for the time being to think about further. Because if it fits that quote it usually means it’s headed toward the zone of “fantasy” self.
I love this video! I am a collaborator for a thrift online shop and so it is very easy for me to slip up into the shopping treat yourself mindset. I also spent a lot when I got my first job out of college. However, over the past years/months I have been trying to declutter and give myself some space. I don't regret the whole shopping phase because it truly felt like I could treat myself in ways I could never afford before.. But now I enjoy a well thought, local, ethical, "tested" product much more than an impulsive buy. I am so excited for this minimalism journey and the Minimalists are definitely a go to.
I do a reward system. As a very aesthetic person with a deep love of decorating... If I really want something it has to stay on the want list AND I make a list of things that need/ideal self needs to do. Once check list has been complete then I can get it. Its working well (started it this year). To get apple air pods I have to go to the gym 15 times in a month! It's a work in progress :) I loved this video, a much more mature take to self reflection where impulse is concerned :) Thanks!
I love your videos. They have come at a perfect time. I love your rawness and deep truth that you are sharing across the RUclips universe. You literally described me with the impulse buying. The one that resonates most with me is does this thing bring me peace or add to my calmness. Almost across that board, I would always be able to say no to that question. That one will jolt me out of the impulse to buy because I am all about finding peace and calm in my life right now.
This is so helpful, thank you! I'm barely on social media but even so, I definitely struggle sometimes with impulse buying. Thankfully it's never been an issue because it's always well within my budget but I still don't like that I do it, so I've tried to become a lot more mindful of my spending by becoming aware of my triggers and thankfully it's been helpful so far, but still more work to do! 💙
Tip #4 taking a break is so important. I turned 30 last December and while I do care about things such as skincare, incorporating some retinol in my beauty routine and more frequently wearing sunscreen, the AMOUNT...THE SHEER VOLUME, THE WATERFALL of anti-aging ads for This and That skin concern, is phenomenally disturbing. It's like google Adsense knows I'm 30 and won't let me forget it for a SINGLE DAY. It's like you type in retinol ONCE in any search bar, and a bomb is triggered.
i FEEL this. I attended a baby shower for the first time and literally bought ONE baby gift off the registry. The sheer amount of new mom & pregnancy ads they hit me with had me feeling I should take a pregnancy test or something it was extremely unsettling
Great video, thank you. I try to remind myself that impuls buys are usually not the things I really end up loving and enjoying that much. Waiting, researching and thinking it through adds more to the enjoyment.
I saw maybe 8 videos on how to stop impulse buying today and this is the best. It gave me maybe more than those 8 combined. Thank you. You have new subscriber 😉
Your excel sheet has helped my mindset a ton, even in just one day! I discovered it yesterday and went and put everything from my wishlist on it. I thought I was doing well with just a wishlist on my phone, but yours is so much better! It was eye opening to be forced to consider my thought process on the item, whether I bought it or not. I had bought one item the night before so I included it in the spreadsheet just to consider my thought process for actually purchasing it. The most crazy thing to me was seeing that there were very specific dates where most of my items were "added." Boredom or hard days are my triggers.
I love how you share the mental work in your videos. It helps me so much when I’m trying to truly stay on track and process through emotions that cause me to continue to unnecessarily spend. I wrestle with much of the same things you share in your videos.💖
Thank you for your videos. I’m about to purchase something then I kept on doubting since I’ve been so good on low buying. I’ve done no buy for 2 mos without even thinking about it.
Amazing video, after a year of de-cluttering i've realised how much i have improved on this. Some of the points here are still very useful and i really appreciate them
I like the “is the sweater really worth it” tip. I think that works for me and food, also. Sweets are my nemesis and any sweet used to do for me. Now I ask myself if that particular food is worth the calories. I’m finalllly having success with my weight and now I can use this theory to shopping. Thanks so much! ❤️
I will be watching this one several times. There’s so much good in here. This is something I’ve struggled with for so long. Thanks for speaking on this.
I'm really glad I found your videos and the concept of being intentional with your purchases. I'm at a crossroad in life where I'm leaving university and I don't want to dress like a teenager anymore so I intend on changing up my style. But your videos (and others) have helped me see that intentional spending can create a wardrobe with less pieces in it but with more and better outfits. Never again will I buy something just because I like it, I will ask myself "What can it do for me?". Thanks for teaching me less is more 😁✌️
Wow thank you so much for this video! I'm taking all that advice and not only implementing it to my spending/shopping habits but also my eating habits. The self-sabotaging is a big problem for me. Every time I start to do well at something it's like I get scared and want to ruin my progress so I can prove myself right that "I can't do it".
