Submitted by Affectionate-Coat446 t3_126e1qt in LifeProTips
Whenever I want to buy something I imagine it as laying around my house with other clutter, unused. This especially helps me when I want to buy new toys for my kids that I know won’t hold their attention for long anyway. It helps a lot with my materialistic tendencies. I also like to walk away, and if I still want it after all that- I’ll usually consider buying it.
There's also a difference between clutter and decoration
Whenever i buy something, i imagine where I would place it in my room first before getting it.
For bigger pieces of decor or furniture I've heard about the "technique" of having to imagine it in three different rooms/places before committing to it.
It won't work for everything and everyone (1 room studio appartement or something extra specific like a toilet paper holder) of course, but it can inform some decisions like getting that rug that would work both in the living room and bedroom and not the one that can only work in one place ever.
This is the way.
Currently debating buying a captain America shield. A prop level $600 captain America shield that looks stunning
But then I realize I don’t need it
But it looks beautiful
Con: It's a lot of money. Can you afford it?
Pro: It's pretty.
Pro: You can hang it on wall? (Be sure to use a good mount and stud finder for something that heavy) So it shouldn't take up much space.
Will it make you happy when you see it every day? Imagine moving out of your current home in a few years. Does the shield come with you? Does it give beauty to subsequent homes?
I always told my kids go ahead and buy it but wait three days or week and then decide if you really wanted the item or we would rather have the money for something else. Often wanting something is the exciting part. Once you get home, you may decide you really don’t need it.
Explaining the sleep on it or walk away method to a car salesman is hilarious.
"So I can tell you really want the car."
"Yeah I do!"
"Ok so let's go fill out some paper work."
"Not so fast, I have to sleep on it."
Actually had to explain this to someone when looking at a cat! Best case it’s a 20 year commitment to bringing a living being into my home - I‘m gone need to sleep on that.
Another LPT - if you buy a NEW one of something, give an old one away or sell the old one.
Example: blankets and bedspreads. If I need/want a new bedspread I force myself to give an older one away. Having not done that for many years I have accumulated multiple comforters and bedspreads. I keep them because they have sentimental value and because I spent good money on those. But as a single person, do I really need six bedspreads? I do not.
But that's a good way to get clutter gone. Give away something every time you buy a new something, and that includes, many times, CLOTHING.
Like, I still have clothing items I bought at the thrift stores 11 years ago. Why? They still fit! But lately I've been trying to replace those old thrift store clothes as I can with new items.
I can't imagine wanting a new blanket. The only two criteria I use are "clean and warm" and those take a long time to fail.
This helps me a lot. Also asking the question "do I ACTUALLY want/need this or am I just thinking about it because it's right in front of me and I like it?"
Wish I did that before I bought table-tennis table.
[deleted]
Just do 90 day rule
Listen I hate to say this but it's a reality somebody has to hear I'm pretty filthy rich and I can buy anything and it has put me into a situation where just like the Clutter that we are talking about it is essentially what happens to most of the things I buy. So I enacted a 90-day Rule and it is very simple if I want something on that day is the first day if I want it 90 days later then and only then am I given the option to actually purchase it. This really sorts things out quite a bit because honestly by the time 90 days is gone usually I have moved on to something else or at the very least I really truly wanted it and couldn't wait till those 90 days had passed to grab it it just sorts things out very quickly without you having to have too much personal biased opinion against it.
Filthy rich? Do you have a high income or a high net worth?
Our duel income is around 20k a month
So
Internet scrutinizer
And normal fashion I am sure that is not enough for you to certify the term
But perspective is reality and is pretty awesome for me. I I believe it's not about how much you make it's about how much you have to spend and we have done really well keeping our expenditures low and fighting off any kind of income creep that we have.
Wow! You guys make 20K monthly from dueling? I heard the prize pools could be generous, but I don't want to risk getting banished to the Shadow Realm.
If you’re making $20k/month, and your expenses are low I agree you are rich.
I’ve seen people who make $50k/month and are poorer than poor. They are flat broke because they spend spend spend.
I’ve also seen people who make $5k/month and have tons of money because they are frugal and smart with their money.
Sounds like you’ve got the best of both situations.
I traded a lot for it honestly
Like my eyesight
My knee
Brain hernia
My ability to work and do my trade
Disabled vet...
Not all glory lol
<Looks at tower of video game consoles and games>
SHRUG
Hello and welcome to r/LifeProTips!
Please help us decide if this post is a good fit for the subreddit by up or downvoting this comment.
If you think that this is great advice to improve your life, please upvote. If you think this doesn't help you in any way, please downvote. If you don't care, leave it for the others to decide.
[removed]
[deleted]
not everyone is able to do that btw
What about impulse shoppers? Not everyone is so amazing at determining what they need vs don't need.
If this advice doesn't apply to you, then just move on. But there are people who it might help. Why you gotta be such a downer?
[removed]
That's a great LPT! I've found that following the one-in, one-out rule helps with controlling clutter as well. Whenever I want to buy something new, especially if it's a non-essential item, I make sure to get rid of something else in my home. This keeps the clutter at bay and ensures I'm only keeping things that I truly need or enjoy. It's a good practice to pair with your visualization technique. Happy decluttering!
First, buy things you need. Then, the stuff you really like. Ignore the stuff that’s barely cool, unless very cheap. Things that don’t require much money, learning new cooking recipes, exercise, new language etc. don’t buy an expensive cook book when starting out, or an entire home gym (unless you want to force yourself to do the activity)
Yeah that's why I never bought that replica Portal Gun, or NERF Gjallarhorn.
It's kinda weird to picture a prostitute laying around the house with my wife.
I'm not going to lie I like funny stuff and when people make fun of me but I think you're going to have to elaborate on this because this is this is like kind of low level operations boss man let us know what's up we all want to laugh if it's funny get back to us.
Turboost45 t1_je95bpf wrote
I would say this can help if you are an impulsive buyer by nature.
But if you're not, sometimes it feels nice to treat yourself with an impulsive purchase. I tend to be in this case.