Addicted to online shopping!

[Opal93]

Before I blame lockdown, this was a bit of an issue for me even before it. I am definitely addicted to impulse purchasing. I haven’t got myself into debt or in financial trouble because of it but when I look at the amount of money I’m spending each week I do feel really guilty and irresponsible. I’ve found “bans” don’t work as as soon as the ban is over I just go back to doing it again. I’ve found the most helpful thing for me is a “two week wait” rule. If I still want the item after two weeks, I can buy it, but if it has been forgotten about then I’m glad I didn’t impulse purchase it! Anyone else addicted to online shopping? And any tips for overcoming it welcome ! Did you find cold turkey works best for you?

Why don’t you set yourself a budget each month that you’re allowed to spend on those online purchases?

what sort of stuff are you buying? and why? does it happen at particular times? can you find alternative acitvities instead?

I wouldn't say I was addicted but I felt at one stage that I was wasting money. One solution, like you said, was never to allow myself to impulse buy. I also cancelled all my credit card details from sites and took my card off paypal to make it harder to buy.

Have you tried selling stuff you no longer need on eg EBay or local FB sites? A successful sale might replace some of the buzz you get from online shopping. And maybe only allow yourself to spend on new stuff what you have made by selling?

What are you buying?

Mostly clothes for my kids. Just can’t resist sales but when you buy from sales all the time that really starts to add up.

I find that putting things in my basket but then waiting a few hours before completing the purchase helps. By the time I go back to it I’m usually not too bothered

I've made a list of things we need. I've only this month become debt free so I'm trying to go steady as the temptation is to go mad (debt wasn't from impulse buys but it's been a long period of frugality).
Each month I will review the list and buy a combination of things but within my budget. Next pay I need to get a new washing machine as ours is leaking so I will just get a couple of the smaller things on the list during the month.
Have you gone through the clothes you already have and sorted them? It might give you the nudge to realise the kids are sorted until the next season.