INSIDE: Create more space, enjoy more time, and have more energy, simply by evaluating the true cost of your stuff — I’ll show you how!
As a self-proclaimed thrift-shopping guru, I’ve found my share of amazing deal-of-a-lifetime bargains over the years.
For example:
- A few years ago I found Birkenstock sandals (in my size) for $2 at a local garage sale AND Birkenstock clogs for $3 from a thrift store.
- I found 4 Pottery Barn dining room chairs at a garage sale (years ago) for $10 total, and we still use them all these years later.
- I found like-new Bogs boots for the kids on Facebook Marketplace for a tiny fraction of the regular price.
- I found the exact IKEA bunk bed we wanted for the girls’ bedroom on Craigslist (just 10 minutes away from our house) the day before we planned to drive to IKEA.
I could share dozens more stories of how I save our family thousands of dollars every year on things we were planning to buy anyway.
I could also share hundreds of fantastic deals (even freebie offers) I’ve passed up because I didn’t want to deal with the extra “costs” those items would place on my life.
Yup, even freebies end up costing us something!
The True Cost of Our Stuff:
Every single thing in our home has a cost.
Sometimes that cost is physical — the space required for the item (and additional accessories or pieces). Also, the energy used to clean or fix the item is a physical cost to consider.
Sometimes that cost is mental or emotional — finding a spot to store it, maintaining it, caring for it (pets, plants, etc.)
Sometimes that cost is simply monetary — after all, the best deals aren’t actually “deals” if you don’t truly need them.
Even inexpensive or free items come with hidden costs that might become a burden later on (why do you think people are always giving away free kittens and bunnies!?)
How to Evaluate the True Cost of Your Stuff
Start by looking around the room you’re in right now…
Think about each item in that space and the “costs” associated with that item.
At some point in your life, you:
- Bought the item
- Carted it home and found a spot to put it
- Cleaned it (or around it)
- Organized it (or around it)
- Maintained it
- Fed it (pets)
- Watered it (plants)
- Put batteries in it or paid for electricity to run it
- Bought accessories to go with it
- Fixed it if/when it broke (or paid someone else to fix it)
- Moved it (if you redecorated, swapped rooms, or bought a new home)
When you view your things in this light, it’s easier to understand why our homes, our lives, and our brains often feel overloaded with stuff.
It’s because they ARE!
And all this stuff requires maintenance over the course of its life in your home.
Related Reading: The Hidden Cost of “More”
How I decide to bring an item into our home.
I know you might be hoping for a fancy algorithm or elaborate equation I use to calculate whether an item is worth trading my time, space, money, or energy for… but that’s not what I have for you today.
Sorry!
Instead, I challenge you to ask yourself one simple question every time you consider bringing anything new into your home, AND any time you feel frustrated with specific items already in your home.
Do the benefits of owning this item outweigh the costs?
Is it worth cleaning and organizing around? Do you love it enough to invest time, money, and energy to maintain it?
If not, the item doesn’t belong in your home.
I’m confident your future self will thank you when you have one less thing to clean, fix, organize, or otherwise maintain!
What about the stuff kids bring into our home?
Our kiddos are at the ages where they bring in LOTS and LOTS of papers, birthday treats, party invitations, gifts, pictures, rocks, special treasures, etc.
While I don’t stop the kids from bringing things into our home, I DO work with them to make space for their new “treasures”.
- If they get new clothing, it’s usually because other things are too small, so we weed out the things that are too small as we put their new items away.
- If they get new toys, we do a quick once-over of their current toys and they choose a few items to donate (it takes time, but children really do see the benefits of more space and less clutter).
- They all empty their backpacks immediately when they get home and we put all papers in a special basket. We go through them every weekend and they can choose a few to display. The rest are trashed (I often take pictures of artwork to use in our digital photo books.)
As always, I continually adjust this system as our needs change.
Related Reading
Click an image below to read more.
My goal is simply to be thoughtful and purposeful with the things we have in our home.
It’s not limited to a “needs only basis” and I don’t practice a strict “one-in-one-out” policy, but I do take a few moments to consider the costs of the things we bring into our home (and the things we already have in our home).
It makes a HUGE difference in the amount of cleaning, organizing, purging, and maintenance I do on a weekly basis.
If you’d like to lighten your load a bit — create more space, enjoy more time, and have more energy — it starts by honestly evaluating the true cost of your stuff and if the benefits of owning a specific item outweigh the costs.
Have you ever considered the TRUE cost of your stuff?
Amanda says
This post is perfect for me right now. I’ve been working on purging and fall cleaning very slowly! With 6 children and not much storage I’m getting rid of things I never thought I would. I have kept so many things for sentimental reasons, knick knacks from my grandparents, etc… but I decided I have things I love from my grandparents (like furniture and a handmade quilt) in my house. Those can remind me of them, these other things have been in a drawer for YEARS! It has been freeing to let that stuff go and I’ve no regrets! I can’t wait to finish, this really gives me a boost of encouragement! Thanks!
