How do you stop constantly wanting to buy more stuff

[Bottlesofrumonthewall]

I’m trying to be more eco-friendly and sustainable, and the two feel at odds. Constantly buying and changing things doesn’t sit well environmentally, but I also don’t want to live in a state of permanent dissatisfaction with what I already have.

So how do others manage this?
Is it more about mindset than strict rules?
Do you limit buying, avoid browsing, practise gratitude, buy second-hand, or do “no buy” periods?
Or do you accept that wanting things is just part of being human and try to keep it in check?

I do DD to savings to give me very little after bills. So anytime I want something I need to justify it thst bit more than if I had £££ floating about my account

Watch the Netflix documentary Buy Now - very thought provoking definitely rethinking my shopping habits

I do ‘shop my wardrobe’ and look at my clothes with fresh eyes, come up with about five new outfits and hang them up in the middle of my wardrobe so I can see them. I do this about every month.

@Citronellacompostella I loved your post.

I think it basically boils down to, find something that occupies you and brings you absolute joy, preferably away from capitalism, and you won’t have the time, means or inclination to spend out on fripperies. Plus excercise and nature is good.

I completely, 100% agree, with the caveat that you can do similar even if you live in an urban place, as long as you find a vocation and some fresh air ;)

I have to do some self therapy and drill down exactly why I think I NEED to buy xyz.

I really try to make every purchase mindfully. See through the constant influencing and marketing for what it is. If there are things I want, I make a list and will buy after a few months if I still want it (often I don't).

I'm having a minimalist 2026. Following a lot of minimalist and underconsumption blogs/ fb/ tiktok/ pinterest accounts gives constant reminders that I have everything I already need.

Yes! Totally this!

I know someone who lives in a flat in the middle of a big city who dog sits and walks them all day in succession. As you say, animals help, bc they don’t require material things as long as they’re fed, have appropriate housing, and plenty of fresh air and exercise.

I've never really had the desire to shop but about 15 years ago I started to be more mindful of the effect consumerism was having on the environment. Since then we have tried to adopt a buy once policy. We now only buy solid well crafted furniture, we repair and replace what we can.
We give away or sell anything that isn't of use to ourselves. This is two fold we aren't adding to landfill by throwing away something that is usable but not to use and completes the cycle as when we started this journey we were broke and reliant on free donations or second hand things.
We break things down too, we had an old washing machine that broke but removed the drum to make a kitchen planter. Our dishwasher broke last year and we took that apart before tipping the shell and have sold most of the parts. We so far have made £70 from that but provided spare part to 5 people to make repairing their dishwasher affordable. This journey isn't just about our life but supporting others of a similar mindset

When I do buy clothes I look for those that have been well made. I look at quality of fabric and contractions shaping through darts is a must. Casual clothes I patch and mend. I darn socks and wear them holey too.

Solid toiletries rather than liquid. I have used 2 shampoo bars this year rather than probably 12 shampoo bottles

We keep all plastic containers and use them as storage containers. We have about 30 margarine tubs which are used all over the house to keep things tidy and the perfect size for the 2.5 portions of food for the freezer. Plus very stackable

We research every purchase, buy second hand where we can. We rarely shop and buy on the same day. We separate out wants and needs. We lived for 5 years on a household income of £25k and it really has influenced the way we think about money.

As somebody who used to be a bit of compulsive shopper, I sympathize. I think I've partly changed just because I've got older and am feeling the weight of all the 'stuff' more.

There are still some types of 'stuff' that I find really tempting. If it's online, I stick it in a basket and tell myself I'll wait until after the current credit card cycle is over, so it would be on next month's bill rather than this one; or if I see it in a shop, I'll take some pictures and tell myself if I still want it the day after I'll consider going back for it. I very seldom do!

I'd try reframing your thinking about advertising. Companies create advertising which tells us that buying Christmas pajamas, packet sauces, takeaway coffees, new sofas, new kitchens, new phones, TV subscriptions, software etc. will make us feel happier, more connected, more loved, more fulfilled, more entertained, less bored, more beautiful.

It's bullshit. These companies don't give a shit about us; they, and the media platforms that carry their advertising, just want to keep us spending. Watching people curate their filtered lives on Instagram is not informing us and developing our aspirations - it is very very fake and designed to part us from our attention/money/time.

Might it be helpful to start tracking your spending so you can quantify what you're spending the money on? I might suggest watching the first episode or two of the Rebel Finance School videos on Youtube. They are very cheesy but quite convincing in their opposition to stuff that we are told we 'should' want to buy. I found them quite inspiring in helping me want to save rather than buy.

These are just a few of the things that have worked for me. Good luck!

Lots of great posts above 🙂.

I find it helps to unsubscribe from different companies’ emails. If I don’t see it, I won’t think about it.

Oh I know why I buy "stuff", it's because I don't have a huge amount of confidence in myself (which goes all the way back to childhood) and years ago I bought into this idea that having the right "stuff" would make me popular and likeable, which can work, but it's very shallow and doesn't make you happy. In recent years I have tried to live in a way that is true to who I am rather than live a life based on outward appearances, but it's still work in progress.

Keeping accurate financial records helps me, as does allowing myself a budget for things like clothes and beauty products. Rather than shopping online I save my budget and go to a lovely old fashioned department store locally which sells high end brands to buy one carefully thought out item or I buy second hand (but I have to be careful because that can easily get out of hand). I also try to value doing things and making memories rather than shopping, but like I say I don't always get it right. I am also working on building friendships and increasing my confidence in more meaningful ways like hiking groups and volunteering.

I am not sure I will ever completely change, but I will keep trying.

Buy second hand if at all possible, for everything. Buy the best quality you can possibly afford if buying new. Ignore fashion, but do focus on style. Ask yourself very meaningfully if you really need something. Wait a little while to buy something. All these together help.

What exactly are you buying OP?

My aim for this month would be to save my usual amount (a few hundred) from my Dec salary and not touch it. Will check back here to keep me accountable.

I have unsusbcribed from more websites that end up costing me money. Hopeful 🤞🏾

thats interesting

Much the same here. We haven’t replaced any furniture* for many years, but it was all good quality and has worn very well.

*unless you count mattresses, one or two have been replaced.

OTOH our kitchen is seriously ancient and really does need doing - I’m still psyching myself up for all the hassle, and I’m not exactly relishing the expense, either.