Consumerism. It's not just bad for the planet, it also wreaks havoc on your financial health - both in the short term and long term. There could be many reasons why you fall prey to bouts of shopping. It could be a fear of missing out, a desire to save money or a shopping addiction you're not aware about.
I'm here to give you some tips on how to sidestep consumerism and protect your wallet at all costs. Ready? Let's begin...
- Marketing tricks can fool you. Don't get emotionally attached to marketing materials such as SMS messages, brochures and notifications. It may feel like the message is personally directed at you but be aware that the same message is being sent to hundreds of people.
- The merchandising market will make you believe you need a new outfit for every season. Do not fall for such fads or fads that tell you that the outfit you bought last month is already outdated. If it looks good on your skin and body type you've got a winning outfit.
- Unsubscribe from brands' newsletters and email promotions so that you're not tempted to buy something on an impulse.
- You know how you were merely thinking of a product and an ad shows up for it? It's because your activity is being tracked across all the devices you access. What can you do? Well, what you can do is not think it's the universe's way of sending you a sign to buy whatever it is you keep seeing in ads.
- While you're at it, unfollow social influencers who urge you to buy stuff you only want because they are cleverly marketing it to you. A good example is Amazon's Influencers Program. Ever seen shopping haul videos? These influencers are clearly in need of a good decluttering of their makeup, food, equipment, etc. themselves.
- Sales staff will use techniques to sway you towards products you had previously only considered buying. Say you were just window shopping. A sales staff member will likely approach you with options and/or benefits of buying that product. Before you know it, you're at the cash counter buying an item you don't even need.
- Also steer clear of limited period offers and upto 50%/60%/70% off sales. You do not need that sweater in summer.
- Be organized so that you know what you own and don't end up buying duplicates of products just because you liked an ad you saw of it.
- Second hand goods are no excuse to spend. Do you really need four mirrors in your house?
- Be grateful for the things you already own.
- Once in a while rummage through all of your stuff to remind yourself of all that you own.
- Get rid of things you no longer use or love.
- Avoid comparing your life and lifestyle with others. Someone is always going to be better off or worse off than you. Comparison simply adds unnecessary stress to your life and steals your individuality. Your goal should be to be rich, not look rich.
- Spend more time in nature. Mother nature does not charge you for using her resources. E.g. Take a walk in a park or go trekking to a safe spot with friends.
- Your self worth and success are not determined by the things you buy and own.
- If you see a nice shiny object that you want in your possession think about what you could get rid of in your house to make way for this replacement item.
- Ask yourself where you will store the item after buying it. Do you even have the space to devote to this item?
- Take a picture of it and wait a few weeks before buying a product that you want. If you're still craving that item after those weeks go ahead and buy it. This is especially important if you know you're an impulsive buyer. Take an online quiz to know if you are one.
- Create a monthly budget. Then, ask yourself "Does my budget allow me to buy this item?"
- Invest in yourself, rather than spend money to acquire things. E.g. Read a book, socialize and network, volunteer, etc.
- Do thorough research on a product you're intending to buy. Weigh the pros and cons to avoid buyer's remorse.
- Discuss with friends and family whether you really need the product.
- Do not opt for credit cards. It's easy to buy an object with them but it's equally hard to pay off your credit card bill. People spend years trying to pay off these bills.
- Be self aware. Do you really need to shell out your hard earned money to glam up for an evening out no one is even going to remember in a year? Wouldn't you rather have fun with your friends than worry about how you look all the time?
- Be body positive. What about the much coveted thigh gap? Or rib cage bragging? Does anyone still care about these for real? Things like these are just passing fads. Be mindful of that. Further, if a diet or exercise is too good to be true, it probably is.
- When it comes to food, avoid wastage and buy only the required quantity. Oh and never go grocery shopping when you're hungry. You tend to overestimate your body's requirements in such a state.
- Also, remember to sidestep food fads.
- Thinking about picking up a souvenir for a loved one? Ask yourself "Will s/he actually like this?" "Will this add to their clutter?" and "Where will they keep it?"
- Remind yourself of the origin of products. Knowing that buying palm oil because of which orangutans lose their natural habitats will certainly put things in perspective. Or the story of how highlighters are made.
- The tendency to shop is higher when you're not mentally stimulated i.e. when you're bored. It's the same case when you want to reward yourself. The way to reward yourself for carrying out a good habit is not by carrying out a bad habit. E.g. Eat a fruit or get a massage from a loved one if you want to reward yourself.
- Practice late gratification. If you have a tendency to treat yourself every other day, postpone this to every week and do it responsibily after you have enough savings.
- Have a no buy month in which you spend on replacement items only. No other new items are allowed in this month.
- Stay away from shopping platforms - whether online or offline. You'll be tempted to buy a product or more so before the urge kicks in just leave or don't go there in the first place.
- Create a list before you go shopping of things you need to buy to avoid being swayed by product displays, discounts, sales staff, etc.