Andrea says
YES! this is a great mindeset, Amanda!
Your memories will be there long after you purge the things… good luck! I know how great it will feel when you’re finished!
Gaynor Williams says
Good post, as always, but can I make one point? I’m really uncomfortable with pets being lumped in with “stuff”! A pet is a living, sentient being and their value or worth shouldn’t be considered just in the light of how much trouble, time or money they cost. Don’t get me wrong, I KNOW that if you had a pet it would be loved and looked after conscientiously by your lovely family, but classing pets in with stuff just grated on me!
Andrea says
Thanks — yes, I see your concern. The point I’m making though is that bringing a pet into your home is a CHOICE — and a choice that should be strongly considered before making. It’s almost never something that just “happens” without your consent. There are lots of costs involved in owning a pet — many of which people don’t fully consider before deciding to buy a pet.
We have numerous friends and family members who got a dog almost immediately after getting a house, only to regret that decision later (especially once they had babies or realized they wanted to travel).
I do think there will be a time in our family’s life when we will get some sort of a pet, but you better believe we will strongly consider the various costs (mental, physical, emotional, monetary, etc.) before making that commitment.
Gaynor Williams says
Thanks for replying Andrea. I am fully in agreement with the need to consider all the many issues before committing to a pet – it’s sad that many people don’t do that before buying!
Chris says
I really don’t like freebies companies give out for being a customer. The free water bottles, note pads, magnet clips, pens, only become clutter in my house because I don’t need them.
But like you Andrea, I ask myself, what purpose will ______ have if I bring it into my home. If I can’t find a use, I don’t need it.
Tracy R says
Wondering if you haggle over prices on craigslist? In general I don’t, but if I am not prepared to pay asking price I will usually mention what I’m willing to pay in the first correspondence email so the seller can yay or nay my request. I’ve found letting them know how close/far away they are from me can be a influencing factor, and some lovely sellers have even delivered items! Any tips?
Andrea says
Sometimes I do try to get the price down — and when I do, I follow the same steps you listed. I just ask up-front (usually in the first or 2nd email) if they would be willing to come down to $xx. If they say “yes” then I go look at the item. If not, then I pass.
And yes, I have had some AMAZING sellers who have delivered items, met me in a convenient place for me, etc. It’s amazing what some people will do to sell things!
Kaitlin @ The Mom on Purpose says
I used to not follow this rule very well. I was the girl who picked things up because they were cute and then never actually used them. As I’ve gotten older and had children, I feel like it’s almost been a necessity to have this mindset while shopping. Not only does it save money, but it keeps clutter to a minimum.
I love your idea of going back through the school papers after a few weeks. Caleb wants to keep almost everything. I always feel bad because I end up purging at least half of it without him even realizing. I should try to have him go back through his papers/artwork after a few weeks and have him just keep his favorites. We have a large stack from this year alone.! I don’t even want to know what Kindergarten is going to be like next year!
Thanks for sharing! Loved it as always!
Andrea says
Yes Kaitlin! I have a feeling the school papers will continue to be an evolving system that we tweak and change every year… but I’m sure we’ll figure things out 🙂
Amy says
Something similar to your thought process happened with my daughter and me last week. We were in Kohl’s because I got a 10.00 gift for having had a charge card (if I ever use it, I pay it right off!) for 10 years. We were there for a long time trying to find something to get with it, and since I refuse to buy anything over the 10.00 it was a bit difficult! Well, we finally did find these cute little wooden signs, one for “the house” and one for my daughters room. They were marked down on clearance for 4.98 each so the prices were perfect! About a minute after we chose them, we looked at each other, looked at the wooden signs, and both agreed these were just “clutter” and we were just getting them for the sake of using this 10.00 gift! We put them back on the shelf and left with our 10.00 gift still in hand. We have until March 10th, so we will go back before then to see if there is anything we could take home that will be of use to us!
Chris says
And if you don’t think of something you want, you could give it to a friend. 🙂
Chris says
I meant the gift card, not the clutter. lol
Andrea says
yes!! I actually will often give my $10 coupon to my mom because she really likes to shop at Kohl’s. Then, she will try to find a sleeper or something for the kids to wear. It’s a good system because she gets to shop and buy cute things for my kids, I can stay home but I don’t “waste” my coupon!
Christine @ The (mostly) Simple Life says
It’s not something I think about much, but unless you start to think about what you bring into your home, you’ll continuously have stuff that needs to be purged that ends up being a waste of money. One of the benefits of living in a small town is that there aren’t many opportunities to shop as a fun activity. If we need something, I either order it or make a special trip somewhere to get it. It certainly helps cut down on extra stuff coming home, but I’m still amazed how easily stuff accumulates.
a woman says
I have another role: first make space then buy something. So, I will buy another dress only if I throw away a old and ugly one. I don’t need 100 dresses, 2 are enough.
