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Last updated on April 7th, 2022 at 06:59 pm
What’s your favorite store? Target? Nordstrom? Mine is definitely HomeGoods or Marshall’s. On the weekends my toddler and I will head to one of these stores if I’m on the lookout for something specific. Very specific. I suppress the urge to buy all the cute little things I find because I don’t like clutter.
Period.
Whenever I go shopping, I have a game plan and a certain frame of mind. I don’t want to walk out a store with more stuff than I actually need…or worse, buyer’s remorse. **cringe**
So what’s a girl to do when those cute fake succulents in the Target dollar section are calling you by name?
You can use my handy clutter-free shopping rules to get you through it. Here they are:
1 | Stick to a list
I keep a running list on my phone of things I’m keeping an eye out for, whether it’s a home decor item, a specific type of storage piece, or clothing. I can wander through every aisle and find something I would buy in an instant, but if it’s not something on the list it doesn’t go in the cart.
2 | No items without a place or a purpose
Everything in your home must have a place to live and purpose to serve. I know that Target bargain section has some real cute seasonal bargains. But if you don’t know what you’ll do with that stuff once the season is over, maybe it doesn’t deserve to come home with you.
How about re-purposing something you already have? It’s fun to be creative.
Or you can just appreciate the space (and $$) you’re saving by not bringing something home.
3 | Don’t settle for inferior items
I only bring something home if I know it’s exactly what I’m looking for. If there’s any doubt in my mind, the search continues!
There’s nothing worse than bringing something home that I know isn’t quite what I wanted. In fact, I hate that.
Most of the time I’ll put an item on hold and think it through. If I can’t stop thinking about it, then okay, I’ll go get it.
In my experience it’s worth it to save the money for a higher priced, better quality piece that has all my specifications.
4 | Be budget conscious
Set a budget for when you go to those stores that really tempt you. Use cash only. If you still don’t trust yourself leave the credit card at home so you don’t have a choice.
5 | Shopping is not an “activity”
We totally are guilty of making shopping something to do. It’s so hard, especially during vacations when it’s too hot to play outside.
Get creative to curb the boredom. The best memories are made in experiences, not purchases.
Do it! Try to apply these rules on your next long walk through a Target aisle and see how well you can curb that need for clutter.
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