So it made me think about how you turn "Shop 'til you drop" into "Shop 'til you…STOP." How do you stop yourself from getting into a shopping frenzy and buying more than you need?
We teach in our online program that getting organized is about Prevention, Reduction, and Maintenance– just like losing weight. Prevention is the first line of defense! You have to stop eating donuts if you want to lose some body pounds, and you have to stop bringing unneeded stuff over the threshold of your house if you want to lose Clutter-Pounds®.
Here are some great ways to STOP:
- Use our Clutter Prevention Wallet Sleeves. We have on these sleeves the five questions you should ask before buying anything– and your favorite debit or credit card gets stored inside. You cannot avoid it when shopping! These are a free printable download when you get our weekly "Just a Bite" newsletter here: www.clutterdiet.com/freetips
- Arm yourself with knowledge about sales ploys and how they affect you. Is a two-for-one deal really any good if you didn't need two in the first place (or even one)? Is the sale that brought you in the door causing you to buy something else while you're there that wasn't on sale? Before getting swept up in a frenzy, remember that the store is pushing your mental buttons. Don't go on autopilot! Keep your wits.
- Carry a calculator. Many smartphones have calculators built in, so you may already have one in your purse or pocket. If you don't have one, at least do a rough estimate in your head of what your savings actually will be and ask, "Is it worth it?" Is saving on the name brand going to still get you a deal compared to buying the generic or house brand of the identical item?
- Shop like a hunter, not a gatherer. We recommend that when organizing your closet, you make a list of the missing pieces of your wardrobe. Maybe there's that one blouse you've never had quite the right scarf for, or vice versa, or you need a belt, or you need a new pair of wool pants. If you bring the list with you, you'll shop in a more targeted way, instead of just browsing around aimlessly.
- Control your "clutter cravings." Are you a "shoe person?" Or do you like going to garage sales? Don't go alone into the clutter calorie equivalent of going to Krispy Kreme… bring a friend to talk you down, or bring cash with you to limit your spending.
Get comfortable with the concept of "enough." Resist the urge to "collect them all" or get one in every color! How do you stop yourself? Share in the comments!
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When bringing in something new, I get rid of two items in my home. This is not always an easy decision to do, but works for me.
I stopped myself by canceling all my credit cards. It is not as difficult as it sounds. It actually is quite freeing! Now I use cash or debit card only.
I keep a mental list (though I probably ought to write it down) of reasons NOT to buy something: maintenance, having a perfectly good one at home, reminding myself that I hate trying to figure out new gadgets, etc. For clothes, which happen to be my weakness, I check labels– if it’s dry clean or hand wash, I just skip it. I try to remember to take a step back and ask myself if it’s really a piece that’s “me” or if it’s just appealing because it’s on sale. I also try to remember that I like keeping my bank balance up and my credit card balance down, and the grief it’s caused me when those don’t happen. I’ve also just left credit cards at home.