As you may know, I love challenges.

They keep life interesting and keep me learning about myself.

Challenges typically lead to great reflection and growth for me.

So I have decided to do a different challenge each month.

Some will be related to simplicity, some to health, some to budgeting. Maybe I will throw in a parenting challenge… who knows?!?

But this month it is about online purchases.

Starting August 1st until September 1st I will make zero online purchases.

No Walmart, no Amazon, no Thrive Market…nothing.

If I need something I will go to a physical store and purchase it.

Why am I doing this? Here are a few reasons:

1. Online purchases are too easy

I hate regular shopping and rarely feel tempted to do it. But somehow I can part with my money very easily online. I don’t feel the same sting handing over my money virtually that I feel in person.

Removing online shopping will add more effort to purchases and hopefully reduce the number overall.

2. Tired of shipping delays or damaged products

Lately I have spent more time tracking an item than actually enjoying the item itself.

Then if a product is damaged, I STILL have to go to a store to get what I need!

3. Tired of wasting time talking to customer service

After a product is delayed or damaged (see #2), I waste hours on little chat boxes negotiating with customer service to ensure I get what I paid for or a refund.

I have better uses for my time.

4. I want to think more before I buy and find the best use of every dollar

At a physical store, I hold each item and look at the price.

I pause and usually think to myself, “Is this the best use of my dollar?” If I answer that question “no,” I put it back.

This thought process is harder for me online. Removing online shopping will lead to better use of our dollars.

5. Environmental reasons

When I ordered school supplies online a couple weeks ago I did not expect to receive so many boxes.

I thought the items would be boxed together, but instead we received over a half dozen boxes. At least 3-4 boxes with only 1 folder in each.

HUGE boxes filled with packing materials and 1 folder.

In that moment I felt immense guilt. If I has just gone to the store in person, all these materials would not be wasted.

So skipping online shopping feels like a simple way to reduce my waste just a bit.

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Overall I know I spend more when I shop online.

While online shopping was a great option during COVID, I am ready to return to our normal processes.

We start a new school year next week and I want our money and time spent intentionally.

I want to play Barbies instead of waiting on hold with customer service regarding a package.

I want knocks at our door to be friends asking to play, not delivery people with boxes of folders.

So I wish you all a happy August!

And if you choose to join me on this challenge, I wish you the best of luck!

-Brittany