Shopping can be an emotional activity. In fact, Americans impulse-spend about $6 a day on average, or $183 monthly. This totals $2,196 in impulse shopping each year (Cruze, 2021). Well-respected financial solutions company, Ramsey Solutions, suggests these steps for stopping impulse purchases:
- Create a budget and follow it.
- Budget a set, reasonable amount for “fun” spending.
- Wait at least a day before buying an item.
- Compile a list of products you need before going to the store.
- Cut down on email subscriptions.
- Only shop when feeling in control of emotions.
- Take someone along when shopping to aid in accountability.
- Only bring cash to limit spending.
- Avoid comparisons with others on social media.
- Try a no-spend challenge for a set period of time.
- Clear internet browsers of saved card numbers to resist one click purchases.
- Focus on savings goals.
Questions to ask to avoid impulse clothing purchases
While impulse shopping can be problematic in many areas, shopping for clothing can be particularly difficult. Brightly, a community dedicated to empowering conscious consumers, offers questions to ask yourself in order to avoid impulse clothing purchases (Schwerdfeger, 2021). These include:
How many times will you wear the item?
When shopping for new clothing, you should always consider how many times you will wear the item before purchasing it. If the answer is 30+ wears, it is probably an item that you really enjoy and will wear often. Avoiding super trendy items and investing in high-quality staple pieces will help you hit this wear quota.
Do you already have something similar in your closet?
If you have something similar, you can likely make do with what you own. You may also be able to repurpose something similar into the item you are considering.
Can you afford the item? Is it worth what it costs?
You might even calculate how you can budget in order to pay for an item. Also be careful not to grab something just because it’s on sale.
Do I already own items that I can wear with this?
If you don’t own any pieces that go well with the item, you likely won’t wear it or will have to purchase more items to create a cohesive outfit.
Is the item from a brand you would like to support?
Do research before heading to the store or browsing online. Consider the company’s transparency and sustainability practices.
Working with what’s in the closet already
Net Zero Co. suggests a number of tips to help consumers evaluate how they might work with what they already own. Some of these are:
- Keep track of your wardrobe so that you don’t purchase duplicates or unneeded items.
- Consider repairing or altering clothing you already own as an affordable way to keep up with trends.
- Develop a capsule wardrobe with simple, classic items that will last.
- Fill gaps in your wardrobe with secondhand finds.
- Consider renting clothes instead of buying them.
Staying focused
In conclusion, putting in the focus necessary to avoid impulse purchases will benefit consumers and the environment. Follow the ProTecht® Instagram and Facebook pages for more helpful tips!
References
Cruze, R. (2021, August 26). Impulse buying: Why we do it and how to stop. Ramsey Solutions. https://www.ramseysolutions.com/budgeting/stop-impulse-buys
Net Zero Co. (2020, October 6). How to stop impulse shopping and be a more conscious customer. https://www.netzerocompany.com/blogs/news/how-to-stop-impulse-shopping-and-shop-consciously
Schwerdfeger, E. (2021, October 20). 10 questions to ask yourself before purchasing a new piece of clothing—secondhand, included. Brightly. https://brightly.eco/how-to-avoid-impulse-buying/
