Do You Need to Cut Back on Spending?

Mom always said to ask myself, do I really need it or do I just want it? Was it worth the hour(s) of working to buy it?  She use to keep receipts of everything that everyone bought and would look at them each month when it was time to pay bills. This was her way of not only doing a self check but also to see if there were ways to improve. 

My personal experience with spending foolishly

When I was younger, I used to spend during hormonal changes or especially when I needed a pick me up from things that depressed me.  I would end up wearing it once and/or giving it away because it really wasn't something I liked enough to wear/use again but it filled that "need". Later I learned to not take the tags off right away or open the item until that "moment" passed so I was able to still return it. As I got a little older,  I would pick up an item and either place it in my cart or just walk around with it until I could decide if whatever I picked up was really something I needed it or just wanted.  Doing this sounds strange, I know, but at those times it helped me to think before compulsively buying things that eventually I would tire of.  Now that I'm even older (I mean wiser :o) I just pause to think about it before purchasing. Sure is less time consuming and it also saves on gas! The things that I have been able to purchase that were of higher-quality I have really enjoyed and have lasted me years which in turn saved me money!  It also helps that I've been happily married to my second husband for a little over 8 years.

Perhaps you bring home convenience or takeout food more often than you realize, or maybe you make up for a tough day at work by buying yourself a "treat" such as a new piece of clothing like I would. Simply recognizing these patterns is often enough to help you break them. It just took me a bit longer because I didn't know what I was actually doing until it was mentioned to me what I was actually doing.   

Another way to cut back is to opt for good or high-quality items over mediocre-quality ones.  Buying fewer items of good quality keeps your spending in check and doesn't take up more space in your home! That use d to be a BIG one for us and sometimes we still take some steps backwards.   Buying higher quality items also ensures that your not throwing items out because they have worn prematurely.  I have a girlfriend that purchases  less expensive purses all of the time that end up needing to be replaced every few months. If she would have bought one made better that cost more upfront, she would have had one that  outlasted all the others and in the long run would have saved her money. 

Living a simpler lifestyle isn't about doing without or cutting out the things you truly enjoy, but it IS the best way to reduce waste. Seems simple enough but deciding what's important, even figuring out if there are underlying causes of what you really want or need isn't always the easiest, is it? 


Whatever you decide, just remember to either donate the things that you get tired of or have a garage sale! Both are great ways to be earth friendly.

Less spending was one of my first eco-aspirations which is why I felt it was important to share it in this post. Can you remember what your first was?