3 Ways to resist advertising and save money

Advertising. Not so long ago, we were able to physically remove ourselves from it — we could simply turn off the tv whenever an advert came on, for example. In this age of digital advancement, however, it’s much harder to avoid brand commercials than it once was. In fact, they seem to be pretty much everywhere these days.

If you’ve found yourself itching to spend money after having seen or watched one, you’re not alone. That is, after all, the purpose of advertising. But there are ways to resist this temptation — and to even steer clear of it altogether. 

Why not follow our key three tips to find out how? 

Be social media savvy  

Whether it’s Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, social media can be very useful, allowing us to keep in touch with far-flung friends and to stay updated on current trends. But as you’ll no doubt know already, these are key advertising platforms. How does it work? It’s fairly simple: sites like Facebook use data about your behaviours and friendships to calculate which ads you’ll be the most inclined to engage with. Straightforward activities like “liking” a post or interacting with the same people more frequently than others tend to indicate your buying traits. You might not realise it, but these subtly placed adverts can really influence your spending habits.

So, the next time you’re tempted to buy something you see on your social media home page, remember that it hasn’t just appeared by coincidence. Be social media savvy, and you can avoid falling into this spending trap. If you’re feeling particularly brave, you could even temporarily abstain from social media. 

Apply ad blockers 

It isn’t just your social media activity that affects what ads you do and don’t receive — your internet search history can, too. Ever been asked to “allow cookies” as soon as you’ve clicked onto a website? In doing so, you’re allowing that specific brand to use the information you give — from the pages you click on to any purchases you make — to target you with bespoke advertising. You’re then likely to come across adverts from that company on other web pages, which are tailored to your input data. 

While this technique is purely for marketing, it can be annoying, especially if we’re trying to cut back on spending. There is, however, a solution: ad blockers. In essence, these are software programmes that stop ads from being shown on sites. Invest in one, and you’ll be able to avoid targeted adds altogether. 

To further protect your finances online, you could always write down some savings initiativesto your phone, laptop or desk. That way, you’ll be able to keep an eye on your spendingpocket at all times. 

Challenge the temptation to buy 

Ads can sometimes tempt us when we least expect it. Very often, we’re so engrossed in the digital world that we forget about one of the oldest advertising platforms there is: television. True, you can avoid this altogether by limiting your screen time to digital channels only, such as Netflix or BBC iPlayer. But if you don’t want to give up terrestrial tv, don’t worry — you could still resist the advertising pull. 

If a commercial really entices you, challenge the urge with simple questions. Do I really need this? Have I already got a similar product at home? Will I regret this purchase later on? These kinds of questions typically help people to overcome the sudden urge to buy that’s prompted by adverts. If you’re faced with traditional advertising methods, the best way to overcome the spending temptation could be with a good old-fashioned response. 

Adverts are often clever, but you can easily outsmart them with these simple steps.