How to Quit Buying Useless Crap!

Posted by nate
February 20, 2009
Save Money
Image by voobie via Flickr

I’m not talking about decorations and items that really have no purpose but to look nice. I’m talking about the crap that we buy that we thought was a good idea at the time, thought that it was a must have, a time saver or would save us money in the long run.  The infomercial cooking devices, the exercise equipment, the panini press.

I’ve done it, you’ve done it, we’ve all done it… now here is how to stop doing it.

  1. Can you accomplish the same results with something else you already have?
    Many times, with a little ingenuity, the same results can be achieved with out having to buy something new.
  2. Will you really use it all that often?
    I know I have made purchases thinking, “Great now I can make X all the time!”  make it once or twice and then never again.  Think about how often you already do something and if this will really help you be more efficient.  If it is something that will require you to change your habit or routine currently, chances are you will let it fall by the way side. Changes your routine first, and if that sticks, then fit the new purchase into that.

    Example: I want to get a pull up bar for my home.  I’ve made a goal of doing schedule push-ups consistently for 6 weeks, before I can justify the cost of getting the pull up bar.

  3. Can you borrow it from someone?
    Maybe a neighbor or friend has something that you can use to get the job done.  You can borrow it and try it out.  If you have to borrow it more than 3 times in a short period of time, then maybe you should start thinking about buying your own.
  4. Is the money it will save really justify the cost?
    A quick calculation can tell you how much money will be saved and how long that will take to make the purchase valuable.  If something costs $500 and saves $50 a month, than it will take 10 months before it actually has any saving value.
  5. Can you find it cheaper elsewher?
    Did you check the thrift store, garage sales freecycle and craigslist?  Chances are someone is selling or giving away exactly what you are looking for at a fraction of what you would pay.  Put this on your alternative shopping list (more on that later) and keep your eyes open.
  6. Is your life really that bad with out it?
    This is my favorite question to ask myself.  How is my quality of life right now?  Will I still be alive tomorrow if I don’t have this (answer is always yes)?  Will I still have the things important to me, i.e. family and friends, if I don’t have this?

Use these questions when ever you think you need to run out and buy something.  It can help you determine the actual benefit of what you want to buy.  Are there any other questions you might need to ask yourself?

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