A couple of weeks ago I helped out at my children’s school with the yearly garage sale. At the garage sale we sell stuff that parents and others donated to the school. It’s a great event, but seeing all the donations was overwhelming. Why so much stuff and where does it all coming from?
We accumulate stuff so fast and easily. We don’t take the time to think our purchases through. That’s why we end up with so much stuff in our lives. I will here give you five tips that might help you reduce stuff coming into your life.
1. Before buying something stop and think; will I use this product or am I just buying it because it’s a great deal? You need to be 100 percent sure, otherwise put it back and walk away! If you find this difficult, impose a time delay for any purchases. Wait 24 hours before buying it, this will give you enough time to make sure you truly want or need the product.
2. Before going to buy something, put together a plan of what you want to purchase, this even goes for grocery shopping. By having a list together and sticking with the list you won’t buy “unnecessary” stuff.
3. If you receive a gift that you know you will never use, tell the person who gave you the gift that you really appreciate the thought but it you don’t think you will be using it. Kindly ask them for the receipt and offer to exchange it for something else. By you doing the exchange it will be less of a hassle for the giver and you can pick out something you truly want. Honesty does pay off.
4. When purchasing a gift for someone, make sure it is something that person wants or needs. Otherwise you will only add to that person’s unwanted stuff. Just think of all the useless stuff you received from others!
5. Its just stuff! It’s not important! Make sure to value things truly important in life such as people! Your family and friends that’s what matters!
Reducing the amount of stuff in our lives will also help to live more green, the less stuff we purchase the less need to be produced. So, think green and reduce stuff coming in to your life!
