The following is a guest post about how to resist consumerism temptations during the holidays from regular contributor, Kristin at The Gold Project.
Over the past couple of months, I have been working really hard at decluttering my home. Overall, my home isn’t filled with clutter. When you walk in, it isn’t piled up with knick-knacks or miscellaneous items. But, I still have boxes in the attic that I am slowly going through. I still have random decorative items sitting around that I just do not like, but I have kept over the years. And, I can still pull out certain drawers that need a good overhaul.
These things take time and I am taking it in strides; one area, box, drawer, or cabinet at a time.
This time of the year, decluttering can become extra difficult because we are exposed to ads nonstop during the holidays. Every store, shop, and even restaurant wants you purchase something from them. There are many discounts attached to these amazing ads, plus sometimes even bonus deals if you purchase within a certain time frame. You can’t turn on the television, open up the Internet, or even walk passed a store without being bombarded with these temptations.
So, how do you resist the temptation to continuously buy when you do not need anything?
I have several things that I do to help me resist these consumerism temptations during the holidays and I wanted to share them with you today.
How to Resist Consumerism Temptations During the Holidays
Unsubscribe to Emails
My inbox is overflowing with random emails daily, but especially during the holidays. It seems like some stores will actually email me daily or even several times a day this time of the year. In order to resist temptation, I steadily go through those emails and unsubscribe from mailing lists.
This does take time to do and it certainly takes a nice amount of time to catch them all, but I feel it is helpful. I want to be able to focus on my important emails and not the ones that I do not need or the ones that will try to convince me to spend money on unnecessary things.
Note from Laura: A free service called Unroll.me can also help you with this task.
Shop with a List
I am pretty faithful to the shopping list. When I am shopping, a list is essential to keep me on track. If it isn’t on the list, then I don’t need to purchase it.
I do this for Christmas presents too. I will have a list of the items or categories of items that I am looking for as gifts. If a candle isn’t on the list, then I do not need to purchase a candle in Bath & Body Works.
Make a list and stick to it. I can definitely say it has helped me with impulse purchases.
Shop Early
When it comes to Christmas shopping, I start shopping early. I know it may sound strange, but I start shopping as early as May every year. Why? Because I am a bargain shopper and I will watch for deals on the items that I know I want to purchase for gifts. Every paycheck, I have a certain amount allotted for gifts. So, when Christmas rolls around, everything is purchased and my credit card didn’t have to be used for any of it.
Shopping early also helps me control my random purchases during the holidays. If the gifts are purchased early, then I am less likely to feel obliged to visit stores just for the sales.
If I have my sister’s present already, then I am not tempted to continuously shop for her gift.
Ask Yourself These Questions
Do I need that item?
What is the purpose?
Does it add value to my life?
Do I just want to purchase it because it is on sale?
Do I already have that person a gift?
I have been known to babysit items when shopping. I will place something I think I really need in my basket, wheel it around the store, and then put it back. While I am shopping, these questions pop into my head and I realize that I really do not need to purchase it. The impulsive guilt starts to take a toll I guess.
I also do this online. I will continuously add items to my cart, act like I am going to buy them, and then talk myself out of everything.
What is your opinion of consumerism during the holidays?
My name is Kristin and I am a middle school career education teacher by day and a mommy/wife/blogger by night. I am married to my high school sweetheart and we have two loving children. We recently made a life-changing move to Arkansas, so our new house is always under construction. I get excitement out of finding new creative, functional, and cute ways to organize things! I also enjoy writing and documenting life as it happens. So, I put these loves together and created The Gold Project. With the help of my husband, I am attempting to turn our house into a home. So, check out this special place of mine and take this journey with me!
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