How To Shop Less (with actionable steps)

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at a closet full of clothes with “nothing to wear” or regretting yet another impulse purchase, you’re not alone. Shopping can be fun and even therapeutic at times, but when it becomes a habit that leaves you with debt, clutter, and regret, it’s time to take a step back.

Learning how to shop less isn’t about deprivation. It’s about gaining freedom and control over your choices.

By making a few mindset shifts and building small, intentional habits, you can break the cycle of overbuying and start living a life with less stress and more joy.

In this post, we’ll cover actionable tips that make shopping less not only doable but empowering. From rethinking your spending triggers to finding creative ways to refresh your wardrobe, these strategies will help you shop smarter, save money, and build a more meaningful relationship with what you already own.

Let’s dive in! Ready to learn how to shop less? finally

Let’s have a little heart-to-heart about shopping ok? ❤️

We’ve all been there… scrolling through social media, seeing a cute outfit, and before you know it, you’ve hit “Add to Cart” and “Proceed to Checkout.”

It feels good in the moment, but does it really feel good later?

Here’s the hard truth: shopping more doesn’t solve anything. In fact, it might just be adding more problems.

I share all of this from personal experience. I’ve been where you are, but now I live out of a carry-on bag (I travel the world full time) and I very rarely shop for anything. It is possible!

Why shopping less is important:

💸 You Save Money

Let’s face it: most of us don’t need another sweater, pair of boots, or random gadget. Shopping less means more cash for things that truly matter. Like experiences, travel, or you know… your future.

I literally was able to save over $100,000 (over 4 years) so I could travel the world full time with my husband. Obviously, I had to cut down on a lot of other expenses, but shopping played a HUGE role!

🧘‍♀️You Gain Clarity

Too much stuff = clutter. Shopping less helps you focus on what you truly love and need.

💪 You’ll Feel Empowered

Saying “no” to impulse buys makes you feel in control of your choices, not your cravings.

♻️ It’s Better for the Planet

Fast fashion and overproduction are harming the environment. Shopping less is an act of kindness to our beautiful planet.

The hidden downsides of shopping too much 😬

It’s easy to get caught up in the thrill of a good sale or the excitement of a new purchase. But shopping too much comes with some hidden costs. Ones that go far beyond your wallet. Let’s break it down 👇🏼

Buyer’s Remorse: It’s more than just regretting a purchase. Maybe it’s that dress you’ve worn once (or never). Or the trendy bag that doesn’t actually go with anything in your wardrobe. Sometimes it’s even guilt over spending money you didn’t really have. No matter the type, buyer’s remorse is a clear sign that the purchase didn’t truly add value to your life.

⭐️ start paying attention to how you feel ⭐️

Closet Chaos: The more you buy, the harder it becomes to manage. Your favorite pieces get buried under a pile of “meh” items, and getting dressed feels more stressful than fun.

Debt: Those shopping sprees might feel good in the moment, but they can quickly lead to credit card bills that weigh you down long after the excitement wears off. Just for fun, check out this compound interest calculator and see how much the money you spend today can turn into in 20 or 30 years if you invest it instead.

So, those extra $250/month on random things, are not so innocent when you look at it like this, right? Can you imagine adding $2k a month for your future self? Seriously think about this.

Emotional Drain: Shopping is often used as a quick fix for boredom, stress, or loneliness, but the high is temporary, and the underlying emotions remain. Cute shoes won’t solve the real problem. #realtalk

Have you taken the closet score quiz yet?

If you’ve found this post valuable, the closet quiz is basically like customized wardrobe advice! By just answering 7 fun questions, I will tell you exactly how to purge your closet and what to do next. My goal is to help you find your personal style.

Get started 👇🏼

How to shop less often (for real this time!)

Shopping less isn’t about giving up everything you love. It’s about shifting your mindset and building habits that actually serve you. These steps aren’t hard, but they do require a little discipline and self-awareness.

The good news? Once you get started, it becomes second nature.

Think of these tips as small but mighty changes. They may feel insignificant at first, but over time, they’ll stack up in a big way—saving you money, reducing clutter, and helping you feel more in control of your choices.

The key is to start where you are and commit to progress, not perfection.

1️⃣ Set a “Want vs. Need” Rule:

Before you buy, ask: Do I need this, or do I want it? Needs = essentials. Wants? Sleep on it for a day or 2.

