Discovery · ADHD Product
Help to avoid impulsive buying
To help avoid impulsive buying a number of people with ADHD have found the following worked for them: For online shopping: Putting it on a list, or online basket, or emailing…
- To help avoid impulsive buying a number of people with ADHD have found the following worked for them:
- For online shopping: Putting it on a list, or online basket, or emailing yourself and waiting at least 24 hours before purchase. If you still want it in 24 hours then consider again before purchase. Use a system that you know you’ll always check so you don’t feel you need to “hold” it in your brain to remember it. Fear of forgetting can lead you to purchase as a mechanism to avoid the forgetfulness.
- For in person shopping: Take a photograph and email it to yourself. If fear of forgetting it is an issue ensure you have a way that you know you will check (email, WhatsApp, a calendar reminder). Fear of forgetting can lead you to purchase as a mechanism to avoid the forgetfulness.
- For larger items – consider creating a bank savings account (Many banks now allow you to partition your money within you own account). Put money aside to purchase so you knowingly put the money aside and cumulatively show yourself that you really want it.
Does this work for you?
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Ratings and comments come from people with ADHD sharing what helped them. They are experiences, not medical advice.
I do do this.... when I remember to, but often the impulse to buy is so swiftly followed by actually clicking "Buy now" that there is no chance to implement this strategy. I have wasted thousands of pounds in this way : ((
it works for me for boredom purchases but when I purchase something its often borne of the need to quickly find a solution to whichever problem my brain has decided must be fixed ASAP! I use the word "problem" lightly, it could be something as mundane as noticing that a something in a room does not match everything else so I will buy a new something! Or buy a new gadget to make chores easier and then still not do the chores! I try so hard not to even think such things but its a constant battle!!
Yes. Often if I forget it's in a basket later I don't want it
Compulsive spending for me is probably the least damaging aspect of my condition, over-eating, and employment issues, and relationship difficulties far outweigh in terms of impact; nevertheless it is stressful for me and those around me when I become obsessed by the next item I must have/need. I use a budgeting app to record expenditure, and review it from time to time; whilst it does not prevent me from buying something I probably don't need , I find it helpful to know how much I spend on a particular category of expenditure for example when I saw how much I had spent in charity shops for the past year, I knew I had a problem, so I try to plan my day to avoid the temptation. Make time to budget, be aware of the extent of the problem, don't feel guilt or shame, then make a decision on what to do next. Hope this resonates with somebody
I am a terrible impulse buyer. I go on the cheaper selling sites (you know the ones) things are only a couple of pounds. Then I get gift vouchers if I spend so much. So I end up just buying a load of rubbish I don't really need because I think it will come in handy. I do the basket, list thing but sometimes I just can't help myself. It is a good strategy to try and use as much as possible. But I need more help with this. I used to have a really well paid job so I could afford to spend the money. I am now on minimum wage but still spend like I still have that lifestyle. It's becoming a financial problem.
Sometimes i can hyperfocus on something for weeks and then its only once ive got it that i realise i didnt really need it!
YES!! I have 2 clear shopping rules: delay 99% of purchases and ALWAYS ensure item is returnable.
ONLINE: place in basket then do other things. Review later / tomorrow / next week. I usually discover I didn't really want it.
OUT SHOPPING: add photo and price to list on phone. If it looks like a real Yes, ask shop to keep aside for 1-2 hours. Review after more shopping / coffee / lunch / walk. If I can be bothered to go back and get it, it means I really did want it. And if not, call shop so they don't hold unnecessarily. (Of course this only works with smaller shops that embrace actual human behaviour like being willing to hold item in the first place and picking up phone -an increasingly rare phenomenon!).
Yeah - but then the problem is I keep thinking about it...
For me, its not fear of forgetting, it's getting that hit, and fear of missing out if I don't buy it there and then, which does often happen!!
I do tend to wait a while for most things. But for me it's the fear of missing a deal on something I actually need if I faff about for 48 hours setting reminders etc.
Just buy & return. I've done it with a pair of shoes.... They're still in the box, but limited edition. I'm waiting on a cheque from somewhere, if it doesn't cover the cost, they go back, if it does, I keep them (schuh have 365 day return policy).
And now there £95 more than they were so 💁♀️
Great ways to help deal with fear of forgetting, especially wishlists for online and photos for shops.
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I find this only sometimes works. I find myself obsessively locked into purchases and very hard to shake off doing it.
Doesn't really work for me as I get hyper-focused on the purchase or items.
My husband's recent impulse spending is on coffees and lunches at work that he cannot afford, there is no help here for those type of immediate consumable spending.
Good idea. I often put my impulse buys on a wish list, such as Amazon wish list. Most of the time I forget about it and it doesn't bother me. I then come across it and wonder why I put it on there in the first place. I then delete it.
So helpful, I was just struggling with this earlier and literally had to take my left hand to hold down my right from making another purchase on my cellphone
Waiting helps but I will sometimes end up buying the thing if I cant stop thinking about it.I will get it because of thos not because I realise I still need it
Waiting helps but I will sometimes end up buying the thing if I cant stop thinking about it.I will get it because of thos not because I realise I still need it
So helpful, I was just struggling with this earlier and literally had to take my left hand to hold down my right from making another purchase on my cellphone
Good idea. I often put my impulse buys on a wish list, such as Amazon wish list. Most of the time I forget about it and it doesn't bother me. I then come across it and wonder why I put it on there in the first place. I then delete it.
My husband's recent impulse spending is on coffees and lunches at work that he cannot afford, there is no help here for those type of immediate consumable spending.
Doesn't really work for me as I get hyper-focused on the purchase or items.
I find this only sometimes works. I find myself obsessively locked into purchases and very hard to shake off doing it.
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