On New Year’s Eve 2012, Rachel Smith decided to quit shopping (a spontaneous New Year’s Resolution). She pledged to buy nothing new or secondhand for one whole year (2013). She failed. She saw buying nothing as a hardship filled with doom and gloom, like a year of punishment. In 2014, she tried again. Second time around, she saw buying nothing new or second-hand as an exciting opportunity, an adventure and a whole new way to live my life—a lifestyle experiment. She succeeded.
Rachel didn’t buy anything new or 2nd hand in 2014. She saved 38% of her salary ($52,680) and she didn’t dramatically change her life to do it. Rachel said it was one of the best years of her life, she felt happier and more content.
It took Rachel 13 weeks to break her shopping addiction and buying habits. In her book
Underspent – How I broke my shopping addiction & buying habit without dramatically changing my life Rachel shares:
- The things we love about buying and shopping.
- Why we shop and buy so much.
- What triggers our shopping and buying.
- Her story. How and where her no-buying began, her no-buying year and her old habits.
- The things she loves about quitting consumerism.
- The 'sticking points' we face trying to break addictions and bad habits. The first is our fear of failure.
- Our biggest challenges and personal battles. The reasons why most people don't quit shopping.
- The seven steps that she took to break her impulse shopping addiction and habit of buying ‘stuff’.
Since January 2015 Rachel has used a Wanting List (a Waiting List or Wish List) for the things she thinks she wants to buy. Rachel calls this #PauseB4UPurchase.
The Australian and UK TV, radio and print media have said that "Every adult must read this book" and "Underspent needs to be given to every High School student".
“You’re an inspiration Rachel” Kochie, Channel 7 Sunrise TV host
You can borrow the Underspent book from your local Library OR buy the book in paperback, e-book or kindle format from $2.99 at https://www.booktopia.com.au/underspent-rachel-smith/book/9780994563538.html OR https://www.amazon.com/Underspent-Broke-Shopping-Addiction-Buying-ebook/dp/B00WUQNPCW or any other online of High Street bookshop.
