You need to start a shopping backlog____.
After completing university at 22 years old, I moved into an apartment on my own at the height of the pandemic.
Browsing the web and shopping for "nice to have" items was a great way to pass the time.
It was also decimating my budget.
Here is the one system I put in place that has saved me $1000+ per month.
Introduce a backlog to your shopping workflow.
Most people in 2021 have worked with a backlog of information. The idea is simple - there are too many tasks in the air at any given time to simply pick one and start working on it.
Often times we need a way to store, categorize, prioritize, and search this information to identify what needs dealing with first.
I thought to myself "Why can't I apply this system to my spending habit as well?"
So I did. And it worked.
Here's why you should implement a shopping backlog.
#1. Slow your mind down
It's easy to get caught up in the moment when you find a sale or interesting item you'd like to own.
Allow yourself some time to process why you want to buy that item by capturing it in your backlog.
Make a note of the website/store where you found it, and groom your backlog later with a fresh mind. You may end up dropping more items from your list than expected.
#2. Priority matters
For some people priority is key.
If your wish list contains critical items you'll need for a work/family function, or to fix your home, you'll want to prioritize those purchases over that cool new Amazon gadget you saw on TikTok.
#3. Special occasions are around the corner
A little patience goes a long way.
Are you the kind of person that never knows what they want for a birthday or holiday?
Share your wish list around with family and friends. Let them filter your categories and search for items they can gift to you.
I wish I had this system in place a long time ago. Happy saving!