4 Smart Ways to Build Sustainable Shopping Habits that Actually Stick
Have you noticed that those weeks when you have Amazon boxes coming every day, your home feels more cluttered? Sometimes, those unconscious, repetitive shopping habits (like clicking add to cart) can slowly, but surely, lead to an overcrowded home. This constant ordering results in a space filled with items that are neither truly needed or consistently used. I have compiled my sustainable shopping tips to maintain control over your inventory and keep home organization in check.
Tip #1: Before Buying in Bulk…
I am not a fan of Costco. Costco has created an illusion of saving money. You think when you buy a lot at a lower price, you’re saving money. And yes, when you use everything, like paper towels and toilet paper, you save money. But when you buy 30 cans of tomato sauce and 24 of them expire in your pantry, you’re actually losing money. In this case, you would have saved money by just buying 6 cans at the grocery store.
The mindset Costco has profited from is the scarcity mindset. The idea that you need backup just in case. You don’t need back ups. Many groceries you’re fine buying as you need them. I aim to have my fridge bare by the end of the week and the pantry without too much backstock. Buying backups is often driven by the scarcity mindset and anxiety, when in fact, you don’t need to be managing all that backstock and can focus on buying what you need each week.
Tip #2: Ban the Impulse Buy…
Brands know how to make you want items. When our parents were going to the store, they were at the checkout line. Now, we have sales and influencers that convince us we need items right now. When you give into the temptation of impulse buys, you’re adding to the items you need to manage in your and contributing to clutter. When you hit buy on that new, better bento box for your kids that has no plastic but no space to put it, you’re adding to the clutter in your home.
You need to work within your established home organization systems. I recommend creating a list to shop from and not veering from that list. This practice shifts the decision from an emotional reaction to a pre-planned, ration choice. If you really like it, make yourself wait a week to buy it. This also helps remove the emotion and skip the impulse buy when you really don’t need it. An item on sale that you don’t need is a 100% waste of time, space and money.
Tip #3: Buy Better Brands…
Amazon has a strong hold on us. The convenience and instant gratification it offers in unmatched. However, are you really saving money when you buy 4 dresses of lesser quality or spend the same amount on one dress of high quality that you’ll wear for years? I vote the latter. When you buy those four dresses, you wear them for a season and then donate them, creating more fast fashion waste.
I love taking the time to buy items that will last longer and are of better quality. This also makes me really think about whether I want the item. It’s easy to click buy on that $20 dress but is better to spend more and think about it. With all the fast fashion around, take the time to research your brands and decide what brands fit your body, your values and your budget.
Tip #4: Best Guess Buying…
How many times do you order something online and just hope that it works? I understand, I rarely walk into a store. But you can still do your research and save yourself time and money. The time on the front end, measuring, trying on or color matching, will save so much time on the backend. Future you will thank past you!
When you don’t spend the time to confirm it will fit your body or your space, you end up wasting time returning the item or keeping it and creating more clutter from items that don’t fit or work in the space.
I always recommend shopping with measurements, swatches or photos of the space or item needed. For clothing or shoes, I recommend trying on in store or getting your own measurements to compare to the sizes online. This is essential to prevent unwanted items from ending up in the donate pile immediately. Preparation before buying prevents wasted effort and unnecessary items from entering the home.
When your work to change your mindset from buying based on future aspirations to mindfully shopping for your needs now, you save yourself time, money and energy. Whether your buying clothing, furniture or anything in between, think through what you’re spending your money on, create a list and don’t fall for impulse buying traps. When you use these sustainable shopping tips, you provide the foundation for maintaining a clutter-free, organized home.
Have any questions about how to make your shopping habits more sustainable? We’re your people! Let’s schedule a time to chat.
Until next time,
Jordan