2️⃣ Unfollow/Unsubscribe from Temptation:

This includes anyone who makes you feel like you need to keep up with trends or have the “latest and greatest” to feel validated. Pay attention to how these accounts make you feel. If their content creates a sense of lack or pressure, it’s time to hit unfollow.

Social media is a goldmine for impulse buys. Ever catch yourself thinking, “TikTok made me buy this”? Maybe it was that viral Stanley cup that everyone swore would change your life? (spoiler alert: it’s still just a water bottle. The ones you had were perfectly fine).

3️⃣ Try a Shopping Fast:

Challenge yourself to go 60 days (or more!) without buying anything non-essential. And be ruthless about what you label as ‘essential’.

If you catch yourself close to buying something but decide against after thinking about it, invest that money. I use an app called ‘Acorns’ that basically invests ‘spare’ change straight from my bank account! It’s super easy to set up.

I’ve saved over $6k with this app… and my projection for when I’m 75 is $543,645. YES! That is a real number.

This of course depends on how much you invest every month. I invest about $20/week and add one time investments every time I talk myself out of buying something new that is a non-essential. It’s truly a game changer and kind of fun too!

Download Acorns today and start investing in your future self, girl! Wouldn’t it be nice to start funding that future travel account right away? ✈️

4️⃣ Revisit Your Closet:

Before buying anything new, “shop” your own closet. You might already own something similar or better! There’s so much potential here and it doesn’t have to cost you anything.

Take the closet quiz here and I’ll tell how to purge your closet, how to find your personal style so you can finally feel confident with your outfit choices!

5️⃣ Shop someone else’s closet:

One of the easiest (and most fun!) ways to shop less is to organize a clothing swap with your girlfriends. Here’s how it works: Everyone brings clothes, shoes, or accessories they no longer wear but are still in good condition. This is a great way to give your wardrobe a refresh without spending a dime.

Clothing swaps are also a chance to try styles you might not normally pick out for yourself. That dress your friend doesn’t love anymore? It might be your new favorite piece!

And the best part? You’re keeping items out of the landfill and extending their life.

I recently scored these new Madewell Jeans from my sister’s friend ⬇️

6️⃣ Evaluate Your Circle

Speaking of girlfriends… I couldn’t leave this one out because I’ve been through this.

The people around us influence our shopping habits more than we realize. If you have friends who constantly make you feel like you need to buy this or have that to fit in or impress them, it might be time to take a step back.

I’ve been there, and while letting go of those relationships years ago was lonely at first, it was the best decision for me. Once I started focusing on getting better and figuring out my own values, I attracted amazing new friends who uplifted and inspired me. Friends that I still have today ❤️

Remember, the right people will never make you feel like you need to keep up. They’ll love you for who you are, not what you have.

7️⃣ Find Your Why

Write down why you want to shop less. Is it to save money? Reduce clutter? Help the environment?

Your why will keep you focused when temptation strikes. There’s no ‘why’ too small. It only has to mean something to you.

The bottom line – How to shop less?

Shopping less isn’t about deprivation. It’s about choosing freedom.

Freedom from debt, clutter, and the endless cycle of chasing the “next big thing.” It’s about creating space for what truly matters in your life.

I know it might sound odd coming from someone like me. After all, part of my income comes from affiliate sales. Yes, if you shop for anything using the links I share, I earn a small commission. (at no extra cost to you)

👉🏻 But here’s the thing: I don’t want you to shop more. I want you to shop better. Better brands, better pieces and better choices that align with your own values and needs.

So, let’s do this together, ok?

One intentional decision at a time.

XO,

Aimara

PS: if you haven’t taken the closet score quiz, what are you waiting for? By simply answering 7 questions, I can tell you EXACTLY how to build a closet you love. And it’s free! Get started️ now!

About the author:

Hi, my name is Aimara and I am the voice behind Ways of Style. I was born and raised in Venezuela until the age of 27 when I moved to Chicago, and 2 years later I met my best friend and husband. We now travel full time and live out of a carry-on bag, so believe me, I know a thing or two about how to maximize every single piece I own.

I love creating new looks, and looking cute while I’m traveling. And in this blog, I try to share all my looks, even if I don’t have the best photos ;) My goal is to help you maximize every piece you have in your closet and to encourage you to live with less things.