Ever wish you had more time or money? Probably.
According to one study, 80% of working adults wish they had more time to spend with their friends and family. In a similar study, 60% of working parents “always” feel rushed.
And the New York Times, back in 2015, called the current American generation “stressed, tired, and rushed.” No doubt, many of us know that to be true.
What if there was a solution?
What if there was a way to have more time available in your life? AND more money as well?
There is a solution. And it is available right now, without spending a penny (literally).
The solution to this problem is: Shop less.
In fact, cccording to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American spent 22 minutes/day shopping in 2019.
That is the equivalent of 133 hours each year (or 10,400 hours over a lifetime) spent shopping.
And it should be noted that this survey is far more conservative than most. Some studies show the average number in many scenarios might actually be closer to 400 hours each year! That’s almost 8 hours per week.
Almost everybody I know would take more time or money if it was offered to them.
Here’s the good news: You can have more of both.
Shop less.
Some might argue, “Yeah, but I have to shop. My family needs food and toiletries and my house needs cleaning. Some of these shopping errands are non-negotiable.”
And you would be right.
To live is to consume and there is a certain level of “shopping” that will always need to be maintained. But according to the studies listed above, only 25% of our shopping is spent on necessities (groceries, toiletries, etc.). The rest is spent on nonessentials amounting to $18,000 per year for the average American.
Wouldn’t we all like an extra 25 hours and $1,500 every month?
A second argument might go as follows, “Yeah, but what am I going to do with extra money and extra time if I can’t spend it shopping?”
And the answer is, “Anything else in the world. Surely there are more important things in life than what is on sale at your local department store. All those things you want to do with your life? You should go do them.”
We are a generation struggling to find both time and money. Given that reality, it’s surprising how many of us choose to use the little free time and money we have to spend it shopping—whether going to the mall, browsing websites, or simply looking at the lives of others wishing we had the physical possessions they own.
Shopping depletes two of our most finite resources: time and money.
Now, I’m not naïve enough to assume everyone who reads this post is going to stop shopping entirely.
However, for those of us who’ve ever wished we had more time and money in our lives, take some time to seriously consider this week how shopping and buying less would provide both—now, and for the rest of your life.
david lipton says
You need to join Reverend Bill and the Church of Ever Stop Shopping. He has been an anti-consumerism advocate for years
Carol Bratton says
When I was raising my family, two boys, I planned meals for a week then shopped for everything I needed that week. The menu was posted on the refrigerator and my husband always knew what we were going to have for dinner. This saved endless trips to the store during the week. Now that the boys are grown and gone I still plan for five days ahead so I am not constantly running to the store. The temptation is to buy more than you really need. Thanks for this helpful post!
Ellen says
Excellent strategy, Carol!
Karen Morerod says
I have found this to be true – but accidentally! With the increase of stores offering curbside pick-up (at no charge)…..I can pick out my necessities easily online, and have them brought to my car. The important thing: it keeps me out of the store looking for all the “good deals” and things I don’t really need! It’s a small step, but I truly feel the difference in what I’m NOT buying. Thank you for putting this in eloquent words!!!!
Marliah says
This helps me too, I need to stick to it! This last week I went in the store and ended up spending WAY more than I needed to.
Nick says
I absolutely agree. Last year I began a ‘no spend’ year. I lasted until around August, and then started buying again. But I was a little too stringent.
This year, I’ve begun again, but am a little more reasonable. I’m learning some new software and really needed additional instruction, which I got online, and had to pay for. Also a new book that will truly enrich my life.
But as for stopping for coffee on the way to the dump. No more. Browsing at the Dollar Store or Big Lots. No more. Reading The Great Courses catalogs (a weakness of mine). No more. You get the idea.
So I fully subscribe to shopping less, not even because it saves money, it just saves time (and space, frequently).
Kathryn says
Nick,
How did you decide what to spend money on? I really want to try no spend this year.
Peggy Thiele says
try only buying perishables/consumables….treat yourself to a good hunk of cheese, rather than an item…..
Srividya Ramani says
Thanks for this. Though I work to minimize my life in every way – I shop online due to sheer boredom – and it takes longer now since I don’t need anything really.
These numbers can definitely motivate me to get off that wagon. 25 hours is a lot of time!!
I might not end up spending much but I am definitely eating away my free time by “window shopping” online.
Time to start up the hobby wagon.
Marsha says
I needed this message! Thank you!
Jaime says
Love this!!!! Once you stop shopping so much, walking into a mall or even Target feels so weird. Enjoying time out in nature is so much better.
Navi Gates says
True that for me, also!
Debbie says
What amazes me is that I’m not much of a shopper and don’t contribute as much to that statistic… So there are people out there spending a lot more than 25 hours and $1500 per month!
Haley says
Why does this feel so revelatory?! Challenge accepted :)
Betsy says
Such a simple statement but so true.