I'm a book buying fanatic and own close to 2000 books. Although I'm not really into fashion, I love the concept of "Shop Your Closet." I'm going use this concept to stop buying new books once and for all, because I have more than enough to last a lifetime! From now on, I will "Shop My Library" at home and if I absolutely must read something that I don't already own, I'll check it out at my local library. Great video! I appreciate everything you shared!
I am still renting, I don't have my own place, and on top of that I am living in a foreign country. So just the idea that I will be moving back home (Europe) one day helps me incredibly to avoid any unnecessary shopping :) I've always enjoyed shopping for clothes and I came to U.S. with just one suitcase on purpose, so I could shop more haha. But it went out of control and then one day I realized I wouldn't be able or even want to take everything with me. And this was also the first step on my journey to becoming a minimalist.
So basically, when I shop now, I always ask this question: is it something I will want to take with me when I go back home to Europe with just two suitcases? And 99% of the time, the answer is no. Of course, I do this for wants, not needs
Such a great video! The test is a really good rule to have, so often I get sucked into buying something because of fomo or I know it will sell out really fast, and then the company doesn’t really have my best interest in mind. They play on the fact that I have to buy now or I might miss out
Great video!! You always break it down to practical terms and I appreciate that. Like many others said, the timing of this video is perfect with seasonal transition and the urge to shop! Huge fan of your content, but one thing I find really distracting is the music you use. It’s a similar song in each video and the guys voice makes me strain to hear what you’re saying, it’s almost like trying to intently focus while the radio is on. I might be the only one having this issue, but just wanted to call it out in case there are others too :) your content is awesome
Thanks for the great video Christina! It serves as a check in point for me - I did very well for my low buy in Q1 2021 and need the boost of inspiration to shoulder on in Q2 onwards. Thankyou!
Great suggestions! I can relate to the grey sweater situation. Now that I've decluttered my closet, I've also started asking, "What are you willing to get rid of in order to bring that home?" Sometimes that's enough to stop me.
Why was this video so convicting 😳 honestly though I’m thankful for it!! Need some common sense every once in a while. Thx Christina these tips are amazing!!🥰
yep you just made me realise im an impulse buyer i was proud to never bee in dept or in the red but never having propper savings sucks so these tipps help! thank you!
loved this - just found you and watched this and your avoiding trends one. I am a very intentional budgeter so I can use my money for what I really want - you tick all the boxes with this for me!
I didn't really start spending less until someone who lives outside of their means came into my life. They told me their budgeting goals recently, and I was happy to see that they now have some. My goals would be different, but the fact that they're saving up for anything is a good sign.
I have a bad habit of watching and shopping on livestreams. I rationalize the buying that it’s such a good deal and someone might swipe it up. Now everytime I want to watch a livestream, I will open a intentional spending/minimalism yt video. If I have time to just watch something, I make myself watch yt videos instead of livestream. That’s why I started watching your videos hahaa
This was brutally honest ... kinder struck a nerve ... I don’t have a problem with purchasing stuff my problem is eating out and I always find myself justifying it with a “you deserve it “
Christina, thank you very much for your content, your transparency and honesty. It feels good and it helps!! (You may not have to replace the blue light... the yellow alone looks more like your style overall... in my humble opinion! 🤗😘😘)
I stuck myself ordering something for mothers day! A childhood friend is selling catalog beauty products, that I purchase for myself. And also this guilt is making me write a personal list of my priorities. Instead of be stuck with a mothers day gilt, cause have months of not seeing her, and my head is spinning, but is my mom. After this, I keep you posted for alternatives. Awesome advise, thanks
Oh snap. Was looking for exactly this for a few days wondering what I could remind myself to chill. I sort of just snag things and it’s def piling up. ESP Bc I make jewelry and work in a jewelry live community. Talk about fueling fomo. I’m writing these down now to take with me everywhere in my journal and for my desk at work so I remind myself when I’m in another friends live.
I feel I shop on amazon when I’m bored or depressed. Also when I do go on a no buy I do good for three weeks then go right back to my spending habits. I want to stop that. Also to save money I’m go to goodwill to buy a pair of jeans. Why not when they are cheap and there is nothing wrong with them.
Yes I need this my no buy this month and I keep looking at clothes online ahhh stop no not allowed write it on a list and maybe next month I can or not we will see.
Hiii,,, i just want to thank you so so much for changing my life. You've been a huge inspiration and put me on a direction to a better me. I love watching your videos and i always look forward to a new one...lots of love...Kavi :-)
Yes! The Test! I still try and do The Test all the time, but it’s so much harder with online shopping...you’re not physically walking away from the item.
