Three questions for smart, clutter-free shopping

We’re always on the hunt for deals, steals and bargains galore. However, in our rush to save a few dollars we often overlook the fact that many of those newly collected items will turn into clutter in our homes. Why?

We end up buying based not on what’s needed but based on a sale price. We’re not thinking of our present circumstances but of what might come in handy in the future, what seems like a good idea simply because it’s a good deal.

The Pareto Principle or the 80/20 rule states there is an uneven distribution between our efforts and results. For example, we wear 20% of our wardrobe 80% of the time. That’s a lot of unused clothing hanging in our closets!

This rule is one we can often apply to many of the things we own. What are we really using versus all those things that are simply taking up space? And when it comes to shopping, how many things have we spent money on that we end up never using?

We aren’t actually saving money if a product has no true use in our real lives. So before parting not only with your money but precious space in your home, you should first answer an emphatic “Yes!” to these three questions:

Can I use this right now? Our possessions should only serve to improve our lives in some way. Therefore, any purchase should be useful to you as soon as you get home. If we buy things with an “I might need it someday” mentality, we’re attempting to predict a need we may never have. And even if that need does arise, we have to remember we have the item and also where we stored it! And if we can’t find it, we go out and buy another one. There is no savings in that. We can only plan for today. Be sure this is something that will make your life easier right now.

Do I absolutely love it? This is a terrific question to ask, particularly when shopping for clothes. Just because a sweater is 40% off doesn’t mean we’ll actually wear it. Remember the 80/20 rule? Think of how much is already in your closet that you don’t like, doesn’t fit well, and is simply no longer your style or who you are anymore. Let every purchase you make be something that makes you feel good and becomes part of that 20% you use regularly.

Do I have a place to keep it? This is a pretty important question. If your closets and cabinets are already packed tight, how important is this item that you need to squeeze one more thing in them? You may have even forgotten you already have it. There should always be a place to store our things, otherwise we add to the piles and to our stress and frustration level.

As an article I read recently from the Tiny Buddha website said: Never value anything because of how much, or how little, it costs. An item’s true value lies in its usefulness to you. And it’s true cost is in whether it’s taking up unnecessary space in your life because it isn’t useful.

With three simple questions you can shop smarter, save more and keep clutter at bay.