How to Change your Shopping Habits | Save Time & Money 💲

[@redburningfires]

I have a pinterest board called "Things I Want to Get" that I use to pin items I'm interested in. I've noticed that about half of the items I lose interest in after a while. I'll unpin those and be see what items I really do want to buy and use. This works great for shoes, clothing and makeup. It's interesting to see what my real interests are over time.

[@Cristina-jw7mx]

I remember when my father died I've spent days donating and throwing his stuff away. I was overwhelmed by the amout of things that I've found, especially clothes. A lot of them have never been worn. I told myself "I don't want to end up like him". I am currently living in England because I saved money and work hard for that. It is a feeling of self-fulfillment that is bigger than any shopping addiction. I have a dream of living in other parts of the world, so I don't think I will be spending much money on useless things.

[@syddlinden8966]

Working in retail is the worst. I have spent so much rescuing perfectly good things from the dumpster because the industry is so broken, corporate doesn't listen to workers' suggestions, and I can't afford to get caught taking things home that've been written off because they can fire us for that. :( Please, y'all, get in touch with retailers and tell them to eliminate their waste. It's a really, really big problem.

[@Clariceability]

I'm learning to sew and finding it helpful for really distinguishing needs from wants. To act on a "want" I would have to choose the fabric, prepare it, assemble the pattern, sew the garment, finish it. That's a lot of effort and resources for something that may only be a superficial or fleeting desire. Way more fun, and way more responsible, is to envisage something in my head that perfectly fills a "need" within my style and set about creating it myself. I also struggle with the needs/wants distinction because I could easily do without even the needs, although my creative expression would suffer.

[@MyGreenCloset]

That's wonderful to sew your own clothes!! Also a great way to make sure it's something you really want!

[@n.blaess9304]

I've started a habit of writing what I want to buy on a list and then waiting at least a month before I actually buy it. This has really prevented impulse buys for me.

[@AlyssaBeltempo]

Natascha B I have a list too! Makes a huge difference in our fashion consumption!

[@melodylunamagic6441]

Seeking fulfillment in the things that genuinely make me happy: recording my music, writing my book, relationships, hobbies, etc.

[@annikaheller3489]

Hi! Last year I started with a fast fashion fast without a set time limit. When I discovered your moderated fast fashion fast I joined that and continued my slow fashion journey. In two weeks I complete a full year without fast fashion and three months with buying no clothing at all. I don't really yet know how I will continue my shopping journey, I'm thinking about going only second hand for as long as possible. Anyway your fast fashion fast program with emails was sooo helpful last year, I hope you do something similar again in 2018 :) Enjoy the rest of the fashion week!

[@MyGreenCloset]

That's amazing!! And nice to hear the fast fashion fast was helpful 😊

[@worshipcatalyst1]

i'm glad i automatically steer away from trends and stick to developing my own personal style. there's something that completely turns me off to spending more than $10 for any item of clothing, especially if it's not from an ethical company. currently i only go shopping every few months, always at my local thrift stores. sometimes i find nothing, sometimes i spend around $100 and come home with several new-to-me pieces. for those of you thinking that is in anyway excessive, i do donate items i dont like or dont get any use out of back to local non-profits. i also have been in the process of healing my body from several long term medical issues, so i was finding that certain fabrics/textures were no longer comfortable, there has been a 30lb (20-25%) fluctuation in my weight, and as i've been feeling better, i have wanted to branch out from my plain jane style to try prints and other things i used to find visually irritating. thanks for sharing Erin!

[@saraiblack3329]

Perfect timing, I'm really trying to cut down on my shopping this year.I was reading a magazine article today for dry January and it had a tip which I really want to try for shopping which was to change your email password to something like Nodrink2day. I think I might not just change my email password but also all my online shopping ones which means not only will I have to remember the new password I will also be reminded of my goal.

[@MyGreenCloset]

That's a good tip!

[@AlyssaBeltempo]

Sarah Blackburn love this idea!

[@moonireads]

That's an amazing tip!!

[@MsArri81]

I want to save money and channel my sometimes depressed moods into something more constructive instead of buying on impulse when I feel down or out of control in my life. I found my outlet to manage stress in kickboxing and that helped quite a bit with my moods and therefore get a healthier mood boost without a temporary shopping fix that has let me feeling guilty afterwards. All your tips are excellent too!

[@gruzypants]

Great video! This goes hand in hand with your "remember why" - I like to visualize my end goal, both in terms of my lifestyle and how I want my physical closet space to look and feel. I recently read "The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up," and Marie Kondo made a point to emphasize the importance of visualizing the lifestyle that you want before you begin tidying, and it really hit home for me, both in terms of tidying up my space and in relation to my closet. I realized how many items I had in my closet that sparked absolutely no joy, and how nothing about my clothing felt planned or intentional. I sold/donated probably about 80% of my wardrobe (which was mostly fast-fashion items), and I'm basically starting from scratch. I have a little Moleskine notebook that I keep in my handbag at all times, and in addition to writing down a shopping list, I have my closet lifestyle goal written inside so that I can refer back to it when I am considering buying an item. My goal is: "to have a curated closet of beautiful, well-made, ethical & sustainable items, and to look forward to wearing every single item in my closet." :)

[@TheSassyscribe]

I watch this channel religiously and it has changed my life in a good way!

