The $0 Store: How to Shop Your Own House Before Spending a Dime

Have you ever bought something, went to put it away, and realized you already have that exact same item?

Impulse buying can drain your bank account faster than you can say “spending money,” but it’s also awful for the environment and clutters up your home. If you’re tired of overconsumption and struggling to manage what you already have, you’re going to love today’s article.

Let’s learn how to shop your own home!

Shift That Mindset

Our world is built on consumerism. Flashy ads everywhere, enticing store displays, and sneaky marketing techniques can have you buying things you don’t need. It’s tough to switch off that mentality of buying whatever you want, but it’s time to go back in time to the “Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose” era.

How to Shop Your Own House

Okay, this all sounds great, you say, but where do I start? It’s easier than you might think!

Step 1: Inventory Your Stuff

Before you can shop your home, you need to know what you actually have! Grab everything of a like type (clothing, food, tools, etc.) and pile it up in your dining room or wherever. Don’t forget to look in the garage, storage bins, etc.

Step 2: Organize It

Now you need to sort everything so you can find it again. Storage boxes with labels are great for this, but if you want to get high tech, try adding NFC tags so you can inventory everything in the box and see it at a glance on your phone.

Step 3: Set a “Buy It Later” Reminder

If you want to buy something, wait three days or a week and see if you still need it. Let it sit and you’ll have a better idea of whether you actually need the item. You may even find something else to use in the meantime.

Wait, How Does It Work?

Need some examples? No problem!

Pantry Magic - Out of fajita seasoning? Try making something new with the spices you already have. No pasta in sight? Grab those potatoes that are going to grow eyes and use them instead. Get creative!

Closet Remix - You probably don’t need new clothes, you just need new ways to wear them. Pull out all your favorite pieces and see how you can remix them with each other and accessories to make the old new again. What if that dress you haven’t worn in a while had a belt? If you can sew, tailor some of those pieces!

Furniture Shuffle - When you need a change of scenery, don’t buy new furniture, move what you have. Shifting an armchair from the office to the living room can make all the difference. Switch up paintings, knickknacks, and rugs, too.

Craft Your Stash - Need yarn for a new sweater? Wood for a table? See what you can do with what you already have stored first. You may need to get a bit creative (stripes work well if you don’t have enough yarn), but using up what you have will make you feel fulfilled.

What’s Next?

I want to challenge you to reduce what you consume this year. The world is in a shaky place, and we’ll all be better off if we are a little more mindful.

And if you have questions about how to save on your taxes too, hit me up at Ask Anna Tax!