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Tempted to try a shopping-free year? Here are tips from people who do it
NEW YORK (AP) – The rules of a no purchase challenge They’re self-imposed and simple: Make a list of the non-essential items you won’t spend money on for a certain period of time, and stick to it. Easier said than done.
Many people start these challenges at the beginning of the year and commit to continuing until the end. But any time can be the right time for those who want to resolve credit card debt, organize their home or spend less time shopping. Some challenge participants start with a month of no spending.
“I applaud anyone who realizes they are buying too much because North America is very consumer-focused and there is a lot of waste,” said Carrie Rattle, CEO of financial coaching firm Behavioral Cents.
Thinking about what would be better to live without? These are some recommendations from experts and people who already participate in the challenge.
IDENTIFY YOUR WEAKNESSES
Whether it’s makeup, ordering takeout, or shopping for unnecessary trinkets in the $1 section at Target, knowing your vulnerabilities will help you make a realistic plan to stay on track.
Before starting her shopping-free year, Mia Westrap, a Ph.D. student in Southhampton, England, took a close look at where she spent money during the previous months. She decided that unnecessary food and drink were her weakness.
“I found out I was spending four figures just on soda and Pepsi Max,” she said.
MAKE YOUR OWN RULES
One of the fun parts of a no-purchase challenge is that there are no set rules. Individuals choose what to include and exclude.
San Diego resident Amea Wadsworth, 22, loved spending hours browsing quirky clothes and trinkets at Target and Goodwill. But when she returned home after graduating from college, she realized how much stuff she had accumulated over the years.
“When I have those moments of organization and look through all my stuff, I find things that I bought and spent a lot of money on that I never ended up using,” Wadsworth said.
For the challenge, she chose not to buy new clothes and prioritized spending on experiences with her loved ones. Wadsworth also started his challenge by doing this month after month.
Writing down the rules that fit your needs can help you stay on track. However, it’s also okay to tweak some rules as you progress through your experience.
TAKE A BREAK
Finances are closely linked to emotions, and emotions can sometimes make you feel like buying something you don’t need. When Wadsworth feels the urge to get something she saw on social media or in a story, she writes it down rather than buying the item right away.
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At the end of the month, she reviews the list and decides what, if anything, is still worth buying.
“I look back and see how many things I wrote and think ‘I’m glad I didn’t buy that because I didn’t really need it,’” Wadsworth said.
If you buy on impulse, it can be helpful to write down the things you want to buy and take some time to think more about the item’s usefulness.
CANCEL AND UNFOLLOW
Between pop-up promotions and influencers swooning over new merchandise, social media can be a trigger for unnecessary purchases, according to Courtney Alev, consumer financial advocate at Credit Karma.
If you think screen time is aggravating your overspending habit, Alev recommends taking a break from bills that trigger the need to whip out a credit card.
BE KIND TO YOURSELF
When Westrap began her shopping-free year, she felt like the universe was conspiring against her. One month, her car broke down, and the next month, she received an expensive ticket for an overdue parking ticket she didn’t know about. Unexpected expenses or moments of weakness happen to everyone, and it’s okay if you don’t follow the No Shopping Year rules exactly as planned. Effort is important.
“If you fail, you’ll probably need a little more help. You are not a failure. You simply failed in one method,” Rattle said. “And that’s really important because I don’t want people to feel discouraged.”
Building a new habit and managing your finances can be difficult. Try to be kind to yourself in the process.
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The Associated Press receives support from the Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. AP is solely responsible for its journalism.