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I used to be a shopaholic. Looking back at my videos from a few years back, it’s obvious I was buying way more than I truly needed—browsing shopping apps on my phone mindlessly, getting in on sales, walking around the shops to see what’s new in, and just the thrill of securing a bargain, only for it to stay hidden in my closet with tags still on months later.

Until I ended up with a wardrobe full to the brim. But I thought that was what abundance meant—lots of options equal a lot of happiness, right? 

It turns out that what I actually needed was less. Because all of those things stuffed in my wardrobe, in my cupboards, in my kitchen—they all ended up stressing me out rather than bringing me joy.

If you also struggle with impulse shopping, then stick around for this article because you and I both probably could use a reminder of some of these questions. 

These are all questions I have used myself and still use to this day to help me stop overspending. Because sometimes we need a reminder of what we truly want or need to buy, versus things we’re just kind of influenced to purchase that are not going to bring us any value or joy, but are going to clutter up our space and be a total waste of money.

Keep reading below or watch the video:

General questions

Can I afford this? 

By afford, I mean not putting it on a credit card. 

My husband and I both stopped using credit cards a few years ago. So aside from the house mortgage, we don’t get anything on credit. We only buy things with the money that we actually have in our bank accounts.

And I think, especially if you’re like me and you sometimes struggle with impulse shopping, this can be a really good way to curb that and stop yourself. Not using a credit card ensures that you don’t buy items you don’t really need and for which you don’t have money in your bank account.

Of course, everyone’s situation is different. But for me, not using a credit card is actually a good thing. It means I’m more aware of how much I’m spending, how much money I can save, and I’m not tempted to buy a lot of things that I actually can’t afford.

Plus, spending money on credit cards can, in the long run, can really add up to a big amount of debt, which is not what I want.

How much space do I have in my home for this item? 

I used to buy items without thinking about where I’m going to put or store them, or if I have space in the room for them. 

Even thinking back now, when we used to live in a tiny flat in London, I bought my son this massive Thomas and Friends Tank Engine. And that massive toy took up a lot of space in our already tiny living room. Yet it wasn’t something that my son played with much.

So nowadays, I really try to think of what space I have for an item. Where is it going to go? Will it just lie around in the living room? Is it going to be in the way and just something we stumble on and become annoying? And if I don’t have a space for it in mind, I might reconsider it.

Is this a need, a want, or an “I’m bored” kind of purchase?

I used to have a lot of these purchases. This can happen when we’re dissatisfied with other things in our lives. For example, when we were going through infertility, there were obviously lots of things in my life I couldn’t control or I was dissatisfied with—my body and how it wasn’t doing what it was supposed to do, and how life didn’t look how I imagined it to look.

And so, when we go through moments like this, it can be really easy to turn to shopping. It’s really easy to accumulate a lot of stuff to try to compensate.

Nowadays, I really try to ask myself, “What is the actual intent behind this purchase? Is it because I want it? Do I truly have a need for this?”

This way, I can be more realistic with the items I buy and bring into our house.

Is this an urgent purchase, or is this something that can go on my wish list for a few weeks?

I have been using a wish list for years now. And it is one of the best things I’ve ever done—I think for both myself and my kids. And it’s the simplest thing you can do too.

It’s a great way to pause before acting on that urge to buy something right away. You know the feeling: You see something you like, and suddenly, there’s this strong desire to get it. Marketing is really good at creating that desire—it’s exactly what it’s designed to do.

And I think, as long as it’s done ethically, there’s nothing wrong with marketing. It’s all about matching the right customer with the right product and solving a need for them. That’s absolutely fine.

I think it’s when we start feeling like we need all of these items and we start accumulating stuff that it can become a bit problematic. Because we end up surrounded by clutter that we don’t really need. So putting an item on a wish list can help prevent that.

Something I learned in marketing for my business is the urgency—a time limit. If there’s a sale, it’s going to end in this number of days. And I use that too; there’s nothing wrong with that.

But I think putting the product or the item on a wish list can help us assess if it’s a product we really want or need. And when we see a sale, we recognise that urgency created by the marketing campaign.

