How to stop yourself buying too much 'stuff'

[Timetogoclutterfree]

Although I'm far from the worst person for this, I've decided I'm buying too much stuff all the time.^^ I'm not going into debt and my house isn't overrun, but I do need to cut back.

It's just general things like such as, candles, I love them, but I buy them and then I don't always use them up or use the ones I've got before buying more.

Pyjamas, I have loads but I see new ones I love and can't resist. Coats, again, I have a good enough selection, but I'll see someone in a lovely coat and want another. I do use them, but storing them is a pain.

I've just ordered a load of stuff for one of my dc as I wasn't sure which size and style he'd need but I went overboard and now need to return loads.

Think I'm worse this time of year because I get drawn in by all the displays in the shops.

Any tips or advice on how to avoid mindless buying.

1. Don't go to the shops
2. Think about the people being crippled by the CoL crisis whilst you're spending away
3. Think about global warming, yes, all your shopping contributes to that
4. Think about all the people being paid a pittance to make your clothes.

Download yougov or one of the other survey apps where you answer questionnaires for hours & earn about 30p. I'm the same as you, I love shopping like it's a hobby, but getting sucked into the appeal of earning money via surveys & then realising how long it takes to earn such little has made me value my money more and think twice before buying things like ornaments and candles etc

Im finding the more im trying to save and not spend ,the more i spend on really nice stuff i dont want to compromise on.

How about opening up another bank account? Every time you see something you want to buy but don’t need, you can transfer money to your new account instead of buying the item. You’ll see the saved money building up and it should become addictive.

I think it is a 'one day at a time' thing.

I have the same problem. You are definitely not alone! Clothes too for me. For myself and dcs. Can't resist buying if I see somethingI like. And to make it worse I use the PayPal pay in 3 which seems like you're not spending much in one go but obviously you are. I really can't afford any more but know I'll get tempted again soon 🙈

One in, one out.
If you buy something, what are you going to donate/sell/bin?

I find not having enough money helps.

Easy to choose between a nice scented candle, and a block of cheese so I can make the kids' packed lunches.

Look up articles and people talking about anticonsumerism and deinfluencing. I got really interested in the subject and ended up being absolutely horrified by the amount of plastic shite people hoard and the money spent on it. I went from ordering from Aliexpress constantly to barely spending money on myself now as I can recognise that I already have so much and need so little.

I am trying to think 'this is 1 hours work' etc after having worked my hourly rate out!

Think about why the money system we exist in has manipulated and enslaved us by creating an addiction to buy useless shit that we don't need, that doesn't make us happy, that distracts us from really living, that is killing the planet, all so it can continue to balloon and make a few people at the top very rich while it swallows the rest of us up?

I'm sorry you're in that situation.

I'm very aware of what it's like to have no money or nothing to my name. I grew up with no coat the electric meter running out constantly, my parents hiding behind the sofa from the milkman and selling everything we owned to raise money. Sitting on the floor because they'd sold the sofa

So there really is no need to be snippy.

I ask myself "Do I need it? How often will I use it? How many hours would I be prepared to work to buy that? What does it go with?" It doesn't always work but the "I don't need it" bit does stop me quite a bit.

Remind yourself how nice it feels when you’re on holiday in a clutter free villa or apartment. You can enjoy that feeling at home every day if you pare back what you own and stop buying stuff unless it is to replace things that break or wear out.

One in, one out. What are you going to sell/donate/bin to make room for this item? It needs a permanent home, where is that?

I keep things forever (I get attached to them) so I've learnt not to buy something to 'make do for now'.

I like the stuff I already have, so thinking about what I have to get rid of to make this fit stops me buying most stuff.

putting on weight so clothes are simply a necessity, not a joy works well, but not highly recommended!

you have to work out what works for you
carrot/ money into another account so you can see it building. Stick - getting rid of existing stuff. Or just not going shopping.

Marketing, advertising & "innovation" is a trick to make us buy more, often the same thing just in a different colour etc. Consumerism, influencers and changeable fashion are to blame.

Nothing wrong to resist all that unless there is something you genuinely need. Just think that every £ you spend you NEVER get back so unless you have unlimited £ supply, think twice before spending it.

Thank you, reading through these there is some excellent advice and things to think about.

Like I say I'm not some complete and utter shopaholic, but do have a lot of room to cut down.

I would delete any apps that you’re using to mindlessly buy things (Temu, Shein, Amazon eg ). Log out of any websites and delete any saved passwords or saved card details etc. make it so you can’t just quickly click to buy things but have to go to the effort of inputting card details and passwords etc.

If you’re buying things physically in shops then take out cash before you go to give yourself a limit. Also only go shopping if you actually need something and bring a list of what it is you need and which shops you need to go to and make a plan beforehand to avoid anywhere else and spend within the budget.

"So there really is no need to be snippy."
Genuinely wasn't being snippy. It is what it is, and other people having spending money isn't the reason I have none.

Only use cash, you will soon get fed up handing over actual money for things you don't need.

Separate needs from wants. Follow the one week rule: if I want an expensive item, I leave it for a week, and if I am still thinking about it a week later, I may buy it, but I always think about needs and wants.

I have an aversion to junk/commercial crap, so smaller purchases don’t interest me so much.

Again for larger purchases, I think about how long I have to work to buy it, so that also makes me think twice sometimes.

I track all my spending on a spreadsheet and that’s very helpful to see where money goes and how much I am spending on items. Can be a wake up call for some!

Final tip and not for everyone: I invest a lot and take greater satisfaction watching my money grow and build rather than from buying stuff I don’t need or really even want.

At the risk of sounding like a nutter - the line from Silence of the Lambs: 'Do we seek out things to covet? ... No. We begin by coveting what we see every day.'

If you don't want to buy stuff, stop looking at stuff.

Don't browse candles websites, don't seek them out in shops etc. Only do that when it's time for the next one.

Buying stuff starts with looking at it. If you never see it, you are never drawn to buy it.

Hi OP I have the same affliction... it's not a problem as such for me but I just love shopping/ creating new looks in my wardrobe or in the house. I have come to use online shopping as a way to relax a couple of times a week. Not proud of it but there it is. Not sure how to cut down or stop and not sure I entirely want to, as work so hard and see it as my thing, rightly or wrongly. I also love buying for others so this time of year things tend to ramp up a little. I think thinking about the environmental more leading up to the point of sale could help me possibly.

Remind yourself that every £ you waste now you won't see the benefit of in your retirement. And have a look at compound interest. It's an eye opener!

Have standing orders in place so that, as soon as your salary hits your account, payments to your pension, ISAs etc go out automatically.

Don't use credit cards if it is too much of a temptation. Have one card for REAL emergencies, but in an inaccessible place, e.g. in a dark plastic bag frozen in an ice tray tray. If you do find you have to use it, pay it off immediately.

Avoid shopping, both in shops and online. Fi d something more rewarding to do instead.

If you/family definitely need something, check charity shops first.

If online, put it in the basket, leave it a few days and if you still want it buy it.
At shops. Leave until you are ready to go home and if you really want it you will go back. If it was just an impulse you probably won't bother.