Learn How To Stop Buying Stuff

As a living simple minimalist, I try to live my life deliberately. No surprises. Learning how to stop buying stuff has made my life more enjoyable.

Is buying stuff causing a problem in your life?

If so I suggest you adopt an increasingly more deliberate approach to life that may diminish your impulses to buy stuff.

More importantly, you have to get to the heart of your buying stuff problem. Why do we consider reaching for our wallet or credit card when we do?

If you ever wondered how to stop buying stuff you don’t need, join the club. Continue reading to discover how to stop buying things you don’t truly need.

Why Stop Buying Stuff?

Without a clear purpose, most people will quickly lose direction and fail. Once you determine a purpose, use it as motivation and a default position to propel you into success.

Having a savings goal is a common motivator to help you stop buying stuff, but I suggest you develop something more in-depth and intentional.

Getting to the root of the problem would be most helpful. Why are you buying stuff? How did buying stuff become your solution? How to stop buying stuff and changing your behavior became the remedy.

Here are some of the benefits I enjoy because I learned how to stop buying stuff I really did not need:

I have more disposable income and freedom.

• You need to be very clear as to why you want to stop, or you will not succeed.
• I have more time because I don’t spend hours working to pay for things, window shopping, or surfing the internet, dreaming of things to buy.
• I stopped comparing myself to others. I don’t judge people or myself by what they own. I even enjoy more confidence because of it.

How would learning how to stop buying stuff benefit you?

How To Stop Buying Stuff

Now that you have identified your motivation and your why, let’s establish the how. It’s time to stop buying things we really don’t need.

What would you like out of life? What are some of your dreams? How would stopping from buying stuff help you reach your goals? What is your priority (I don’t believe you can have more than one priority), and how can I help you realize it?

For I was tired of being broke and living with things I didn’t need, and I no longer want to clutter up my living spaces. Most of it, I didn’t remember buying or even how I bought it.

What is it for you?

Follow some of these steps to learn how to stop buying stuff you don’t really need:

Learn What Triggers You To Buy Stuff

Why do you keep buying stuff you don’t need? Is it boredom? Are you trying to keep up with the Joneses? Whatever your triggers are, learn to recognize them, and when they occur, so you can take steps to avoid them.

Create Savings Goals

Creating a savings goal and realizing the benefits of success can be a great motivational tool to help you stop buying things you don’t need.

Growing your bank account and disposable income can create more freedom in your life. That pile of junk can fund your freedom.

Only Shop When You Need To

You are less likely to buy stuff the less you shop—only shop when you actually need to make a purchase.

If you do not need it do not buy it. Ask yourself that simple question before you make a purchase. Do I really need to buy this?

Create A Shopping Plan

We all have to shop, but we would like to avoid buying things we do not need. The best way to ensure we reach that goal is to create a shopping plan.

You should create a shopping list well in advance. I love this time- and money-saving move because it forces you to be more mindful and a more profound thinker about the purpose of every item you consider adding to your list.

This makes life easier. Now all you have to do is stick to your shopping list to save time, money, and ensure you don’t buy things you don’t need.

If It Does Not Add Value To Your Life, Don’t Buy It

Be honest with yourself. If you have to make up excuses or rationalize with yourself, don’t buy it. Ask yourself. Will it really add value to my life? Do I really want this?

Where will it be in 6 months or a year?

Do Not Buy More Of What You Already Own

Allow me to explain. Do not buy more of what you own, just in case. Do not upgrade things to the next latest and greatest just because.

This may be for me, but I rarely fall for the ‘buy one and get one for half price’ deal if I don’t really need the second item.

I do not want to waste time storing and managing all of those second items in my home, hoping I will use them.

I do not need the new iPhone because the one I already own still does everything I need it to do.

Try A Capsule Wardrobe

What is a capsule wardrobe? A capsule wardrobe is:

A small collection of garments designed to be worn together which harmonized in color and line.

Wikipedia

Create a wardrobe of high-quality items that mix and match well together to give the illusion of a larger wardrobe.

This wardrobe should last years and help you to avoid shopping for unnecessary clothing or feeling the need to keep up with fashion trends.

Pants, shirts, jackets, skirts, dresses, and the like can create a wardrobe that mixes and matches so well together to create a cohesive and extensive wardrobe.

Save time by getting dressed faster in the morning without worrying about what to wear.

Just mix and match.

Avoid Going Into Debt

We all know better, but sometimes we do it anyway. STOP IT! This has become a non-issue since I became a Minimalist.

Be honest with yourself and avoid rationalizing a purchase that exceeds your budget. The numbers do not lie.

Use this knowledge base to eliminate debt.

Create A Support System

Life is better when you share it with people you care about and care about you. Find friends or family members with whom you feel comfortable discussing your goals and dreams.

Celebrate your success and discuss your failures with them. Also, look for support online. You can always leave a comment for me here. Maybe I can help.

Conclusion

Buying things you don’t really need can be a simple annoyance or develop into a significant problem in the lives of many.

If most of the items you buy that you really don’t need end up in a closet or storage unit within a year, I hope you find value in some of my suggestions.

If your house is bursting at its seams or you are in debt because of buying things you really don’t need, I hope you find value in my suggestions.

Just remember, if you are really struggling with this problem, it can usually be overcome with a great mental attitude.

Unfortunately, if you cannot stop buying stuff you do not need, you should seek professional help.