Currently I am building my capsule wardrobe, and I figured a lot of basic items and structure is missing. A few days ago I decluttered my closet with only the clothes left that make me feel good when I wear it. Whenever I want to spend money on clothes building my new capsule wardrobe, I come to your YT channel and play one of your videos for a talk. :-p It has helped me to not splurge on buying new clothes. It's ok if building my capsule wardrobe takes time. Rome wasn't built in one day either...
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
One of my old go tos was “I deserve it”. I love how you flipped it to “I deserve to reach my goals”. Yes m’am!!!🥳
I have recently fallen down the rabbit hole of make up purchases. Your video has made me realise that I am trying to recreate youthful skin because I am feeling bad about myself. I actually don’t need a new concealer or foundation, I need to accept the ageing process and focus on feeling content as I am. Thank you for the refocus! Xx
Don't feel bad, I went down the same rabbit hole myself. I wasted a lot of money on makeup 😭 when you know better, you do better ☺️
Thank you for sharing, I can relate to this in a very similar way as an adult struggling with acne for the first time. Stay strong!
I can definitely relate to this. I just recently spent a lot of money on cosmetics for the same reason. I hope to learn from it and start doing better.
I just wanted u to know that u r not alone. I did the same thing. I went from shopping at Sephora about 1 time every 2 years to having an account, maxing it out and trying to figure out how I’m going to pay this stuff off. Unfortunately, 2/3 of the makeup I bought is not my favorite. I always bought things that I absolutely loved. My marriage has not been good, my self esteem was down the drain and makeup was just an escape for me. You’ve realized your mistakes. Try your best, moving forward to do the best u can and that other bs in the past. I wish I could give u a big hug, bc I think we both need one🥰
Aging is beautiful just let it be!
Whenever I want to buy something online I just declutter my closet. All what I want is a change. I guess the change I really want is to get RID of clothes but my brain mixes it up and thinks it wants to get more
Can I suggest that maybe the change you're seeking is a more cohesive wardrobe, if you haven't made that change already? I decluttered the crap out of my wardrobe and felt so at peace and happy but after a while, started wanting to shop again. I realized that my individual pieces hardly went together. So though I'd gotten my clothing down to my absolute favorites, they didn't necessarily go with each other and now my outfits lacked variety. Now my goal is whenever I do intentionally shop, to always consider if the piece goes with most of my other items for a very minimal wardrobe, but one with variety. Prior to decluttering, I hadn't been shopping because I felt I already owned everything! I'm sure if we all felt more satisfied with our wardrobes as opposed to individual pieces (in addition to acknowledging our other consumption issues), we'd all shop less!
I also desire novelty, and try to get that need met through trips to the library, excercise, and creative pursuits, including mending, dyeing, and/or altering my clothes. For example, I recently mended a holey shirt and took a too-short dress to the tailor for him to shorten it into a top.
It me!
Wohh
@@ifetayodavidson-cade5613 I wanna learn to sew for that because I love fashion
I stopped the "Treat Yourself" shopping mentality. I practice more of self care, paint my own nails after I do a foot sock, a sothing mosturize face mask, using what I have.
My “test” is taking screenshots. I’m always surprised when I go through my camera roll because most of the things I have already forgotten about. And whenever I’m really rushing things I take a minute before placing the order to ask myself how upset I’d be if I missed out on the item/bargain. So many orders were avoided this way :)
OMG, thanks for this, gold!
this is genius! i’m so bad at buying things as soon as they drop because i don’t want to miss out. gonna try this ASAP
My good friend and I have been each other’s support through the emotions that come out of our finances/financial journey. We randomly do challenges throughout the year (right now we’re doing a no spend challenge until June 1st) and whenever I want to buy something outside of my “allowed items” I text her first. It’s sooooo helpful because she isn’t emotionally attached to the item. She’s like “don’t you already have something like that?” or “Can you wait until the challenge is over?” Changes everything for me. I recommend getting a buddy for impulse buys.
Yessss an accountability partner is worth its weight in gold! I love that.
Brilliant tips!
Here are some of the things I do when I feel spendy:
- I pay bills immediately so then I don’t even have the money to think about being spendy anymore.
- When I build carts for things I want (clothes, pointless stuff from Amazon, etc.), I back out and build carts for things I need (groceries, toiletries, etc.). Once I see how there’s not much left for what I want after I buy what I need, I just don’t buy it or save it for later and think about it.
- I review my budget over and over. I look at my goals, and I remind myself of what is more critical or important. I try to focus on a certain win that is more important to me than the thing I want to buy.
