Tackling Disorganization Before it Begins by Shopping with a Purpose

---

In the battle against creating a clutter free home, one of the biggest challenges is shopping. From now on, shop with a purpose. Just like weight loss. If you leave the junk food at the store, it is allot easier to fight off those five pounds the next time you get a craving.  A shopping addiction can lead to a cluttered home and an empty wallet. 

Buy only what you need, not what you are desiring. If you didn't need an item before you entered a store, leave it where it lays. If you need one thing from the store, only bring home that one item. If you go to the store and pick up 10 more unneeded things, then you have just officially fed the clutter monster a turkey diner. 

  When you go shopping ask yourself the following questions: 

• Do I need this? 
• Where will it live? 

• Do I love it? 
• Is this what I am here for?

Just because it's cheap doesn’t mean it's a good bargain. Don't let most "bargains" add to your problems. Stop and ask the previous questions. If you can't answer all of them (honestly), then leave it on the shelf. It's ok another bargain will be around the corner, when you need it.

Everything in your home takes up personal space. Everything you own has energy and mass. If your drawers, cabinets, closets, and dressers are filled to the brim, where will new items fit and function?  A good rule of thumb for every new item in take 3-5 old items out. Here is a good tidbit, not all the items out have to be the same. Buy a new shirt, then get rid of a salt shaker, flower pot and book.

Maintaining an organized space will become easier once you realize half the battle starts with how you acquire and release items in your home. Release as easily as you acquire, and learn to acquire only what you need by shopping with a purpose. So next time you shop online or in a store, think about how it will fit, function, and flow into your life.