Are you addicted to Amazon? Sometimes I think I am. Every time a smiling box shows up at my door I simultaneously jump with excitement and then cringe with fear knowing that more money has leaked out of my wallet. It’s even worse now with the advent of instantly downloadable Kindle ebooks. Instant gratification has never been easier for bookworms like me.
Over time that little One-Click button has become the bane of my cash flow. If this sounds like you, here are some ideas to help you curb your Amazon or other online shopping addiction so you can still enjoy the occasional purchase without feeling post-purchase guilt brought on by conspicuous consumption.
Many financial counselors advise getting away from the Internet altogether and making purchases in brick and mortar stores, but it’s not so easy for the growing population of remote workers who make their living online. For them the Internet is constantly available, so it’s important to learn to manage the situation from wherever you spend the bulk of your time.
Turn Off One-Click Now
The first step is to intentionally make it more difficult to buy stuff online. Right now One-Click may be all that stands between you and more outgoing cash, so try turning it off for a while. As convenient as the One-Click function is, it is the cornerstone of most impulse purchases made online.
Turning off One-Click ordering will prevent you from immediately saying yes and force you to reconsider whether or not you really need that latest book or gizmo. And if you’re lucky, the hassle of having to manually enter all of your purchasing details might even prevent making an unnecessary purchase.
Plan Your Needs Ahead Of Time
Another way to avoid impulse purchases is to think about what you need ahead of time. Sit down and plan any upcoming purchases up front. This will help you separate true needs from impulsive wants. Then later, If something catches your eye that’s great. Instead of buying it on the spot clip the web page with a tool such as Evernote. That way you can evaluate whether or not it fits into your actual needs later, when you can also think about the big picture.
Set A Specific Amount For Online Shopping
Just like the rest of your finances, set aside a specific monthly budget amount for online shopping. This goes hand in hand with planning ahead and is really the only the only way to ensure you’ll have enough funds to pay for the desired items. First take care of your immediate needs, such as rent, food, bills, and other debt if you have it. Once those items are covered then you can reward yourself with an online goodie.
Use Paypal or Similar Services
Paying for purchases Paypal or a similar online service is the online equivalent of always paying with cash. Make sure your account is set to draw funds directly from your bank account instead of a credit card. This way you can only buy stuff if you have real money.
Use An Internet Filter To Block Your Favorite Shopping Sites
Most browsers have parental controls with the ability to allow you to block undesirable web sites. You can use these yourself to temporarily (or permanently) keep from visiting your favorite online e-commerce sites. This way it’s literally out of sight, and hopefully out of mind.
Get Help
If all else fails and you can’t personally curb your online shopping impulses, perhaps it’s time to get help. Internet addiction is truly a type of compulsive disorder. The Center for Internet Addiction is a wonderful resource for people who need help. They have a variety of resources to help you understand what actually motivates you to constantly shop and can help you get a handle on things before it’s too late.