Ashlee Piper, a sustainability consultant, drastically reduced her shopping habits over a decade ago. She turned her experience into a community and a book. Piper points out that consumer spending is one area of finances where people have the most control.
When she first quit shopping, it was like a detox for her. She was overwhelmed at her job, lonely in a new city, and had developed shopping habits that temporarily made her feel better. Piper realized she was over $20,000 in debt and drowning in unused items.
She decided to stop buying new things for a month. That month turned into two years. In 2013, Piper had recently gotten a new job making over $100,000.
The job required her to move to Chicago in the dead of winter. She didn’t know anybody there. The job turned out to be really stressful and unfulfilling.
These factors, including having disposable income for the first time in her life, led her to comfort herself through shopping. In a short period, she amassed about $22,000 of consumer debt. Piper knew she wanted to leave her job and career.
But she had gotten herself into a lifestyle where she couldn’t leave without getting her finances together. As she incorporated more sustainable habits into her life, she was selling things and getting rid of stuff she no longer needed. She realized the extent to which she was shopping to self-soothe, which didn’t align with her values.
Saving money by quitting shopping
Piper initially thought she would stop shopping for only a month, but the benefits were so positive that she continued for about two years. She was saving money right away.
She allowed herself to get necessities secondhand, which was harder in 2013 than it is today. Food, transportation, travel, e-books, visiting family, and eating out were always allowed. The first week of not shopping was especially difficult for Piper.
She tracked whenever she wanted to buy something, understanding why this behavior had such a hold on her. Recording this data showed patterns – when she’s hungry, needs water, or feels unattractive, she’s more likely to browse stores. Once these patterns emerged, it became easier and even fun for her.
It felt exciting to master some of these impulses and regain some power. Piper created a list of things to do instead of shopping when the willpower wasn’t there. Scientific research suggests that urges and cravings last between two and seven minutes.
Creating more friction by finding alternative activities can help get through it positively. Over time, it rewires neural pathways so that you can meet your needs without needing to shop. In addition to the financial benefits, Piper realized she had been spending hours browsing and shopping, which she could use for more meaningful activities.
During her period of not buying new things, she shopped her own closet, gifted experiences and thoughtful secondhand finds, outfitted her life with creative upcycles, and enjoyed an inbox free from constant promotions and receipts. She saved about $36,000 and paid off debt. She also reclaimed a lot of time, reduced her stress level, and had more creativity and focus.
Piper says life was genuinely better once she got off the consumerist hamster wheel.
Image Credits: Photo by Lucrezia Carnelos on Unsplash
