It has never been easier to shop. Short trend cycles driven by social media can make it feel necessary to keep the latest – especially with extra temptation from friends, celebrities and influencers.
You also don’t have to have much to spend money to participate; the increase of Buy now, pay later services Like confirming and afterpay means that these boots or that dress is within reach even if you do not have the full amount at hand. And shopping features in social media such as Instagram or TikTok make it possible to buy which new thing you see with a click.
But all this simplicity makes it easy to spend a lot of money, and these little candies can quickly add – chasing the last microtrend Or immediately buy what you want can do devastation on a budget and track other financial plans. This may explain the popularity behind “slow shopping”, the latest economic trend that takes over TikTok that is anchored in surprisingly sound advice from experts on personal financing: simply take more time to consider if what is in the trolley is something you really want or needs.
Experts displayed in this article
Courtney Alev Is the consumer’s financial advocate at Credit Karma and leads the Turbo Tax Integration Team.
Bola SokunbiCFEI, is a finance expert and founder and CEO of Clever Girl Finance.
What is slow shopping?
Slow shopping is all about Spend money deliberately; That is the opposite of impulse purchases. “It really means that it is intentional at the moment between being tempted and making the purchase and taking the time to think about if you really want or need to make that purchase,” says Credit Karma Consumer Financial Advocate Courtney Alev.
Much like Subscribal trendSlow shopping means carefully considering if you really want an article before you buy it. The idea is to spend more time and steps between watching and buying helps shoppers Stick to their budget And feel better about their purchases with minimal buyer’s regret. Slow shopping puts back the power of the shops’ hands by building more intentional spending habits without completely sacrificing pleasure.
No one advocates to deny someone their small goodies – in fact, slow shopping is about putting a little more thought to purchasing so that these sweets do not go to regret or debt. Slow shopping is a fantastic strategy for anyone who hopes to create some structure for themselves, but it can be especially useful for those who think they lack their savings or take on debt due to shopping.
“It’s really about recognizing your goals and what you want to achieve and use that motivation to adapt your behavior,” says certified financial teacher Bola Sokunbi. “It’s ok to spend money on things you like, but you don’t want it to track your goals.”
Why are slow shopping trends now?
Like those Deinfluencing trend It took a hearing in Tiktok and the influx of videos on how to build a sustainable capsule wardrobe, slow shopping is part of a growing trend towards conscious expenses.
In recent years, inflation and post-pandemic “revenge expenses” have put extra pressure on people’s wallets. “It was very Yolo and compensated for lost time, and now it is pulling back and is more intentional and reflective,” says Sokunbi. General uncertainty about the economy plus anxiety for politics factor also in why people want to be careful about their money.
A desire to limit emotional expenses is also part of this trend. A study from 2023 carried out by Qualtrics for Credit Karma found that more than half of Gen Z and Millennial Respondents self -identified as “emotional spends”, and two -thirds of them have taken on guilt as a result of Emotional expenses. The same study found that almost half of the respondents felt guilty of their emotional expenses and almost 60 percent said they wanted to reduce.
How we shop has also informed this behavior: Very targeted advertising via social media makes it easier than ever for retailers to place products in front of consumers who are likely to buy, and new viral products and transport culture fuel FOMO expenditure. “There really is no friction anymore, so that moment of” I want it “translates quickly, and that was not the case even a few years ago,” says Alev.
How to implement slow shopping
The key to practicing slow shopping is to put more obstacles between finding something you like and click on “buy”, so you have more time to consider the purchase. Here are six ways to get started.
Think about your long -term goals
Knowing what you want your money to do for you is an important aspect of slow shopping. Become clear on your goals so that you can set a budget and decide how much you can spend on fun additions without missing your longer goals, Sokunbi recommends. Think about these goals when you shop to stay on track with your plans.
Lists of
Instead of immediately putting an item in your online car, making a wish list. Alev recommends that you hold a run with links to items you want to buy in your note app (or use pen and paper if physical lists work better for you). Another way to do this is to compile a Pinterest board with articles you want to buy and regularly check it to make sure you still want what you have attached. You can also save posts within apps on social media. Look back to your list when you want to shop.
Remove Parade Payment Information
Many websites and social media platforms offer purchases with a click by saving credit cards or bank information. Try to delete any saved credit card numbers from frequently visited websites; Sokunbi says that the extra step in entering payment details is a chance to consider whether the item is an immediate need or not. If you often use credit cards or “buy now, pay later” plans, consider waiting until you have money in your hand to make the purchase.
Give yourself time limits
Instead of immediately buying that shirt just when you want it, let items sit in your carriage for one night, one day, two days or a week to give time to decide if you really want them. After waiting a week, you can find that these heels are impractical or not suitable for your style. “Ads will use urgent and scarcity messages to make you feel forced to buy, but you can wait (to buy) most things,” says Alev. Giving yourself extra time also makes it possible to compare prices and plan for sales.
Limit your temptations
Changing who you follow on social media can be really helpful if you are tempted to shop when you browse. You can compile your feed, so Sokunbi recommends that you follow or even block influencies, celebrities or shops that make you spend without considering your budget. “If you are intentional with what you consume (have social media) less influence on how you spend your money,” she adds.
Listen to your feelings
Checking in with yourself if your feelings are the key if you are an emotional spending. If you think you shop to fill a void or disregard your budget and shop more when you feel particularly sad or stressed, take a step back and identify how you feel at the moment so you can find another activity to do instead. Instead of shopping, try to do something that helps to deal with the underlying feeling, like going for a walk or making a nice meal. Mental health staff and Financial therapists can provide guidance And support to limit emotional expenses that feel without control as well.