Debbie says
This is exactly what I needed to read this morning! Thanks!
Anita Treacy says
Andrea, love this one!!! I am working on taking control back from all the “stuff” I our home. This is great advice!
Ann says
I will book mark this page, as it’s something I need to read every once in a while!! I have been
purging & I hope I “get rid of more” than I “carry IN” during 2014!!!
SIMPLIFY, SIMPLIFY!! GREAT POST!
Teresa says
I love this post! Today I began binging and purging of “stuff”……oh happy day, what a sense of accomplishment!
Cori says
What are some “things” you have decided you don’t “need” lately…Would love examples to fuel my brain…
Kathy says
One of my “self talks” when I am shopping and there is a “bargain” to be had. I ask myself the question “If it was full price, would I want to buy it”. That usually answers the question. Often because it’s on sale or cheap we jump to the conclusion because it’s cheap we could find a place for it, or what does it matter it’s only $10 if I don’t like it later I can get rid of it. So a good question is “If this was full price would I still buy it and if it is, then it’s a good chance you like it for the product itself and don’t get caught up in the sale/cheapness of the product. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane, Australia
Krysta says
Love this post! My husband thinks I’m crazy because I look at something that costs $3, and is totally cute, and say, “Nah, I don’t really NEED it…” and walk away. Thanks for showing me I’m not alone! 🙂
Sherry L says
This is such a great post. Often, the amount of time it takes to manage and maintain “stuff” isn’t worth it, even if it’s free. Stuff Management can be a full-time job!
Andrea says
haha — I like that phrase… “Stuff Management can be a full-time job!” I definitely agree!
Gina, a book dragon says
Katherine: Could you just smile and say thank you then stop by the local thrift store and drop it off?
Gina, a book dragon says
We won a raffle at our county fair – cool a $1 bunny! Too bad the cage needed was $60. We did enjoy the bunny and the next three (one at a time) for years, but still.
Katherine says
Will someone please send this post to my mother-in-law??? 🙂
This is why I don’t want the rubbermaid bin full of stuff that she brings every visit. It was free or next-to-free for her; mostly from yard sales or what she had tucked away in her closets. But it doesn’t feel free to me! Ugh.
CJ says
I love this post because I feel like I am always having the same conversation with my husband – “if you don’t really need it or are not really going to use it, even if it’s some really awesome sale, then it is not really a good deal”. I wish my husband would have a conversation with himself like you before making a random purchase (typically done online).
Rochelle says
I totally ask myself the same questions :). We have 7 (soon to be 8) people living in our house, so I have to keep the “stuff” to a minimum! The only thing I have a hard time with is gifts from others for my kids birthdays/Christmas. I can’t say no to that & the kids do love them, so I try to find toy ideas that don’t take up much space & that they really love.
Holly says
When my family asks for gift ideas for my daughter, I suggest experiences. For Christmas just been, my parents paid for a zoo pass for us. Was a fantastic day out.
Andrea says
Great idea Holly — this is exactly what we do too… and will continue to do as our kids get older and will appreciate experience gifts much more than another toy!
Vivian says
My thoughts exactly except when it comes to little vintage tables. I always find a use for them or resale. My husband is in the cabinet door business and he does a great job of refinishing and repair. I have enough storage containers to last a life time. However I am finding sheets and towels to be wearing out after 14 years together.
Maria says
Great ideas, Andrea. If I see something that I really like, but not actually need, I’ll wait for a couple of days, and if I feel that I still want to buy it, I will, but usually the novelty has worn off and I forget the reason I wanted the item in the first place. lt saves a lot of time in returning stuff I regret buying.
Vivian says
I too have done that lots. I keep a running list of the items I need clothing wise in my head too. If it’s not on the list I’m not buying for my son or husband. I still like second hand for that reason. It’s the thrill of the hunt getting what you need for a deal not what you want.
mary willis says
My husband entered some sweepstakes and he keeps getting free books he will never read and junk mail. ugh
Catherine says
Mary,
You could try and sneak some of those books out to your local hospital… they usually have carts of books for patients to read.
Andrea says
Mary,
You could also donate them to a Blue Star Mom’s location or any other location that sends boxes to soldiers. Our military personnel love getting ‘goody boxes’ with books, crosswords, snacks, toiletries, etc. Just an idea! 🙂
Michaela says
I so needed to read this, this morning! I have been getting rid of stuff but had decided to really start going through clothes today. By the time I got home this morning I had talked myself out of it because they’re so cute, they haven’t out grown them etc. but reading this I realized they take up space, time, money (doing laundry), and frustration for me when my kids leave them everywhere because they have too much, so it’s time to downsize. Thank you!
Patti says
Great post Andrea….thanks!