- Create a no spend streak on your calendar. I used to need to spend money every. single. day.
- An oldy but a goody, I make sure it’s never as easy as clicking a button. Cc is never saved so I can’t just push a button. Even getting out the physical card is a chore.
- I really take an inventory about my surroundings and what could be triggering me to want to spend. Social media, family, boredom, stress, etc.
- Last but not least, watch your videos to help me feel hopeful and relaxed, then let the spendy feeling pass.
Watched this 3x I really needed this
Same here!
I get a similar ‘rush’ when I don’t hit ‘confirm purchase’ as much as when I do press it. I feel good about saving that money and having the self control to do it! 👏🏻
Little hack is to look at things you can’t afford because it gives you a similar boost for looking at something valuable but know you can’t buy it so it won’t even be tempting 😅 I’ll follow 3 digit auctions on eBay just to feel like I belong but I know I couldn’t realistically afford it. Lmao. Feels nice though.
One thing I try to use is to ask myself if I want to deal with the mess of decluttering or selling it in the future. I think it was A small wardrobe who said that if you can’t just declutter your stuff and give it to charity but Instead have to sell it or give it to someone, you think twice before buying since it can be such a pain in the butt. And it also gets quite obvious that things decrease ALOT in value (if it’s not like a designer handbag or something similair).
Most designer handbags (with the exception of Hermès Kelly or Birkin or a very hard to get Chanel) decrease in value by approx. 30 - 50 % and sometimes more. I used to kid myself that these bags were 'investments ' until I came to my senses 🙃
My way of talking myself out of impulse buying is to find faults in the item I have my eye on. If there is ONE thing that I don’t like about it or if I wonder if it fits with what I already have, I put it back. It works for me so far.
I have been trying to use this method and it is actually very helpful!!
It sure is
this is what i started doing unconsciously because i always bought things i liked a little instead of something i was IN LOVE with
I’m so glad I found you, I have been struggling with shopping addiction for thirty years of my life on and off and it’s something I’ve never really addressed. I have suffered from severe depression for the last five years and now my shopping addiction has come back and it’s destroying my recovery. Your videos are very practical and although I have only just discovered you, I feel that I can implement a lot of your advice. Thank you so much!
Same. Hope you’re doing well with everything. All the best to you! It’s tough. One day and one less purchase at a time!
Sometimes I wait long enough to buy an item in my cart and when it goes out of stock, I breathe a sigh of relief like phew that’s one or two less items i’m tempted to buy 😅
Yes!!!
Omg, yes I've done the same thing 🤣🤣
If it aint there then i can’t buy it 😂
@@yen8365 yup 😂
Omg that's so true for me 😅
Had to watch it 2x for maximum absorption. The who is this benefitting question is actually what helped me finally quit smoking 25 yrs. ago. The tobacco company was getting richer and all I was getting was dead
Me too
I came across one of your low-buy videos a few months ago and it inspired me to journey through my own low-buy year. It's...going 🙃. I've limited myself to one item per month.I talk myself of out unnecessary shopping by STERNLY telling myself, "You don't need that." Then I walk out of the store feeling sad I didn't buy the cute shoe, but it's alright, because it means I have more money in my account than I would've had, had I bought the shoe
That is good and very well thought about!
Definitely needed this video so badly right now. I have really been using impulse purchases as a coping mechanism to help with stress but in reality it makes me more stressed!
Completely agree with 4:20, these products made us poorer and poorer and these money goes to the companies that do a lot of damages to the world environment.
Currently working my way out of a shopping addiction.. I’m moving to a different state to a much smaller space and trying to downsize to fit what my new lifestyle will be. Surprisingly, one thing that has helped me is over the past year; I have been exercising self-restraint by actually going to stores, looking at items and not buying them. Leaving stores empty handed. For some reason, this has psychologically been a big factor in helping my brain to not rationalize impulse buys. Now I feel I have the strength to go out and do things and NOT be spending $300 a day on my days off. I still get the satisfaction from looking at items and realizing that if I don’t LOVE it I don’t need to go home with it. It made me realize a lot of the things I had been buying I didn’t actually LOVE, but instead was filling a void. Resulting in me using once and forgetting or never using the items at all. I love your tips here!!
Before I purchase something , I ask will I use/wear this one year from now? Three years from now? five years from now? As someone who is going to enter my 30s in a couple years, I need to buy with more intentionality. I experiment to a minimum. I know what cuts are flattering on my body and what I will actually wear. Also, living in a desert, just from a practically standpoint, the composition of clothes is very important. If a top is synthetic, no matter how much I love it, I won't buy it. I also got into jewelry around 2020. I save up money and buy vintage, estate, or from a local jewelery designer. It's constructed way better and I love the history behind the pieces.