I think it’s really important to remember this—even with my products. If you see my courses or products discounted, you know the sale is going to end at a certain point. But any company, any brand you see out there, is very, very likely to have another sale in the future.

So maybe you’re not ready to buy it right now. Maybe it’s not the right time for you. It might be in the future. 

For me, it’s really helpful to remember—just because this sale is ending doesn’t mean there’s not going to be one in the future. If I miss out on this one, there are going to be other opportunities. 

This really helps with that kind of FOMO feeling—you’re not missing out. And if it’s something you truly need and want, you’re going to find a way to get it later on.

Wardrobe questions

Where am I going to wear this?

When it comes to our wardrobe and clothes, this is one question I like to ask myself.

If I pick up an item because I think it looks really cute in the shop, I try to think of a few scenarios where I would wear it. And then I go further, by asking myself, “How often do these scenarios occur in my life?”

For example, if I see a nice dress and I think, “Oh, this would be really cool for this type of event,” I also try to ask myself, “Okay, how many events like this have I had in the past few years?” If it’s not very often, it might be a good idea to only have one or two of those items rather than a whole wardrobe full of them that I only use once every couple of years.

Is this an item I see myself wearing a lot? 

There seems to be a whole trend online: buying a whole new wardrobe for one holiday. For example, one has a summer holiday coming up, and then they go out and buy a whole new wardrobe for it and post it on social media.

Nothing wrong with that if you have the money and space for it. Maybe you declutter some older items you don’t want anymore to make space for the new ones. 

Personally, when I go on holiday, I will look through the clothes that I already have and pick the outfits from there. I might even buy one or two items that are special if I really feel the need for it.

This is just a quick reminder that you don’t have to buy a whole new wardrobe for a new event, or a holiday, or whatever you might have coming up.

For me, I try to have a wardrobe with a lot of great basics in it as these work really well for my lifestyle. And then I have a few fun pieces that I can style in a variety of ways. And that’s what’s worked very well—I can wear all of the items, or most of them, in pretty much all the scenarios I have in my life.

Does this fit me?

I remember I once bought a jumper that was too big for me. It was a few sizes up, but I really liked how it looked and how it felt. Yes, it didn’t fit me, but I still bought it because it was on sale. They didn’t have my size and this was the only size left.

Now, looking back realistically, I should not have bought that jumper in a bigger size, right? I absolutely regretted that purchase down the line.

And that’s the thing with impulse buys like that: we tend not to hold on to or appreciate them for very long.

So now, when I buy things, they need to fit me. If it doesn’t fit, I’m going to leave it in the shop—no matter how cute it is or how great the sale seems. It’s become clear to me that if I buy something that doesn’t fit, I’ll regret it later. I know I’ll be disappointed when I go to wear it and realize it doesn’t feel right.

Does this go with my current wardrobe, or do I need to buy some extra items for it?

For example, when I look in the shop, I sometimes spot a cute top with interesting cutouts. Then I start thinking, if I buy it, I’ll need a special bra to wear with it. Otherwise the bra straps will show. So I’d have to make another purchase.

It’s the same when you buy something that doesn’t match what you already own. I’m not saying you shouldn’t buy it. It’s just worth keeping in mind that if you need to buy a new pair of trousers or shoes to go with it, those additional purchases can really add up to your expenses for the month.

It’s something to keep in mind when making purchases like that.

Do I really like this item, or do I want it because I saw it on an influencer’s page?

I’m not knocking anyone down because I used to do that—showcasing items I loved. And I still share things I enjoy wearing sometimes. But I think it’s really important to be realistic about what fits our lifestyle and we truly love to wear.

For example, I might see a beautiful skirt or coordinated suit on an influencer and think it’s the most gorgeous thing ever—a stunning piece of fashion. But when I consider my actual lifestyle, I realise I’d probably never wear it. And if I’m not going to wear it, it just doesn’t make sense for me to buy it.

Decor & storage questions

When it comes to decor, storage, and home items, asking myself a few questions really helps me.

Do I have a place to display it in my home?

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve bought artwork, decor, vases, or little knickknacks without thinking about where they’d go. I just thought they were cute and wanted to own them.

