Shopping Tips

There are tons of shopping tips out there - how to shop on a budget, how to shop for specific things, how to shop using coupons, how to shop online, how to shop for other people, so on and so on.

This page is certainly about shopping, but it's about how to shop thoughtfully. :)

We often buy things we don't need. I've done it, you've done it, we've all done it! Let's start purchasing with purpose and limit the clutter we bring into our lives.

The following shopping tips will get you started. Enjoy!

Shopping Tips: Think Before You Buy
One of the most important shopping tips for thoughtful buying is to look before you leap.

Before you spend money on an unnecessary item and bring a potential piece of clutter into your world, ask yourself the following:

Did I come into this store (or go to this website) for this particular item?

What specifically will I use this item for?

Do I already have one of these or something similar?

Do I know exactly where it will go in my home or office? Is there space for it?

Why do I need this item? ("Because I want it" isn't an answer.)

If you can't easily answer the above questions with specific answers, then don't buy it because you don't really need it.

Here's an example of how the above questions can come into play when buying something you do actually need.

I came into this pet store because my dog needs a coat. She doesn't have one that fits and winter is around the corner. I will get rid of the coat that doesn't fit her and store this new one in its place.

Here's an example of of how the above questions can come into play when purchasing something you really don't need.

I just happened to be passing this pet store and decided to come in to see if anything is on sale. Ooh! This winter coat is really cute. My dog already has a bunch of coats and the basket that holds them is overflowing, but she doesn't have this color yet.


Shopping Tips: Purchase Things You Love
When you absolutely love something, you imagine it in your life and how you will use it. This is a good rule of thumb to keep in mind when shopping for anything and everything.

If you don't love it in the store (or on the website), then you won't love it at home or in the office. Thus, it will sit, become a piece of clutter and gather dust.

You know when you absolutely love something or when you don't. Listen to yourself and don't purchase things you feel so-so about.

The following are NOT reasons to buy something.

It's on SALE.
Items on sale are great, but you must love the item first. If it's on sale also, then fantastic!

I WANT to like it.
Wanting to like something and actually liking it are two different things. You won't use something you want to like, so don't buy it.

I COULD use it.
Making up uses for an item doesn't justify purchasing it.

Will you though? You are giving yourself work to do decreasing the chances that you will actually return the item.

Book Shopping Tips: 3 Types Of Books You Need But Don't Have To Buy

1. Travel Guide Books - These books go out of date pretty quickly. There are tons of free websites dedicated to reviewing hotels, restaurants, etc. for any and every destination in the world.

2. Cook Books - These books can take up a lot of space and get little use, especially if you have a different book for each cooking specialty. Keep the basic cook books but use the internet for specialty recipes. There are a lot of free websites that list recipes of all kinds.

3. Wedding Planning Books - There are a bunch of free websites that offer tips, have pictures for inspiration and provide local vendor searches.

The above shopping tips save you money. Click here for more on organizing your financial life!