Going minimal is not only about decluttering and owning less, it also means shopping less! Here is how to shop like a minimalist and save big.
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Shopping With Intention
If you want to live a minimalist lifestyle, you are going to have to learn to shop with intention. Shopping with intention has many benefits. It saves you time, money, and gives you a clear understanding of what you really need. If you want to maintain your minimalist lifestyle after you declutter everything, you will want to also be mindful of what you are bringing into your home.
Being a minimalist doesn’t mean that you will never buy anything ever again. That’s impossible! Everyone needs to buy things, even hardcore minimalists. Things get worn out, you need food, and you probably have friends/family to give gifts to on birthdays and Christmas. Being a minimalist also doesn’t mean that you can’t buy things for yourself that you enjoy. In fact it means the opposite: Buying less of what you don’t! Not just less, but don’t buy it at all if you don’t need or enjoy it.
Shopping with intention means no more impulse buys or retail therapy when you are feeling down. I think we all know by now how destructive these habits are and should aim to form healthier ones!
Some ways to shop with intention are:
- Making lists
- Not going shopping for entertainment purposes
- Allowing yourself time to think about big purchases
- Giving yourself a budget
These are just some ways you can start shopping with intention, now let’s get into the details of how to shop like a minimalist!
1. Make Lists
As I mentioned before, making lists is a great way to make sure you aren’t purchasing anything you won’t need or overspend. This applies to anything, not just groceries! Make lists when you need new clothes, household items, or even gifts for others. The goal of making a list is being prepared and planning ahead.
2. Do Your Research
If you are thinking of making a big purchase, or any purchase for that matter, it’s very important that you do your research. Compare prices among several stores and make sure you are getting a fair price. If whatever you are purchasing isn’t urgent, consider waiting for it to go on sale. Also, if you are buying something and don’t necessarily care if it’s brand new, try to see if you can buy it second hand! You can shop at thrift stores, garage sales, and look on apps like craigslist and offer up!
3. Don’t Go Shopping For Entertainment
I touched on only shopping when necessary when I talked about life changing minimalist habits. One thing to avoid is shopping for fun or as a hobby because shopping is NOT a hobby, sorry to break it to you. While I do enjoy shopping, I enjoy it when I am intentionally going to find things I actually want and need. I feel like the temptation to buy something you don’t need worsens if you are shopping for fun with friends. It can be easy to see what someone else is buying and desire to buy more things as well. Take a step back and focus on what really matters to you! If this is something you struggle with, consider only shopping by yourself so you won’t feel pressured.
4. Wait 24 Hours Before Buying
Waiting 24 hour before you buy something is a great way to give yourself some time to think things over. Maybe you are feeling impulsive one night and decide you want to buy some new pieces of clothing, a new furniture item, or a spontaneous flight to somewhere! Take a step back, breathe, and literally sleep on it. If you still want to make the purchase by the next 24 hours, then go ahead and do it. However, you might find that in some cases you will change your mind.
5. Give Yourself a Budget
Budgets aren’t only for people who are broke you know. However, if you are a little tight on money or even completely broke, then you should definitely be on a budget! When you give yourself a budget, focus on what you CAN buy, not what you can’t. Write down all of your expenses and go from there. You wan’t to make sure that all your essentials are covered, then your savings, and finally you can leave some room to spend for entertainment or personal. It’s important to make sure you are enjoying life and having fun, as long as it fits within your budget! Remember to prioritize your savings, your future self will thank you later.
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