Are Destructive Shopping Habits Getting in the Way of Your Goals?

Is it time to take a good hard look at your shopping habits? Let’s think about it. Are you buying things you don’t even need just to keep up with others? Are you spending extravagantly on friends or family? Are you opening up your favorite shopping apps and pressing “Add to Cart” just to pass the time or to fill an emotional void?

We get it, the pressure to shop is everywhere. However, the truth is needlessly burning through money is a big obstacle to your long-term goals. Here are 6 destructive shopping habits to avoid if you want to save money and and become the ultimate Money Bitch.

Impulsive Shopping

Impulsive shopping can be a fun and exciting way to blow off some steam, but it can also be a major financial drain. Here are a few tips for avoiding impulsive shopping:

  • Make a list of things you need before you go shopping and stick to it.
  • Take out cash to make sure you only spend a certain amount of money, and don’t bring your credit card with you.
  • Avoid going to stores when you’re feeling stressed or emotional.
  • Wait 24 hours before making any big purchases.
  • Even for smaller online purchases, it’s a good idea to add an item to cart and wait for 24 hours. Revisit it the next day and if you still really want it, buy it.
  • Shop with a friend who will help keep you accountable.
  • Unsubscribe to retail newsletters. Remember, just because it’s on sale doesn’t mean you need it!
  •  Before shopping for clothes, take an inventory of your closet. Only purchase items you need to replace or those you are low on. It’s so easy to forget what we actually already own!

Emotional Shopping

Emotional shopping is the compulsive buying of items in an attempt to make oneself feel better. This type of shopping is usually done when a person is feeling sad, anxious, or stressed. Emotional shoppers often buy things they don’t need and can’t afford.

If you’re experiencing emotional shopping, there are a few things you can do to help stop the behavior:

  • Try to identify what’s causing you to feel bad. Once you know what’s triggering your emotional shopping, you can work on addressing those issues.
  • Develop alternate coping mechanisms to deal with difficult feelings. We recommend exercising in whatever way feels best for you, journaling, or connecting with your spiritual side through meditation or prayer.
  • Avoid situations that might tempt you to buy things. Delete your favorite shopping apps on your phone, or skip the mall trip if you’re feeling the urge to shop. Channel that energy elsewhere!

Shopping Because You’re Bored

Shopping when you’re bored can be a dangerous game. It’s all too easy to buy things you don’t need when you’re not really paying attention to what you’re doing. If you find yourself bored and shopping, try to redirect that energy elsewhere. Delete that shopping app or take up a hobby to occupy your time.

Subscribing to Free Trials and Forgetting to Cancel

It’s easy to sign up for a free trial and forget to cancel it before the trial period expires. This can lead to unwanted charges on your credit card, and it can be difficult to get the company to refund your money.

If you’re signed up for a free trial, make sure you cancel it before the trial period ends. If you’re unsure whether you’ve canceled or not, contact the company and ask. It’s better to be safe than sorry!

Spending Extravagantly on Friends and Family

When we spend extravagantly on our friends and family, we are often trying to express our love for them. We may feel like the best way to show our affection is by buying them expensive gifts or taking them on lavish vacations. However, there are better ways to show your love that don’t cost a thing.

If you’re feeling the urge to spend extravagantly on your friends and family, try expressing your love in other ways. Here are some other ways you can show your love at little to no cost:

  • Cooking them a meal
  • Spending time together engaging in a favorite hobby
  • Giving them a quick call or text to check in weekly

If you need some help curbing these shopping habits, grab our free Save it Sis Guide! Shifting your shopping habits and money mindset are some of the first steps to becoming a true Money Bitch.

You can also follow us on Instagram and join our Money Bitch Community on Facebook for even more great money tips and tricks!