Many people struggle with overspending because they impulse shop. With the popularity of shopping websites and mobile apps, it’s easy and convenient to buy what you need from the comfort of home. But it’s essential to be cautious to avoid spending more than you can afford.
If you spend beyond your means, you may rack up expensive credit card debt due to your shopping habits. Are you looking for ways to reduce your online shopping trips? Here are a few tips to help you stop overspending on impulse purchases when shopping online.
1. Follow a budget
A budget can help you stay on track with your spending. If you struggle with overspending because you love shopping online, it may be time to try budgeting. You can use one of the best budgeting apps to get more comfortable with this practice and stay on top of your progress. Once you see how much you spend shopping on these purchases, you may feel more motivated to change your habits to improve your financial situation.
Many of us have downloaded several shopping apps to our phones. These apps offer convenience because we can place a last-minute order while on the go, but they can also make it easier for us to spend money carelessly.
Deleting your favorite shopping apps could help you reel in your spending. You’ll likely feel less desire to place frequent orders if the apps are no longer readily available.
3. Log out after placing an online order
It can be frustrating to log into every online account you use. Keeping some accounts logged in, like your email, may make sense. But you may be more tempted to shop online if you stay logged into your favorite shopping websites and apps.
The next time you place an online order, log out of your account. Doing this may deter you from placing frequent orders because you’ll be forced to spend extra time logging back into your account (plus you’ll have to remember your password).
4. Unsubscribe from marketing emails
Many of us feel tempted to shop more when we see our favorite brands advertising a sale. It’s important to remember that only some deals are worthwhile. Many popular retailers promote non-stop sales to draw in consumers because it’s a marketing strategy that works.
You may be less likely to shop online when you no longer receive emails like this. Don’t be afraid to unsubscribe from marketing emails if it’ll help you save money. If you want to save time and unsubscribe from multiple marketing email newsletters simultaneously, you can use a service like Unroll.Me to clear out your email inbox faster.
5. Don’t save your payment details
Another tip that may help you reduce your online shopping trips is avoiding saving your payment details. Many retailers allow users to save their preferred payment method in their online accounts. This feature is convenient because you won’t have to enter your credit card details every time you check out.
However, this also makes it easier to make impulse purchases because you can hit “submit order” without deciding whether you’re making an impulsive move. It’s a good idea to remove your payment method details and avoid saving them in the future.
Keep your finances in mind
It pays to keep your finances top of mind. Many of your everyday choices directly impact your financial situation. Taking steps to curb your online shopping spending could help you keep more money in the bank, making you more likely to reach your financial goals sooner. For additional ways to save money, check out our personal finance resources.
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