THE BROKEN WALLET

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This is something we’re all probably guilty of…buying stuff or things that we don’t need. But hey, we’re only human. And let’s be honest, with so much constantly being advertised and thrown in our faces, it’s often hard to separate needs from wants. 

This doesn’t mean it’s okay, though. Consumerism can get out of hand fast, leaving us with debt and nothing in savings. So if you’re looking to curb spending and keep more of your hard-earned cash, this post is for you. Here’s a look at several simple, practical ways to stop buying stuff that you don’t need. 

1. Think about “why” you’re buying it

Keep in mind that the “why” goes much deeper than simply liking an item. This is something a lot of people fail to do. Yet, it’s a major first-step.

Examining your intentions forces you to consider “why you want to make a certain purchase.” This is crucial because some people fall into this trap of buying stuff to maintain a certain image or because it looks good on them.

However, buying something “just because it looks good” isn’t really a good reason. You probably like a lot of things, and if you purchase everything that catches your eye you’ll likely end up broke.

Now, there’s nothing wrong with treating yourself or owning nice goods, I believe that a person can be frugal and satisfy their wants. But you also need to be balance and deliberate (which involves setting aside money/planning purchases instead of spending impulsively).

So honestly ask yourself: Do I buy things because owning stuff makes me appear more successful or look rich?

At the end of the day, you should buy things that will enhance your life and add value to it. Because when you shop to keep up or impress others, you fall into a consumption trap.

You start buying stuff and making choices that don’t really align with the person you want to be.

2. Realistically ask, “how often will I use it”

This one change alone has stopped me from making a lot of purchases.

About once a year I like to go through our stuff and get rid of items that I don’t use anymore. And what I’ve discovered is that a lot of the items I’ve decluttered have been things that I’ve only used once…and stuff I would probably never use again.

I’ve also decluttered stuff that I’ve never used.

Recently while decluttering our kitchen I found this little pot that’s designed specifically for cooking and warming up soup. It was cute and even had a little pour spout attached to one end, which was convenient.

I thought it would be nice to have in the house. But in reality, it wasn’t that special or different from any other saucepan we owned. So it ended up being a waste of money.

Therefore, don’t spend money just because an item is cute or slightly unique. The novelty will probably wear off. 

3. Think about what you need, and shop with a list 

One key to stop buying stuff you don’t need is having a clear idea of what you need before stepping foot in a store. 

This was another mistake I made in the past. I would go to the store, see something I liked, and buy it without giving any thought as to whether I owned something similar.

And as you can probably guess, I ended up with duplicate items. So always, always, always shop with a list.

Some people only think about writing a list when buying food. Yet, a list comes in handy when shopping for clothes and other things for the house.

It keeps you focused. Plus, when you write out a list before leaving home, it’s an opportunity to think about what you have. If you take inventory, you might see that you don’t need as much as you think.

4. Buy more experiences

Granted, we have to buy things like clothes, shoes, and household items. These eventually wear out and need replacing. 

Plus, we work hard. So naturally, we want to treat ourselves from time to time. 

However, you don’t have to always treat yourself with tangible items. Because the truth is, the excitement of material things usually wears off. And after the fact, you end up with a bunch of stuff that doesn’t bring any real enjoyment to your life – and stuff you might even forget about.

For this reason, I think it’s so vital to prioritize buying more experiences – because stuff is just stuff.

Some people might think this is odd, but my husband and I don’t really buy individual anniversary gifts for each other, at least not on a regular basis. Ordinarily, we take those resources and do something. We might plan a staycation and act like tourists in our own town. One year we took a cruise, and other years we planned a whale watching tour and stayed in a bed and breakfast for the first time.

Now, that’s just us. So I’m not saying you shouldn’t buy your spouse an anniversary gift.

But for me, the trips and experiences we’ve shared have been slightly more memorable than the items we’ve bought for each other.

5. Buy to replace, not add

It’s one thing to add to your wardrobe if you’re trying to flesh it out. But if you already have a nice size wardrobe and clothes for different occasions, one way to reduce clutter and extra spending is making a conscious effort to buy replacement items instead of unnecessarily adding to your wardrobe.

This doesn’t only apply to clothes…it can apply to anything like makeup, home decor, kitchenware, accessories, and so much more.

If you bring something new into the home, commit to taking something out – whether you’re giving it away, donating it, or tossing it in the trash.