This is the third installment in a series of posts centered around the #NoNewThings challenge, founded by sustainability expert and author, Ashlee Piper. This week I wanted to share some simple tips and habit shifts that have helped prevent me from making misguided impulse purchases even when the voices in my head are LOUD.
I find that if I "pin" something to Pinterest, it can scratch the itch to "own" the item in question. It also crushes the anxiety that I won't be able to find whatever it is easily again, if I decide I do actually want/need the item. Also, I am writing about a similar topic this week--great minds and all that!
^ I commented on a post above before I read your comment! Also, may I say that looking at my Pinterest board also reminds me of how many things I'm glad I DIDN'T buy? Like wow, I'm glad that moment of transfixing on (whatever item) passed and I ultimately didn't purchase
100-percent! Your Pinterest boards are an accountability partner. They can also reveal your true preferences. For example, the clothes that I still like after 2, 3, and even 10 years are strong indicators of what I should buy when I do shop.
As a big reader, whenever I'm feeling impulsive, I just check out and/or place holds for books at my library instead on their mobile app. It fulfills my one click itch, the need to "have" something, is free, and the books can be returned at any time whether I read them or not!
Digital payment is so convenient - yet so dangerous! My teenage daughter doesn’t fully grasp the value of items because she can spend with the tap of her phone or the swipe of her cards. When I was her age, I carried larger bills in my wallet ($20s, the occasional $50) so that breaking a bill for a small (useless?) purchase was a pain in the butt…
“In a culture that promotes instant gratification, even a brief pause can be a powerful tool in the fight against impulse buying.” yes!! this is why I love keeping a wishlist on my notes app :)
i am finding it very hard to go no new things - which is making me realize how strong this impulse had become!
i am already feeling some difference in my home (i've also been doing some clean up), and TIME.
one thing helping me is keeping a note with all these wish list items. if i love them enough to want them for a birthday or christmas, they are right there.
Yes, agreed! It's such an eye opening experience to gain awareness of how often the impulse to consume new things crops up. Love the wish list note. I've been jotting down everything I want as well and forget about most of them within 24-hours - HA!
Disconnected from social media for a mental break, found the biggest benefit was to my finances. Didn’t realize probably 90% of my online shopping was fueled by adds in my feed.
I deleted all of my goto stores' websites and found that I didn't get the inclination to shop for nearly 8 weeks. It wasn't until I walked past a brick and mortar establishment that it dawned on me to shop. Feeds and websites have influence on our trigger finger.
I find that if I "pin" something to Pinterest, it can scratch the itch to "own" the item in question. It also crushes the anxiety that I won't be able to find whatever it is easily again, if I decide I do actually want/need the item. Also, I am writing about a similar topic this week--great minds and all that!
Love the Pinterest tip and can't wait to read your post! x
^ I commented on a post above before I read your comment! Also, may I say that looking at my Pinterest board also reminds me of how many things I'm glad I DIDN'T buy? Like wow, I'm glad that moment of transfixing on (whatever item) passed and I ultimately didn't purchase
100-percent! Your Pinterest boards are an accountability partner. They can also reveal your true preferences. For example, the clothes that I still like after 2, 3, and even 10 years are strong indicators of what I should buy when I do shop.
Definitely! Looking at the items can bring a sense of joy - without even owning them - and also inform my self identity (platform shoes? always, yes.)
I put things into a site’s shopping cart and wait 36 hours. 95% of the time it holds no interest when I go back.
love this idea! i feel like waiting overnight sometimes just isn't enough!
Ooh that's GOOD!!
As a big reader, whenever I'm feeling impulsive, I just check out and/or place holds for books at my library instead on their mobile app. It fulfills my one click itch, the need to "have" something, is free, and the books can be returned at any time whether I read them or not!
Love this!!
Digital payment is so convenient - yet so dangerous! My teenage daughter doesn’t fully grasp the value of items because she can spend with the tap of her phone or the swipe of her cards. When I was her age, I carried larger bills in my wallet ($20s, the occasional $50) so that breaking a bill for a small (useless?) purchase was a pain in the butt…
100% - Digital payment doesn't feel tangible and makes it so easy to overspend. It's so much harder to splurge with cash in hand!
“In a culture that promotes instant gratification, even a brief pause can be a powerful tool in the fight against impulse buying.” yes!! this is why I love keeping a wishlist on my notes app :)
I keep a Wishlist board on my Pinterest! Shopping around and adding an item to the board almost gives the same feeling as checking out.
Ooh I do the same - feels nice to store everything in one place and somehow makes my brain feel satisfied!
Ooh love a wishlist. Sometimes it just feels good to note what you desire - I find that reduces my need to acquire. x
i am finding it very hard to go no new things - which is making me realize how strong this impulse had become!
i am already feeling some difference in my home (i've also been doing some clean up), and TIME.
one thing helping me is keeping a note with all these wish list items. if i love them enough to want them for a birthday or christmas, they are right there.
surprisingly hard challenge!!!!
Yes, agreed! It's such an eye opening experience to gain awareness of how often the impulse to consume new things crops up. Love the wish list note. I've been jotting down everything I want as well and forget about most of them within 24-hours - HA!
I have been asking myself the questions that you have suggested and starting to write things down and that has helped me pause.
Glad to hear! x
Disconnected from social media for a mental break, found the biggest benefit was to my finances. Didn’t realize probably 90% of my online shopping was fueled by adds in my feed.
I deleted all of my goto stores' websites and found that I didn't get the inclination to shop for nearly 8 weeks. It wasn't until I walked past a brick and mortar establishment that it dawned on me to shop. Feeds and websites have influence on our trigger finger.
So true - the online shopping culture has made it so much easier to impulse buy!