Good shopping habits aren’t about deprivation; they’re about good spending. When money is spent mindfully according to what matters most you lose stress and you feel valued. Spending is a way through which you can make each rupee more valuable. The first step is to distinguish between needs and wants.
Human needs are to live, food, shelter, utilities, healthcare. Wants include anything that increases the extent of your comfort or enjoyment, but is not essential. Both are equally important, but they’re different, and all must be balanced. One major impediment to making decisions about spending is impulse buying. Cheap online shopping, flash sales and easy credit also result in speed of decision making.
One simple way is to keep the 24-hour rule for one day, don’t purchase anything that is not essential. Most of the time, the impulse to buy comes with a temporary price, and it’s easy to save money in the process. Otherwise, comparing prices would be the next wise thing to do.
Shop at home or online, just a few minutes of information can save millions of rupees in the long term. Look out for quality, durability and long-term value; not for the cheapest rate. Good spending also takes into account ongoing spending. Subscriptions, memberships, services that you’re no longer using are drawing money in, in secret, every month.
Cancel one unnecessary purchase, and the money gets freed up for savings or other goals. When what you’re spending really aligns with what’s fundamentally good for you, money becomes a tool not an object of regret.
Tip: Delay non-essentials for 24 hours. Such a short interruption curbs impulsive purchases and encourages better financial control.
