bless. minimal shopping habits

What it does

bless is a mobile app designed to foster mindful consumption and help users gain control over their shopping habits. Instead of just tracking expenses, it provides tools to analyze the entire lifecycle of possessions: items you want, items you've bought, things you decided not to buy, and items you've gotten rid of. The app uses gamification, challenges, and educational content to encourage users to buy less and appreciate what they already own.

Where it shines

bless shines by turning abstract concepts of minimalism into concrete, interactive features. The mandatory 'rethink' period (01:13) is a standout example, forcing a pause before any impulse buy can be acted upon. The app also excels in its holistic tracking system, accessed via a colorful FAB at 01:31. This four-quadrant approach—want, got, didn't get, got rid of—provides a uniquely comprehensive view of a user's relationship with their belongings. Finally, the app's gamification, with points and levels for making mindful choices (01:19), makes the process feel rewarding rather than restrictive.

UX highlights

Purpose-driven color coding: Each of the four main actions has a distinct color (red for want, blue for got, etc.), which is used consistently in FABs, lists, and analytics, creating a strong visual language.
Playful gamification: The app awards points and levels for completing tasks like delaying a purchase or reading a lesson, turning mindful consumption into a positive game.
Actionable analytics: The Trends screen (04:37) provides a simple, visual summary of a user's activity, making it easy to see progress at a glance.
Forced reflection: The 'rethink' timer is a simple but powerful UX pattern that enforces a cooling-off period, directly combating impulsive behavior.
Holistic tracking: The ability to log items 'didn't get' and 'got rid of' provides a more complete psychological picture than a standard wishlist or expense tracker.
Embedded education: The app includes a library of 'Lessons' (06:01) on topics like the psychology of sales, providing value beyond simple tracking.

Monetization & growth

The app's monetization strategy is introduced immediately after a brief two-screen onboarding carousel. At 00:10, the user is presented with a paywall for a single, yearly subscription plan that includes a 7-day free trial. This 'hard gate' approach ensures that only users with high intent proceed, effectively qualifying the user base from the start. The paywall clearly lists the premium benefits, such as the ability to change currencies and access more trend charts.

Who it’s for

This app is for individuals looking to become more conscious consumers. It targets those who feel overwhelmed by clutter, are prone to impulse buying, or simply want to align their spending with minimalist values. The friendly mascot and gamified approach make it accessible to beginners in the world of minimalism, while the detailed tracking and analytics can appeal to more experienced practitioners looking for a dedicated tool.

Notes & opportunities

bless offers a very polished and thoughtful experience. One small point of friction is the currency conversion flow. While powerful, the exchange rate UI appears automatically (00:53) after entering a price, which could be slightly confusing if the user intended to use the default currency. Making this an optional step or clarifying the trigger could make the form-filling process smoother. Additionally, while the four-quadrant system is strong, the main 'hello!' screen (00:25) could potentially evolve into a more dynamic dashboard over time, rather than a static intro question.