I’ll be working on a dedicated gaming related channel if anyone is interested in subscribing to that, I’d be greatly appreciated: youtube.com/@attackonnick?si=DcxwYsv9weW5Z2_Q

I'm almost 40 and for the past few decades, my best method to not wanting to buy stuff is not having the money for it. works like a charm.

1. Wait it out (ex. 30 day wait period) 2. Pros and Cons list 3. Unsubscribe and Avoid temptations 4. Find a hobby 5. Explore an alternative option 6. Consider financial goals

“Spending money in itself is a hobby here in the US” - is so true!

6:00 "Every nonessential purchase is ultimately a delay in my financial goals." Mind. blown. That's one of the best, most effective, and helpful lines ever. Thank you.

If you spend 30 days just thinking about buying some items, it may not be the most optimal approach. It can be quite frustrating to constantly overanalyze your choices. Purchasing when you can is a more relaxing activity and is better for your peace of mind. If it doesn't fit your budget, then you should consider taking 3-5 days to think it over. I, too, used to overthink my purchases, and it exhausted me. My mind was constantly debating with itself. Now, I don't think too much - if I want something and it fits my budget, I buy it right away.

I have the worst habit of buying food when I’m hungry, instead of eating what I already have. It’s infuriating.

I just preordered my iPhone 15 Pro Max today. Something felt off, as I have a 14 Pro that I'm not really happy with. In the end after some contemplation I just cancelled my order. I don't need these meaningless year on year upgrades that are just sold so well by clever marketing people. Thank you for helping us with more perspective Nicholas

Buying stuff is not the problem. Buying things just because they are on sale, buying things that go to the back of the closet and stay there, buying things that you replace with something a little different - those kinds of wasteful spending is the problem.

I've started the habit of walking everyday with my dog for a few miles, rather than the quick round the blocks I usually do with him, and that daily routine itself has definitely cut down on my spending. I also need to go to the library more often, there's one less than a mile away from my house, and it's absolutely a missed opportunity for me.

The one trick that worked for me is going to your favorite store and not buying anything. It really taught me self control and made me question if I actually needed it.

Great video! Stop people from pre-ordering iPhone 15 today!

I bought a cheap $100 violin last year, and I can say that it has provided me with so many hours of usefulness over the course of a year and it’s still going. I have also been taking lessons so the overall cost has been higher than just $100, but it has been such a worthy investment. Much better than paying that on useless subscriptions or video games which you beat and probably never play again thereafter.

Shopping addiction is very real. I switched jobs with a better work life balance and initially I did spend a lot more time with my hobbies. But over some months I found I spent a lot of free time online shopping. It's funny because in my old job I had almost no free time so I never had a spending problem. It's something to be very cautious about.

The 30 day waiting period for large purchases is a great idea. Definitely going to try that one

Spending👏money👏is👏a👏hobby👏[that you can replace!] and you’re right; the times one has the least going on are the times when window shopping becomes a fun activity. So glad I’m hearing this reminder as I become an adult

Seriously. This is a problem I have. I do it from depression. I buy things for the quick excitement of getting something and something new then move on fo the next. It's bad. I have what I need and what I really need is to chill.

Waiting is the best thing thats worked for me. Giving something a week minimum and preferably a month before buying has helped a lot. Because then you get that "Huh, guess i didnt need that" feeling and move on.

Only food, drink, and house bills. Clothes only that need replacements. You need to feed and cloth the body and have a roof above your head depending where you live. That is it. Bliss is within. Nothing in the outside world is necessary.

After watching dozens of minimalists videos I know one thing. Every minimalist use apple stuff only.

Man's really looking like he's about to burst into tears any second now.

I’ve always had a list for myself when wanting to buy something. In the following order: 1. Do I really need this? 2. Do I have something similar what would work? (Especially about clothes) 3. Do I have the money for this? 4. Do I have the space for this? 5. Is it useful of does it mean something important to me? (Especially for decoration) When most of the answers are no than I won’t buy it. Especially if I don’t have the space for it. A lot of this which can and are practical to me I will overthink and buy when it really matters. Saved me a lot of money!

This video is such a blessing. I’ve been in a consumeristic frenzy lately and you’re insights have aided in my desire to snap out of it.