My biggest enemy! I started asking myself “When are you going to use that? Where are you going to put it? Are you just bored?”
Same here lol
How do you talk yourself out of an impulse buy?
Time stamps below!
intro 0:00
1) ask WHY 1:54
2) WHAT am I rationalizing? 2:13
2a) what else do you deserve? 3:35
3) WHO is benefitting from my money? 3:46
4) Is it time to take a break? 4:49
5) am I comparing myself? 5:30
6) does it pass "THE TEST"? 7:12
7) am I self-sabotaging? 8:52
8) will this purchase contribute to my well-being? 10:20
9) remember how far you've come 12:00
Outro 13:23
I think you might have mentioned in another video, but shopping in my own closet helps to remember how much stuff I got.
Then also waiting some weeks before making a purchase.
One thing I will try now, inspired by this video. Is write down everything (non-essential) I bought on a list and whenever I feel like shopping just look up the list and remember what I already 'treated' myself with.
Thinking of maybe setting a cap? Dont know with a budget or just by itemnumbers...
You had great tips! Will use these too :D
How much use I would get out of it
It's easy for me to stop myself buying clothes or make up because I don't have enough money but food... I can't say no to a takeaway 😅
I usually wait 24 hours before I decide to buy that item :) I also keep a wishlist folder with my impulse items in there!
I always ask myself if i need it or want it. If it's a copy of something I already have.
This really helped me. It really made me realize that I've spent so much on things that I ended up just storing away and not truly using. I'm going to start not only looking at my bigger goals but to declutter and sell all my extra stuff
How is that your videos always appear when I need them most? I recently went a little bit overboard with some online shopping. I am normally really good about sitting with a possible purchase for about a month before I buy. But my mental illness has been living her best life at my expense lately, so even if I sat on a purchase for a month, I wasn’t thinking it through properly. So now I have, not even kidding, 3 purchases I need to return. I am not happy with myself right now because of it and I am going to learn from it. You telling us to ask ourselves why made me realize some harsh but necessary truths today. So instead of online window shopping today, I’m going to go use my exercise bike for an hour to bring myself peace and well-being. Thank you ❤️❤️❤️
The grey sweater resonated with me, I’ve decluttered something because I never wear it and then gone and bought the same thing. This is a great video with a lot of sound advice so thank you.
i live on low-buy, but when i feel "spendy" i will refer to my list & get a functional item that has been on there for a considerable amount of time. the key is waiting as long as you can.
it also helps to declutter, watch decluttering videos or minimal home tours to reawaken that value of having less.
When I am feeling the rush to buy like if two people appear in my head, one is saying - ''I really want this'', another - ''stop it, you don't even need it''. Recently, the one who urges to buy gets silenced more than before and I am really pleased about it. I loved the video, it's exactly what I feel. Thank you 🌹
I stopped this year when I when I took down my Christmas decorations and decided to go through every space in my house. I was holding on to old shampoos...towels....putting stuff under the beds....I could go on. It took me a month. I feel free now and my savings account looks great. I now know that when you free the clutter it frees the mind and blessings come.
Thank you so much for your advice, as always! I’ve been struggling in the past two years to pay off my credit card debt and I can say now I’m debt free. Finally! So whenever a new temptation comes by, I try to remember how guilty and weak I felt in the past... and keep the satisfaction of seeing 0 euros left to pay in my credit card status. And it’s way more satisfying to feel that way. The freedom you experience, it is nothing but great!! I’m now facing a no buy year, it’s my fourth month now 💪. Again thanks for your videos and thanks for letting me share this experience here! Take care ♥️😘😘
I use the Notes app to list the items I will buy every month. So I know exactly what I can buy month to month. When I am at the checkout I open my notes app and if it aint on the list, I can’t get it OR I have to replace an existing thing with it
Love the idea of 'not now' and putting it on a list. I do have a wish list but I need to remember to use it when I'm feeling spendy/impulsive xo
One of the worst things about an impulse buy is when it ends up being a total winner. The losses still outweigh the wins but we just dismiss the losses and continue to spend.
Im trying to be more conscious about not dismissing the losses (whatever that means to you) and continue to tell myself that I don’t have the money/don’t need the perfect wardrobe when I don’t have any money in savings and my car still needs a service!
I’m enjoying the stuff I do have and reminding myself of the feeling I got when I purchased those things, which suppresses the impulse purchase rush.
