How I Stopped Impulse Shopping

Change the Way You Approach Spending FOR GOOD.

Author

Michela Allocca
June 24, 2025

🚨 Get started on your personal finance journey with one of my budgeting tools! Check out the Personal Finance Dashboard and the Basic Budgeting Template! 

💸 Interested in lifestyle content? Come join me over on my personal instagram, @michela_alloccaa !! I’d love to have ya ❤️ 

MONEY
How I Stopped Impulse Shopping FOR GOOD.

In our current social media climate, we are absolutely inundated with ads and products and things to buy.

On one hand, this is fantastic, because there are endless reviews on products so you can easily figure out if something is “worth it” to you.

But on the flip side, the volume of ads and hauls and products has led to a pretty dramatic change in the way we shop.

One-click checkout, buy-now-pay-later tools, and the constant need for a dopamine hit has eroded our ability to have a compelling reason to buy something.

And as a result, you may have a shopping problem. Or an impulse problem. Or both.

The classic antidote to a shopping problem? A No Buy.

And while I think a No Buy can be beneficial as a dopamine detox, it’s not a long-term solution.

You can change your relationship with spending without deprivation.

Here’s how I did it.

1️⃣ I used to shop for volume > now I shop for quality.

My approach to spending - particularly in my early 20s - was “the more I can get for less, the better.”

Quality didn’t even cross my mind. I wasn’t necessarily buying junk - but if I could get 5 pairs of jeans for $50, I’d do it.

The issue with this wasn’t the shopping; it was the fact that I was buying things just because I could. I always felt like I was getting a good deal. But I wasn’t wearing the clothes!!!!! So it was just a waste.

Now, I focus on incorporating high quality pieces into my wardrobe, and I make sure they fill a specific wardrobe gap! This way, I ACTUALLY WEAR THE CLOTHES!!

2️⃣ I used to shop to “soothe” > now I reward myself in other ways.

Any time I was feeling down or upset, you’d catch be browsing Home Goods or Primark on my way home from work (TBT to my Boston days).

Or, I’d order a little “treat” and tell myself that “I deserve this.” Sure, maybe I did. But I was creating an unhealthy spending pattern and training my brain that sadness = buy something.

Now, instead of looking for the next place to swipe my card when I’m feeling down, I fill my time with other things - specifically hobbies.

I will go on a walk, sign up for a pilates class, or pick up a book! This has helped me rewire my brand to equate sadness = action to soothe.

3️⃣ I used to shop to add > now I shop to replace.

I always used to think “If I just buy these new clothes, I’ll have better style.”

This could not be further from the truth. More does not equal better. It can actually make it even harder to wear what you own and find your style.

Now, I shop only to replace (or fill)! If something is worn or tired, I will replace it. If I clearly identify a wardrobe gap, I will fill it. But I don’t buy clothes in the hopes of chasing style.

Style is a result of practice. You need to wear what you have!

This “buy to replace” mantra also applies to pretty much any other product you can think of (specifically beauty & skincare!!)

WEEKLY RECOMMENDATION

Only about 4% of U.S. pet owners have pet insurance

Pet care costs are rising, yet not enough people are doing something about it. Pet insurance can significantly offset rising costs – all for as low as $10 a month. Want to join the 4% club?

RESOURCES
What’s Happening This Week at Break Your Budget

  • This week on Don’t Depend on Daddy: I am sharing my top 5 favorite purchases from my 20s!! They range from $20 to $9,000 and have all impacted my quality of life in one way or another.

  • 5 Shopping Habits That Are Not Normal: If you enjoyed this newsletter, you’ll love this week’s video! I am sharing a few shopping habits we’ve normalized that are not normal and how you can address them! If you struggle with overspending or impulse spending, you’ll walk away with helpful tips to take your power back when it comes to how you use your money.

LOOKING FOR MORE?
Check out ALL of my Money & Career Resources!

xoxo,

Michela