7 tips for curbing your online spending

/
7 tips for curbing your online spending.png

Online shopping feels like a blessing and a curse. On one hand, I can order groceries from my bed and have them delivered to my front porch. The world is at my literal fingertips. But because it’s super easy to shop, it’s also super easy to overspend.

Eccomerce rose 32% in 2020 (with the help of the Pandemic, no doubt). US shoppers spend $791 billion online in 2020. (source)

So how do you curb online spending?

Unlink your credit card

The one-click checkout on Amazon is my downfall. But if I have to actually get up, find my wallet and type in my number that minute gives me time to cool down.

Anything you can do to give yourself a speedbump in the process.

Untitled design.png

Track how much time you spend just browsing

Use the screen time function on your iPhone or an outside app like rescue time to track how much time you’re spending on these retailers. Just browsing can lead to just purchasing.

Unsubscribe from any promotional emails

These aren’t your friends. You have enough candles, you don’t need more because Bath and Body Works sent you a coupon.

You can use a service like Unrollme to mass unsubscribe from lists you no longer want to be on.

Be careful who you follow

It’s fun to follow our favorite online creators. But if you’re constantly swiping up on social media, or purchasing things you saw off lists like “13 things you need on Amazon today” it might be time to mute that person.

It’s not their fault you spent the money, but if the constant temptation is too much it’s okay to take a break.

Track what you DIDN’T spend

Use the Notes app on your phone to track what you would have spent and total it up at the end of the week. 

If you can move that money to savings or put it toward a goal.

Notice your triggers

For me when I am sad or stressed I like to shop. It’s a dopamine hit to purchase something and then there’s that time of anticipation waiting for things to show up on my front porch. But there are other ways to process your feelings that don’t involve buying things I really don’t need.

6 spending triggers to avoid : Don't spend money during big life changes


Give yourself a cool-off time

Decide you’re going to wait a designated amount of time before you commit to a purchase large or small. Maybe it’s a few hours, maybe it’s overnight, you get to decide. Once that cool-off point ends then you can really decide if the purchase is right for you.

It adds up FAST

Remember $10,000 a year it’s just a little more than $27 a day. Or $192 a week. While you might not think you’re spending that much. It adds up quickly.