Lockdown has been tough on most people. Some face loneliness, some have difficulty paying the bills, and then, there you are, feeling guilty for buying things you don't even need. Don't worry. You're not alone.
The growth in online shopping during quarantine has increased by a significant amount. And it's getting out of hand day by day. Thus, like you, most people are looking to find ways to cut back their online shopping habits.
Let's find out how to keep yourself from excessive online shopping in the current situation without going crazy.
Researchers Have Something to Say About Online Shopping Addiction
If you're looking to keep yourself from online shopping, you need to understand the reasons behind it and attack the root cause. It's much better than just applying a few tips that you might stop following after a few times.
Online Shopping Psychology: It's Not You, It's Them
No wonder online shopping brings a sort of enjoyment and comfort. But that's not the only reason why you're shopping more than ever before.
People are turning more towards social media and mindless scrolling as lockdowns stay in place worldwide.
The problem is what you're scrolling through is influencer content. And the marketers are paying these influencers to present their products in the form of regular content that you're used to seeing.
But eventually, such content draws you to the eCommerce sites where you end up investing in things you don't even need.
Two Hours Later, You're Still Adding to Your Cart: Here's Why
According to the CDC reports, the pandemic has increased stress, anxiety, and depression in people. And if what you're facing is compulsive buying, then you might be suffering from any of these causes.
Other reasons are the excitement that comes with the arrival of the package, which also helps some people reduce their anxiety. We're not traveling, eating out, or going to the movies, and some of us are not even able to meet our families. So now there's something we need to do to feel good.
And certain people find the answer in online shopping.
Bought the Items in Your Cart? Here's What'll Happen Next
If you're buying things out of excitement that fades away as soon as you confirm the payment, then your shopping habit may be an addiction.
For instance, when you buy something, you feel great and excited, but as soon as you've purchased the item, you lose your interest in it. And now you need to buy something else, something better to feel that excitement again.
The worst part is, the cycle continues.
So, it would help if you put an end to it, despite how much you can justify these purchases to yourself.
How to Cut Back From Online Quarantine Shopping
By now, you must have got an idea about why you've been shopping indefinitely. You can use this understanding to make more informed decisions.
Apply these quick tips to cut back your bad habits.
1. Create a Budget
One of the best ways to give up on your unnecessary shopping habits is to create a monthly budget.
It might feel like a tedious task, but once you plan your spending on the essential things, you can allocate the rest. Use the budget to easily cut back on the things you don't need this month.
If you really desire it, put it on a bucket list for the future when you have spare cash.
2. Create a Checklist
A checklist of questions can help keep you from wasting money on things you won't even use. So jot down some questions which will make you put some thought behind your impulses.
- Why am I buying this?
- Do I really need this thing at the moment?
- Do I already have something that I can use in its place?
And answer these questions before the final checkout.
3. Keep Away From Credit Card Debt
In the current economy, it'd help a lot if you keep track of how much you're borrowing on your cards.
- Do you have a stable job?
- Can you afford to add another debt on your card, knowing how much loan you already have?
- If you lose your current income source shortly, do you have enough reserves to pay for all of this?
Each time you find yourself shaking your head to any of these questions, our advice to you is to steer clear of buying and use the time to get out of any debt you have to pay off.
4. Cut the Scrolling Time and Define a Better Feel-Good Time for Yourself
Discipline is a myth. The best solution is to cut the distracting element.
If you keep looking at things that raise your dopamine level and your credit card details are saved on the shopping apps you use, your budget may do little good for you.
Our advice is to define different ways to make yourself feel good and fill your scrolling time with those activities.
For instance, there might be a skill that you always wanted to learn, like dancing, cooking, or playing guitar but never really had time on your schedule. It's time you pick up hobbies that excite you instead.
5. Make It Harder to Shop Online
It's pretty clear that we choose online shopping because it's easy, fills our boredom, and gives us a bit of energy boost. So it's time you make it a little more difficult and make the checkout process a bit lengthier.
The first step you take is to un-save your credit card record. Now, each time you'd buy something, you'll have to go through an additional step of filling in your details.
The next step would be to leave your cart for at least a day (or a few days) before you finally check out. It helps you determine whether you really need those things or not.
And last but not least is to never shop at night. At such times, you're highly unlikely to make an informed decision and evaluate the price difference.
6. Figure Out Non-Essential Items From Your Quarantine Shopping List
Each time you head towards the checkout, take a moment and reconsider everything that's on your cart.
If needed, use your checklist, and remove all the non-essential items from your shopping list before you finally pay.
You're Ready to Fight Back Your Cravings
With all this information, you're ready to keep yourself from impulsive shopping during quarantine.
It's totally doable because you would rather like to be in control of yourself than be at the mercy of a "machine" that taps into your cookies to show you the piece of jewelry you once checked.