The easiest way to approach minimalism–or just being a more intentional consumer–is to cut off the head of the snake. Stop the flow of stuff before it even gets in your house.
To do that, it’s important to become mindful of every purchase decision. Here are ten questions you can ask yourself before buying something new.
10 questions you can ask yourself before you buy something new.
1. Do I truly need this item, or do I just want it?
Distinguish between genuine necessities and impulse desires. What happens if you don’t buy it? Mentally walk through how you’d problem-solve without that item.
It’s also helpful to tune into the trigger that made you want to buy the item–was it a well-placed ad? Did you see someone else with it and want to keep up with trends? Did you discover an actual need for it in your daily life? If so, how often will you encounter that situation?
2. Will this item serve multiple purposes in my life?
Single-function items can have their purpose, for example, accessibility kitchen aids.
But if you don’t have a specific reason for a single-purpose item, I recommend avoiding them where you can. Multi-functional items provide better value and take up less space, obviously.
3. Do I already own something similar that serves the same function?
Avoid buying duplicates or items with overlapping purposes. Try to find a solution you already own, even if you have to think outside the box a bit!
4. Where will I store this item in my home?
If you can’t immediately picture its place, it might not belong in your space. Think VERY specifically–what room will it go in? On what shelf? Where is the most convenient place to put it, and is there space there?
5. Will this item require maintenance, additional purchases, or ongoing costs?
Consider the full lifecycle commitment, not just the initial price. Most people take the cost of the tag and say that’s what they’re paying, but in reality, there are usually many more costs to upkeeping certain items once you’ve bought them.
6. How often will I realistically use this?
Items used daily offer more value than those used rarely. Ideally, your home is full of things that you get frequent joy and use from!
7. Is this something I could borrow or rent instead of own?
For occasional needs, borrowing or renting might be the more minimalist solution. If you don’t have someone you can borrow it from, consider libraries and hardware stores.
Libraries often offer access to things like:
- Printers
- Fax machines
- Computers
- Office equipment
- Cameras
- Mics
- Crafting tools
If you need something larger, like a power tool, many hardware stores offer rentals for things like:
- Jackhammers
- Pressure washers
- Lawn mowers
- Floor strippers
- Chainsaws
- Welders
- Dollies
- Ramps
- Jacks
8. Will this item still be useful or meaningful to me a year from now?
Consider longevity beyond the initial excitement. Many casual purchases we make aren’t reasonable to own long-term, but once we have them, we feel obligated to keep them. Even if they aren’t in use.
Consider how you’ll feel about the purchase next year before making it.
9. Does this align with my values and the life I’m trying to create?
Ensure purchases support your bigger vision, not detract from it. Be sure you’re buying for YOU and not your fantasy self.
10. If I wait 48 hours before buying, will I still want it just as much?
This cooling-off period helps eliminate impulsive purchases. If you’d like to get more X-Treme with it, I wait a month before making non-essential purchases. My personal system is to keep a list of the things I feel compelled to buy throughout the month, then at the end of the month, I’ll revisit my list and see if I still feel like I want it. I usually don’t.
Simplify decluttering decisions.
When it comes to getting rid of things you already own, here’s a super simple rule of thumb you can use to make decisions a breeze: The 90/90 Rule.
