How do I save money? I’ve been impulse buying clothes/accessories too much!

Re: ANON: First of all, secure yourself a savings account. It's easier to spend your money when its right at your fingertips (credit/debit cards, cash), and having some of the money you earn put in a savings account will make it harder to access impulsively. Put something in it every paycheck, even if its only a small percentage of what you take home. Don’t touch it unless its an emergency, and always put back in what you spend as soon as possible. If you’re spending a lot online shopping, wait a full day before paying for what you’ve added to your cart. Don’t online shop when you’re drunk, it's a death trap. Try more thrift shopping instead of buying things new!

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Re: Maggie W: Budgets, budgets, budgets!! It’s been said before, and will be said again. However, if saving is your goal, that doesn’t mean you have to cut out all extra expenses to achieve that. Give yourself a monthly “allowance” for the things you love to shop for (ie. clothes and accessories), and make it a sort of challenge to find the best, most affordable pieces you can find! Just marking out what you’re spending and becoming aware of the impact of your habits are great ways to set aside a little more money each month.

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Re: Brandi R: There's two ways I could answer this question. Not to sound too much like a financial advisor, but to sound exactly like a financial advisor -- track down your expenses in a spreadsheet. Write down each item, the money spent, a category it fits into (such as food, clothes, eating out, rent, etc.), and most importantly write down if it's a need or a want. This can help show you what you can eliminate from your spending habits. Even if you know what to stop buying it becomes real when you make the effort to track your finances closely. And make sure to save after every time you get paid. Some people suggest saving at least 20% of your paycheck---if possible. Just save something! The second way to resolve this problem comes with a dash of changing your mindset (unless you're buying from secondhand, thrift, or antique stores). Watch The True Cost, read up on how societies consumeristic standards are bad for the planet, watch YouTubers who live a zero waste lifestyle or who use capsule wardrobes, and understand that where you shop doesn't always provide great working conditions for those who make the items we buy. It's a harsh reality to face, but once I learned about these facts I organically stopped being interested in buying impulsively and vowed to live a more minimalistic lifestyle.