How to Stop Buying Things You Don’t Need Online

Online shopping’s so simple to get swept up, leaving us wondering where the money went and why there is so much stuff we don’t need.

I’d like to share some ideas to help you shop more consciously online, clear your space, spot marketing tricks and save money!

1 Why We Buy More Than We need Online

Impulse shopping can bring a temporary sense of pleasure or even stress relief or fend off boredom. And online shopping makes it even easier.
Since we don’t touch actual money in the transaction we easily skip checking how much is left or spent.

A first step is to check what you already own, then make a list of things only you need.
Put this list aside for a while and only come back to it when you seriously need the item. This gives you time to think.

Focus on high-quality and long-lasting items. Investing in durable things means you don’t have to replace them as often.
Just because it marketed as “Eco Products” doesn’t always mean “Sustainable“.

Set your personal ethical standards and buy only what feels right to you.
For example, say “no” to: fast fashion, mass production, harmful materials, non-fair trade, cruelty testing, and intensive farming.

Delete shopping apps. Making online shopping inconvenient can help curb impulsive browsing.
If the Item isn’t on your shopping list, put it in the wishlist, not in the shopping basket.

High street shops use up-tempo music to drives customer purchases. The same thing can happen if you are at home listening to up-tempo music while you shop, so it’s a good idea to turn off your music for a moment.
‘Time sale’, ‘last chance’, or ‘limited edition’ create urgency, so I ignore them to make rational decisions.
Stores might use fancy product photos. It’s worth stepping back and remembering that most products won’t look exactly like they do in pictures made by professionals.
Shops might try to “wear you down” with lots of choices or rambling layouts online, driving you to make impulsive decisions.

Check the labels to make sure you’re buying something that aligns with your ethical standards. (Manufacturers, Materials, Plastics, Sustainability…)
Avoid compromising on size or colour just because of stock availability, or you will regret it later.
Ignore free delivery, free gifts, or points that might push you to spend more than you intended.
Double check if you truly need it.

Sometimes, just getting the package feels like Christmas.
Leaving it unopened can be a way to avoid guilt or regret, especially if you know deep down you didn’t need it.
The unopened box can preserve the idea that the item might bring happiness later, holding on to the hope that the purchase “will change things”.

By being more intentional about your habits, you can start seeing positive results naturally.
By understanding the triggers and putting simple strategies into practice, you can curb impulsive buying.

Being mindful about how we shop online helps us make choices that reflect our values and finances.

It might seem like a small, but those little choices add up over time and become something meaningful.

It’s made a real difference to me, and I hope it works for you as well!

If you would like a real-life visual guide, check out the YouTube video below.