http://www.care2.com/greenliving/10-stop-shopping-tips.html
10 Stop-Shopping Tips
Some people hate shopping, some love it–and the ones who love it seem to really love it. In a my-credit-card-is-through-the-roof and I-have-way-too-much-stuff kind of way. Too much stuff usually means clutter and clutter, for many, is the bane of the day.
Why not kick that clutter to the curb by taming your shopping with these 10 tips to kick the habit?
1. Go shopping only when you need something. Go with a list of what you need and stick to it.
2. To minimize impulse buying, leave your credit card at home. If you’re willing to pay cash for an item, it’s generally something that you really love or need.
3. If you see something you really want, walk away from it. Go to a different store, get a drink, or use the restroom. If you really want or need that item, it will be worth the walk back.
4. Before you buy any organizing product, ask yourself if you could just eliminate or minimize the things you were planning to organize.
5. Don’t buy something just because it is on sale. Buy it because you either need it or love it.
6. Buy clothes in coordinating shades. You’ll need fewer shoes and accessories to go with your outfits if you stick to the basics. You can plan your wardrobe around two or three basic colors for each season. Not only does it make daily dressing easier, but packing for a trip is simpler because you aren’t tempted to pack things that don’t mix or match.
7. Purchase only items to replace things that are worn out.
8. Think twice about buying souvenirs. Take photographs or keep a journal instead.
9. Don’t buy something if you already have something that can do the same job.
10. Remember that the very best things in life are free. Instead of spending money on stuff you won’t use or need a year from now, spend time with a friend or family member or with a good book.
See what Care2 blogger Sustainable Dave has to say in To Buy or Not to Buy? Is There Really a Question?
From Unclutter Your Home by Donna Smallin (Storey Publishing, 1999).
Go to the Source
related stories
-
With successful flea market shopping, you'll bring home…
-
As far as shopping bags go, the plastic versus paper…
(32 comments)
-
Just think: Instead of four cars belching pollution on the…
(5 comments)
Annie B.
Melissa
Jana
Kelly
Lily
Terri
Betsy
Cait
Eric
Andrew
Dave
Robyn
Deepak
20 comments
add your comment »I'm a "junque" dealer so I may get some of that rush from auctions but in all honesty, people buy so much more than they need. Because I also work for a company that does estate sales I've seen things that are beyond tragic. Like the person above said, some houses are almost falling down around stacks of stuff. It can be quite tragic and I find it endlessly sad.
Years ago a friend of mine told me about someone she used to know who's house burned down. The family and pets were all safe but everything they owned was gone. Her friend was devastated but my friend suggested she was actually liberated from the stuff we litter our lives with. Certainly some things should be treasured but in simple financial terms we work most of our life to buy, store and maintain 'stuff' and leave it to the next generation to deal with. Most of them find it a terrible burden and are left with a lot of guilt when they can't squeeze the added 'stuff'....crap if you will...into their already over crammed space so it gets sold, goes to charity shops, or adds to the rampant piles of garbage we already can't contain.
It would be a blessing to be sure if the tide could be turned on that. Yes, I'd like to be out of a job though I do wonder at the consequences in a country that was told to go out and shop after September 11th.
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I've done No.3 quite a bit before. I'm in quite a dilemma for buying CDs though. I love music, and there's nothing that puts me in a good mood like singing along to music blasting on the way to work, but I sometimes feel guilty about spending on CDs. I will often download and make mixed CDs but it's still that same mentality that wants to accumulate more and more. Because it helps me feel good internally, I'm quite conflicted about this.
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I completely agree. Things don't make you happier, and certainly more things only add to the cleaning and organizing pile. I used to shop for sport. Then I cut up my credit cards and now I look for activities and hobbies such as exercise, music, reading, and dancing, as well as volunteer work, to accumulate, instead of "stuff". It's much more rewarding. It's important to free yourself of the need for things to make you happy, because there is always something more to get.
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I used to shop when I was bored or depressed or happy or for no reason. I chucked the habit totally when I came across a link that tells you how stuff works and how we are actually scapegoats and are Forced to Shop! Do check www.storyofstuff.com
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
nice shopping tips ....helps a lot
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Nice shopping tips...helps a lot
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I think the best way to kick the "shopping habit" is to stop looking at ads and watching commercials! They are deviously adept at plugging into our emotional and psychological needs to make us believe that buying their product will bring us love, make us more sexier, thinner, more beautiful or safer. Of course we can never "buy" these things, but one would never know that if we believed the commercials, which most of us tend to do when we are desperate. Our consumer society has be quite successful at telling us we can get these important needs met simply by buying something, whereas, in reality, we all know that is not true. Our needs can be met quite simply by developing many aspects of our non material lives, e.g. by improving our relationships and our self image. However, these ways don't sell "stuff"...
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I made my son help me do an inventory of the pantry and the freezer. Now when we go to the grocery store we only buy exactly what we need as things get removed off the inventory we add it to the shopping list.
We do the same with toys and clothes. As my son out grows them we replace it, I make sure to bag and give away before I buy.
Thanks for the tips they are a good reminder not to buy too much.
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
This is a more important issue than many realize. My Mother just passed away, her house was falling down, had a leaky roof and there was no money in the bank. However, there were 2 rooms full of brand new "stuff". Gifts she never gave, nice things she never used, gifts she received that were lost in the clutter. I see a lot of this in myself and have begun to take notice of what I buy.
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I've been able to stick to my budget better by having cash for my groceries. I get through the line quicker without worrying about adding the sum to a check-book. Great!
flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?