Ever heard of the saying “Less is More.”?
A paradox. That which a smaller quantity of something could be of higher quality. Or perhaps, something that is less complicated is often better understood and more appreciated.
I also really like the similar phrase: “Less is Best.”
But if Less is so desirable, why is it still so hard to combat the urge for More?
Here’s one (1) thing that has helped me when I’m influenced to impulsively *add to cart… BEFORE checking out!
🛒 Let’s S.A.V.E it!
I am an iPhone user and utilize the Apple notes feature for multiple purposes. One being to log and track my wants. My iPhone note is actually labeled just that: “Becka’s WANTS 👀”.
If I see someone on social media sharing something that I really want to buy; I ask myself one thing: Is this an item that has been on my radar in the past 6 months? Pretty much, have I already thought about needing/wanting this thing recently? Often times… it’s not!! It wasn’t even in my thought process until this person influenced me or shared their experience about this item. Now I’m grappling with the sudden feelings of a strong urge to buy, buy, buy.
Let’s save some money, energy and space for now and S.A.V.E it. What’s the worst thing that can happen? You end up purchasing it a few days later after some more intentional consideration.
(S) is for Snap.
First thing I do… snap a quick screenshot. Sometimes a quick photo of the story or video where I first saw the item. Other times I will follow the link and get all the way to the point I have my cart ready at check out. I’ll stop and screenshot my cart. If there’s a promotional code I’ll try and capture this along with the total cost. I try my best NOT to complete my purchase at this point. This can be really challenging during sales or with time sensitive deals or promos. I don’t care. Don’t buy it.
Next, I go straight to my “WANTS” iPhone note.
(A) is for Add.
I add the screenshot (s) of the desired item directly to the note. You can do this by clicking the camera icon at the bottom left of your screen within the iPhone note and select: “choose photo or video.” After I add the screenshots, videos and even URL links; I close out the iPhone note.
(V) is for Very Sexy.
I then close out the website, safari tab or any pages I have open with the item that was previously ready for check out. This next part is vital. I Immediately go to my camera roll and delete the photos. Good camera roll hygiene is Very Sexy!! Despite deleting photos from the gallery on your phone, iPhone notes has a phenomenal feature that allows the photos to remain embedded within the note! Your photos are now easily accessible and even searchable in your “wants” note, your camera roll is purged…and the greatest win: you did NOT impulse purchase the item!! (Not yet at least.)
(E) is for Every Day.
You made it through the first test of intentionally making a decision to NOT buy something. It may only be a few hours and you are still thinking about placing your order. Try and get to the next day without the purchase. This item was not on your radar a week ago even months ago. Every day that passes you have the opportunity to decide if this item is still worth purchasing.
In my personal experience, I forget about the item until I get that one email, “you’ve left something in your cart. Are you ready to check out now?” (*Clicks unsubscribe.) There are times where I do really want the item and I decide to research comparable brands or products and I do end up purchasing the next day or even a week later. I am always amazed every day that passes how much easier it is to make an informed decision.
Pop quiz! 🍿
Let’s take a look at what’s in my personal “Wants” note. Warning ⚠️ you may be tempted to purchase something within this example exercise. So get that thumb and middle finger of yours ready to screenshot and let’s: Snap, Add, Very Sexy, Every Day it together!
On Sunday
shared some of her packing essentials for her upcoming trip to Turkey. Tessa has proven attention to detail and high quality recommendations that I have experienced first hand. I’ve repeatedly been very satisfied with things I have purchased in the past that she has recommended. I really enjoy following her and she saves me a lot of leg work in researching products. Thanks Tessa!! 😻She shared a bag this week that I immediately felt I neeeeddded. I screenshotted her story, went to the site and found the same color “warm dust” and took the first step with stopping to think: Have I thought about purchasing a new duffle bag in the past 6 months. The answer was “no”. So I screenshotted the bag and added it to my “Becka’s Wants” note. This would have in the past been an impulsive purchase I would have ordered on the spot. I’m now a full 24 hours from not purchasing the bag and every day that passes it gets easier. Is this a bag that I may one day purchase? Absolutely! This may be even something I may ask my husband for later this year as a Christmas gift. For now, using my S.A.V.E it exercise; $139+ dollars gets to remain in my checking out. Okay, now…Here’s THE bag!! 🙈
Junk Journal
The second thing in my “Becka’s Want’s”note. A leather bound green journal. I somehow ended up in the Tik Tok algorithm of junk journaling. Some people save hotel key cards, receipts and handwritten notes on napkins. As you can guess people have gotten pretty creative with these. Here's the inspo link I had saved!
We travel for a living an I have found myself collecting mementos a few times. I really could see myself growing a hobby around this form of journaling one day. BUT, had I thought about this in the last 6 months, the answer was, No!
Really glad I followed my S.A.V.E it exercise on this one. Weeks later I’m adding a Dagne Dover bag to my wants note and reminded of these beautiful journals I just “had to have.” There they are just sitting there taking up space rent free in my iPhone note. Not bothering me or taunting me… just saved for a rainy day if I do ever truly decide to take up junk journaling. It feels really satisfying to look back at items in my wants note and even go through and delete things!!
Ehhh, I don’t want that anymore. Delete. Delete. Delete. The things that stick around in my notes section through all the purges for months and months reveal to me the things I should prioritize in buying in the future. This brings to me to one of my favorite things in my Becka’s want list.
Stained Glass Window Corners
I stumbled upon an artist nearly a year ago now that specializes in stained glass installments and stained glass book ends. I’ve seen a few custom pieces she has done that I absolutely adore!! At the time this is written she is not accepting custom work. When I first saved this screenshot we were in the process of selling our home. I was happy to have a home for this screenshot that I can go and reference back and even check on her site when our season of life matches this purchase again. I’m excited to one day message her for a custom set of window corners for our future home. In the meantime her pieces will just beautify my notes. You can follow this artist on instagram @camelcityglass.
How’d You Do?
This concludes the pop quiz. Did you buy anything? Screenshot anything? Will this exercise be something you try before you buy? In short; I’m essentially using iPhone notes as an Amazon, Save for Later.
I started doing this almost two years ago and many items have graced my Becka’s WANTS note. I’m proud to say only a minority of them have made it to my own hands. In the past year, I have paid off more credit card debt, my credit score is the highest it's ever been and I feel more in control of consumer habits. These outcomes are not solely due to adding this S.A.V.E habit but it has definitely helped!!