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10 Strategies to Avoid Unnecessary Home Spending

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, on purchases made after following an affiliate link. See my full disclosure here.

September 10, 2012 By Jackie

Whew!  I am 1/3 of the way through my home spending hiatus and feeling good.  Honestly, it has not been as hard as I thought.  I have been able to keep all home spending at bay for 10 days.  I have definitely changed several habits to make this possible.

 

10 Tips to Stop Unnecessary Home Spending

10 Tips to Avoid Unnecessary Home Spending

To stay true to my commitment of eliminating home spending this entire month, I developed several strategies to avoid temptation.  Here are the 10 ways I am using to avoid unnecessary home spending:

1.  Control the Wandering at Target

I used to take “mommy breaks” and run to Target.  I usually went to pick up a necessity, but then took the opportunity to wander and pick up a few non-necessities.  To avoid this unnecessary spending I have avoided “mommy breaks at Target.  When I do need to go to Target for necessities, I have a list and I only go to certain areas of the store.  For example, if I am buying groceries and diapers, I avoid walking through the home section to get to the diapers.  Instead, I walk around the front of the store.

This habit has been hard for me to break, because I love Target for home accessories.  Especially hard knowing they have The Shops going on again.  I have managed 3 trips to Target in the past 10 days and have not purchased any home items, other than toilet bowl cleaner.  As much as I would love to skip cleaning toilets for a month, it is kind of a necessity.

2.  Skip HomeGoods

I have been avoiding HomeGoods altogether.  There is no reason to set foot into a home store if you are trying to control home spending.  HomeGoods was another place I used to take my “mommy breaks”.  I have gotten some amazing things there I love, but I can count on one hand the number of times I left there with something I needed vs. wanted.

In the future, I will continue to limit my HomeGoods trips.  I won’t even go to look, unless I have a purpose.  My last trip to HomeGoods before the hiatus was a great example of a purposeful trip.  I went to get kitchen drawer organizers and that was all I left the store with.  I accomplished that feat by going straight to the kitchen section and then straight to the checkout.

3.  Stick to a List
This tip works for controlling all kinds of spending.  Stores are designed to make you buy more than you planned.  The best way to control spending is to make a list in advance.  When you are at the store, stick to the list.  Do not deviate.  Consult the list often while you are walking through the store to stay focused.

It might seem obvious, but this only works if you don’t write non-necessities on the list.  I used to be a master of writing out a Target grocery list with extra items like lamp, towels, etc.  Now I carefully plan out my shopping lists in advance and I do not allow myself to add anything to the list that violates my home spending rules.

4.  Make a Wish List
A sweet reader shared this idea on my Home Spending Hiatus post.  She recommended creating an Amazon wish list.  You can add whatever you want to your wish list, but don’t check anything out.  After a specified period of time you check back on your wish list and see if you still want the items.  Simply remove the items you no longer want.  For the items that stick on the list, you can plan to purchase them.

I love this tip for avoiding buyer’s remorse.  Ever feel guilty about buying something afterward?  That is buyer’s remorse.  It usually occurs when you spent too much or bought something you did not need.  Often times, the things you have buyer’s remorse about you usually no longer want shortly after purchase.  The wish list method can help you avoid buyer’s remorse…no guilt for adding and later removing something from a wish list.  Rare chance of guilt over buying something that sticks on your wish list review after review.

5.  Remember, There are Always More Sales
Just because it is on sale does not mean it is a good deal.  Sales should not dictate where you focus your spending.  Anything that goes on sale once will go on sale again.  Don’t give into the temptation to purchase an item just because it is on sale.

What I am trying to do is reverse the buy things on sale mentality.  Instead of buying something just because it is on sale, I determine what I want to buy, then wait for a sale or coupon.

6.  Avoid Sense of Urgency

This sort of goes with #5.  Stores specialize in creating a sense of urgency so you buy now, not later.  The tactics used to create a sense of urgency include sales, limited quantity (while supplies last), and available for a limited time only.  Similar to what I said about sales above, rarely are these a one time event.  The item may only be available for a limited time, but the store brings it back for a limited time each year.

