Replace shopping with...? Ideas!

[lifejoy]

http://the-nife.blogspot.ca/2014/09/fast-month-3-replacing-shopping-with.html

I adore this blog. I just recently discovered it and I'm really loving her viewpoints. This post I found particularly useful. She identifies her feelings that would normally be solved by shopping, and she finds new ways to satisfy those desires/"needs".

[LokiMom]

Those are all great ideas. 

I'm at the point where I'm trying to simplify and some of those even apply to that. I think that the key is to identify the emotion and do something creative about it. 

Thanks for posting that link.

[sarah8001]

This was actually a great post. I love going shopping because I like to look at things. That may sound weird, but I love to just roam the mall or even Target and just look at stuff. This always ends in some incidental purchases that I didn't need. Lately I've been trying to get my fill of walking around looking at stuff by going to parks or walking the neighborhood. I'm also planning to hit the free days on museums more often.

[lifejoy]

This was actually a great post. I love going shopping because I like to look at things. That may sound weird, but I love to just roam the mall or even Target and just look at stuff. This always ends in some incidental purchases that I didn't need. Lately I've been trying to get my fill of walking around looking at stuff by going to parks or walking the neighborhood. I'm also planning to hit the free days on museums more often.

Replacing shopping with museum looking sounds great :) just avoid the gift shop! Ha

[Trudie]

I have found using my public library as an antidote to the shopping urge.  Boredom drives my desire to shop.  Reading and exploring new subjects engages my brain and gives me confidence to try new things (recipes, garden projects, fitness regimens).  Also, the library satisfies my consumer urge.  I can check out as many pretty shiny new objects (books, Cds, movies) I want... for FREE.  Thus, I don't have to suffer buyers' remorse.

[thatbrowncat]

... Create A Leisure List and do them!

I don't have a problem with shopping, but I DO have a problem with my smartphone usage. It came to a point that I was spending 70% of my waking hours holding my phone! I believe it's similar to your concern?

Following The Power of Habit, this is how I see my smartphone habit and you shopping habit:

CUE          : "I have nothing to do"
ROUTINE  : *grabs smartphone and surfs the world wide web*/*goes shopping*
REWARD  : "I feel productive!"

CRAVING (drives the loop) : Mental Pre-occupation

****
To change this habit, I had to replace my smartphone routine with a new one. So it now looks like this

CUE          : "I have nothing to do"
ROUTINE  : *makes a plan on how to spend my cash* OR
                   *practice my biking skills* OR
                   *learn how to cook a certain recipe* OR
                   *write 400 words of a novel* OR
                   *insert your own routine*
                 
REWARD  : "I feel productive!"

[jodelino]

Thanks for linking to this thoughtful blog post. it gave me much to ponder and I'll be returning to this blog.

[2ndTimer]

Really like this blog.  Lots of things for mustachians to think about

[lifejoy]

... Create A Leisure List and do them!

I don't have a problem with shopping, but I DO have a problem with my smartphone usage. It came to a point that I was spending 70% of my waking hours holding my phone! I believe it's similar to your concern?

Following The Power of Habit, this is how I see my smartphone habit and you shopping habit:

CUE          : "I have nothing to do"
ROUTINE  : *grabs smartphone and surfs the world wide web*/*goes shopping*
REWARD  : "I feel productive!"

CRAVING (drives the loop) : Mental Pre-occupation

****
To change this habit, I had to replace my smartphone routine with a new one. So it now looks like this

CUE          : "I have nothing to do"
ROUTINE  : *makes a plan on how to spend my cash* OR
                   *practice my biking skills* OR
                   *learn how to cook a certain recipe* OR
                   *write 400 words of a novel* OR
                   *insert your own routine*
                 
REWARD  : "I feel productive!"

Cool insight! I may have to read the power of habit.

[plainjane]

Cool insight! I may have to read the power of habit.

Just read one of the articles, or watch the TED talk, IMO nothing additional was in the book.

[hunniebun]

Thanks for sharing the link! That was such an interesting article and found many similarities to myself.  Knowing your triggers for spending is half the battle...but another reason for me that missed is connecting with other people. I shop for people and buy things that I know they will like so they will understand how much I love/value/appreciate them.  This is a hard habit to break. The gift of time is always more valuable but when time is at a premium, shopping/gift giving is my go-to for showing love and appreciation. 

[lifejoy]

Cool insight! I may have to read the power of habit.

Just read one of the articles, or watch the TED talk, IMO nothing additional was in the book.

Ooo Ted talk! Thanks for the tip!

[lifejoy]

Thanks for sharing the link! That was such an interesting article and found many similarities to myself.  Knowing your triggers for spending is half the battle...but another reason for me that missed is connecting with other people. I shop for people and buy things that I know they will like so they will understand how much I love/value/appreciate them.  This is a hard habit to break. The gift of time is always more valuable but when time is at a premium, shopping/gift giving is my go-to for showing love and appreciation.

Sounds like gift-giving is one of your love languages, as it is mine! Have you read The Five Love languages? Might help you focus on the other areas :)