Hello, all my impulsive shoppers (we all have a little bit in us)! Today, I would like to talk about a serious problem that we all face – the urge to buy things we don't really need. Sure, it may feel great...that new dress, those heels, that amazing throw pillow that will just go perfectly with the other 15 currently on your bed as your read this. But, let's face it, it's not all sunshine and rainbows on the other side of that purchase.
For starters, being an impulse shopper can really wreak havoc on your finances. Sure, you may start off with good intentions, but by the time you hit the cash register, whoops there goes the entire paycheck. Now, let's add to that, the guilt that sets in after the initial rush wears off – maybe a couple days or weeks later, maybe as soon as you hit the parking lot. Have you ever wanted to run (not walk), run back into the store to make an immediate return? But out of sheer embarrassment you keep it moving? Yes, I'm exaggerating, but this is a real issue for a lot of women. It's like a bad binge session, except instead of regretting that fifth slice of cake, you're regretting that fifth pair of buttercup yellow shoes that you definitely didn't need.
But hey, maybe you're of good financial means and are thinking, "I don't care about the money, I just love the rush of buying something new!" Well, that's all good until you realize that your house is overflowing with clutter. You know what they say - "cluttered house, cluttered mind." You may want to jump over to the article on decluttering after this. Let's face it, trying to find anything in a sea of random purchases can be a real nightmare. You may think that you need that brand new high power blender with all the features (plus it's portable!) but when was the last time you even used the one sitting in your cabinet right now?
And let's not forget about the environmental impact of impulse shopping. All those unnecessary purchases add up to a lot of waste – from the materials used to make the product to the packaging it comes in. It's like we're all contributing to our own personal landfill, one pointless purchase at a time. How about this one? The one you have been waiting for. Impulse shopping can be dangerous for your health. You heard me right...downright DANGEROUS! I'm not just talking about the financial stress it can cause (although that's certainly a concern). I'm talking about the physical danger of trying to haul all of your new purchases home. Ever tried to carry a giant mirror or a bulky piece of furniture on public transportation or squeezing it into the back of a car that is already filled with purchases from the last store? Sprained ankles, thrown out backs, neck strains from constantly looking around to make sure no one is laughing at you trying to accomplish this ridiculous mission. Then you have the physical danger of being crushed under a mountain of shopping bags, dislocated pinky fingers, bruised wrists and all! Add to that the stress of hoping your trunk or passenger side door doesn't pop open on the road, spilling all the contents of your purchases, putting them on full display for every passing driver to see. And to top it all off, we must accept the fact that you could very well pass out after revisiting the bill after arriving home with your "fab finds". Yes ladies, downright DANGEROUS!
So, what's the solution to all of this?
Step 1: Recognize that impulse shopping is a problem. You gotta own this first, then proceed. If you can't see it, trust me a good friend will tell you (just ask).
Step 2: Wait a day or two before making a purchase. If you still really want it after a couple days, then I'll consider buying it. But more often than not, the impulse may pass and you no longer feel the need to buy that "thing".
Step 3: Set a budget for yourself. Decide how much you're willing to spend on non-essential items each month and stick to it. You still get to do some shopping & guess what? It'll be GUILT FREE!
So, to all my impulsive shoppers, let's try to reign in those impulses just a teenie bit. Maybe next time you're tempted to buy something you don't really need, take a step back and ask yourself, "Do I really need this? Will it bring me true joy, or is it just a temporary thrill?"
This is going to definitely take STRENGTH on your part. Tear your eyes away, turn that steering wheel even though it keeps pointing you in the direction of the mall. You may not get it right all the time but take it one step at a time.
Your wallet, your significant other, your cluttered house, and our beautiful planet will thank you!
Exactly!!