Do you like to shop and find yourself buying things you don’t really need? It’s fun to browse and see the newest trends, but if you end up coming home with more items that will sit around your home and go unused, you’ve not just wasted an afternoon but also your money. Why is it that we purchase things on impulse? What void are you trying to fill with the excitement of a new bit or bauble? If you need a little help curbing the clutter and the desire for more, here are a few helpful tips…

1. 
   Only go shopping when you need something. Quite often we shop for things we think we need, or for a product that improves on what we already have at home. Ask yourself if you really need to go shopping or if you even “need” that product.  It may be that you just want to get away from home for a little while. Perhaps you like to shop with friends. Seek out other entertainment or an experience that you can do yourself or with your friends that don’t require you bringing home another duplicate or knickknack. Is there a local event you can attend, a park you can visit, a new restaurant to test out? By curbing your shopping habits, you free up your time and wallet for other adventures!
2. 
   Leave the credit card at home. If you’re more inclined to purchase things you don’t need or won’t use on your credit card, then leave your card at home. With cash, you’re more likely to stop and think before you buy. It’s hard to think of the purchase as just a number that gets adjusted in your account when you’re counting out your money. 
3. 
   Buy one and remove one.  If you’re going to buy something new, then determine ahead of time what equivalent item you will get rid of when you return home. Then follow through and donate or discard your items right away. This plan works especially well with large purchases like furniture, but it can also work with your clothing, tools, linens, kitchen gadgets and everything in between. If you’re purchasing a newer model or upgraded version, then make a plan to get rid of the older one. If the thought of parting with something at home has you on edge, then maybe this new purchase can wait a little longer. 
4. 
   Space and time. Try walking away from the purchase you were about to make and give yourself a little more time to think about it. If this wasn’t something you were desperately searching for and it isn’t a one-of-a-kind piece of art, then you have the ability to walk away, grab lunch, and possibly even return in a day or so. Process your thoughts and feelings and see if it’s really that important to you. Will you use it? Do you have space for it in your home? Thinking through your purchases when you’ve given yourself some time and space will help curb your impulse buys in the moment. If you happen to be on vacation at the time and it’s a unique item, ask a clerk to hold the item while you continue shopping, so you can ponder your purchase. Remember, you can also call the store once you’re back home and have the item shipped if you really love it. 
5. 
   Don’t purchase something just because it’s on sale. If you’re buying things you don’t need or won’t use just because they are on sale, you are not saving, you are spending! Just because you have a coupon, doesn’t mean you have to use it. Buy One, Get One Free, just means you’re saving 50% on each item. Do you need either one? If you need one, but not two or three of a “free” item, see if a family member wants to split the purchase with you.  Buy One, Get One 50% OFF is only saving you 25% on each item, which isn’t the best savings plan if you only needed one to begin with. Think through what the coupon or sale signage is actually saying and make a wiser decision before you buy. It might benefit you better to wait until you actually need it or could use it and there is a better sales price.
6. 
   Don’t buy in bulk if you don’t have the storage space. If you’re living in a smaller home and storage space is at a premium, don’t buy the 24 or 48 pack of toilet paper. Shop smaller and you won’t be looking at clutter or falling over tripping hazards because you can’t store bulk items in your closets or cabinets. 
7. 
   You don’t need to own backups. In our day and age with Amazon, Ebay and Esty, you can probably find a duplicate product when your old one breaks. There’s no need to keep extras on hand “just in case.” If you wait and buy quality items the first time, you’re less likely to need to replace the inferior knockoffs. Do your research and make smart purchases the first time around. Magazines like Consumer Reports can provide buying guides and comparison charts for both large and every day purchases.
8. 
   Take pictures. Quite often when we’re shopping we see something that evokes an emotional response. Maybe that item reminds us of a loved one, causes us to laugh, or fills us with joy. Just because an object brings about a memory or feeling, doesn’t mean we need to pull out our credit card and purchase it. Pull out your cell phone instead and take a picture! You can show the item to friends or family this way and bring joy to someone else. There’s no money spent and nothing to dust! You can even create a photo album on your phone of funny things you see, cute knick knacks, or items that remind you of your loved one. Try this technique on your vacations instead of buying more “state” or “beach” named products. Sure a sweatshirt or baseball cap is a useful article of clothing and may be a great purchase, but not if your closet is filled with unworn sweatshirts and hats from vacations of yesteryear.
9. 
   Think about the impact. Before you make that purchase, think about the impact that purchase will have on your home and your time. Will buying a large piece of furniture or new rug cause you to question and redesign your home’s layout or lead to other purchases? Would acquiring an ornate decorative piece or new tchotchke require more of your time when it comes to dusting and cleaning? Don’t forget to consider the impact your purchase makes on the environment. Do you really need to upgrade to the newest model when your older sofa or tv still do the job? We impact our world by disposing of perfectly good items in exchange for the newest improvement or style.  We buy multiple inferior products and toss them away instead of waiting to purchase something of a better quality that will last longer. 
10. 
    Prioritize your budget. Before you make that purchase, consider what you are giving up financially in other areas of your life. Is this money well spent or money that was designated for something more important? We need to contemplate the future rather than rushing to acquire more for the immediate gratification. Pause to evaluate how all of your smaller purchases are impacting your future stability and goals. We usually discuss spending habits with children and try to show them the importance of foregoing the immediate desire so they can save up for the bigger toy, and at times we must stop and remind ourselves of the very same things. Am I short changing my vacation or retirement plans or delaying reaching those goals because of my immediate wants?

What shopping tips would you offer to someone who tends to splurge on unnecessary things?