Breaking Free From Overconsumption: How I Stopped Shopping On Impulse And Built A Mindful Money System
"You work hard, you deserve it."
"It was on sale—how could I not buy it?"
"I’ll figure it out later."
These were the phrases I used to justify my spending. I love nice things, but at one point, my love for shopping had me in a cycle of overconsumption—buying just to buy, spending because I felt like I "deserved it," and using retail therapy to cope with stress.
The problem? It wasn’t just about shopping. It was about my mindset. My spending wasn’t just about acquiring things; it was about avoiding feelings of scarcity. And that scarcity mindset? It led me to spend even more, thinking if I didn’t buy something now, I might not be able to afford it later.
Even when I started making more money, I was spending just as much if not more. 70% off used to trip me up on payday, but now I have been building a system for my clients and myself to be intentional in how they buy and spend. You have to look at the insights (data) in how, why, what, and how much you buy to determine how you want to implement your money moving forward.
I knew something had to change. But I didn’t want to go to the extreme of a No-Buy Year (I did an involuntary No-Buy, I talked about it here) or deprive myself completely. Instead, I built a mindful money system— one that allows me to enjoy the things I love without letting shopping control my finances.
Pre-Talk: I wanted to talk about this because in the pandemic, it seemed there was a shift in how much overconsumption we as a community can do. Heck, and then I watched that show on Netflix along with this article by the WSJ about how people wanted to stop shopping (where they talk about Low Buy/No Buy challenges, sound familiar right). According to a Bankrate survey released in September 2023, Americans spent $71 billion on impulse purchases on social media over the previous year — purchases that often ended in feelings of regret. The pandemic didn’t just press how we communicate, but pressed how press and accessible shopping and swiping can be (along with BNPL).
Here’s how I did it, told my clients to do it, and think that you should try:
Step 1: Auditing My Wallet To Understand My Spending Habits
Before I could fix my spending, I needed to understand where my money was going.
The first thing I did was audit my wallet—not just my bank account, but the physical cards I carried and how I used them. I laid everything out and asked myself:
Which cards do I use most often?
Do I use cash, debit, or credit more frequently?
What subscriptions are linked to my accounts?
Are there any transactions I forgot about?
Once I completed my wallet audit, I reviewed my bank statements from the last three months. I wasn’t just looking at how much I spent—I was analyzing when, why, and how I was spending.
Identifying my spending triggers. Did I shop when I was stressed? Bored? Feeling accomplished?
Tracking how long things actually lasted. Was I buying quality or just chasing trends?
Finding money leaks. Were there forgotten subscriptions or small purchases adding up?
By getting clear on these insights, I saw patterns that helped me make better money decisions moving forward. If you need help with this, I have a full blog post breaking down how to audit your wallet.
Step 2: Create Intentional Consumption Rules
After my wallet audit, I realized that I needed structure to guide my purchases. Instead of allowing myself to buy on impulse, I created intentional consumption rules that forced me to pause before spending to pace how I did it..
Fund Steps:
Shop your closet first. You got clothes and stuff at home, but a lot of people don’t know what exactly they have. Before buying something new, check to see if you already have a similar item. This works for clothing, beauty products, and even household essentials.
Implement a waiting period. Before making a non-essential purchase, wait at least 48-72 hours. Most impulse desires fade, helping you avoid unnecessary buys.
Use a sinking fund for purchases. Instead of impulse buying, set money aside over time for bigger purchases. This allows you to plan rather than react. I have a sinking fund in my Ally that is designated for shopping + stuff.
Mind you, one of the biggest changes was realizing how much I was buying just because something was "on sale." I would convince myself that I was saving money by buying more, when in reality, I was just spending unnecessarily. One of my recent clients found that having intention around pacing the buy helped them structure the system to curate vs crowd-buying stuff. By setting consumption rules, I learned to differentiate between nice to have (wants) and needs in a way that didn’t feel restrictive.
Step 3: Take Inventory Of What You Already Own
One of the biggest drivers of overconsumption is forgetting what you already have. I found myself buying duplicate items—especially when it came to clothes, beauty products, and household essentials. Taking inventory helped me appreciate what I owned and avoid unnecessary purchases.
