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Bad habits are hard to break in any area of life. Especially when it comes to shopping. Many people develop unhealthy habits when it comes to buying clothes, shoes and accessories.
Even the most prudent individuals can fall victim to bad shopping habits now and again. The trick is identifying these bad habits and working to correct them so they don’t continue in the future.
There are many ways that people develop negative shopping habits, but breaking them doesn’t have to be challenging or feel restrictive. In fact, by identifying your own personal bad shopping habits you can work towards changing them for the better!
Here are some tips on how you can break those bad shopping habits and build new ones that will help you shop with intention rather than impulsivity from here on out.
Decide on a shopping budget and stick to it
One of the best ways to start breaking bad shopping habits is to decide on a budget and stick to it. Before you even head out to shop, decide how much you want to spend or how much you want to bring in towards your budget. This way you can make sure you keep your spending in check the entire time. I use a journal like this.
If you overspend, you can make adjustments next time to stay within your intended budget. There are a variety of ways to budget when it comes to shopping. You can decide on a certain amount you want to spend per month on clothing or accessories. You can also decide on a certain amount per visit to a store or online retailer. Whatever method you decide to use, just make sure you remain consistent with it.
Track your expenses
Another great way to break bad shopping habits is to track your expenses. There are many different apps and websites that can help you track your spending and expenses. This way you can make sure you don’t go over your budgeted amount.
There are likely many expenses you have each month that you might be able to cut down on. This can help ease the burden on your monthly budget and give you more wiggle room to shop without feeling as much pressure. Try to make as many cost-cutting changes as you can, and then use the savings you generate to supplement your shopping budget. This might take some trial and error, but if you track your expenses you can make adjustments as you go to make sure you don’t go over budget.
Don’t shop when you’re hungry or tired
Another way to break bad shopping habits is to avoid shopping when you are hungry or tired. This might seem silly, but it is a very true fact. When you are hungry or tired, you tend to make rash and impulsive decisions.
You are also less likely to make wise decisions as well. Eating a small snack or having a glass of water can help reduce hunger-induced impulsive shopping. It can also help reduce your cravings and make it easier to avoid overspending. If you shop when you’re tired, your judgment is likely to suffer. When you’re tired, you are more likely to make impulsive decisions and buy items you don’t really need. This is especially true when shopping online.
Avoid shopping at these times and only shop when you are fully awake and alert. This can help reduce impulsive shopping and make it easier for you to make wise purchasing decisions.
Only shop for things you need
This might seem obvious, but only shop for things that you need. Don’t shop out of boredom, boredom or to fill an emotional void. Instead, only shop when you have a need to fill. If you shop when you have a genuine need, it is much easier to avoid impulsive decisions. You don’t want to completely cut out shopping just because you don’t have a need.
Instead, only shop when you have a genuine need and make sure it goes towards meeting that need. This can help you break bad shopping habits and make smarter purchasing decisions.
Disengage from social media when shopping
Another great way to break bad shopping habits is to disengage from social media when shopping. When you are shopping online or at your favorite retail store, try your best to avoid engaging in social media. This might seem a little extreme, but it can help you avoid having your emotions tugged at by tempting ads or deals. It can also help you avoid clicking on impulse buys and making unnecessary purchases. If you are shopping online, retailers know that you are more likely to click on an item if there is a picture of it.
They know this because they employ psychology and human behavior studies to help them sell more merchandise. For example, retailers often display more expensive items first because research has shown that people are more likely to click on the most expensive item first. To avoid clicking on unnecessary items, try to avoid looking at pictures of items. Instead, only look at descriptions to avoid being swayed by the temptation of a pretty picture.
Bottom line
Bad shopping habits can be tough to break, but they don’t have to be. By following these tips, you can make it easier for yourself to shop with intention and avoid impulsive purchases. With a little effort, you can break these bad shopping habits and make it easier for yourself to shop in a way that is healthy and beneficial. From beginning to end, you want to be in control of your shopping. You want to be making smart purchasing decisions that are beneficial to your needs and budget.
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