• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Happy Simple Mom Logo

Happy Simple Mom

Simple, Clutter-Free Living

  • Start Here
  • Decluttering
    • How to Declutter
    • Areas to Declutter
    • Cleaning
    • Organization
  • Simple Living
    • The Simple Life
    • Minimalism with Kids
    • Minimalist Lifestyle
    • Simple Gifts
  • SHOP

How to Stop Online Impulse Shopping That’s Getting Out of Control

February 10

Sharing is caring!

553 shares
  • Share201

I needed to stop online impulse shopping, as it was my secret guilty pleasure. 

I could do it on my lunch break or from my cell phone in the mornings before anyone woke up…while still in the bed. 

I generally shopped at one or two stores primarily, so I knew their clothing sizes and did not have to try them on to know they would fit. 

Then there was online impulse buying with Target and Amazon with their quick shipping and easy pay options.  I was an addict, and I did not even know it.

I did not realize the depth of my addiction until I decided I wanted to declutter my bedroom and started with my closet clean-out.  It was then that I realized I had a shopping problem. 

In order to reduce my temptations and stop my overspending, I had to reduce the temptations of buying more stuff.

Related post: Declutter Your Closet Fast!

Send my FREE Decluttering Checklist!

Stay out of online stores to stop online impulse shopping

It was easy to stay out of the mall when I was trying to stop my impulse buys.  I needed a way to do the same thing with my online shopping. 

I had a hard time learning how to stop online impulse shopping when I spent the entire day on a computer at work.  Add to that the boring moments throughout the day when I reached for my cell phone to fill the gap in time.

Then I had an idea.  If I can stay out of a physical store, maybe I can find a way to stay out of an online store.

Add rules to your emails

We all like a good coupon and a good deal.  That’s why we signed up for retailer emails in the beginning.  Marketing folks are geniuses in my book. 

I am pretty smart financially, but I like a good deal.   It is even harder to practice restraint when there is money in the bank.  I could afford it, why not buy it?!

I had to find a way to beat genius retail marketing tricks.  I did this by putting rules on my emails.

Sit down one day and find all your retailer emails.  Then, place a “rule” for each retailer to have those emails automatically put into a folder.  I called my folder “Shopping”. 

You can also set rules to have the emails automatically deleted after a specific time period.  Then, if you really NEED to buy something, you can go to that folder, find the retailer, and add your coupon code.

Unsubscribe from emails

If you want to get super serious and stop online impulse shopping, then unsubscribe from retailer emails.  Out of sight and out of mind!

There are plenty of online coupon sites that can provide you with a coupon code if you really do need to make a purchase.

I promise you won’t miss them! If you want to rejoin at a later time, then by all means, but try it out. You will be amazed at how many emails you don’t have to delete every day too!

Create and use a shopping email account

Set up an entirely different account for retailers.  I use the same email for all junk mail. 

I am very stingy with my personal email account. 

If I need to give an email to get a deal, you get my junk email account.  That email account has thousands of unread emails in it.  About twice a year, I go in and delete everything. 

If I need something, I can use the search function to look for a deal.

If you are really eager, you can set up rules for that account too.  However, I don’t look at that account unless I need something.

Deals will be there next time you NEED something

It is so easy to fall for the ploys of online marketers.  First, I would get an email with the release of their newest line of clothes, which seemed to come out weekly. 

I would see something I liked, and I would start thinking about how much I wanted it when it finally went on sale.  Then, two days later, there would be an email offer for free shipping or 40% off for the exact item I wanted.  How awesome!

Hook, line, and sinker.

After putting rules around my emails, I realized when I needed something, there was always a deal waiting on me. 

Did they sometimes run out of the shirt I wanted the most? Sure.  However, more often than not, if I really needed something, it was there and there was a deal to be had. 

There is always a deal.  Don’t fall for marketing tactics!

Let items sit in your cart for a few days

You found the perfect outfit, and you cannot live without it.  Before you hit purchase, let it sit in your cart for a few days.  If that’s not possible, at least let it sit for a few hours. 

Maybe take that time to look at your credit card statement or check out your bank account.  A little dose of reality can really help put things into perspective. 

If money is not an issue, just go look in your closet.  Do you really NEED another outfit?

If so, is there something you can part with to make room for it?

Turn off saved credit card info

If you don’t have to type in your credit card information because it is already saved with a retailer, then you do not have to really think about the purchase you are making.  It is too easy. 

Don’t allow retailers to save your credit card info.  Make yourself give more thought to your purchases.

Turn off Amazon 1-Click

Like deleting your credit card info from your favorite retailers, turn off Amazon 1-Click. 

Gosh, those guys are sneaky.  Just those extra steps of going to your cart and hitting purchase can make a huge difference in purchasing decisions.

Go do something else

Sometimes we online shop because we are bored. 

If you want to stop online impulse shopping, find something else to do instead of shopping. 

Play with your kids.  Read a book.  Put the phone away. 

If you are at work, go take a walk outside if you need the break.  Your pocketbook and your overflowing closet will thank you!

Related posts:

The benefits of minimalism for moms

How to Save Hundreds of Dollars on Monthly Expenses

How to Stop Shopping with a No Shopping Challenge

Sharing is caring!

553 shares
  • Share201
Category: Minimalist Lifestyle, Simple Living
Previous Post:Embracing A Simple Life So You Can Be A Happier Mom
Next Post:12 Things I No Longer Buy Since Becoming a Minimalist

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Sidebar

Join the Happy Simple Mom community:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
Happy Simple Mom profile image - welcome to the page!

Hello, I’m Brooke! My goal is to share lessons I’ve learned to live simply and clutter-free with a family. Don’t let excess stuff and too many obligations weigh you down. Reduce your stress, and live a happy life!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Recent Posts

mom cleaning her floors with a vacuum

Dear Sweet Friend… Don’t Clean Your House For Me

Blue front door with a package in front of it

7 Easy Practices to Stop Clutter from Ever Entering Your Home

Mom meditating while kids play with toys around her

9 Easy Ways to Get Your Kids Interested in a More Minimalist Lifestyle

A minimalist family hiking and sitting on a mountain side.

Minimalism May be the Secret Ingredient Your Family NEEDS

  • About Me
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy and Disclosure

Copyright © 2023 · Happy Simple Mom™ · All Rights Reserved

Exclusive Member of Mediavine Home

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
 

Loading Comments...