Sound familiar?

You go to pick out an outfit before an event and you walk into your closet (busting at the seams with clothes), realizing that you have absolutely nothing to wear, you hate your entire wardrobe, and you need to rebrand your entire style (enter, credit card). 

The next thing you know, a new email from Abercrombie announcing they’re having a 30% off sale hits your inbox, or you come across a girl on Instagram who has the most perfect outfits-- and you’re on her LTK adding things to cart before you can even blink an eye. 

When you combine the scarcity-fueled emotions of feeling like you have nothing to wear, and the dopamine hit of online shopping and having a package arriving at your doorstep... it’s no wonder it’s so easy to feel like impulse shopping is inescapable!

But here’s the thing. When you online shop with the Hulk mindset, you probably also can relate to having the package arrive at your doorstep, and then feeling an immediate twang of guilt for spending as much as you did. Or, when you’re opening the packages you realize you don’t even love (or have anywhere to wear) the clothes you ordered. 

Instead of letting those clothes sit in your closet, unworn, or in the backseat of your car with the intention of printing a return label and sending them back for a refund (maybe 🫠)…. We can implement strategy into our shopping routine and not only end up with a closet of clothes we love, but also heal our relationship with spending (and money in general!). 

So how do we do this? It’s as simple as 7 questions. Chloe shared this framework for decision making in more detail on a video series on TikTok where she went through each item an online shopping order to determine if it passed the test. 

Seven questions might sound like a lot, but put it on a sticky note on your desk or mirror, familiarize yourself with it, and soon you’ll be able to know if the item is a “yes” or “no” just by your immediate feeling. So let’s get into Chloe’s go-to guide for intentionality:

Before purchasing:

1. Am I in a neutral state?
   Shopping while stressed, sad, or excited can lead to impulse purchases. The goal is learning to pause and make sure your emotions aren’t driving your decision. (Ahem– last minute before an event when you’re stressed, rushed, and feel like you have nothing to wear = not great time to online shop)
2. Is this item itself in alignment?
   This one is most easy to answer “yes” to– but do you love the item itself? Do you think it’s cute and special and something you would like to own?
3. Is the price worth it to me?
   This doesn’t just mean “is it cheap?” It’s about asking if the value you get from the item justifies the price. If you are only going to wear it once, maybe you have a lower threshold for the amount you’d be willing to pay (vs. finding it used on Poshmark or thrifting a similar item, for example). 

After purchasing (but before removing the tags✂️):

1. Is the outcome of the purchase in alignment?
   This is where your finances come into the picture. Does the result of this purchase (say, the $50 that would be going on a credit card or the $50 you would have to move from your “eating out” bucket for the month– align with your goals? It’s okay to spend, but we want to make sure it’s planned and intentional spending. Buyer’s remorse is a sign it’s not a keeper.
2. Do I have an outfit to wear it with?
   Or are you buying pieces that require a whole new wardrobe to make sense? Probably not optimal.
3. Do I have a specific place to wear it?
   Can you relate to this shopping experience: “Omg this dress is so cute I could wear it to my cousin’s wedding next summer!” *Adds to cart* Next summer comes around: “What am I going to wear to this wedding, I don’t like any of the dresses I have!” This one is so important and helpful if you fall victim to buying something cute for “someday.” If you can’t picture yourself wearing it in the near future, it’s probably not practical. 
4. Do I feel wildly confident in it?
   This one’s non-negotiable in our opinion. If it doesn’t fit perfectly, isn’t comfortable, or doesn’t make you feel amazing and want to wear it tomorrow, it’s out.

If the answer isn’t a “hell yes” to all of these questions, the item doesn’t make it into Chloe’s wardrobe!  

Elevating what you already own

Okay, so now what do we do with the overflowing closet of clothes you’re not totally obsessed with? One of the most empowering things you can learn about improving your relationship with money isn’t just about what you buy—it’s about optimizing what you already have.

A great habit to add into your weekly or monthly routine is to do a “closet vibe check”.  Here’s what Chloe likes to do:

• Create go-to outfits: Become your own Pinterest board. Put together combinations you love and wear often, and snap a picture of yourself in it! Create an album on your phone camera roll called “Outfits” and anytime you don’t know what to wear, scroll through and look at what you already love and have.  
• Declutter ruthlessly: If you haven’t touched something in months (or years), there’s a good chance you won’t in the future. We know, it can be tempting to find an excuse that “someday” you’ll need that lime green tube top for Neon Day,  but let’s be realistic, your days of themed parties or Spirit Weeks are in the past. If you need something in the future, you can always find a different one (the abundance mindset!). 
• Make money: Decluttering isn’t just good for your closet, it can be a big win for your finances, too. Reselling items you no longer love on platforms like Poshmark, ThredUp, or local consignment shop can not only free up space in your closet, but free up space in your spend plan for intentional purchases that truly align with your goals.

Make it happen.

Transforming your relationship with spending doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Starting small, like taking a closer look at your closet, can make a big difference. By being intentional with what you buy, keep, and wear, you’ll not only create a wardrobe you love but also strengthen your financial habits. 

If you want a resource to help you get started, we have a 20 day audio series, Hot Girl Finance: Season 2 | Hot Girl Spending. After over 21,000 downloads of Hot Girl Finance Season 1, we released a Spending and Shopping focused sequel of our 20-day audio series to listen to on your Hot Girl Walk. This is a mindset work based series coupled with a daily takeaway/ Each episode of Hot Girl Finance is less than 20 minutes—aiming to provide you with a quick, but powerful message to work on your relationship with spending. 

And if you’re ready to overhaul your finances completely, and talk about how spending fits into your other goals like investing, paying off debt, saving for big purchases, and more– our signature program The Wealth Accelerator is a 12 week, life-changing course that will change your finances and your life– and leave you with a solid financial plan, excitement about your money, and a net worth that’s taking off!

So, here’s our challenge to you: Take 30 minutes this week to evaluate your closet. Use the 7 questions to guide you. And if you’re ready to let go of pieces you don’t love, turn them into cash with a reselling app, gift them to charity, or a friend! 

Elevating your relationship with money starts with intentional spending and optimizing what you already have... and your closet is the perfect place to begin!