I’m coming back to minimalism after sometime of falling off the wagon, and your channel again is one of the first ones that come up in my recommended as if it was fate. Thank you so much for making the videos that you do and always know that we’re hugely appreciative of them.

Have been living this way for years in London, which is always tough as I am surrounded by shops and things to do. Having a hobby not only made me happier but doubles my wealth over two years. Thank you for the great content!

Yessss, this is the kind of video I love watching :) Feeling very motivated after watching this to cut down on even more unnecessary stuff. I value freedom/free time so much more than material 'things' and this was a good reminder of why I'm frugal :)

It hit me when you said in the hobby part that we buy things just to feel a little bit of joy. I’m (awkwardly) glad(?) that I’m not alone feeling this need of joy but it ultimately fades away soon, cost a lot and add no value to my life. Recently I’ve been changing my lifestyle and your video came across. Great and grounded advice!

I had never thought about spending money as a hobby. It hit me like a ton of bricks. It's such a simple and obvious concept, but I had never seen it like that. You are completely right. I am getting all of my unread books from the shelf right now. And thank you. It's so weird to say, but you actually might have made a considerable difference in my life with a 7 minute video. I know it sounds like an exaggeration , but I actually mean it. Thanks. I am saving this video so I can watch it anytime I am tempted to just go buy something to feel some satisfaction.

Staying off social media is very helpful for me … that’s why I’m here haha .. but not seeing what everyone else owns or is selling is good thing

Some great advice here. One thing that stopped me spending money was to come off of social media. My life is so much better now, more money and closer relationships with my friends because we use things like the phone and texts etc rather than just “liking” stuff.

Wow Nicholas... thank you dude. I'm only 21 so I'm young and still have a lot to learn but this video gave me a needed wake up call. I found my issue is that I have too many hobbies and I always want the best gear/thing in that hobby. I'm a gear head so I love trying new things out and putting new things to the test. I'm slowing coming to the realization that I can chill out and just enjoy the things that I have and be grateful for them. It's nice to have longterm goals like saving up for a house/apartment, or saving up for a better future car especially since I have so much of my life ahead of me I think this video made me start to realize that I'm doing just fine with the things I already have. So thank you :)

man.even if i'm very broke, almost all of my desires have something to do with buying material things. from a house or a car to a phone or clothes. i been suspecting it could be a problem for some time, this video just came to confirm it lmao

I've never come across a KZfaqr who actually said, "unsubscribe".

I love borrowing digital books, audio books, and magazines from the library. All free! And playing on our Wii.

I’m on a tech detox 😅. I agree with you that 30 days does take the urge away 😊

I really appreciate the way you asked for the like and subscribe… not just right out the gate, but after the valuable content, and optionally. Absolutely worthwhile content and valuable information for me, as I do have a spending problem that I need to get control of. Thank you so much for the pointers, I am going to watch this several more times and take lots more notes!

Much needed - thank you so much for sharing this video ❤

With holiday seasons coming up this is a timely video 😃

Your videos are just what I need to calm down and get in a good mindset and just reset.. I love it!

Great video. Really struggling these days to control myself from impulse purchases. Everyone around seems to be purchasing the next best thing and I also feel like I should totally have it. This video was very useful especially to me. ❤❤

I also wait 30 days before purchasing non essential items. Waiting one month means I’ve stayed within my budget and that is so encouraging that I usually don’t make the planned purchase. It’s a good habit. Thank for this thoughtful practical video.

The part at 6:00 resonated with me more than I expected 🤔 I went and listed a set of “funds” for things that I want that I can’t pay for out of my pocket - everything from shiny toys to big stuff to unobtainium dreams. Let me tell you, it never felt so easy to let go of tempting shiny purchases and set money aside! Thank you for that idea, Nicholas.

the prolem with my hobby (restoring retro tech products, mostly music players) is that it requires me to constantly buy new hard drives, batteries, screens, tools, screws, buttons

Everytime I watch this channel, it is growing constantly and it’s entirely deserved.

This is one of the reasons i stopped using typical smartphones and switched to a degoogled phone. Now my phone doesn't spy on me and tempt me with ads for things i'm interested in.