Super insightful points that many of us tend to forget! I’m guilty of succumbing to this pattern of ‘’but I deserve this’’ when in fact, you’re right that we all deserve financial peace of mind much more than stuff we don’t need/can’t afford. Another trick that helps is to really picture yourself buying and owning the item you’ve been coveting...and then realizing, what now? The adrenaline rush subsides, the item quickly becomes old in your eyes and you’re $$ poorer. It’s an unhealthy cycle that benefits brands and toys with our self esteems!
So true!
what helps me is to use things up first that i already have and then purchase it if i still love it or use it. i also make a list and i make sure i stick to it! these two things have been key for me! great video as always!
I agree, that's what I've been doing and most of the time I don't even want the thing in the end anyway
Hi there I’m new and I’m so glad I found you. All the minimalism videos have helped me fighting my impulse shopping. I used to not be like this. I’m a Capricorn so I was pretty good with money. I tried to pay cash for everything and we paid off our house at age 24 it took us 3 years to pay off plus acquired 2 more vehicles totaling to 4. My budgeting really bothered my husband and created many problems in our marriage so I stopped. We spent on everything we wanted causing us not to save anymore. My husband kept blaming having kids but I knew that wasn’t the issue. The lack of self discipline is the issue. I don’t want to be the person that I’ve become. Not meeting my goals has really made me lose sleep. Not meeting goals had never been an option for me.
SOoOOooo many amazing tips! My favorite is to ask what else I deserve? The money and the time can go somewhere better!
If I catch myself in time I put my phone down and walk away. Its the online version of walking out of a store. On the wellbeing point I recently bought myself a mini fire pit. Getting outside and using it has been the best investment I could have made . It also handily has stopped me scrolling and being as tempted.
The quote I live by lately is :
“I saw Cady Heron wearing army pants & flip flops... so I bought army pants & flip flops” LOL
If the thing I’m looking at buying feels like it fits that quote I don’t get it, I just leave it in the cart for the time being to think about further. Because if it fits that quote it usually means it’s headed toward the zone of “fantasy” self.
Ha! Yes! best movie and SO relevant to this topic!
This is actually a good tip lol
Lol I love this so much
This video is *so* helpful. I honestly made some impulse purchases last night (at 1am yikes). I will definitely try these tips in the future
That's the danger time! Alone on the couch with a glass of wine! 🤣
I love this video! I am a collaborator for a thrift online shop and so it is very easy for me to slip up into the shopping treat yourself mindset. I also spent a lot when I got my first job out of college. However, over the past years/months I have been trying to declutter and give myself some space. I don't regret the whole shopping phase because it truly felt like I could treat myself in ways I could never afford before.. But now I enjoy a well thought, local, ethical, "tested" product much more than an impulsive buy.
I am so excited for this minimalism journey and the Minimalists are definitely a go to.
One of the best videos I have seen on this topic. I am currently helping a friend overcome shopping addiction. This is such a wonderful start
I do a reward system. As a very aesthetic person with a deep love of decorating... If I really want something it has to stay on the want list AND I make a list of things that need/ideal self needs to do. Once check list has been complete then I can get it. Its working well (started it this year). To get apple air pods I have to go to the gym 15 times in a month! It's a work in progress :)
I loved this video, a much more mature take to self reflection where impulse is concerned :) Thanks!
Some of these tips, I’ve never heard before, but they are so thought provoking and life changing! Thanks for being a huge inspiration!
Thanks for this real talk, Christina! Putting items on a wish list or in my cart without hitting "place order". 😊❤
I love your videos. They have come at a perfect time. I love your rawness and deep truth that you are sharing across the RUclips universe. You literally described me with the impulse buying. The one that resonates most with me is does this thing bring me peace or add to my calmness. Almost across that board, I would always be able to say no to that question. That one will jolt me out of the impulse to buy because I am all about finding peace and calm in my life right now.
This is so helpful, thank you! I'm barely on social media but even so, I definitely struggle sometimes with impulse buying. Thankfully it's never been an issue because it's always well within my budget but I still don't like that I do it, so I've tried to become a lot more mindful of my spending by becoming aware of my triggers and thankfully it's been helpful so far, but still more work to do! 💙
Tip #4 taking a break is so important. I turned 30 last December and while I do care about things such as skincare, incorporating some retinol in my beauty routine and more frequently wearing sunscreen, the AMOUNT...THE SHEER VOLUME, THE WATERFALL of anti-aging ads for This and That skin concern, is phenomenally disturbing. It's like google Adsense knows I'm 30 and won't let me forget it for a SINGLE DAY. It's like you type in retinol ONCE in any search bar, and a bomb is triggered.
i FEEL this. I attended a baby shower for the first time and literally bought ONE baby gift off the registry. The sheer amount of new mom & pregnancy ads they hit me with had me feeling I should take a pregnancy test or something it was extremely unsettling
Thank you Christina. This video stopped me from impulse buying a pair of jeans.
