Summer has arrived, marking the first peak season for impulsive spending. This time of the year presents countless temptations that capture our attention, whether it’s the latest beauty trends and most likely updating our wardrobe for a sunny getaway.
Impulse buys are unplanned purchases often involve items that we don’t need, contributing to unnecessary consumption and waste. By resisting these purchases, we reduce our overall environmental impact by consuming less and producing less waste. Here’s how you can avoid impulsive spending this summer.
1) Reduce Screentime Social media keeps us connected, but it’s also a powerful marketing tool that encourages impulsive spending. It only works because that’s where we’re focusing our attention. When we step away and become mindful of our time, it gives us the opportunity to focus on the present moment and avoid spontaneous purchases.
2) Thoughtful Questions Before you take something to the check-out counter, take a few minutes to consider a few things that’ll help you decide whether you truly need it or if it’s an impulse buy. Here are a few questions to consider…
• Did you plan on getting this item today? Was it on your list?
• Do you currently have something similar to it at home?
• If so, can repurpose, DIY, or use what you have first?
• Is this item/product within your budget?
• Will you use this item/product for more than one season?
• Is there a more sustainable or cost-effective alternative?
• Are there any consequences to not buying this item?
3) Say No to Sales We all love a good sale, but impulse buys can quickly add up and lead to financial strain. We may make excuses to justify a sale price but ask yourself, “Would I buy this item at full price?” Most often than not the answer is no. By resisting the urge to buy on impulse, we can use our money more intentionally towards items that are necessary and bring lasting value.
Did you know? 40% of shoppers spend more than they plan to while shopping in a physical store, compared to 25% of people who shop online. These factors include additional markdown sales, sales associates, and product placement.
4) Sustainable Sharing Rather than spending your money on something new and trendy that can only be worn once or twice, consider sharing, renting, or borrowing from friends and family. This gives you the opportunity to try something new without buying something that’ll sit in your closet or add to the landfill.
RELATED POST: Thanks for Sharing by Eleanor Tucker
5) Thrifting If you’re keen on buying a specific trendy item, consider visiting local thrift stores. Opting for thoughtfully chosen purchases allows us to invest in higher-quality items that are more durable and cost-effective in the long run. It also allows you to craft unique and one of a kind pieces that’ll last for years to come.
6) Walk Away One effective method to avoid impulse buys is to bookmark the item online or by snapping a photo of it and walking away. The item may seem enticing at the moment, but 90% of the time it’s already out of your mind once you’ve left the store. If you still want it one week later, then you can easily go back for it.
Avoiding impulse purchases supports both personal financial health and broader environmental sustainability efforts by promoting mindful consumption and reducing unnecessary waste. Not only look your best, but also feel your best knowing you are saving money and looking out for the planet. What are some of your tips for impulsive spending? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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My tip is to avoid Tiktok… it’s not good for avoiding impulse spending!
Great advice, Nikki! TikTok is a huge culprit and it’s definitely got me a few times. Thank you for reading!
Great article and useful tips! Impulse buying can cause so much regret, as it is costly and takes up space. I leave items in the cart for a few weeks, and if I find I don’t need them, I delete them after a while.
I agree, the clutter adds up so quickly! It’s amazing how much I end up deleting after leaving my cart sitting for a while. I’m glad that’s the case for you as well. Thank you for reading Eveclair!
I’m liking the walking way method. That’s what I’m going to do from now on…🤣
http://www.fashionradi.com
That’s great Radi! I always tell myself that if I really want it, I can always go back for it and I never do. Thank you for reading!
Your article is so well timed, especially as we get closer to the holidays. Your list of thoughtful questions to ask are an especially helpful resource. It’s so smart to go slow when making purchases. Extra time can help us think things through better, while also helping to filter out unhelpful emotions.
I’m so glad to hear that, Heidi! Walking away and asking yourself thoughtful questions can immediately help you determine whether or not you need an item. Thank you for reading!
Similar to the walk out tip, a thing I like to do, is add something to my digital shopping cart and let it sit, or I’ll add it to my notion wish list. I’ll go back to my wish list and think about if I still really want that item after thinking if over. More often then not, I realize I don’t want/need that item any more! I’ve still been spending more in the summer, but it mainly has to do with the idea that during the summer my friends make more plans, so we go out for drinks/food more often. But these tips really help for all other situations! Great post xx
Melina | http://www.melinaelisa.com
Utilizing your wish list is a wonderful idea, Melina! It’s a great habit that encourages us to be more mindful the next time we’re shopping. That money is better spent on food and drinks with loved ones. Thank you for reading!
Unsubscribing to marketing emails and unfollowing some influencers helped curb my impulsive spending! I would tell myself no more shopping but a sales email from one of my favourite stores would get the impulse going. One of my favourite methods when shopping impulsively or for something big is always to wait 24-48 hours to see if I still really want that item. More often than not, the desire goes away!
Great tips, Claire! It’s hard to ignore marketing emails, especially when they’re time sensitive. Even subscribing to just one newsletter can create the impulse to shop. Thank you for reading!
Very helpful information on how to reign in spending. I have been cutting back big time. Though I may have to get a new computer at some point, ugh. Not looking forward to that.
Allie of
http://www.allienyc.com
Oh, I know how you feel! I’ve been putting that off for a while now. At least it’ll be a necessary investment that’ll last a few years! Thank you for reading Allie!
Gone are the times when we had to leave the house to spend money. So yes reducing screen time can help counter spending.
Yes! Also with additional online promotions it can get us to spend more than we had anticipated. Thanks for reading!
Love these tips and espically the thoughtful questions to ask when shopping. I like to think things over before buying thus I go home then I decide if I really need that thing or not wtihout the feeling of scarcity that sales easpically have on us. Thank you for sharing these helpful tips!!!
I agree, it also saves us the trip back to the store or post office if we decide to return our impulsive purchases. Thank you for reading Wafaa!
Great posts and tips, I use a lot of them and they really work especially questioning whether I really like it.
I’m glad you already use these tips, Sarah! It’s amazing how asking yourself a few simple questions can help you be more mindful when shopping. Thank you for reading!
I need to follow these ideas and save more money.
They’re simple and very effective! I hope they help you save some money this summer. Thank you for reading Jamie!
Great ideas! I think impulsive spending can be tough in summer, especially when the weather’s warm. You might see a new outfit you love or you might be out with friends more. I love your tips, thank you for sharing 🙂
I agree, it’s difficult to say no to new outfits especially if you’ve got lots of summer plans, but by asking ourselves a few simple questions we can prevent impulsive spending. Thank you for reading Eleanor!
They’re all great tips. Bookmarking the item (from tip #6) is my go-to. I may want it now, but will I really want it later? Not always. Thanks for sharing
100%! It’s an easy way to be mindful about our spending and it’s effective because we usually don’t want it later. Thank you for reading Jean!
Staying off social media does help. I also unsubscribe to certain stores emails. That way I am not tempted to buy anything every time they send an email about sales.
That’s another great tip, Lanae! Email newsletters often have time sensitive promos that make us feel like we have to act now. By unsubscribing, we don’t fall into that trap. Thank you for reading!
What a timely post given it is Amazon Prime days! You’ve given several great suggestions to avoid impulse buying. I like to give a day or two before I impulse buy something I hadn’t intending on buying and often this results in me not purchasing. Thanks for sharing Winnie!
It’s such a great method to follow because after a few hours or so, we usually don’t feel the urge to buy it anymore. Thank you for reading Jodie!