How To Adopt a Lifestyle of Buying Less

We have a problem.  We have too much stuff yet we still buy too many things and then we need to find ways to store all that stuff. Sometimes you have to buy a new thing to store the stuff.  Sometimes you even buy a bigger house or a storage unit just to store all that stuff.  And when we buy stuff, we aren't buying good quality stuff, so it breaks and it ends up in a landfill.  Some of the stuff is so cheap we don't even pay attention to how it's made or where it comes from. Luckily, it's possible to adopt a lifestyle of consuming less simply by buying less and it's easier than you think.
Know What You Already Have

There are many reasons we purchase something new and often it's simply because we thought we needed it but it turns out we already had it somewhere in our home but just couldn't find it.  Knowing what you already have is very important but you can't do that if you have too much stuff and none of it is organized.  I'm not suggesting you become a hardcore minimalist, but adopting a more minimal mindset is very important because you can get rid of things you no longer need, maybe even make some money in the process, and in the end you'll be more aware of what you do possess and where it's at.  This is obviously a task of its own but this is why it's important to dedicate time to reducing the amount of things you own.  

And of course if you want to sell things to make money, you have to accept that not everything will sell and you'll still be stuck with it so get comfortable with the idea of donating or giving things away. There are lots of Buy Nothing Facebook groups so see if there's one for your area.  You can post things and whoever is interested can meet up with you or even grab it off your front porch.  The cool thing is - when you are giving things away for free - that means whoever gets it didn't have to buy it.  And when more people can find quality things for free or at a low price locally - that means there's less of a demand overall for cheap junk. 

However you go about it, you need to know what you already have, so make it a point to reduce what you own and organize what you end up keeping so that it's easy to keep track of. 

Get Creative

Instead of running out and buying something new when you realize you need it, see if you can find a creative alternative.  Now, I will admit that I am so organized that I had to purchase organizing bins and drawer dividers for my home.  But I also use trays, boxes products come in, and other creative ways to keep my home organized and tidy.  I've saved so much money doing this and I also am keeping things out of the landfill.  I have a surplus of organizing bins and items in my basement that I go through first. Some of it is mismatched items from over the years and some of it is stuff like an iPhone box lid.  It makes a great desk drawer organizer! 

 

The other day I was thinking I might need to purchase some more cleaning cloths...then I remembered I had clothing that had holes in it and can't be donated so I should just cut those up.  There are many creative solutions that don't involve purchasing something.  If you lack inspiration, trust me when I say a simple online search can bring up alternatives to almost any product. 

 

Think Before You Purchase

This is one that takes time but the more you practice it, the easier it gets. It's important to stop and think before you make any purchase.  This can be when you're about to hit SUBMIT on your shopping cart online or when you're bored and perusing the aisles of your local TJ Maxx with no purpose.  Remember to stop and think of the following things:

• Do I need this? Not want.... but need. Do I have an immediate and necessary need to get this item? If you need a new filter for your water filter system then yea, you probably need it.  If you have 15 flower pots at home but simply like this one because of the design - no you don't actually need it.  
  
• Do I have space for this? Sure, the wall art is cute, but do you even have an open spot for it? 
• Can I make this myself or repurpose something to do the same thing? Again, think of the desk drawer organizers that are usually ridiculously priced vs utilizing box lids from stuff you already have at home.
  

Avoid Shopping with No Purpose

We shop for a variety of reasons but often we do it unnecessarily because we're bored or because we saw something cool online and wanted to check it out.  Those aren't purpose driven purchases though.  A purpose driven purchase is something you are actively seeking out so you research where to get it at the best price with the best quality in mind.  So when it comes to any other type of shopping stop it.  Don't go shopping when you're bored.  Don't get distracted when you're already shopping for a purpose. When you do have to shop, stick to a list and a budget.  This is important even at the grocery store.  I have blogged about meal planning in the past and the key to getting it right is to plan out your meals for 1-2 weeks, compile a list of the ingredients you need to buy (because you don't have them on hand) for those meals, and then make your grocery list in the order of the aisles you go down in the store. Don't go in an aisle you don't need anything from. Don't pay attention to end caps.  And shop generic brands when possible to save money. 

Quality Matters

Of course at first glance a dress might look super cute, but is it really good quality? If it's something you will only wear once a year, then that's fine but if you're looking for something you will wear often, consider investing in a high quality item that will last for years to come.  Otherwise, you'll end up needing to replace it more often.  By choosing ethical brands and products you are supporting better work environments for the people who make those products.  

 

Avoid fast fashion when possible especially with highly used items like shoes, handbags, jeans, socks, and underwear.   And be mindful when you buy something by making sure you will use it more than once.  If you only need it for one time use, consider asking to see if neighbors or friends have one you can borrow. This is especially helpful with tools and things like chainsaws.  How many trees do you have in your yard? If a branch falls during a storm, you may be able to borrow a chainsaw from a neighbor in exchange for a few bucks or a meal.  

 

Avoid Unique Gadgets

I can't tell you how much these irk me.  I get it, it can seem really appealing to buy a product designed for a super specific purpose - but is it really necessary? There are so many kitchen gadgets we are tempted to get and then barely ever use.  Sometimes it's more of a hassle to pull the item out of the cabinet to begin with, so we end up using a different alternative.  If it's easier for you to chop food up with a knife when cooking, then you may not need that bulky food chopper that will take up precious space in your cabinets.  

You know how they make those little gadgets that you can put on your tube of toothpaste to squeeze it all towards the nozzle? I tried one.  It was bulky and made it hard to keep storing my toothpaste in my medicine cabinet.  So I switched to using a binder clip.  And then I realized, I didn't need anything at all and now I just roll my tube as it empties out.  Adopting this mindset has made it so I have to work really hard to convince myself to purchase anything that serves a purpose for me.  I recently found myself looking at pre-made labels for organizing storage bins.  Then I realized there's nothing wrong with me using regular paper, cutting it into rectangles, writing neatly on the label exactly what I want it to say, and taping it to the storage bin.  Honestly, no one is going through my basement storage closet judging me for the method in which I store and label my holiday decor.  

Sales and Promotions are Tricky

Sometimes we are tempted to buy things because they are on sale or there's a promotion for buying a certain number of them.  Don't fall for it.  I saw there was a really cool gadget organizer and then I realized that I don't need to organize my tech gadgets.  This goes back to the point of thinking before you purchase.  Most of the time we don't even need what's on sale but when we see it's on sale we immediately feel like we need to act fast to take advantage of the good price.  

By being more minimal and organizing with our existing possessions and more mindful about how and what we buy, we can have more open space in our home, save money for more useful things or goals, and support a healthier way of living for others when it comes to how they are able to obtain things they need (free groups) and how products are made (unethical working conditions). 

What are some changes you have made to adopt a lifestyle of buying less?

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