Great video, thank you. I try to remind myself that impuls buys are usually not the things I really end up loving and enjoying that much. Waiting, researching and thinking it through adds more to the enjoyment.
I saw maybe 8 videos on how to stop impulse buying today and this is the best. It gave me maybe more than those 8 combined. Thank you. You have new subscriber 😉
Your excel sheet has helped my mindset a ton, even in just one day! I discovered it yesterday and went and put everything from my wishlist on it. I thought I was doing well with just a wishlist on my phone, but yours is so much better! It was eye opening to be forced to consider my thought process on the item, whether I bought it or not. I had bought one item the night before so I included it in the spreadsheet just to consider my thought process for actually purchasing it. The most crazy thing to me was seeing that there were very specific dates where most of my items were "added." Boredom or hard days are my triggers.
I love how you share the mental work in your videos. It helps me so much when I’m trying to truly stay on track and process through emotions that cause me to continue to unnecessarily spend. I wrestle with much of the same things you share in your videos.💖
As always, such great perspective and advice.
Thank you for your videos. I’m about to purchase something then I kept on doubting since I’ve been so good on low buying. I’ve done no buy for 2 mos without even thinking about it.
Amazing video, after a year of de-cluttering i've realised how much i have improved on this. Some of the points here are still very useful and i really appreciate them
I like the “is the sweater really worth it” tip. I think that works for me and food, also. Sweets are my nemesis and any sweet used to do for me. Now I ask myself if that particular food is worth the calories. I’m finalllly having success with my weight and now I can use this theory to shopping. Thanks so much! ❤️
I will be watching this one several times. There’s so much good in here. This is something I’ve struggled with for so long. Thanks for speaking on this.
I am tempted for a new pair of jeans. But have I been wearing jeans lately? No. I have plenty of other pants. Yes. My why is “boredom”.
I'm really glad I found your videos and the concept of being intentional with your purchases. I'm at a crossroad in life where I'm leaving university and I don't want to dress like a teenager anymore so I intend on changing up my style. But your videos (and others) have helped me see that intentional spending can create a wardrobe with less pieces in it but with more and better outfits. Never again will I buy something just because I like it, I will ask myself "What can it do for me?". Thanks for teaching me less is more 😁✌️
Wow thank you so much for this video! I'm taking all that advice and not only implementing it to my spending/shopping habits but also my eating habits. The self-sabotaging is a big problem for me. Every time I start to do well at something it's like I get scared and want to ruin my progress so I can prove myself right that "I can't do it".
I'm a book buying fanatic and own close to 2000 books. Although I'm not really into fashion, I love the concept of "Shop Your Closet." I'm going use this concept to stop buying new books once and for all, because I have more than enough to last a lifetime! From now on, I will "Shop My Library" at home and if I absolutely must read something that I don't already own, I'll check it out at my local library. Great video! I appreciate everything you shared!
Thanks for the reminders about why I’m on this journey to buy less and value what I already have!
I am still renting, I don't have my own place, and on top of that I am living in a foreign country. So just the idea that I will be moving back home (Europe) one day helps me incredibly to avoid any unnecessary shopping :) I've always enjoyed shopping for clothes and I came to U.S. with just one suitcase on purpose, so I could shop more haha. But it went out of control and then one day I realized I wouldn't be able or even want to take everything with me. And this was also the first step on my journey to becoming a minimalist.
So basically, when I shop now, I always ask this question: is it something I will want to take with me when I go back home to Europe with just two suitcases? And 99% of the time, the answer is no. Of course, I do this for wants, not needs
Omg, same here.
Such a great video! The test is a really good rule to have, so often I get sucked into buying something because of fomo or I know it will sell out really fast, and then the company doesn’t really have my best interest in mind. They play on the fact that I have to buy now or I might miss out
Great video!! You always break it down to practical terms and I appreciate that. Like many others said, the timing of this video is perfect with seasonal transition and the urge to shop! Huge fan of your content, but one thing I find really distracting is the music you use. It’s a similar song in each video and the guys voice makes me strain to hear what you’re saying, it’s almost like trying to intently focus while the radio is on. I might be the only one having this issue, but just wanted to call it out in case there are others too :) your content is awesome
I’m going to watch this video every single time there’s something I want to buy. Great content and it really helps!
