Question

With quarantine going on plus being impulsive - I can’t stop shopping online! Does anyone have any ideas or things they help stop the “add to cart” addiction?! Or stop them from thinking they “need” things?! Help!  

Answer 1

We keep a running list for 30 days. So things that we want to purchase, but don't need to purchase go on that list, and even into our online shopping carts. We check back after 30 days and that usually determines if it's essential, or us just being impulsive.  

Comments

@sericeous love this idea

Answer 2

I had to delete my target and amazon app  

Answer 3

Ask yourself if it’s a need or want. Remember why you are budgeting and focus on your goals

Comments

@samson90485 exactly!  

Answer 4

I add to my Amazon wishlist instead

Comments

@may830 same!  

Answer 5

My amazon shopping has been out of control. I just keep buying for no reason.  

Comments

@threaten I understand that my envelope wallet was my last purchase for now trying not to buy anything unless necessary to live right now

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@threaten me too! And the dumbest stuff. I get mad at myself eventually but in that moment I didn’t care. It’s frustrating

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@tope72 I know ! Who needs a value pack of 12 of microfiber cloths for dusting ?! ‍♀️ lmaooo. Do I really think I’m gonna clean that much ? ‍♀️

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@threaten I bought owl vomit for my kids to dissect. We did it in science class when I was little so I thought I’d be fun for them. Nope. They were so grossed out that they wouldn’t touch them  I should have saved my $15

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@tope72  

Answer 6

I’m doing a no spend. 5 days strong so far lol. Also, making a list of all the things I want to buy.  

Comments

@affable2292 I’m trying to do a no spend may which ive been good with so far. My son told me to write everything I want down and add it up at the end of the month. Going to keep at it but I get weak at times  shopping is like therapy to me

Answer 7

Gurl I bought a mini trampoline for ME. Zero regrets though keeps me from bouncing off the walls. I write down everything I want to buy then a week later if I still feel like I need it I buy it.  

Answer 8

I stay busy with the kids and cleaning being forced to stay outside and play everyday has really helped because I can't see my phone in the sun

Answer 9

Remove card details from all places and unlink PayPal - I'm so lazy I hate having to get up to get card details to pay so don't bother and then forget about it. I'm constantly saying Need or Want to myself right now. I also like to pre mth for future mths to see savings grow when tempted to spend x

Answer 10

I add things to my cart, then I leave it there. Then when I feel like shopping again I go back delete some, add new things, but I just leave my cart full - Then I turn off my phone and put on will and grace and forget about it. Pre-covid I would purchase them, when I was working. now I cant shop so it fulfills the urge without breaking the bank  

Answer 11

I have a Pinterest list for items I like and will leave them in there for 14 days

Answer 12

I got a great tip from someone. Ask yourself if you rather have the thing or recieve the money in cash. In some cases you really want the thing but in other cases you might think that the money in cash feels better.  

Comments

@numinous48667 I like that! Thank you

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@tope72 You're welcome! It has helped me a lot lately  

Answer 13

I am struggling too! I cancelled amazon prime over a year ago and just last month reactivated  we are having twins so I’ve been shopping at amazon and target for all the baby things and it’s OUT OF CONTROL  

Answer 14

I just put things in my lists on Amazon. I don't buy it but it's kind of a save for later thing

Answer 15

If you have a savings goal in mind. use a visual tracker so that daily, you can see how close you're getting to your goal !. For example, I'm saving for a large down pmt on my house. I printed out Mikos visual tracker that's free and honestly, I've become addicted to coloring the blocks! thats enough motivation for me to NOT make misc. online purchases

Comments

@canteen that’s awesome! Good luck with the saving and the home!  

Answer 16

I just add them to my cart but never check out. The feeling usually always goes away the next day

Comments

@polyneuritis ditto!  

Answer 17

I add everything to my amazon wish list and then let it sit.  

Answer 18

I have a two day hold; add to cart and wait 48 hours. If I still need it (and have the budget) after 48 hours, I do it.  

Answer 19

I always add to cart then a day or 2 later delete delete  

Answer 20

Put the screen down  

Answer 21

Omg I’ve been buying/spending SO much. Books, subscriptions, cookware, local food delivery, donating more because of covid, etc I feel you, all I can do is keep telling myself I don’t need it and that I need to stay on track (also if amazon is a problem for you deleted the app, I had to) hoping things improve soon! Good luck

Answer 22

It is super hard right now. The way I grew up and now have a child I want him to have EVERYTHING. We were evicted out of multiple homes so spending is a real trouble spot for me. I try so hard to stick to my envelopes, if it’s not there I tend not to spend money I don’t have.  the number one question I ask myself is “do I NEED this? ” Then I think about how filled my house is already. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t  

Answer 23

I have the same problem! I try and tell myself “Is fast food really worth $50? That’s 3 1/2 hours of work”  Usually helps, or I’ll just transfer what I would’ve spent to my savings. Pay myself first!  

Answer 24

I'll add things to the cart, and walk away for a while so I can think if I really need it. Sometimes I come back, but usually I forget about it. Or, if I'm looking for coupon codes, I'll get distracted with something else or my kids will pull me away. Problem solved! Haha

Answer 25

Remove any cards saved in Amazon, PayPal links, etc. that extra step of having to go get your card is helpful. Also within my wallet, I have a note by my cards prompting me to really think it through before buying.  

Answer 26

Remove from store emails or texts, find something else to do with time

Answer 27

Remove the apps from your phone.  

Answer 28

Get a piece of paper and write out every single online purchase so far. Add it up! Find something else to do when you feel like shopping online, puzzle, sewing, etc. whatever. something else to do with your hands. It’s a habit, break it by replacing it with a new one.  