Unless a sale, limited quantity, or limited time item fits the criteria of an item you planned in advance to purchase, then avoid the impulse to buy.  Spend that money on something else you need or have been planning for.

7.  It Will Come Around Again
It can be tempting to think, “I’ll never find anything as amazing again”.  But, you will.  This mentality usually occurs for limited items, like described in #6 or one-of-a-kind items.

The fact is if you weren’t planning to buy something or don’t need it, it is not that amazing anyway. When the time is right you will find something even more amazing.  Save your money for something more amazing.

8.  Throw Out the Coupons

You know the ones…the fabric store, the craft store, the bedding store.  They all send “great” coupons in the mail.  Did you ever notice they send the same coupons all the time or on a schedule?  Did you also know you don’t have to use every coupon they send you?

During my home spending hiatus, I have been throwing out all flyers from JoAnns, Michaels, Hancock Fabrics, Buy Buy Baby, and Bed, Bath and Beyond.  I don’t need anything for those stores.  I do not need to buy anything just because I have a coupon.  I am not allowing a coupon for some unbelievable deal to bring me in to the store.

The stores are smarter than the shoppers.  They know if they send a coupon good on one item only, chances are you will come in and buy other items at full price.  These coupons also coincide with sales (see #5) and creating a sense of urgency (see #6).  The best strategy is to ignore these coupons, unless you have been waiting on a coupon to make a planned purchase.

9.  Just Don’t Look

I love the online flash sale sites, like Joss & Main and One King’s Lane.  They are some of the best at creating sales (see #5) and sense of urgency (see #6).  They also add exclusivity to the mix.  During my home spending hiatus, I am not even looking at these sites.  It would be just as silly as allowing myself to walk into a HomeGoods.

There is nothing wrong with trolling these sites for a great deal on a planned purchase.  To avoid unnecessary spending, have very specific criteria of the item you plan to purchase.  Do not purchase an item from these sites unless it meets your criteria.  Most of these sites do not accept returns.  If you make a planned purchase, avoid adding any extras to your cart.   When you are not looking for a planned purchase, avoid “window shopping” altogether, which might lead to unnecessary impulse buys.

10. Walk Out Empty Handed

It is okay to go into a store and leave without buying anything.  Actually, this is pretty common in shoe stores and clothing stores.  You do it all the time when you can’t find the perfect pumps or jeans.  Why then does it feel so weird to do it at Target or a home store?

Again, stores are smarter than shoppers.  At any stand-alone store, you will notice the check out counters lining the front of the store.  This is for more than just security.  By putting check out lanes between you and the exit, it makes you feel like you should buy something before you leave.  In some stores it is actually hard to get out of the store without going through the check out line.

But, guess what, it is okay to walk out of any store without making a purchase.  If you have to, walk out the check out lane empty handed.  The first time you do it, it might feel strange.  But I promise once you start doing it because you realize don’t have anything you need, it will feel liberating.  You don’t owe the store anything.  It is okay to look and not spend.

Bonus Tip:  Don’t Settle

This is actually my #1 tip, which helps me avoid all kinds of unnecessary spending.  If you are simply unwilling to settle, you will ultimately save money.  I wrote an entire post on my Don’t Settle philosophy.  The home spending hiatus forces me to take a step back, evaluate my spending habits, and think about what I really want.  Armed with that information in mind, I won’t settle until I get exactly what I want.

Home spending hiatusBreaking Habits and Feeling Better

The home spending hiatus is helping me break bad habits.  I used to make impulse purchases.  I used to shop and buy, because I was bored.  I used to regret some purchases later.  I did not track my spending closely, but I always felt nervous I was over-spending (and I was).  On occasion, I felt I should hide a purchase or sneak it in the house, as to not draw attention to what I was spending money on.  These habits and ill feelings led me to start the home spending hiatus.

Only 10 days in and I am feeling so much better!  Instead of spending money and buying things I don’t need, I am saving money and getting the value out of things I already own.  I am knocking out projects on my to-do list that I already purchased all the supplies for.  I deposited an entire paycheck to my savings account.  Previously I would have spent most that money on non-necessities.  Instead of running out to buy supplies, I am looking through my existing stash and using up the supplies I already have.  I am spending more time cleaning and taking care of my home.  Since the home spending hiatus started, I am watching my savings grow and loving my home more.