Fund Steps:
Go through your belongings. Check your closet, pantry, and storage spaces to see what you already have. Check to see what the quality of those things. One of the things I love to do is buy quality for the quantity - buying cheap quality things can end up costing you more if you have to replace it often.
Create a rotation system. If you have multiple similar items, use them up before purchasing more. How long are you going to keep that shirt or how long do your gym shoes last you? Understanding the lifecycle of things you buy helps you to shop better and less often.
Declutter and donate. If you find things you no longer use, consider donating or selling them before adding more to your collection. No matter if you resell, share with your community/ friends, or give to charity - clearing out space helps you think about not only your energy but also your wallet.
Make note. If you have a phone, you more than likely have a note app - make a list of things you want to purchase. Shopping list if you will. You could even add a price point and store to help bargain shop. Be like Santa, make the list and check it a couple times before you’re in that check out line.
This step was eye-opening for me. I realized that I was restocking items before they even ran out, leading to an overflow of products I didn’t need. Now, I make it a habit to fully use something before replacing it, which has saved me money and reduced clutter.
Step 4: Set Up A Spending SOP (Standard Operating Procedure)
Without a structured approach to spending, it’s easy to fall into the trap of impulse buying. I created a Spending SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) to guide my purchases and ensure I was making intentional financial decisions. Structure helps you save stacks!
Fund Steps:
Establish a decision-making process. Before buying, ask yourself: Do I need this? Will I still want this in a month? Is it on sale anywhere else?
Unsubscribe from retailer emails. If your inbox is constantly tempting you with sales, it’s easier to overspend. Even on TT shops, clear the cart, not to buy but to start fresh.
Remove saved payment methods from your phone/laptop. The extra step of manually entering your card details can help curb impulse purchases.
One of the biggest shifts I made was implementing a waiting period before making purchases for certain things - I wait 48- 72 hours before I shop it. If I saw something I wanted, I didn’t buy it immediately—I added it to a list and revisited it after a few days. More often than not, I realized I didn’t really want or need the item. Also, think about how often you will use it, Cost per Wear, Cost per Use, etc.
Step 5: Declutter Your Money System
Financial clutter can lead to financial chaos. When your money is disorganized, it’s easier to lose track of spending, forget about subscriptions, and make purchases out of habit instead of need.
Fund Steps:
Consolidate unnecessary accounts. Too many credit cards/BNPL can make it harder to track your finances. Determine if you want to have a separate checking account for shopping - it’s not tied to a card so you can’t easily check out, and then you can set limits per month on it. You know I told you to look at your budget to determine what your spend for the month will be and transfer into your HYSA.
Create a weekly money check-in. Reviewing your spending regularly helps you stay on top of your finances. You can’t measure what you don’t track - if you know that you’re a shopper and want to have more structure, keep a tight watch.
Simplify your budgeting process. Use tools or automation to make tracking your spending easier.
When I decluttered my money system, I realized how much financial stress I had been carrying without even realizing it. Now, I have fewer accounts to manage, a clear overview of my spending, and a budgeting system that actually works for me.
How Words Hold Your Wallet
The way we talk about money influences how we spend it.
If you always say, “I’m bad with money” or “I’ll never have enough”, your budget will reflect that belief. A disconnected mindset leads to a dysfunctional budget.
Instead, I started shifting my language. I replaced:
“I can’t afford it.” → “It’s not a priority right now.”
“I deserve this.” → “I deserve financial stability.”
“I’ll figure it out later.” → “I have a plan for my money.”
When you change your words, you change how you interact with your finances. If you need help unpacking how overconsumption is affecting your budget and debt, check out my services for guidance. Trust me, I catch myself still saying these terms from time to time, but I’m better about reframing my relationship with money. It’s something that I make my clients do as well - behavioral finance is critical to the phases of money.
Final Thoughts: How You Can Start Reducing Overconsumption
Breaking free from overconsumption isn’t about never shopping again—it’s about building a mindful system that works for you.
Audit your wallet and spending habits.
Set intentional consumption rules.
Take inventory of what you already own.
Develop a Spending SOP.
Declutter your money system.
If this resonated with you, follow me across social media for more financial insights. And if you’re ready to take control of your budget, check out my services to get personalized financial guidance.
Let me know—what’s one spending habit you’re working to improve? What was one thing you regret buying in the last year and how did it shift your views of swiping?