Thanks for the great video Christina! It serves as a check in point for me - I did very well for my low buy in Q1 2021 and need the boost of inspiration to shoulder on in Q2 onwards. Thankyou!
Great suggestions! I can relate to the grey sweater situation. Now that I've decluttered my closet, I've also started asking, "What are you willing to get rid of in order to bring that home?" Sometimes that's enough to stop me.
YES Thank you. This is the type of motivation we need. Thank you for this
This video really hit home for me. Thank you for keeping it real! I should watch this every day or week until your suggestions become second nature.
Why was this video so convicting 😳 honestly though I’m thankful for it!! Need some common sense every once in a while. Thx Christina these tips are amazing!!🥰
yep you just made me realise im an impulse buyer i was proud to never bee in dept or in the red but never having propper savings sucks so these tipps help! thank you!
Super helpful. Thank you 🙇🏼♀️❤️
Saved this video to watch again. Thank you for the excellent advice.
I’ve never needed this video more than I do right now 😔
loved this - just found you and watched this and your avoiding trends one. I am a very intentional budgeter so I can use my money for what I really want - you tick all the boxes with this for me!
These videos are awesome. They have helped me a lot in the few months.
I didn't really start spending less until someone who lives outside of their means came into my life. They told me their budgeting goals recently, and I was happy to see that they now have some. My goals would be different, but the fact that they're saving up for anything is a good sign.
I loved this video. It reminded me of my question before the buy. “Do I have an immediate use, place or purpose for this”? If not walk away.
Thank you so much for being so honest and sharing this.
I have a bad habit of watching and shopping on livestreams. I rationalize the buying that it’s such a good deal and someone might swipe it up.
Now everytime I want to watch a livestream, I will open a intentional spending/minimalism yt video. If I have time to just watch something, I make myself watch yt videos instead of livestream. That’s why I started watching your videos hahaa
Great video! Just what i needed to hear!
Thank you! Love this, so on point!
This was brutally honest ... kinder struck a nerve ... I don’t have a problem with purchasing stuff my problem is eating out and I always find myself justifying it with a “you deserve it “
Christina, thank you very much for your content, your transparency and honesty. It feels good and it helps!!
(You may not have to replace the blue light... the yellow alone looks more like your style overall... in my humble opinion! 🤗😘😘)
I stuck myself ordering something for mothers day! A childhood friend is selling catalog beauty products, that I purchase for myself. And also this guilt is making me write a personal list of my priorities. Instead of be stuck with a mothers day gilt, cause have months of not seeing her, and my head is spinning, but is my mom. After this, I keep you posted for alternatives.
Awesome advise, thanks
Thank you for this video 💜 I really needed to hear that
such good points and reminders. love this video!
Love it.. 💙💙💙so useful tips. Thank you so much
Oh snap. Was looking for exactly this for a few days wondering what I could remind myself to chill. I sort of just snag things and it’s def piling up. ESP Bc I make jewelry and work in a jewelry live community. Talk about fueling fomo. I’m writing these down now to take with me everywhere in my journal and for my desk at work so I remind myself when I’m in another friends live.
I could say* ugh typos
Hiii love all the way from the Philippines. ❤❤ Wish you have a podcast. 🤗
I feel I shop on amazon when I’m bored or depressed. Also when I do go on a no buy I do good for three weeks then go right back to my spending habits. I want to stop that. Also to save money I’m go to goodwill to buy a pair of jeans. Why not when they are cheap and there is nothing wrong with them.
thank you for this video it was just what I needed this week thank you so much. !!!!
Yes I need this my no buy this month and I keep looking at clothes online ahhh stop no not allowed write it on a list and maybe next month I can or not we will see.
I think of how spending too much will affect my retirement age. I would like to retire early and that goal helps me stay on track.
Such good advice, thank-you x
I really appreciate this video!
Hiii,,, i just want to thank you so so much for changing my life. You've been a huge inspiration and put me on a direction to a better me. I love watching your videos and i always look forward to a new one...lots of love...Kavi :-)
You did, Kavi! I’m just honored to be a part of the ride ❤️
Yes! The Test! I still try and do The Test all the time, but it’s so much harder with online shopping...you’re not physically walking away from the item.
Currently I am building my capsule wardrobe, and I figured a lot of basic items and structure is missing. A few days ago I decluttered my closet with only the clothes left that make me feel good when I wear it. Whenever I want to spend money on clothes building my new capsule wardrobe, I come to your YT channel and play one of your videos for a talk. :-p It has helped me to not splurge on buying new clothes. It's ok if building my capsule wardrobe takes time. Rome wasn't built in one day either...
Great video! I'll write down the list :)