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Comments

  1. Sonia says

    September 10, 2012 at 8:13 am

    Bed Bath and Beyond coupons (the ones they mail you, not email you) don’t actually expire! Yep, the expiration dates on them are just lies. So stockpile them away, and use them when you really need something there.

    • Jackie says

      September 10, 2012 at 8:34 am

      Good tip, Sonia. Thanks!

  2. kara @ launching our life together says

    September 10, 2012 at 8:37 am

    What great tips! We just redid our master bedroom (you can find it on our blog today). I knew which new comforter I wanted, but when we went to buy it over Labor Day weekend, it was on sale – buy 1, get one for $1. I was so psyched and thought I could get one for the guest room too! But my husband was the voice of reason and talked me into waiting until the comforters were individually discounted and only buying one. We avoided paying full price (over $150) for 2 when we really only needed 1. And this past weekend, they were discounted and I had a coupon. So I got my dream comforter for $55! Men…sometimes they know what they’re talking about. :)

  3. Misty says

    September 10, 2012 at 10:02 am

    this is right up my alley! I TOTALLY know what you mean when you talk about “mommy breaks”. Mine are 95% spent at Target as well! Thanks for posting these tips! Actually, my Husband would thank you! ;)

  4. [email protected] At Home says

    September 10, 2012 at 12:25 pm

    Jackie ~
    Just found your blog today via Santori Design.. Looking forward to spending some time on here:) I have no problem not buying clothes or shoes but when it comes to anything for the home; I’m like you!

    • Jackie says

      September 10, 2012 at 3:34 pm

      Welcome Luci!

  5. Tiffany says

    September 10, 2012 at 2:35 pm

    Great tips! I usually do this in January after all the holiday craziness…I just don’t buy anything that isn’t truly a necessity. It’s very eye opening. Another good strategy that I use is to have all the emails I get from retailers go straight to a shopping file in outlook. If they don’t hit my inbox, I don’t feel compelled to go look to just see what they have. If I do want to buy something as a planned purchase, though, the emails are right there for me to search through. It’s made a huge difference in my spending habits!

    • Jackie says

      September 10, 2012 at 3:33 pm

      Tiffany, I love that idea. Great way to manage your email inbox too! Thanks for sharing.

  6. nicolette @ the classroom creative says

    September 10, 2012 at 11:27 pm

    Mommy breaks.

    Love them. I spend them at libraries, where I can fill a bag, and leave without spending a penny. It’s “retail therapy” without paying, well anything. Minus a few tax dollars. Or the errant late fee.

    I’ve wittled down my Target note to pull-ups for my son with special needs, distilled water jugs, and toilet paper. I don’t even buy garbage bags or paper towels anymore.

    I can’t wait til he potty-trains so my bill can be under $40 for the month.

    Take that, Target with your endcaps full of goodies that I can bypass now with my nose turned in the air.

    Love your list and your will power.

    Thanks for sharing
    {saw you at Home Stories}
    Nicolette

    • Jackie says

      September 11, 2012 at 8:41 pm

      Thanks for visiting Nicolette. You are an inspiration to us all for getting out of Target for anywhere near only $40 a trip. I love the idea to spend the time at the library with the feeling of shopping the books, but no cost and no remorse.

  7. Andrea says

    September 11, 2012 at 10:40 am

    It’s gonna be hard for me to cut down on my Target breaks.

  8. Cheryl Balmas says

    September 11, 2012 at 1:38 pm

    Hahaha OMG Jackie we are two peas in a pod! Target and Home Goods…two of my favorite places. (Add Hobby Lobby to that list!). It’s so funny because after my doctor’s appointment this am I was going to ‘run to Target’ to get another section for my drawer organizer (I just reorganized the junk drawer and am short one piece) and I changed my mind. I stopped at the UPS store to do an errand instead and then went straight home. I knew if I ‘ran into Target’ for the one item I would ‘wander’ and leave $50-100 poorer. Whew!

