Have you ever wondered why you buy the things you buy? I am sure that you come up with some kind of reason for why you need whatever it is that you were shopping for! Especially if that thing is on sale!

Here are just a few of the excuses I have told myself about why I absolutely need this random impulse buy.

“Oh, I love this! I better get this one even though I have one. That way, if it breaks, I still have one.” Or, “what a great deal, if I buy one, I get a second FREE!!” Or, “It’s only a DOLLAR! What a deal, I will just get it anyway!”

What do you enjoy more about your shopping once you’re home? Reminiscing about how great it is that you have that new shirt? Do you excitedly cut off the tags, try it on again, and hang it in your closet, waiting for the right event to wear it to? OR, reminiscing about conversations you had with a friend you haven’t seen in a while, over coffee or dinner?

OR, would you consider buying a service or a piece of quality equipment that feels like it gives you time for the things you actually want to do, like a renovation or cleaning service. Maybe it’s equipment like a good quality fishing rod if you love fishing, maybe a set of quality weights if you enjoy weightlifting, maybe it’s a pickleball paddle so you can hit up the local court, maybe it’s even a fancy kitchen cooking pot that helps you cook healthier meals for yourself.

Whatever you are shopping for, ensure that it’s something that adds quality to your life, not just quantity. it seems easier than ever to order something and have it show up at your door the next day, but that also makes it easy to buy quantity. What I mean by that, is that it’s way too easy to order the next trendy kitchen gadget, or that cool organizer that you think will change your life, or some new lunch container system that will somehow make your kids eat their lunches!

It’s just so easy to consume quantity!

Focus your shopping energy on stuff that gives your life more quality or stuff that gives you more quality time with those you love. Spend money on board games or things that bring you closer to your friends and family. Spend on recreation. Spend on lessons or training opportunities. Spend on the things you say you’ve always wanted to learn, but the money may have stood in your way.

Try instead to spend on giving your life more quality!

Shop less on all the stuff that makes your house feel like a storage unit and instead shop more for the stuff that allows you to host friends and family or participate in the hobbies you love! Instead of buying a couple of cheaper pairs of shoes, buy a targeted pair of shoes for doing something you enjoy, like golf shoes, hiking shoes, or even skates! Instead of buying all the fancy kitchen gadgets, spend money on fancy sauces or spices to add a bit of something special to the meals you make at home.

This switch in how you spend your money may mean that each item you buy or each thing you spend your money on is more expensive, but at least your house won’t be as full of all kinds of junkie or duplicate/triplicate items that you just need to sort through and declutter later in life!

Focus on quality as a new self care practice! It may even recharge your batteries more than all that impulse shopping!

Thanks for coming home!