[@MyGreenCloset]

That's so nice to hear! Thank you! 💚

[@Lashlove16]

Such a great video ... I put away stuff as soon as I buy them so I can use them . If I don’t use them within a month I return them. Your rules are great , we often shop to feel better but our problems are still there . No purchase can heal our real problem. Sometimes we don’t even realize why we are shopping.

[@lluthya]

What really made a difference for me, is having high standard for what I'm looking for. I still like to go shopping, but I purchase much less. I check on material (what material is it + does it feel nice on my skin) fit (does it fit me+does it suit me+ is it comfortable), color and compatibility with my wardrobe. Only if all obstacles are right, will I buy it (unless I urgently need something at that moment). I still enjoy going shopping but it feels more like hunting for the right piece. That way, not buying clothes feels good because it feels natural not to buy something with a wrong fit/color/material... And if I do find something, that matches all obstacles, it feels really great takeing home a "new favorite piece" I can enjoy for a long time to come.

[@Marticore]

Same! ❤️

[@Marticore]

I do have a wishlist of clothes I need for the upcoming season. I mostly end up not buying at least one thing (because I can't find it), but that's ok. I still sometimes buy pieces that I don't really need, especially on sales or second-hand, but at least I'm aware of it afterwards, haha! Most of the time I try to really think what I need the item for, where I'd put it, what I'd wear it with etc. I don't really have anything to add to your list, but I just can say that these are really useful tips!

[@sigriddjernaes]

This video really came at the right time. I'm trying to shop less (not that I shop that much) to save money for a trip. I really love your tips. Especially unsubscribing from newsletters. Another tip could be not to shop online. Then you have to go to the store and spend time there. This might not work for people that shop as a social activity, but for people like me who loves browsing online it would definitely make me shop less...

[@Sesheria1]

I seriously need to reset my wardrobe but I’ve been planning it when I can and I’ll start when I know I have a list of components that will last me at least 5 years.

[@susperiaobscurum2206]

Thanks for this video! I am currently trying to buy less, and choose quality over guanity. You are a big inspo for me! ps, I hope the berlin ethical fashion show, is amazing and you are having tons of fun!

[@MyGreenCloset]

Thanks! It is amazing, 😊 so many cool conscious brands!! 💚

[@susperiaobscurum2206]

Happy to hear that Erin! I 've been following your insta stories! I really loved the mushroom leather shoes!

[@ima7333]

Great video as always. Though this may not applicable to me but I can see it useful to those who criticize me. Since I had my cancer surgery 2 years ago, I’ve been embracing the minimalist lifestyle more. I declutter my freezer every month, fridge every week and closet every 3 months. I found myself more freed to have less items to store and constantly organized. My thing to shop for were mostly food items that I try to reintroduce into my diet but failed ones I gave away. Every time you upload new video, I feel as if you were speaking in my defense. I found something new to me from this too. Thanks Erin

[@Lisamol11]

Great tips as always! Love these! I'm not perfect at this yet but I'm trying. One thing I sometimes do to "replace" shopping is to browse books at my library and, often, take some home. It's a fun way for me to indulge my enjoyment of browsing in general and I get to feel as though I'm bringing home a treat without spending or acquiring stuff (since whatever I get must of course be returned 😉). I read lots of fiction but sometimes when I'm trying to assuage a shopping craving I'll go for fashion or cook books. Just a thought for those so inclined!

[@MyGreenCloset]

Going to the library is a great idea!

[@msbdesigns1]

I can only "buy" items on ThredUp with store credit from the items I have sold. I like to think of it as trading clothes with my fellow conscience fashionistas!

[@AngieFlangie93]

I needed this video! I'm trying to save money and live a more ethical + decluttered life. Your videos have really helped inspire me! THANK YOU!! 💕

[@MyGreenCloset]

That's so nice to hear! All the best wishes for your journey! 💚

[@chandaharkins4418]

Last night my husband said my nickname should be "I.G." for instant gratification. I was surprised because I thought I had done well to curb my impulse buying. This is a timely video since I still have improvements to make!

[@buybetter2332]

Fantastic video, thanks so much for all the tips! Kate Soper has this idea she calls 'alternative hedonism' and is to do with living a 'green' life. Here it might look like getting a mix of a hedonistic hit and an altruistic hit when we buy ethical clothing. So we feel good because we're getting something we want, but we also feel good because we're doing good for people, planet and/or animals.