  9. Cheryl Balmas says

    September 11, 2012 at 1:52 pm

    Somehow I missed the last part about ‘Breaking Habits…’. I am the queen of a trunk load of goodies. My strategy is to leave all packages in the trunk until my hubby goes to bed. Then I go get them and open them and ooh and ahh over them. I actually learned this from my mother. And sad to say, I have passed this down to my daughter. She made a comment the other day (she’s 29) about ‘hiding packages in the trunk’ when her and I would go shopping together as she was growing up. I don’t offer this as a parenting tip. LOL The thing is, neither my dad or my husband are the type of men who balk or needle us about our purchases so the ‘sneaking around’ part is all on me. I had no reason to sneak in packages after dark other than my own guilt in knowing I didn’t need all that stuff and probably went over budget. (And to make it worse, I’d be annoyed if my husband came outside when I got home and offered to help with packages’. I think I protested too much! I just didn’t want his help because I didn’t want him to see all the damage! I do this less and less now and in fact during weak moments if I bought something I am not sure about I will actually leave it in the trunk. I will go outside and open the trunk and look at it. If it strikes me that I didn’t need to buy it, in the trunk it stays with the receipt and back to the store it goes. I’ve notices I’m returning alot more stuff than I ever used to, inching ever so closely to not buying it all. So far, the home spending hiatus is a success! Keep up the tips and posts of encouragement and thanks!

    • Jackie says

      September 11, 2012 at 8:38 pm

      Cheryl, love your self awareness about hiding packages in the trunk being a burden you put on yourself. My hubby has never once questioned my purchases, so I do not understand why sometimes I feel the need to hide small purchases from him, either. All I can boil it down to is that I am not proud of the purchase or don’t feel it was responsible. I try not to purchase anything that makes me feel that way…it is a yucky feeling.

  10. wendy says

    September 11, 2012 at 8:35 pm

    Hi, Jackie! I’m the pillow-stalking, Texan transplant, military wife you’ve heard from via email before. Today, I decided to chime in–I LOVE this post and have lived by some home decorating rules for most of my life, even before marriage and children. I make my wishlist and carry it everywhere with me. I learned at a young age to buy fewer things but better quality things to last me for the long haul. And I’m willing to live without until I find just the perfect thing. That has saved me so many times–it forces me to stop unnecessary purchasing for little itty bitty things to reach my larger goal faster and once that “expensive” purchase is attained, I have no buyer’s remorse since I planned it for so long. On the flip side, if my desire for that “expensive item” wains through the saving process, then it wasn’t as important as I must have once thought and I move onto the next item. It works great and it allows me to really spend the time to decide where the best place might be to purchase the items. Have fun deciding how to best use the money you’ve saved up during the hiatus! :)

  11. SarahN says

    September 12, 2012 at 2:59 am

    YAY – I whole heartedly applaud this (I was the ‘what did you do with the old kitchen utensils?’ girl). Great decision!

  12. jessvii says

    September 12, 2012 at 2:04 pm

    I liked “6. Avoid Sense of Urgency” and “9. Just Don’t Look”. It really hit on my tendency to look at One Kings Lane and Joss Main. I have a “junk” email account that I use for store promotions like those stores. I only check the email account once or twice a week, but I know that I don’t really have to check it at all. At least this way, I’m not forcing myself to look at the stuff in my regular inbox every day.

    I also regularly hit “unsubscribe me” for emails from stores I no longer shop at (after all, I can always re-add myself later if I choose to).

    However, I noticed one sneaky thing today in a store’s flash ad – the word “essentials”! As in, “See our new Kitchen Essentials”. I’ve also seen the words “necessity”, “stock up”, “load up on”, and “basics”. For example “Check out these dining room essentials”. These words imply that we literally cannot function without these items. The placemats I wanted sure were pretty, but not an “essential” item to eating dinner as a family, and I certainly didn’t need to “stock up on” them.

    Similarly, I’ve also noticed other ads that use the words “explore” and “discover” a lot. For example, “Explore our new Global Collection”. It is almost like the ad is saying that I’d be close-minded if I didn’t indulge my curiosity by looking at the items. It is like the ad is daring me to look.

    Keep an eye out for these types of words that put us on alert and/or spark our curiosity, because they could lead to unintentional spending.

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