This is something I may or may not have come up with myself. So don’t hate on the name, just respect what it’s for and that it will help you save hundreds of dollars from short-term satisfaction decisions.
What is it?
A “buy” list is something you create, digitally or physically, where you can keep track of things you want to buy. When you come across something in person, online, on social media or something a friend suggests you buy THIS is when it comes in handy! You will then add this item to your “buy” list. You will add the item to your list and NOT purchase it and then revisit this in 2 weeks or so.
Who should do it?
This is perfect for the instant satisfaction consumer and shopper. The person who finds something on Amazon and within 2 minutes its been purchased. The shopper who at the end of the month wonders how they accumulated so much stuff and material items and nothing in their savings account.
Why should I do it?
Whether you buy things easily or need to do 2 hours of research before being “sold” on something, this can be for you. It will help show you how common instant satisfaction in shopping and consuming goods is in our world.
It will open your eyes to if you didn’t buy so many things instantly and actually sat on that purchase for a minute and stepped back then you probably wouldn’t have bought it in the first place. But when it’s too late you now are stuck with a pair of shoes you wore once and decided you don’t really need.
Does it work?
YES! I can confidently say EVERYTHING I have added to my buy list was never purchased. After sitting on the item for 2 weeks or adding it to the list to buy next month was never purchased. My buy list could total to over $600 easily, can you imagine if I had just purchased all of these items right away what those expenses and lack of savings look like?
Tip: Where and what to do with it
I keep my buy list on my phone since most purchases I come across are on a mobile device or my phone is never too far. When I see an item I immediately go and add it to my buy list and then close out of that online shopping browser and carry on.
If I’m still thinking about the item 2 weeks later or just can’t get by life without it then I will let myself buy the item. It’s a great feeling knowing I’m confident in needing this item because it was still top of mind 2 weeks later.
This is a good way to weed out the instant satisfaction purposes versus what you actually are desiring (not needing) but still want to treat yourself to.
Tip #2: A friend shared with me the app “Shoptagr” which I personally haven’t used but after looking into it it completely ties in with this method! It seems it’s your “personal assistant for shopping” which will alert you when your favorite items go on sale. You will never overpay for your online shopping again!
If you have a hard time controlling yourself when it comes to online shopping I highly suggest looking into this app!