Keep clutter out - Tips to keep your home organized from the start

Preventing Over-buying

Stop clutter before it makes it's way into your home

Dealing with decluttering and the guilt of overbuying, especially when you feel like you’ve “wasted” money, is all too real for many people. If you have ADHD, the struggle can be even more intense because let’s face it, finding something new and exciting gives you that dopamine hit.

It can feel like a never-ending cycle that you’re doomed to repeat. But here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to be that way.

I’ve got 4 tips and tricks that can help you buy less and ensure that the things you do buy actually make your life better—solving problems instead of creating them.

"How do you prevent over buying?" you ask

Take a seat, I'd love to tell you.

Tip one: Avoid BOGO deals or anything that says “2 for ___.” Unless you actually need more than one of something, you’re not saving money—you’re spending more and bringing extra stuff into your house that you might not need.

Tip two: Pop those items into your shopping cart and leave them there for 48 hours. When you come back to it, ask yourself if you still really want or need those things, or if it was just an impulse add. It used to be thought that dopamine comes from buying or receiving an item, but new studies show that the real dopamine boost happens during the shopping and research phase, not the actual purchase. So, go ahead and shop around, enjoy that dopamine rush, but leave it in the cart for a couple of days before clicking “checkout.”

Tip three: Ask yourself, “How will this purchase enrich my life?” When you dig into why you’re buying something, you start to learn more about yourself—what you value, who you’re trying to keep up with, and what kind of marketing works best on you. Once you see those patterns, it gets easier to hit the “no thanks” button instead of the “yes please” one. This way, you’ll ensure that everything you bring into your home serves a purpose and doesn’t just take up space.

Tip four: is all about value. Does the item have multiple uses, or is it a one-trick pony? How often will you use or wear it? Reducing clutter means steering clear of specialty gadgets you see in late-night infomercials or that dress you’ll only wear once. Sure, a knife designed to perfectly slice bananas every time sounds intriguing and might shave a few seconds off your morning routine, but is it worth the drawer space when you already have knives that can do the job? Or do you really need a new outfit for that upcoming wedding when you’ve already got something beautiful in your closet? And let’s not forget that bigger TV you’re eyeing just because your friend got one—does it really enrich your life, or is it just the allure of something new?

If your answer is still yes, then by all means, buy it—I’m not judging! I just want your purchases to be thoughtful, not made on autopilot when something seems cool or when a marketing team knows you better than you know yourself. It’s time to start beating them at their own game and creating more purposefully planned spaces in our homes. The peace of mind and mental clarity that comes from a home that truly reflects who we are as individuals and families is worth more than anything you can buy in a store.