[@fienl.6493]

Love these video's. When I started to know more and more about the big flaws of fast fashion, I gradually build off my visits to these chains (not that I was a shopaholic in the first place, but average like most people). Up until now, where I don't visit them anymore. It's such a relief, I don't miss it at all, and when I would walk in again it would hurt too see those piles and piles of clothes. I'm much happier now, enjoying a good thrift find at some occasion more than ever. Thrifting is much more fun to do with friends than regular shopping! And you feel much happier to find one great piece there, also at a low cost :) I like to see now that when other friends ask where my clothes come from, they are always suprised it's thrifted or even an old garment what used to belong to my mother! Also, the excitement of new things can go to other things than clothes: I'm collecting second hand vinyl records for my music collection, which I enjoy so much listening to :). For me it was also a process of growing up and realising what the important things are in life.

[@jennybanana2296]

That was such an amazing reminder, thanks for sharing! I pretty much do all of these, however I am really working on just being more content and happy with the things I already have. It may sound silly, but when I try to think about the things (not only stuff) I am grateful for daily, my desire to get new stuff is decreasing. So that works for me

[@heylilahey]

Great video topic! I might do a blogpost on that, I think it's so important to share tips and experiences on that topic. I did a shopping ban once for 6 months and I loved it! I shopped so much more conscious and ethical after that!

[@MelissaCobb]

v helpful! I used to work in Primark (its a budget clothes store in the UK) and of course seeing the products every day at work was a huge temptation for me. I eventually decided to only bring bus money in to work with me so that I couldn't spend it there and it did help! I'm now on a complete fast fashion fast since the new year which has been going very well so far :)x

[@JadeDRail]

I think I shared this tip on another vid but what i like to do to get a little hit of dopamine without buying is to do a deep dive on shopping sites that have a wish list or cart option and put what I want into the wish list or cart. I kinda get that little hit of dopamine but then I just delete the cart.

[@bonjouritssophie8972]

some times I just go shopping with my friends but we just go to the mall look around but never buy anything we just go to hang out and look at pretty things and wish we could buy them but like we know we don't need it so there's no point to buying it.

[@ADea-hp3uz]

I am trying to avoid fast fashion. I used to shop a lot, lots of stuff that I haven't even worn yet. I decluttered clothes that I don't nead or wear anymore, but it wasn't always easy. Somehow I find it hard to let go of clothes that don't even wear a lot or need anymore. If you do have tips, please share them with me. 😙

[@wuwusela0191]

Nice eyeshadow, Erin!

[@guntabliss9541]

Lovely vid! xx I've definitely been on a shopping fast lately... and to be honest, it feels like it in some way cleared my mind a bit as well... Suddenly you start actually THINKING and questioning all kinds of things... You are a great inspiration! :)

[@MyGreenCloset]

That's wonderful! 💚

[@apkuroviski]

Hello, I would like to ask a alternative to trash bags. Thanks!

[@bonjouritssophie8972]

could you make a video on ethical and eco wool?

[@paigeb6783]

Thank you for such a great video! These are really good tips

[@EmmaaDL]

This may sound weird but it's not with clothes that I have a shopping problem but with food, should that be considered as the same dynamic?

[@marebear09]

Excellent tips!

[@worshipcatalyst1]

the "wait a few days before buying" doesnt usually work at the thrift store lol. i'm not saying you are wrong with the method - usually it's not an item that is "needed", just wanted. but i'd say at least 80% of the time when i go back, the item is not in the store anymore.

[@melanieg.9092]

Yeah this happens to me too :( But on a positive note the last pair of pants that I wanted to buy at the thrift were still there after 2 days and 90% off :D

[@worshipcatalyst1]

Kanzenna yes! Happy for you!

[@emilyjackson1819]

Texaslife43 I did a huge decluttering but now I’ve been thrift shopping way to much and don’t know how to stop :( and I’m scared I will go back to how my closet used to be.

[@worshipcatalyst1]

Emily sometimes i go months without shopping. i found i was using something that should be a tool to benefit me as a fill in for other voids in my life. i shopped so much i no longer appreciated what i had or bringing home new things. it was literally a 5 minute high that was all over once i left the store. maybe only allow yourself to go every 4 or 6 weeks? there's a difference between shopping for wants and shopping for needs. most of the time we dont "need" anything, we just want it.

[@emilyjackson1819]

Texaslife43 thanks for your response I will definately stop going there!

[@kathyesargent9088]

Thank you

[@JadeDRail]

I like window shopping. I love leaving a store with nothing.

[@Judith21123]

these tips were super helpful!

[@dianab8371]

Love your videos.

[@gessicacom_g]

Love love this! 🙌🏻

[@lovemadeinjapan]

My tip is rather simple: NEVER SELL clothes. If they no longer fit your shape or style, donate them to friends or goodwill. If you know that up front, it vastly reduces impulse buys and eliminates scalping. Reselling platforms are toxic and should IMO be avoided at any cost.

[@samsungsasa3656]

OK👌👍👍👍💞

[@budgetrebelgoals]

I want to save money 😕😕😯😯😄😳