How ‘slow shopping’ could help you save money this holiday season-awdailynews

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2025-11-06

How ‘slow shopping’ could help you save money this holiday season

Americans are planning to spend big this holiday season, despite inflation, tariffs, and an ongoing government shutdown that has left many federal workers without a paycheck.

According to the National Retail Federation’s annual consumer survey, the average person expects to spend $890 this year on holiday gifts, food, decorations, and other seasonal items.

Unfortunately, that means many people will also start the new year with credit card debt. But one growing movement aims to change that. Known as “slow shopping,” this approach emphasizes intention over impulse, helping shoppers stick to their budgets and shop more mindfully.

If you’re struggling to keep your holiday budget in check, slow shopping could be the solution. Here’s how it works.

Slow shopping is a mindful approach to buying that encourages people to take their time and make thoughtful decisions. Shoppers prioritize quality and personal values over impulse buying or convenience.

In practice, slow shopping might mean waiting 24-48 hours before clicking “buy,” creating a list before shopping, or doing deep research into a brand’s values before making a purchase. It’s a financial strategy too — slow shopping curbs overspending and reduces clutter while aligning spending with personal priorities.

According to a survey conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Affirm, nearly 3 in 4 respondents (73%) said they adopted the slow shopping approach for the 2024 holiday season. Top reasons for doing so included ensuring they only purchased items they truly wanted, taking more time to research their purchases, and taking advantage of more deals and promotions.

If you’d like to give slow shopping a try, here are a few best practices to keep in mind:

1. Start early and plan ahead

The earlier you start your shopping, the more time you have to scope out the best deals, find coupons, and settle on the perfect item for every person on your gift list. But it’s important to have a plan before you whip out your credit card.

Start by creating a list of gift ideas and recipients as soon as possible. In fact, it can be helpful to keep a running list throughout the year. For instance, if a friend mentions a scent they love or a favorite brand, jot it down so you have some inspiration when it comes time to start your holiday shopping.

Once your list is complete, you’ll have an idea of what your gift-giving budget looks like. And if the total amount is higher than you’d like, take this opportunity to make some adjustments. Then, you can brave the stores with a specific target in mind.

Retailers use scarcity and urgency tactics to make shoppers feel like they’re getting an exclusive deal, like “limited-time” offers and doorbuster deals. In reality, many of these promotions repeat throughout the season — or even offer better discounts closer to the holidays.

Tools such as Honey, CamelCamelCamel, or PriceBlink can help you confirm whether a deal is truly a bargain. They show price-history charts and automatically apply coupons so you can shop smart, not fast.

Heading out on a shopping spree when you’ve just been paid or treating your holiday shopping as a form of retail therapy can lead to impulse purchases and throw your budget off track.

Instead, schedule a day in your calendar to do some window shopping, allowing yourself plenty of time to visit a few different stores and compare prices. When you find a potential buy, ask yourself a few gut-check questions to determine if it’s the right move: