7 Tips For Shopping With Intention
Are you someone who enjoys shopping, but would like to be more intentional with your purchases?
If so, you are in the right place!
In this article, I will share 7 tips to help you shop with intention.
First, let me share a little story of how I became an intentional shopper.
My Personal Journey toward shopping intentionally
I was once a reckless shopper, picking up things on a whim without taking the time to think through my needs. Even though each item wasn’t pricey, they added up. Consequently, my home was cluttered with stuff bought on the spur of the moment, only to find later that they served no purpose.
I had to change my reckless buying habit when my husband and I started planning for our overseas move, from Asia to the United States.
Knowing that moving overseas can be costly, we decided early on that we’d only pack items that were irreplaceable or with high sentimental values. Alongside decluttering, I also needed to be intentional with any new purchases, in an effort to simplify the moving process.
It took us almost 3 years to finally complete the moving process, which means I had plenty of time to practice shopping with intention.
The habit of shopping with intention has stuck with me since moving to the US in 2020 and has benefited me in many ways. Alongside saving money, my new house is less cluttered, and I love having items that were bought after thoughtful decision-making processes.
7 Tips that helps you Shop Intentionally
What does it mean to shop intentionally?
Shopping intentionally means being thoughtful and purposeful about the things you bring into your home. It means taking the time to research products before making a purchase and only bringing home things that you know you will love and use.
Based on my experience, in this article, I will share 7 tips to help you shop intentionally. They have helped me tremendously, and I hope you will find them helpful as well.
1. Track Your Expenses, and Review Them Periodically
I have a good friend, a stay-at-home mom who needs to explain everything single purchase transaction to her accountant husband in order to get her money reimbursed. As such, she is always very careful with her spending and makes sure her every purchase is justified.
When we were younger, I remember secretly laughing at her for not having any freedom to spend money. But now, I think having some type of discipline is a great way to be an intentional shopper.
When you are intentional about your spending, you are aware of every penny that goes out. The best way to do this is to keep track of your purchases, whether it is through a physical journal or an app on your phone.
The purpose of tracking expenses is to review and analyze your purchases periodically. This will help you to identify any potential problem areas so that you can make necessary changes.
For example, if you realize that you have been spending a lot on clothes but only wear a small percentage of them, then you know you need figure out the root cause of buying clothes you don’t wear.
2. Find Other Ways to Spend Leisure Time
One of the best ways to avoid getting sucked into reckless shopping is to stay away from the mall and online shopping when you’re bored.
It’s so easy to get caught up in the thrill of a sale or the convenience of online shopping, but it’s not worth it if you end up spending money on things you don’t need.
Instead, try picking up some new hobbies or learning some new skills. You could also use downtime to catch up with friends or family members. That way, you’ll have something to do when you’re bored instead of reaching for your wallet.
3. Understand the True Intentions Behind Your Purchase
Before you make a purchase, ask yourself why you want to buy it in the first place.
Is it because you’ve carefully thought about it and know that it will enhance your life? Or is it because you’re bored? Are you buying something new to improve your mood? Are you purchasing it for the sake of impressing someone else real or imagined?
If your answer is the latter for any of the above questions, there might be more suitable solutions other than shopping.
4. Research Before Making Purchases
Sometimes we become consumed with the desire for new things. Prior to purchasing anything, it’s a good idea to do some research to learn about the product.
Take advantage of modern technology to check online reviews and ratings. You can also find a lot of information about products on social media.
These days, it’s quite easy to get reviews and opinions about products and services before you make a purchase. So take advantage of that so you can avoid regrets.
5. Make a List and Stick to it
Have you ever gone into the store with a few items to buy in mind, only to come out with a lot more products that you “didn’t know you needed”?
But if you’re trying to be a rational shopper, this is definitely not the way to go about it.
Instead, after you’ve done your research and given yourself time to think it over, make a list of what you intend to buy. Then stick to the things on your list to avoid any impulse purchases. This will help you stay within your budget and only buy the things that you really need or want.
6. Wait Some Time Before Buying
Sometimes we get excited about the idea of buying something new and make a purchase we regret later.
A great way to avoid this is to wait at least 1 day before buying. This will give you some time to think over the purchase and avoid making impulsive purchases.
It’s often surprising how some time and space to think over a purchase will make it clear what you really want or need and what is not so important after all.
7. Practice the “One In, One Out” Rule
One of the best ways to shop intentionally and keep your home from getting cluttered is to practice the “One In, One Out” rule.
Every time you bring something new into your home, get rid of something that is in the same category.
For example, if you buy a new shirt, get rid of an old one. If you receive a gift, donate something you no longer need.
This rule can help to prevent your home from becoming overrun with stuff. And, it’s a great way to declutter on a regular basis. Plus, by donating items instead of just throwing them away, you can help others in need.
So, next time you’re feeling tempted to buy something new, remember the “One In, One Out” rule and make some space in your home for the new item.
Conclusion
There are many ways to be a more intentional shopper. To recap, the tips in this article are:
- Track expenses and review them periodically
- Explore ways to spend leisure time
- Understand the true intention behind each purchase
- Research before buying
- Make a list and stick to it
- Wait at least 1 day before buying
- Practice the “one in one out” rule
By following the tips in this article, you can save money and declutter your home at the same time.
You might also find that shopping becomes less appealing when you’re more mindful of your purchases. So, give it a try and see how it goes. You might be surprised by the results.
