Why You Should Never Go Shopping
Money’s made to be spent! And what better way to spend it than by hitting up the mall or browsing your local high street just… because?
I like shopping; you like shopping. We all like shopping! It’s a great way to de-stress, treat yourself or just kill some time. Retail therapy has solved more problems than any therapist ever could. Am I right?
But hold on a second, my fellow shopaholics. While this favorite pastime of so many might seem like a harmless activity, it’s not as innocuous as you might think. And I’m here to tell you why that is.
12 reasons why you shouldn’t go shopping
1. It can be pretty expensive
Let’s start with the obvious one: shopping can be costly. And I’m not just talking about the price of the actual items you’re buying. There are so many other expenses that come with a shopping trip, such as transportation costs, parking fees, and food and drink expenses.
And let’s not forget about the temptation to splurge on things you wouldn’t normally buy because they’re on sale or because they caught your eye. It’s easy to go into a store looking for one specific item and come out with five different bags!
2. Clothes shopping (in particular) isn’t environmentally friendly
The fashion industry is one of the biggest contributors to pollution and waste in the world. The production of clothing uses up a lot of resources, including water and electricity, and often involves harmful chemicals.
When we’re constantly buying new clothes – clothes we often don’t even need – we’re contributing to this problem. And let’s face it, how many times have we bought something only to wear it once or twice before forgetting about it completely?
3. It’s overwhelming
Have you ever walked into a store and felt so overwhelmed by the amount of choices that you just didn’t know where to start? Or maybe you’ve found yourself trying on dozens of items in a fitting room, struggling to decide which ones are worth buying?
Having so many choices is stressful, plain and simple.
4. People
Unfortunately, we live in a world with 8 billion other people, and some of those people will inevitably be around when you go shopping. In other words: crowds, crowds, crowds.
Dealing with crowds can be a nightmare, especially during peak shopping times like holidays or weekends. From long lines at the checkout to people bumping into you as they rush by, it’s not the most pleasant experience.
5. It’s time-consuming
Shopping takes up a lot of time – time that could be spent doing other things. Better things. Things that don’t involve aimlessly wandering around a mall or department store.
If it’s not the long lines that are wasting your time, it’s the hours spent browsing only to come home empty-handed (something that happens way too frequently for my liking).
6. It can lead to impulse buying
Impulse buying is a real problem, and it’s something that shopping encourages. An unavoidable pitfall for most shoppers, in my opinion.
Retailers know how to tempt us with perfectly placed items and strategic sales. And when we’re in the mood to treat ourselves, it’s easy to justify purchases that we really don’t need.
But these impulse buys can add up quickly, leaving us with a lot of regret (and maybe some credit card debt) later on.
7. It’s physically exhausting
For my fellow FitBit users out there, you know better than most that shopping can definitely count as a workout, if your step count is anything to go by. Walking from store to store, carrying heavy shopping bags is tiring.
And if you’re an older adult or someone with a physical disability, shopping can be even more exhausting. The strain it puts on your body is no joke.
8. High street prices are usually marked up
Let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the unfavorable pricing many retailers use to make a profit.
Look, I get it, they have to pay rent and staff, but unfortunately, customers are often the ones footing the bill. High street pricing is sometimes so astronomical that it’s hard to justify buying anything at all.
This is why online shopping has become such a popular alternative. It cuts out the overhead costs of running a physical store, and often leads to cheaper prices for customers.
9. The thrill of the purchase is short-lived
When you’re out and about, the excitement of finding and buying something new can be pretty exhilarating. But let’s be real: that feeling doesn’t last very long.
Once you get home, back to sanity and rationality, you’ll look at your purchases and wonder what the heck you were thinking! And before you know it, you’re having to make a return trip to the store to return those items you thought you couldn’t live without. Which brings me to my next point…
10. Returns and exchanges are a hassle
Returning or exchanging items can be a whole ordeal in itself. You have to make sure you have the receipt, the tags, and that the item is in pristine condition. Then you have to trek back to the store in question and hope they have a reasonable return policy.
11. You’re more likely to get robbed
Shopping can also put you at risk of theft. Carrying around multiple shopping bags or having your purse open while browsing can make you an easy target for pickpockets.
And even if you’re careful with your belongings, theft can still happen. It’s not uncommon to hear stories of car break-ins in mall parking lots or items being stolen from a shopping cart when the owner wasn’t looking.
12. Shopping in person is limiting
When you shop in person, you’re limiting yourself. While physical stores often have a wide range of products, they’re still limited by the space they have available. And if you live in a small town or rural area, your options might be even more limited.
On the other hand, online shopping opens up a whole world of possibilities. You can shop from retailers all over the world and find products that may not be available in your local area.
Final word
If you’re a shopaholic, I probably haven’t convinced you to give up shopping altogether. But hopefully, I’ve given you some things to think about the next time you’re tempted to spend your hard-earned money on something you don’t really need.
Yes, shopping’s fun. And yes, it can be a great way to treat yourself or de-stress. But it isn’t without its downsides. From the potential to overspend to the physical strain it puts on your body, that regular trip to the mall might not be worth it in the long run.
Online shopping is a pretty good alternative, if you’re looking to avoid some of the pitfalls of in-person shopping. It’s more convenient, often cheaper, and opens up a world of possibilities.