Are you a shopaholic?
Shopping is a big addiction which has only been made much easier by the introduction of online stores such as Amazon and eBay. If you think you have a bit of a problem with shopping and you need some help to curb your cravings, here are some tips to follow.
Don’t drink and shop
Unless you want to have to click here for a loan, you need to stay away from online shopping when you are drunk. Late night shopping or tipsy shopping can be dangerous because you aren’t completely sound of mind and you are much more likely to end up buying the things you’ve wanted for a long time. Keep your phone out of reach when you are impaired and this will save you from buying things.
Ignore suggestions
When you buy an item or place one into your basket online, you will often see a tab underneath which says something like “things you might also like”… ignore this and stay away! Companies put this underneath items you like because they think you will want to look at these items and put them straight in your basket, stay away from suggestions and quit while you are ahead.
Free shipping doesn’t matter
The issue we often have when shopping online is that we will buy a certain value of items, and then there will be a notice which says that there is a minimum order for free shipping. Don’t fall into the trap of putting extra things in your basket to make up the extra things because this will only end up in you buying more than you should and spending more than you need to. Ignore the notice and just order the things you have already put into your basket.
Avoid adverts
You will sometimes see things pop up in the corner of a website or you might see it as your scroll through social media. It is tempting to go for these items right away and buy them, but do you really need them? Just because you see an item you really likely doesn’t mean that you should order it. Just keep a note of it and move on, you can always ask someone to buy it for your birthday if you really want it.
Take a time out
When you have been looking through your favourite online shops you will likely have about 50 items in your basket ready to go. Before you checkout and splash the cash on these items, make sure that you take a 10 minute breather. Leave everything in your basket and go away for a cup of tea. Come back and look through your basket, and you will likely take a few items out of it. When you are happy, you can order the parcel.
Use guest checkout
Instead of making an account and storing your card details on the website for the future, go as a guest instead and you can avoid being able to click and pay right away. By giving yourself more effort, you will know whether or not the item is really worth the time it takes for you to input all of your details again.