TJ Maxx, Homegoods, Amazon, Temu, Shein, Target, Marshalls, Costco… those are all probably part of the reason why you needed our help in the first place!

But it’s pretty impossible to never shop again, so here are some tips for shopping smarter and resisting temptation.

dont shop when stressed or late at night

think about where will it go when it gets home. if you can’t think of where don’t get it

one in one out. (or even better, one in two out!) If you buy a new pair of shoes, donate at least one pair.

try on clothes

check measurements online

if it’s decor, take it out of the

Plan Ahead

Impulse purchases are one of the top clutter creators we encounter.

Keep a note of measurements in your home so that if you know you’ll come across something

make a list in your notes app when you decide you want something and stick to it

if you do see an impulse item you want, wait for a couple of days. If you’re still thinking about it after at least 2-3 days, go ahead and get it (I know this is harder at a thrift store or store with limited quantities, but I feel like if it’s still there when you come back it was meant to be. And if it’s not and you REALLY still want it, do some Googling! I find all kinds of stuff brand new on sites like eBay and Poshmark.)

Dive Deep

Read up about the psychology around shopping

Make a note of your mindset when you have the urge to shop. Can you distract yourself with doing something active, reading a book, or reaching out to a friend instead?

Sometimes there are underlying issues that make you want to shop. consider therapy. If nothing else works it’s worth a try.

Take a Break

Sometimes what you really need is a radical change and a forced reset. Try one of these buying fasts like a no-buy or low-buy month to reset your brain.