Great video. I think viewing every item you don't purchase as saving 100% rather than buying something you don't need because it's 20% off is another good way to look at things. I also ask myself is it worth taking away from my future children for this purchase. I don't have kids yet or any on the way, but this makes it super easy for me to not seek comfort or status symbols. I can have hundreds of meaningless $20 purchases, or I can afford a better education for my children.

Once I started my minimalist journey, I learnt to appreciate my things, and make the most out of them

Wonderful video, the rule of "30 days later, do I really need this item or do I want this item" is one of the most helpful I've learned so far

I love libraries, and mine has services beyond free books: board games, 3D printing services, passes to local parks and museums… they even have power tools.

You sir just won a new subscriber just because of this video 👏🏼 August 2022 I moved to the US because of a job opportunity. One year later I’m sick of all the consumerism and how it’s the only hobby most people have.

I can admit I REALLY needed this

This video is exactly what I needed to hear. Thanks!!!

Boredom is a hard one to overcome. I have often been getting myself out window shopping just to get the little dopamine hits of looking at brand new products on shelves. Amazon is a big spending outlet for me so I’ve had success just adding items to my cart and waiting until the end of the month to buy them. Most of the time I delete them because the passion has left. Just a few weeks ago I almost convinced myself to buy a $700 piano from Costco but today I know that would have put me in a poor financial spot.

I would add that a lot of purchases are connected to the idea behind it. Like buying a new running watch because the hope is to be more sporty as a result. Or the new food processor with the hope to eat healthier. What we tend to forget is, that we still need to put in the effort to go out and run even with a fancy watch or still need to cook even with the new kitchen appliance. What I am trying to do is asking myself if I am already doing the effort as a routine before buying a gadget. Not the other way around. Often we buy these things and they are just collecting dust, because we just don't have the routine of using them. When I have an established routine of running or cooking I am still able to buy the stuff, but first get the routine in. And often it sheds new light on whats really necessary, because it is no longer embedded in a theoretical idea but the result of experience. And maybe then one realizes that a purchase is actually due, but its rather new shoes or a better knife. It also helps to align and focus on whats the priority to continue with what has been established.

Thank you for this video. So rare to find this type of concrete and helpful content in the minimalism space.

Really enjoyed the editing and cinematography work that you put into this, it gave the video a lot of character.

The clip of you running with the skateboard was hilarious. Thank you for the video, it serves as a reminder to be patient, mindful and intentional of the purchases I want to make.

i used the same approach (wait for 30 days) and sometimes this leads to procrastination of other things and habitual indecisiveness like being obsessed with reviews & in the end spend more time on them than you should. I think it depends on what's the stuff & the level of necessity. For example I recently bought a protein shaker after at least a year of using poorly designed protein shaker that even inhibits me from drinking enough proteins. If you feel the thing you need to do is hindered by the tools you have and you need a upgrade of gears to be motivated, do so and do not wait for 30 days.

Hi from Tasmania, Australia! Awesome video. I took my Daughter to the Library today and signed up. Grabbed a heap of books, and also got a free bag too. I have memories of my Nan going to the library and I’ve always associated it with old books, but they had everything! 👍🏽

I loved seeing you run with your board without jumping onto it. I used to love doing that and had completely forgot about it

I liked this one so much I watched it twice. Thank you!

I was liking the video but subscribed as soon as you mentioned skating! Roller skating is my favorite hobby 🛼

waiting it out while looking for cothes is incredibly helpful for building a good wardrobe

I needed this. Idk whenever I have money there’s this compulsion to spend it. I’m usually good at talking myself out of it, but I’d love to know why I always want stuff without really even wanting what I want half the time.

Every time I spend on my debit card, my bank rounds the spending up to the nearest £ and puts it in a savings pot. That’s my guilt free spending money, if I want to buy something and I’ve got the money in that pot; I can buy the item. Once a quarter, I have a no spend month and those savings go into my holiday pot.

Now I want a watch like this

Thank you very much for the splendid video, I always tune to your videos whenever I need a reality check on myself

This is what i did before buying my ipad mini. But make it 3 months of debating and watching videos about it. Your videos about the ipad mini helped me to solidify my choice as well. Great video!

