Getting away from stuff is hard when so much of our world is built on instant gratification. It can feel easier sometimes to just order something on Amazon than checking around the house to see if I already have it. I have not made a commitment to a "no-buy" year, but I try to follow this little loop on purchasing decisions:
1) Do I really need it, or is it a frivolous whim? Part of this is accepting that I am not immune to advertising and the false sense of urgency it creates.
2) Do I already have something that just needs to get fixed or cleaned? Part of this has been getting back into the habit of mending, sewing, ironing and deep cleaning. It's remarkable how nice your stuff can be when you give it love.
3) Can I borrow or rent it? This has been especially true with tools. It's wonderful having nice tools, but it is almost always cheaper to rent something a few times a year than to buy and maintain it.
4) If I have to buy it, am I getting the "right" one? Well made products that can be cleaned and maintained sometimes cost more, or they might require a hunt to find something made pre-1990 to a higher quality standard. The reward for the work and effort is owning things made to last decades, not days.
Love this line of questioning! Gonna steal this process ;).
I decided to do the No-Buy Year mainly for accountability that helps interrupt the "I should go and buy this" line -- prompting me to do what you already are.
Getting away from stuff is hard when so much of our world is built on instant gratification. It can feel easier sometimes to just order something on Amazon than checking around the house to see if I already have it. I have not made a commitment to a "no-buy" year, but I try to follow this little loop on purchasing decisions:
1) Do I really need it, or is it a frivolous whim? Part of this is accepting that I am not immune to advertising and the false sense of urgency it creates.
2) Do I already have something that just needs to get fixed or cleaned? Part of this has been getting back into the habit of mending, sewing, ironing and deep cleaning. It's remarkable how nice your stuff can be when you give it love.
3) Can I borrow or rent it? This has been especially true with tools. It's wonderful having nice tools, but it is almost always cheaper to rent something a few times a year than to buy and maintain it.
4) If I have to buy it, am I getting the "right" one? Well made products that can be cleaned and maintained sometimes cost more, or they might require a hunt to find something made pre-1990 to a higher quality standard. The reward for the work and effort is owning things made to last decades, not days.
Love this line of questioning! Gonna steal this process ;).
I decided to do the No-Buy Year mainly for accountability that helps interrupt the "I should go and buy this" line -- prompting me to do what you already are.