Chances are, even if you're not a shopper, there are some things that you see online that you really, really want to own. Whether it's clothing, accessories, luxury items, or something bigger it's hard to avoid seeing advertisements for all the goods available for purchase. Online shopping has made buying the things we need easier than ever. Unfortunately, it's also made impulse shopping all too easy as well. Keep reading for some tips to avoid the urge to splurge and learn how using a money-saving home inventory solution like Stockpile can help.
Need It or Want It?
Any true shopaholic will tell you that they "need" the latest whatever they're thinking about buying. Do they really though? Most of the time when we say that we need something we really mean that we want it. Clearly defining the difference between your wants and needs can really help you avoid impulse buys. Do you really need jeans in three or four different colors? You may crave variety and appreciate the subtle nuances between varying shades of blue but you could probably get by with one or two pairs of denim pants. That need is just a want in disguise.
It could be tempting to try to use criteria such as amount of annual use as a determining factor. Some things that may seem frivolous might actually be necessary so don't be too quick to label things as wants though. Ski pants are a necessity for someone who spends lots of time outdoors in snowy conditions. They may only be worn for a small portion of the year but they are critical to staying warm and safe in frigid temps.
Can You Afford It?
Another way to avoid overspending is to have a budget and stick to it. The advent of credit cards made it easy to spend money that you didn't actually have. Online shopping has only made the entire process quicker and easier. Having a budget allows you to determine how much of your salary you need to pay your bills and sustain your daily life and how much you can afford to spend on a monthly basis. If you set aside a portion of your income for incidentals you'll know how much discretionary income you have and how much you need to save. Staying under budget and out of debt can really help you prepare for your future.
Do You Have Room For It?
You need/want it and you can afford it. Does that mean you should buy it? Before you pull the trigger and hit checkout on that cart ask yourself where you're going to put this new purchase once it arrives on your doorstep. Buying items that you don't have room in your home for creates another whole set of issues. The self storage business is booming worldwide thanks to consumers who buy more than they can store in their personal living areas. Don't clutter up your home or commit yourself to storage rental because you shop too much. If you don't have room for something decide what you'll get rid of it to make room. This can help you determine whether or not you should make that new purchase.
Stockpile Can Help
Using Stockpile money-saving home inventory solution has so many at home benefits. It really comes in handy when you're answering the questions above. If you use Stockpile to track the stuff you own, you'll always know what you have at home and where it's stored. That makes it easy to see what you need and what you do or don't have room for. Because Stockpile is mobile compatible you can even check your inventory when you're away from home. You know, on those rare occasions when you actually shop in a brick and mortar store. Adding item records is quick and easy. Stockpile money-saving home inventory solution is customizable so you choose which fields to add to item records. Our small business solution easily adapts to meet your at home needs. You'll be amazed by everything a money-saving home inventory solution like Stockpile can do for you. Track items within your home, keep track of consumables that need to be restocked, save time and money, and more.
Want to see what we can do for you? Try Stockpile today!