I need to listen to you more often. lol to re-encourage NOT to buy on impulse. Thank you and great video

Great video! My favorite point was your mention of taking up hobbies that have a low cost barrier to entry. Awesome advice 😊

Great video!! The way you presented it was brilliant 🙏

This video helped me so much! That's exactly how I felt! I bought unnecessary things to be happy.😢

I love the fact that he's mentioning references to Inuyasha for his videos it makes me nostalgic for a short while 😂😂

Buying stuff is good as long as you can afford it. We’re here for a fun time not a long time.

Concise and direct message . I like it ,subbed

I’m addicted to buying books reading and listening to audiobooks are my main hobbies . I should go to the library as they’re getting more and more expensive .

I dont know why I found running down the sidewalk with the skateboard so funny! Great video 🤘

So many great tips here, I especially liked the one about hobbies.

Great advice, Nicholas!

I am happy to shop less and less now, and each time I go into a store I congratulate myself when I dont succumb to temptation. I try to imagine what the items will add to my life, how I will care and store it. When I was younger I didn't know myself well and I would explore hobbies and dressing style. Now I prefer to go outside and walk, I seek meditation. I still go to thrift shops once in awhile when I look for something in particular and I will look at knick knacks and think: I dont need any of those. I consider thrifts stores sort of like museum that I can touch stuff and remember where in my life I saw that object. But I dont have to bring it home.

Something amazing about online shopping for me is that I no longer feel the pressure from a physical person in front of me into getting a product. 90% of times I put things in my shopping cart, I let it sit for a day and completely forget about it. I honestly love the possibility of canceling purchases I did online and return products when they are not what I expected they were (my country has a policy that any online purchase can be refunded and returned within 7 days). Buying something I don't use much is now very frustrating.

Thank you so much for this video, I have always gotten compliments on how I spend my money and my frugalness but it seems I still have some stuff to work on after watching this video

Its interesting, how I got recommended your video, right after I made a choice to change my financial situation. I'm not into frugal living, but I can take a few notes on your methods, that would help me achieve my goals. Thank you for your short and informative video!

This video was a great wake up call for me! I ordered the iPhone 15 Pro last week, even though I already own an iPhone 14 Pro and a bunch of older models. I don't *need* those year on year upgrades, and I know I'll just forget about the minor improvements days or even hours after I would have gotten it. Cancelled my order because of this video!

I stopped being an alcoholic just to find out that I have an addiction to buying things on Amazon

Much love and wish you the best! The future is bright.❤

Got my idea now. Thanks for this Nicholas. This hits on me sir 🤜🤛

I wish I had a library near my home ❤ seeing your net worth grow is pretty cool!

To avoid buy stuff, mainly electronics, I buy them with all the features I want but keeping conscious of price, meaning best bang for the buck, so no regrets in the future for missing features. As an example I bought a mid/high range smartphone, it has 6 years and still fill my needs, no change for the foreseeable future.

This is something that I’m trying to learn 😊

I needed that video, thank you.

Additionally thinking of the environmental impact of my potential purchase usually helps me to reconsider if I really need that item or not - in combination with some of the points you mentioned

A lot of this stuff I'm already actively practicing, and it really does help with cutting back my spending. The reminder about going to the library instead of buying books was really needed though. I just recently got back into reading as a hobby and omg I can't believe how expensive books have gotten.

I really need this man! Thx brother

Thanks so much for this video , I really needed it 😅

Love your videos and this one hits home, which is my I'm commenting for the first time. Thank you! I will try these except some of my hobbies are literally money sinks, but I'll try to be more conscious of it as you suggested and challenge myself.

I’m good with not buying stuff impulsively but FOOD and mostly when I’m emotional or upset about something is a different story. The only thing that holds me back right now is working from home so I have less opportunities to stop somewhere and grab food but that might change soon. It’s so hard to break

Just found your channel and I love it so much! Thank you for making this kind of content, I really appreciate it!

You're right that window shopping and impulse purchases have become a hobby in the US. Great insight

I give into things like cravings for sushi, lol. Living in a major US city, the delivery options are endless!! So waiting would not help, but I've found that stocking my kitchen with some unhealthy food options like frozen pizza or mac & cheese and eating as soon as I start to feel hungry make me less likely to spend money on delivery.