I Literally Want to Buy Everything.
I literally want to buy everything. I fear I am always down to shop, and I can somehow always think of five more things I “need.” Whether I’m scrolling through Princess Polly, wandering around Target, or randomly deciding that my room desperately needs new decorations, shopping is basically my favorite hobby.
The problem? I am a college student.
As much as I would love to have an unlimited budget for clothes, jewelry, makeup, and room decor, my bank account unfortunately does not agree. Living off the money I made from my summer job means that every purchase feels like a tiny battle between “I deserve this” and “Do I actually need this?”
Why Do I Want So Much Stuff?
For me, shopping is not just about buying things. I genuinely love being able to express myself through what I wear and the things around me. My clothes, jewelry, and room decor all feel like little pieces of my personality.
There is something so satisfying about finding the perfect sweater, a new pair of earrings, or a random decoration that makes my room feel more like me. And, of course, once I find one thing I love, suddenly I need everything that goes with it.
The College Student Budget Struggle.
Shopping is a lot more fun when you do not have to think about your bank account afterward.
Being in college has definitely made me realize how quickly money disappears. One minute I feel like I have plenty of money, and the next I am looking at my account wondering where it all went.
The little purchases are what get me, too. Spending $15 here and $20 there does not feel that serious in the moment. But somehow, those “small” purchases add up very quickly.
And unfortunately, I cannot use “but it was on sale” as a legitimate financial strategy.
Learning to Shop Smarter.
I am definitely not going to suddenly become someone who never shops. Realistically, that is not happening. But I have been trying to become a little more intentional about what I buy.
Some things that help me avoid completely draining my summer-job savings include:
- Waiting before buying: If I still want something after a few days, it is probably worth considering.
- Checking my closet first: Sometimes I already own something almost identical.
- Looking for sales: There is no reason to pay full price if I can avoid it.
- Setting a monthly spending limit: Giving myself a number makes it easier to know when I need to stop.
- Avoiding boredom shopping: Just because I am bored does not mean I need a new outfit.
I’m Still Going to Shop.
At the end of the day, I know I am probably always going to love shopping. I love fashion, decorating my space, and finding things that make me feel more like myself. I just have to learn how to balance that with the reality of being a college student whose summer-job money is not, in fact, unlimited.
So, will I stop shopping? Absolutely not.
Will I probably convince myself that I need something the next time I walk into a store? Probably.
But maybe I will check my bank account first.
