Before you buy something in the store, there are a few things I want you to stop and think about. It’s been scientifically shown that shopping has the same impact in our brains as drugs do. Shopping feels good. We can easily get caught up in the bright lights and colors of a store. They WANT you to feel happy. Advertising shows us how thin, happy and successful we will be if we buy a product. However, it’s all about what works for YOU and your needs. Here are a few questions I want you to ask yourself before you proceed.
1. The most obvious question to ask yourself is if you can afford the item. Do you need to use a credit card or go into debt to purchase the item? Will be make your life more difficult down the road financially? Think ahead before you buy today.
2. Do you have space for the item? It’s easy to say yes and that you’ll figure out where you will store it later. Think specifically on where you will keep the item within your home.
3. Consider getting rid of an item to make space for this item. For example, if the item is a new kitchen utensil, is there one you can donate in order to make room for this? How many spatulas or wooden spoons do you really need?
4. What is the lifespan of the item? How long will it last and is that worth the cost? A box of cookies won’t last long at all. A new blouse may last a year or longer. A car will last years and years. Make sure the cost is acceptable for the amount of time you will be able and willing to use the item.
5. What do you have to give up to purchase this item? Is it space in your home? Time to use the item? Or will you have to forgo a family vacation because you’ve used the money elsewhere? Consider the long term effects of buying today.
6. Will the item bring you joy? Will it really impact your life in a positive way? Don’t buy a shirt or a candle just to be happy today, buy things you are crazy in love with and want to surround yourself with.
Ask yourself these questions for every purchase and you’ll have a home and life filled with amazing, useful and very special items and people.
Bonnie Joy Dewkett is a nationally recognized organizing expert, author, motivational speaker, and internet radio personality. She began organizing as a child, and she has been organizing ever since. Her company, The Joyful Organizer®, creates and implements organizational systems for the home and office...
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.