How To Spend Less Money On Shopping and Still Be Happy

Few people are good at stopping themselves from spending more money, but for others, it can be a difficult task because many people enjoy buying more things and may believe it is unnecessary to control their desire to buy more.

But what happens if the only way to get pleasure is to buy things? When you buy things that aren't really necessary in your life, you may find yourself in situations such as you may regret buying it when you don't need it; you may regret buying it even though you already have one; you may regret buying it because you don't use it; you may regret buying it when you can't afford it; and you start feeling overwhelmed when the clutter is accumulating. The pleasure of buying more starts converting into stress.

As a long-time minimalist, I can attest to the joy of buying less and being clutter-free. Another thing to consider is that you do not have to adhere to minimalism in order to refrain from overspending; if spending less is your only goal, you can focus solely on that aspect.Now, let's look at some tips for buying less; these are the tips I use, and they work flawlessly for me.

Everything is possible, but everything is not necessary – Arvo Part

1. Remember that materialistic happiness is not long-lasting.

The first point I would like to emphasize is that materialistic happiness has a shorter life span. You may be immensely happy to buy that luxury bag, that expensive gadget, or those clothes at a cheap price when your wardrobe is overflowing.
That happiness fades away over time and can also become a burden in your life. Remember that compared to materialistic things, having experiences gives us long-lasting happiness.

For example, you bought an expensive appliance for your home just because it was trending or because your friend had one already, and you also went on a fun trip with your family. In the future, when you recall your happiest memories, your family trip will rank higher than buying that expensive appliance.

So, all you have to do is spend on your experiences and make memories rather than buying things. Experience the things you like and make memories because, in the future, all you will have are memories of your present.

2. Use alternate things or repair them before buying new ones.

Purchasing new items is not always the only option. When you want to buy new things for yourself or your home, consider whether you have any alternatives or if you can repair things you already have to use them.

Using this method can make a significant difference in your lives because you will stop and think twice before spending, as well as reduce clutter.

For example, when I got a new oven, I needed an oven cover, but instead of buying a new one, I used one of my old pillowcases. You can also try your hand at some DIY projects to make whatever you want. A sustainable lifestyle is advantageous not only to you but also to the environment.

3. Check your inventory before buying.

Check your inventory before you go shopping for anything. Whether it's for clothes, accessories, or groceries, the best way to do it is to make a list before you go shopping and then go through your pantry, fridge, wardrobe, and shoe rack based on the shopping you want to do and see if you already have those items.

So you'll know what's in your closet and if there are any spare products or products that are about to expire. You will stop buying things you don't need and will stop regretting buying things you already have.

4. Do not fall for ads and offers.

You've probably heard the saying, "Just because something is on sale doesn't mean you have to buy it." While offers are great for getting something at a lower price when you need it, they are also traps designed to get you to buy more.

So, the next time you need something, wait for the offers and buy it to get a good deal, but if you are not in need, do not buy on offer unless it is absolutely necessary. Also, don't fall for advertisements, as these are tricks used by sellers to attract more customers like you and me.

Remember that offers and advertisements are designed to entice customers to buy. So listen to yourself rather than reacting to external forces.

5. Do not compare

It may surprise you that comparing yourself with others is one of the many reasons to buy unnecessary things. You might want to have that designer saree like your cousin, that branded smartphone like your friend, or that luxury car like a social media influencer.

Believe me, comparing ourselves to others causes us to buy things we cannot afford or do not require. None of the items listed above will make you happy once you have them, but being content with yourself will.

6. Do not buy when you are emotional.

I read somewhere that we shouldn't make decisions when we're angry. Similarly, we should not shop when we are emotional.

You may have had a bad day at work and want to relieve stress, or you may have had a disagreement with your parents and want to vent your anger, or your best friend may have deceived you; whatever the reason, control yourself from buying when you are stressed about something because, at that particular time, you just want to relieve your stress and forget about it, so you choose to shop, which may lead to impulsive buying.

Well, you don't need to worry about not going shopping at all. once you know yourself and can control what you buy, you can enjoy window shopping or going to shopping malls.