I used to window shop all the time. I used to stare at the mannequins with outfits that made me want to buy the whole store. The game changed when online shopping was introduced to my life. I can get anything I wanted with just a virtual swipe of my card. I can make up plenty of pros to this dilemma but let’s highlight the realities of online shopping.

Since it’s so easy, it can be highly addicting. Websites like Amazon and even social media tend to have ads about your recent searches. They draw you in because they know exactly what you like. Once you start clicking and scrolling on, it’s only a matter of time before you log off with a new product or two.

The word SALE is also bound to turn heads but dont be fooled. Some online stores will get you by saying that the sale is exclusive if you shop on their website instead of going to the store. Sounds super convenient because you can stay in your PJS and get a deal but please dont fall into some scams. Some sales are definitely not worth your time and if you investigate into the prices, theres no difference from original price and the sale price.

It’s all fun and games until your card balance begins to drop at a rapid pace. Marketplace shoppers (think: Amazon) reported spending an average of $488 online yearly. That’s almost $500 worth of online shopping that honestly could have gone to a better cause. I know that when I go on amazon or TARGET for one purpose, Im guilty for leaving having spent more than I was supposed to.

I’m not saying to ban online shopping from your life but it’s best to not do it as often because it’s a quick way to waste money. Amazon has millions of products on their site and I promise you don’t need 90% of it. Try to stop aimlessly looking around shopping sites for your curiosity. You’re going to end up with 10 things in your cart that you never needed in the first place

If you are going to browse around or shop, a great way to save money is to not save your card information. On top of that being for security reasons, it will also mean having to make a great effort to get up, walk around, get your wallet and punch in 16 digits into the computer. You’ll probably be too lazy which ends up saving you from buying that goodie you didn’t need.

Also, if you’re like me, buying clothes online is super risky because not all clothes are true to size. I personally think it’s better to try it on in store than have to return it later because it didn’t fit. If you’re too lazy or don’t want to go to the store to buy it instead, do you really need it?

While there is beauty in online shopping (like when it arrives), there are horrors that have you thinking that you were better off without. Honestly, maxing out credit cards, draining your bank account balance, and having tons of unnecessary items is not worth that rush you get when you virtually swipe your card. Smart shopping for things you need is the way to go, especially when your balance is suffering.