I’d buy those items, bring them home, and then move them around a lot because I’d realise I didn’t really like them in my space.

So I think it’s a great idea, when you buy decor items, to actually have a spot for them. Or at least a rough area where you’re going to put them.

Do I have storage space in my loft/garage for storing it until next season?

This goes especially for seasonal pieces, like Easter, Halloween, or Christmas items.

If I go out and buy Christmas stuff, I’m always going to keep in mind, okay, how much storage space do I have left in those bins or in the loft? How much can I realistically fit in there without it feeling like it’s a pile of stuff that I have to dig through every year?

Because my goal is to easily access everything, and easily find things when I need them.

It might sound like a good idea to get a whole range of Christmas cushions to put on your sofa, for example. But when the season is over, you find that, actually, those cushions take up a whole lot of space, and you might not have it available.

That’s how clutter starts infiltrating areas of our homes.

Does it go with what I already have in my home?

When thinking of making a purchase, I need to consider not just the space, but also the colors and textures we already have. Does it fit with the style I usually prefer, or is it something completely out of the ordinary?

Otherwise, I would end up buying a blue pillow for the sofa just to bring it home and realise it doesn’t match anything. Then I would feel like I need to buy more blue items around the living room to make it work. It’s this cycle that keeps going.

So for me, it’s really important to be mindful of these things.

Does it go with what I already have in my home?

And if not, maybe it’s not for me, or at least not for me right now.

Am I buying this storage container for a specific purpose or just because it looks good in the shop?

When it comes to storage containers, this is the question I try to ask myself. Because if I don’t have a specific area in mind that I’m trying to organise, it’s a sign I might feel like buying it just because it’s some cute storage in the shop.

And here’s something I learned the hard way: a storage container is not the cure to clutter problems.

I’ve bought a lot of bins, baskets, and various systems over the years to keep things organised. Then I realised that when I have fewer items, I don’t have to stress so much about having the right bin or system. It’s simply easier to keep fewer things organised. It doesn’t take as much effort, and it doesn’t take as much space. And finding the right bin becomes much easier.

So when you buy storage items, it’s really great to first declutter the space. Just make sure you only keep the things you truly need in there. And then you can assess, “Okay, this is how much space I have.” You can even measure it out, make sure the items fit in there, and make sure the storage container fits in the spot in the cupboard. 

That way, you can make a better decision about storage containers that are actually helpful, rather than a waste of money.

Kitchen questions

Do I already have an item that serves a very similar purpose?

I’ve thought a lot in the past few years about getting an air fryer because it’s everywhere and everyone’s using it. You might have one too, and you might find it really useful, and I’m sure it is for you.

But looking at my own kitchen, I don’t have a lot of counter space. It’s okay, it’s very decent, especially now that it’s decluttered, and I have my working area. If I add a bulky air fryer next to my oven, it’s going to take up a lot of space in that area. This would make everything feel a bit more crammed.

And for me, an air fryer and an oven are pretty similar. Yes, the air fryer might cook things just a bit quicker. Yet I don’t feel like it’s worth it for me. I’m just going to use my oven. Not saying there’s anything wrong with owning an air fryer if you love yours—it might be great for you. It just wasn’t a good decision for me.

It’s the same with lots of little gadgets and things that we see on online, thinking, “That’s going to be a great kitchen gadget and it’s going to save me so much time.” But actually, a lot of the time, it doesn’t truly work that way.

Have I checked the cupboards before doing a food shop?

This is a question I love asking myself in the kitchen before a food shop. And the first thing I do before grocery shopping is check my cupboards. When I don’t do this, I notice that I end up spending more on my food shop and accidentally buy things I already have. 

For example, I might buy extra pasta because I think, “Oh, I’m pretty sure I’m running out,” but then I get home and realise I already had pasta—it was just at the back of the cupboard.

So, checking the cupboards, fridge, and freezer before shopping can be really helpful.

What are some of the questions you ask yourself before shopping? Is there anything that helps you curb that impulse buying and stop overspending? Let me know in the comments below—it would be really helpful for me too!