How I Stopped My Amazon Addiction (and Saved My Budget)

Let me tell you about a little life hack that has been game-changing for my budget: I detached my credit card from all online accounts, and I refused to memorize the number.

We all know the trap: Amazon Prime, Walmart Plus… it’s way too easy to overspend. You glance at your kitchen and think, “Gee, I need a bread box.” Click. Two days later, it shows up. Only… you don’t remember what’s in the box because you’ve ordered 17 other things. It’s like a mini Christmas every few days.

The reality? I had a basket full of Amazon returns I never took back. My house is already full, and with prices rising everywhere, my impulse buys were adding up. So I tried a 24-hour rule: put it in your cart, wait a day, then decide if you really need it. It worked… kind of.

Here’s the problem: most Amazon orders aren’t “I can wait 24 hours.” I need new socks by Saturday for soccer. I broke my kitchen scissors and literally use them for everything. I want same-day or two-day delivery. So the 24-hour strategy crumbled pretty quickly.

Then I had a lightbulb moment: unlink the credit card. Add a little inconvenience to the buying process. Suddenly, to buy something, I have to walk across the house, dig out my purse, type in the number, expiration date, security code… and just like that, most impulse buys disappear.

Now, instead of buying on the spot, I add items to my Amazon wish list. It satisfies the “shopping urge” without spending money immediately. Plus, my family uses my wish list for birthdays, Christmas, and Mother’s Day, so it doubles as a helpful gift guide. Often, by the time a season rolls around, I’ve lost interest in half the things I added, so I remove them. Instant savings.

The moral of the story: a little friction goes a long way. Unlink your credit card. Make impulse purchases a little harder. Let the items sit in a wish list. Most of the time, by the time you’re ready to “commit,” you realize you didn’t actually need it.

It’s simple, it’s effective, and it’s saved me a ton of money. Plus, I still get the thrill of online shopping, just without the guilt (or the clutter).

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Mama, I know how easy it is to get lost in the swirl of kids, work, and life. That’s why I love creating space for moms to pause, breathe, and be reminded of their beauty. At Kristian Hutchings Portraits, you’ll be cared for from start to finish, and you’ll leave with images that show you the grace and strength your family already sees every day.

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Kristian is a mom of six, Program Manager by day, active Professional Photographer by trade, and a big believer in finding beauty in the everyday chaos.

Life in our house is loud, messy and full of literally everything. Love, noise, laundry, laughter, and definitely could use a bit more grace. I'm happily married to my best friend, grounded in my Catholic faith, and fueled by five to six hours of sleep per night and adrenaline.

I try to find joy in the everyday — even when it's wild, because without the little bit of joy, this life would be unbearable. This space is for the moms in the middle of it all: the ones juggling family, faith, work, and wonder. The ones that need someone else's messy life to make their own seem better or somewhat normal. You're not alone, and you're doing better than you think.

Welcome to Six Sweet Smiles — where we celebrate the mess, the miracles, and everything in between.