How not to buy? Anti-shopping guide for minimalists

How not to buy? Following the January posts on Instagram, I can see that many of you (just like me) have plans to limit purchases in the New Year. It may sound easy, but this is not a simple task. In the last decade, we have been meticulously learning how to be a good consumers. The consumerism provoked needs that we did not have at all. Social media do not give up – brands bombard us with new products through their own accounts and accounts of influencers who boast about new purchases. However, as a society, we are now more than ever turning to sustainable fashion and conscious shopping, limiting our shopping more and more. That is why today I have some tips that can help when your goal is not to buy or buy less.

How not to buy?

1 | Cross out shopping from your leisure activities list

If shopping is a way to get away from boredom or negative emotions for you, stop! It’s more than certain that something will catch your eye and even more likely it will be something you don’t need. Go shopping only when you really need something. And even then enter only those stores where you can find this item.

2 | Don’t be fooled by the great deals

2 for the price of 1, a discount of 70% – doesn’t that sound appealing? How not to buy when we see such claims? Unfortunately, we often succumb to promotions or great offers and end up with a pile of things that we do not need. Would you like to buy the item if it costs the full price? Would you notice it then? Are you sure you need it? If you are – then enjoy the nice price. If in doubt, let it go. This is no great offer if someone maneuvers you into spending money that you normally wouldn’t take out of your wallet.

3 | Define your style and know your needs

If you know what you want to wear and what suits your face (and your body), there is no risk that you will spend money on items that you like, but which you will not wear in the end. Being aware of the contents of your wardrobe, you will avoid buying another pair of blue jeans or another black skirt.

4 | Have a shopping plan and strategy

Take a look at your clothes and your inspirations. Select the items you want to buy in a given season. Then think about what criteria they should meet, define the budget you will spend on shopping. Think if any of the planned things are worth buying at the sale and what to wait for the new season. This way, you will eliminate impulsive picks and make a good use of sales and discounts. It is also a way of determining if you really need something.

5 | Stop being a shopping buddy

If you often accompany your friend during shopping, to advise, etc., then you know that sooner or later you will buy something new or you will envy your friend for having something new. If you cannot refrain from shopping in such a situation, give up this type of meeting and go for a coffee instead.

6 | Don’t be a fan of quick fixes

If you want to buy something, make sure that it meets all your expectations. Unfortunately, if you compromise with yourself, you will continue to search for that perfect thing. This way, for example, you will end up with 3 pairs of black pants, neither of which will fully satisfy you, and you will still be looking for another pair.

7 | Unsubscribe

Has it ever happened that the newsletter has built your shopping needs? Probably like everyone else. As they say – out of mind, out of heart. Unsubscribing from newsletters and from lookbooks distributed by traditional mail is a great solution. So is giving up reading magazines, which, let’s face it, are one big advertising block. This is a really good way to not buy!

8 | Do not tear off a price tag right away

If you have already made a purchase and this is not a thing that you need for 100%, wait for some time with tearing a tag off. It happens that a few days passes, emotions fall down and you can easily send item back to the store and get back your badly/unnecessarily spent money.

And what is your way to avoid shopping? Do you happen to make impulsive shopping?

Pozostałe artykuły z serii Minimalizm w zakupach znajdziesz tu. A ciekawy artykuł w tym temacie, ale od strony finansowej i tworzenia oszczędności – tu.