Answer 29

I have a 24 hour waiting period policy. I put it in my cart, but cannot buy until at least 24 hours pass

Answer 30

I added up all of my amazon shopping from last month. almost $500.  So I challenged myself to a month of no amazon spending. Amazon is my only real weakness with online shopping. Five days in and I’m still going strong! It’s HARD! But I’m doing it!  

Comments

@blub I feel like I would have to cancel my membership to be successful! I’m seriously considering it  

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Cancel it! Or see how deleting the app works for you!  

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@blub random question but how do you create and change that calendar picture for each day you ‘X’d out?  

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I added the no amazon text and X’s in this app.  

Answer 31

I track the price changes in Amazon! It's drives me crazy how often items change prices on Amazon. So when I find something I want, I add it to my wishlist, then check it every day and track the price and make a note of it in the "notes" field. That way, I can buy it when it hits a low price and I feel like I've actually worked for it! *Depending on if the seller is Amazon or not, items don't ALWAYS fluctuate in price! But I've had very good luck. especially with books!  

Answer 32

I agree with removing the app. Maybe limit your screen/phone time as well (stay off your phone if it’s not important). If there is something needed to be done in your house like a project you’d been putting off for a while maybe now is a good time to do that? Or maybe do some house cleaning and organizing. This quote helped me to not buy things that i don’t need.  

Answer 33

This sounds weird, but seems to help me. When online window shopping, I add every single thing I like even a little bit to my cart. When I’m done browsing, I look at my cart. It is often over $500 and I can not justify spending that, and I don’t want to choose which I don’t want, so I just abandon the cart. It’s worked well for me.  

Comments

@hylophagous3 This is exactly what i do too!  

Answer 34

Watch a documentary on minimalism or check out YouTube clips about clutter and consumption. I’m not a minimalist, or anything like that but it helps me. Similar to watching hoarders when your house is messy. Works for me!  

Comments

@violation86 "Hoarders" makes me want to stop shopping, too, because I realize I have ENOUGH stuff after watching an episode!  

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@townshend Kunishige Johnson every. Single. Time. Hahahaha!  

Answer 35

Take all the money outta your account except for bills  *totally not speaking from experience*

Answer 36

I add everything to my cart then i see the total  that usually stops me. I also give myself a couple of days before i actually buy anything and often i go back to the cart and realize i dont need half the stuff i added!  

Answer 37

Remove all the apps and then move the money that you wanted to spend, into savings!  

Answer 38

Add to cart and walk away for 24 hours. You probably won’t want the item after all.  

Answer 39

Having a problem with this right now too. I can go months without buying anything, then I go through phases of wanting EVERYTHING online. The only reason I’m not going on Amazon right now is because everything is taking forever to ship.  

Comments

@sericeous Hurley Good point!  

Answer 40

ME. It’s getting out of control and now I’m prettty sure we are going to buy a side by side today ‍♀️‍♀️‍♀️‍♀️

Answer 41

Ugh. I keep watching "amazon products you need" type vids on YouTube and now my cart is full of unnecessary shit  

Answer 42

Read Louise Hays book, “You Can Heal Your Life” there’s more under the surface than just impulse buying  .  
https://www.ebay.com/p/706017?iid=1...hn=ps

Comments

@flibbertigibbet32 LOVE this book!  

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@townes62631 it’s the best. I’m re-reading it right now. Impulse buying is done due to a thought pattern to “heal” an underlying need such as lack of feeling loved or “not good enough” therefore I need more things to help me feel good about myself. And the good news is we CAN change our thought patterns, and be free.  

Answer 43

Hahahahaha! I’ve been sick for 6 years and my form of retail therapy is just adding to my amazon cart. Of course I could never afford the hot tub I have in there but I like that it’s in my cart!  

Answer 44

Remove payment from amazon. Add to wishlist and come back

Answer 45

I made my fiancé change the password on our amazon account and he’s not allowed to give it to me until June 1st. He decided on his own that for every time I ask him for it, he’s going to add another week before giving it to me - totally didn’t agree to that part, but I guess I’ll go with it. ‍♀️

Answer 46

Remove your card number from the save list. Add to cart Walk away for a day or 7 ;) Then decide

Answer 47

Personally i add it all to a wish list and wait

Answer 48

Everytime I order from Amazon, I go directly to my "allowance" envelope (or household or whatever the item is categorized as) and I take out the cash and clip it to the outside of the envelope. Next payday, I subtract the $$ on the outside of the envelope from the money I would normally allot to it. I went on a 2 am Amazon binge and ended up not getting my allowance for 2 paychecks! But it keeps me honest and on track.  

Answer 49

I am motivated not to spend from a Dave Ramsey quote, "Adults devise a plan and follow it. Children do what feels good. " Ouch. Gets me EVERY time because I am NOT a child.  

Answer 50

I keep buying stuff i see on TikTok so I’ve stop going on TikTok  

Answer 51

Every time you want to shop, go for a walk.  

Answer 52

I love making wish lists on amazon! I have one for beauty , clothes , home decor etc. it’s things i May plan to buy at some point but it’s kinda fun making different lists!  

Answer 53

Someone in this group suggested that I watch YouTube videos about tidying and budgeting instead (for the excitement and motivation). Distract yourself  

Answer 54

Add to cart. Think. is it worth my husband ripping me a new one over‍♀️. delete from cart ✅

Answer 55

I just add to cart and leave it there until I don't want it anymore. usually 2 days to a week.  

Answer 56

Yess me too. I can relate.  

Answer 57

Unsubscribe from all texts and emails from stores. When you are bombarded with all of these places and their sales (I’ve noticed everybody and their brother are having major sales during this lol) it’s so easy to click the link and shop! Also, wishlists! I add stuff I want to a wishlist. Lol