Question

So I am challenging myself to a no spend March. My mom called me as a shopaholic. And when I brought up the idea of a no spend March my husband said “I would like to see you achieve that”. He said this in a supportive tone. This got me thinking do I really spend that much? Short answer is yes and no. No as in I bargain shop but yes in the fact that I do go to goodwill almost every week. So maybe long answer is yes. So I guess my question is how do you guys do it? What do you do to stay away from shopping?  

Answer 1

I’m a nickel & dimer . I buy lots of little shit that I don’t need. I started a no spend January which extended to all of feb and I will continue in March. I hid all ads on Facebook, unfollowed all influencers on Instagram, dont go to stores without a list. I do Walmart pickup to avoid having to shop in store. I watched Marie kondo on Netflix and hoarders on Hulu . Seriously, that helped so much! I realized how much crap I had and didn’t use or need. It was a serious eye opener

Comments

@eldaelden6636 yes to watching Hoarders! Anytime you feel the urge to buy, watch an episode, that’s what I do  

Answer 2

Good for you! It is challenging for sure but you will be so surprised at how much you save. Al those little things will add up fast! I pay my bills and buy groceries and gas all on one day then I try to go the rest of the week making due. I keep a list of things that I think I need for the end of the month. Half the time I realize I don't need it or I figure out something else that will work just as well! Best of luck! You got this!  

Answer 3

I don’t leave the house except going to work. However I work for Wholefoods so I’m still at the store. But I have restrained myself from buying things. A piece of fruit or trail mix that’s about it. I see what sales are coming and plan for them like we are having a beauty products sale coming up and I’m saving as it is 25% off plus my 20% so I will get my make up and skin care that I like at that time. Other than that I stay home

Answer 4

Agree with all comments! And IF you need to go to a store, go with a plan, remind yourself why you are there! If I saw something that caught my eye not on the plan, I’d remind myself of my goal then walk away congratulating myself on the baby step that I just made. You got this!  

Answer 5

Well I think you need to ask yourself what triggers you to go shopping? Sounds like it's not always out of necessity.  

Answer 6

Stay home. No amazon, etc.  

Answer 7

Unfortunately there’s no good answer. It’s just the practice of self control. When you get the urge you just don’t.  

Answer 8

I just stay out of stores and order online. Of course, you have to make sure you don't go crazy ordering online too

Answer 9

I budget my categories and use cash. If it doesn't fit into my current budget, it doesn't happen. I am more likely to not buy something I don't need if I have to use the money from my cash envelopes for it.  

Answer 10

Start looking around your house and instead of seeing a shirt, see $45 in cash, that’s not a decoration, that’s $75 dollars for my sinking funds. Turn what you already have into all the cash you could’ve used for debt or wealth building. Maybe it’ll curb your shopping appetite. ‍♀️

Answer 11

Set a budget and stick to it. That’s how I did it. You have to want to change no one else can do it for you

Answer 12

I need this

Comments

@marks rite aid going out business near my work I’ve been going all the time sometimes 3 times a day the deal are to good I used coupons on some stuff

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Over my budget I good for next 2 yrs on house stuff

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@hite gurrrl! Thank God I don't have a car right now because I'd be heading over to Rite Aid for some ice cream  

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@hite I get Awesome products at the Dollar Tree (in case you ever run out, LOL)

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@marks i went to $ zone in rote aid every thing 50cent the bleach tooo

Answer 13

Etsy, sephora and Disneyland. its hard. i have to hide my atm card lol

Answer 14

Ask yourself if you WANT or NEED to shop today. Then when picking up items, the same questions is it a WANT or NEED.  

Answer 15

Go to the library and find books to check out. It feels like shopping even if I don’t read them all.  

Answer 16

Like any other addiction. the problem is not the addiction perse. its what's behind it. what's your money "blueprint". why are you spending so much? did you see that behavior growing up? or was it the opposite? Good luck

Answer 17

Look on your local listings for free stuff. you can still ‘shop’ around and it won’t cost you anything (besides time and possibly travel cost) if you find something you like.  

Answer 18

I removed my credit cards attached to online shopping and apps on my phone. That way I have to take the time to go and get out my card and enter in the info if I want to buy something online. That has helped a lot

Answer 19

Stay busy with other things maybe? Volunteer, have friends over, read, binge watch Game of Thrones or something equally as long!  

Answer 20

Work, volunteer, work in my yard. Go see my mom

Answer 21

Work during prime shopping hours?  

Comments

@hellbox395 so a 24hr shift is necessary for us die hard shoppers  

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@roundhead and make sure you don’t have internet access.  

Answer 22

Girl I’m doing it too! No idea but my hubby and I are both doing it. It will be interesting to say the very least!  

Answer 23

Stay busy ;) I tend to spend on groceries when I'm bored.  

Answer 24

Like NO spending at all?! Or just nothing outside what you budget?  

Answer 25

I’m doing the same! Only bills and groceries, which I budget

Answer 26

I love thrift shopping for our home. We're remodeling so if I can find something I can refurbish then I get it. I keep a sinking fund for this. So it gives me the pleasure feelings of shopping i miss out on. Otherwise I only spend on Bill's and groceries.  

