The last few years have been challenging to say the least, lives were changed completely with many people having to find new ways to get essential things done. One of which is shopping online for almost everything.
Shopping online can be as simple as clicking “add to basket,” but the seemingly invisible costs quickly accumulate. If you’re like me and dislike the hassle of returning items, it’s not just the expenses that increase—it’s also the growing pile of unnecessary stuff.
Here are a couple of tips that have helped in saving the pennies and controlling those urges.
TIP 1 : Think about your options and where to use them
One of my pastime favourites driven mostly by habit and a little bit of boredom is to peruse Amazon, ASOS followed by Shien, Zara, Dunelm, The Fragrance Shop, Cheap Smells…the list is endless.
I add everything I want to my basket but don’t check out immediately. It’s easy to overspend, so I take a pause. The urge to return to the site later is always there, but this gives me time to reconsider. Sometimes, I’ll remove items and wonder what I was thinking. There’s a difference between fulfilling needs and splurging, and there’s nothing wrong with treating yourself. Just consider the value and necessity of something before making a purchase.
TIP 2: Designing the Experience
Before heading to the shops, pause for a moment to consider your purpose. Are you looking for shoes to match an outfit or a complete ensemble for a special occasion? Take a quick look at your wardrobe to remind yourself of what you already have.
I find that making a quick note of what it is I need and the shops i need to go to, makes a huge difference and saves quite a bit of time wandering around aimlessly.
TIP 3: Be careful of sales & deals
It’s quite simple to find yourself caught in these pitfalls—are you unknowingly being lured into a clutter trap? Consider whether you really need that additional t-shirt in a shade you might wear once, or the tempting buy 2, get 1 free deal when you initially only required a single item. Although at times a deal might appear too irresistible to ignore, these marketing strategies are frequently designed to prompt you to spend beyond what you originally intended.
