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In this video, we talk about 10 things I stopped buying after going debt-free – yep paying off over $350,000 in student loans. Later on, I’ll talk about my #1 piece of advice for letting go to shopaholic behavior (yes I had this addiction too).
Hi, I’m Jessica and I love talking about financial freedom after experiencing burnout early in my pharmacist career. We talk passive income and simplifying on this channel to combat stress and burnout. If you haven’t seen my burnout story or our debt-free journey while in residency/fellowship, please click those video links below.
#1: New Clothing each season
(ThredUp to shop secondhand) – fashionable and in season – keeping up with the trends is not worth the time. Luxury items with brands names like Chanel and Louis Vuitton. Sale Items – buying an item that you weren’t going to buy otherwise.
#2: Home decor or seasonal holiday decor
If need holiday décor it is temporary things like displaying cards I receive, changing out the runner on our dining table, displaying consumable items such as plants and changing essential oil diffuser scents
#3: One Time Use Household Products
Paper towels and plastic straws, environmental friendly towels/cleaning cloths – shop straws, cleaning towels, BAGGU grocery bags
#4: Extra Food
Extra food, food prep vs. meal prep. Don’t waste food
#5: Nail Salon
Nail appointments or polish at home – previous resources on painting nails at home to save money – anything with maintenance such as polished nails, highlighted hair or eyelash extensions is costly and time consuming
#6: Souvenirs
Souvenirs while traveling – shot glasses or t-shirts or whatever type of souvenirs you love
#7: Starbucks. Coffee
Starbucks coffee – hospital had a Starbucks in our lobby and I used to treat myself nearly every afternoon – I started to make my own coffee and now my husband is loving his new hobby – an espresso machine
#8: Subscriptions
Subscriptions – the one I love is Netflix – everything else I cut ruthlessly – go through credit card statements to see if you forgot to cancel any free trial subscriptions
#9: Movie theater
two tickets, popcorn, drinks turn into a $25 to $50 event
#10: Holiday gifts
We aren’t big on holiday gifts for each other – we buy things when we need them and plan experiences together instead of gifts timed to holidays. We planned trips to Hawaii, East Coast, Settle/Vancouver in the past and this year we got our puppy as our experience gift to ourselves.
Break the shopaholic addiction:
- Leave items in your shopping cart for at least 24 hours
- Unsubscribe from emails and simplify your email inbox with these tips on decluttering – link in digital declutter workshops
STOP spending out of habit and to impress other people (ego driven)