Answer 27

I just came off of a 40 day spending fast. It was hard at first, but not bad and I actually enjoyed it!  

Answer 28

I went through my closet, got rid of everything I don't want or need, then bought stuff that I wanted and needed. Then I stopped buying. Kind of a minimalist approach. Except eating out which is my big thing that I have to find a way to control.  

Answer 29

I always remind myself of this. I like shopping and am also an impulse buyer specially if i see a sale.  

Answer 30

Stay out of the stores. No window shopping. Delete all the apps from your phone. Remove your credit card info from places you shop online. Make a list and stick to it! If it’s not on your list, don’t buy the item. Even if you could use the item, put it back and buy next week. Stay out of Target and Walmart. Seems a lot of folks have trouble overspending there.  

Answer 31

We did a no-spend january with such great success that we have decided to do it again in march. good luck!  

Answer 32

Stay away from the mall, Amazon and store websites.  

Answer 33

Unsubscribe from EVERYTHING! Good luck!  

Answer 34

Yes just stay away from the stores! It hard to do but possible!  

Answer 35

You’ve got this! I did a no spend January and I did a few helpful things: 1. Unfollowed all fashion bloggers 2. ONLY did target pick up for essentials like dishtabs. No going inside! 3. Took shopping apps like jane off my phone

Answer 36

Remember your reason why you're paying off your debt. Or saving. Or budgeting. And I don't want more crap in my house. It's already too crowded in here.  

Answer 37

I stay away from stores.  

Answer 38

Honestly I just stay at home. I HATE online shopping so that’s not a huge thing I deal with. But I’ve learned once I go out to “run errands” I am done for. I go to the grocery store and that’s IT. lol

Answer 39

I just don’t go looking around. I find if I stay out of the shops I don’t spend money.  

Answer 40

I'm saving money for my future plan (super important) so everytime i want to spend my saving money i keep telling myself that if i spend money that way today i will give up my whole career plan/the chance to do what i want to do in the future

Answer 41

I stay home and don’t go to the stores. I have a house full of crap I probably don’t need so been cleaning some things out and selling on Marketplace. I love craft shopping and haven’t been to a craft store in probably 6-8 weeks and I’m so glad as it is making me use what I have and I have been saving money and that makes me proud. Good Luck

Comments

@pound7359 I'm a crafter too, I haven't bought craft supplies since January 1st. And I swear, I haven't even made a dent in my craft supply hoard and have made tons of fun things.  

Answer 42

We did a no spend January. We only allowed gas and groceries. We stocked up on diapers, toilet paper, and checked household goods like toothpaste, shampoo, etc so we wouldn’t have to go to the store and be tempted. We got our kids involved by telling them we would do something fun at the end if we made it. Knowing it was only a month helped. It definitely was an eye opener and helped change some bad habits like leaving the house at 11am on Saturday for errands that always turned into lunch out. ‍♀️

Answer 43

Head to the gym instead. This helped a few years ago, if I spent 60-90 min int he gym, wouldn’t have time to go shopping. Or insert <gym> with another fun hobby you like  

Answer 44

I avoid stores too, but online shopping is my vice. I started tracking what I wanted but didn’t buy. I like seeing that money I saved total go up! It motivates me to keep at it and resist the temptations. Or I start going shopping in my own house. I start decluttering an area to find those hidden gems I forgot i had!  

Answer 45

I don't have the money to spend so I don't bother

Answer 46

I knew a nurse that would shop and leave the cart. She wouldn’t buy anything.  

Answer 47

I stopped shopping online. I put stuff in the cart online and then just leave it. I wait at least 24 hrs to make the decision. Usually I forget about it within that time.  

Answer 48

Stay away from the stores. Commit. Read on finances, self improvement, consumerism, or just something you enjoy instead of shopping. Make an effort to find free or cheap things to do that way you still get to go out without spending money.  

Answer 49

I’m not a compulsive buyer but I wanted to see if I could go without buying anything in March too. I will sometimes hit up Amazon or if I’m bored window shop. I don’t always buy but then it gives me the itch lol. Just the essentialss wanna make March spring cleaning month and just started a new weight lifting program so that will keep me busy! We should start a thread, keep each other accountable.  

Answer 50

Shop on free cycle. org or other free sites get neighborhood websites to check out free stuff you can sell to make money with to bring in some $$ little bits helps. Sell stuff online maybe.  

Comments

Not sure why that showed up weird lol!  

Answer 51

I just do not go to stores and work on things at home. Have your husband drop off donations so you do not go in.  

Answer 52

It’s easy for me because I hate to shop, I used to love it but as things have gotten so commercial I have gotten to the point I only go when I need something.  

Answer 53

It’s really not in my budget. Plus I stay home and shop from home.  

Answer 54

I keep a running list if things I'd "like" to purchase and then save cash and purchase them. I give myself a limit per month and when it's gone, its GONE! Self-discipline. I promise, it gets easier. #debtfree