If you are a young adult struggling to afford your cravings for style and new fashion, you are not alone. The National Institute of Health even came up with an official name: Online shopping addiction tendency, OSAT for short. Trends have always been a driving factor in shopping tendencies among young generations, but the efficiency and ease of online companies have brought this issue to a whole new level.
Inspiration strikes everywhere we go. Maybe you’re walking down the street and see someone’s cool or experimental outfit which strikes your fancy. Or you watch a TikTok that makes you yearn for the clothes someone has on. To what avail? The chokehold that new fashion and unique styles has on us young women is dangerous, especially when you consider our very low or nonexistent income. But is it too much to ask to at least look stylish while school drains us of energy and will? Fashion is a way to show personality and be confident in what you love as well as what you are on the outside. It shouldn’t be a negative thing to shop, should it?
There are many ways to combat or at least lessen debt by shopping so that we can continue doing this thing we love, guilt free.
The most common way this generation overcomes shopping cravings is by thrifting. The realization that all trends come back around brings the reminder that the new clothes and online brands you see “following the trends” are making and selling apparel that already exists. For instance, in 2024, cheetah print made a huge comeback, and folks fail to realize that this is not a new idea. You can find something cheetah print at practically any thrift store considering it has trended over and over through the decades. So why buy new items, which use new materials for a higher price, when you can buy the same thing for cheaper while simultaneously helping the environment through repurposing?
For those who really want to take control of their shopping habits, another helpful activity is to make a pact with yourself. This means that you can still shop; it just has to be conditional. If you struggle with self control, it can be valuable to tell yourself that you have to accomplish something you’ve been putting off before you buy that item. It could be something school or work-related, but it could also be personal, such as removal of an unhealthy habit like a social media app or binging. This self-trading system allows the reward of shopping while also preserving your mental and financial health. It is also important to note that when something becomes less frequent, it becomes more special. If Christmas was once a month, it just wouldn’t be the same.
If it’s not the clothes themselves that we crave, but rather the novelty of acquiring or experiencing something new, you could consider cutting out the act of shopping entirely. This can be achieved through many different hobbies that differ from person to person. If you want to stay up with what’s trending, watch a new movie or read a new book and engage in active community chatter. Maybe reading’s not your thing and you’d be more interested in a crafty activity such as learning how to sew and make your own clothes. Whatever the choice is, it’s the personal outcome that matters more than the activity itself.
Within every high school, there is a lot of unique style and fashion expression, so sometimes it’s not the clothes itself, but how they are styled. A challenge that everyone should take on is to change their mindset and perspective about the clothes they already own, for an accessory can really make all the difference. Maybe your friend group could make fun outfits and ideas out of each other’s items, as a fresh eye can create something that may have been overlooked countless times.
If these ideas don’t really appeal and it sounds better to just keep shopping, there are also many ways to make extra money. Side hustles may be the way to go! Everyone knows how difficult it is to have enough time in the day for a traditional job, and for many, working those hours is simply not realistic. Luckily, it’s incredible how many niche side hustles you can find if you look hard enough. Even if time and location is an issue, there’s most definitely something in your community you can do to make money. You could sell old clothes and accessories on Depop, Vinted or Poshmark instead of donating. Small things add up, so even babysitting or yard work for your neighbors and family makes a difference.
This generation is ever-changing and full of individuality, attributes that allow flexibility within daily life. My hope is that these tips help those who’ve read this to continue living your creative lives. A community full of artistry and innovation really can bring people together, and this can be achieved without emptying your wallet.
