Tuesday, February 10, 2015

44 Quick Tip Tuesday: Shopping With Intention

This week's quick tip is more of a free printable, but it is a good one!


My girlfriend and I were recently chatting about my home goal for this year and how I decided that I am going to try harder than ever to be really selective about the items I am purchasing for my home.  That I want to really shop with intention, vs. impulsively snagging a throw pillow from the shelves at Target.  I have always loved Target, but I haven't stepped foot in one since the first of the year, and I don't miss it as much as I thought I would.  My wallet is grateful too!

In that discussion with my friend, she mentioned that she has been inspired to do the same.  She has a lot of big events coming up this year, and she wants to get her home ready, but doesn't want to fall into impulsive buying habits for the sake of finishing things quickly.  After a little brainstorming, we decided that we could both benefit with a little "wish list".  So I made one!


How many times have you added something to your online cart, only to look back at it a month or two later and feel grateful that you didn't impulsively click that Purchase Now button?  I know I do that all the time.  You know what else I do?  Go to thrift stores to seek out something cool or pick up something and think, "I could totally make this item look waaaay better!"  But just because I think I could, doesn't mean I should.  When I went on a purging spree this year, so many items that didn't make the cut were old thrift store purchases or impulsive home good purchases that never meant that much to me.  Being organized is not just about clearing the clutter, it is about making sure you don't have to keep clearing the clutter.  I am trying to learn from my mistakes and want to do what I can to purge and donate less frequently.

So to stick with my goal, my plan is to keep a running list of "wish list" items.  Things that I think I need for our home, whether it be for the kitchen renovation or a future project.  That way, when I take a shopping trip, I have a list to go by.  If I spot something I think I love, if it is not on the list, it doesn't go in the cart.  Beautiful candle holder?  Not on the list, not in my cart.  Gorgeous glass lamp?  Not on the list... not coming into my home.  Seems easy enough right?


The goal is to be sure that I am really thinking about my purchases, giving myself a budget, and doing my best in taking my time until I find the perfect solution.  We have always been fairly good about this, but I want to be even better.  So I popped the printable into my planner to use during the year.  And if you are a digital gal, I have also used Pinterest in a similar manner and it works pretty well to keep track of things you love, and things you find yourself changing your mind about.

{ Download 8 1/2 x 11" Letter Size Here | Download 5 1/2 x 8 1/2"  Jr. Size Here }

I created one for purchases, and one for project planning.  I find myself needing both, especially as I blog about projects big and small we do throughout the year.  And I am giving them to all of you for free today as well.  After I posted my goals for this year, it was lovely hearing that many of you were hopping in the boat right along with me.



Looking for more quick tips?  Check out the entire series here!

44 comments:

  1. Hi I'm a new reader :) Such a fantastic idea! I myself have issues with impulse buying, especially from target. I'll definitely be utilizing this!

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  2. Great post & I couldn't agree with you more! When I finally decluttered my home, a BIG thing was to stop buying items just because I liked their colour or style ... If I don't need it or it doesn't have an immediate function then it's not coming home with me! ... I have definitely saved lots of money too :)

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  3. Very smart! I want to be more intentional with my purchases too.

    Her Heartland Soul
    http://herheartlandsoul.com

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    1. Hi Erin! Great looking blog! Quite inspiring....

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  4. Love this idea!! I can't wait to use it and share it with others!!

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  5. You must be reading my mind because I just started a wish list for myself also! Except it's in my annual notebook, not a cute printable. Your post about intentional spending made me think of doing this. That and my husband's warnings that I need to tone it down on the spending. LOL!

    I am curious as to where you will do more of your shopping since it won't be at Target. Ha! Because honestly, I just don't have the time to peruse stores for decor or inspiration. 4 kids! Do you think you'll do more internet shopping? I am looking for tips because right now it's either Target or internet for me! At least when it comes to home items, decor, etc. :)

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    1. Hi Lisa!

      So far, I have been really good about just not shopping. But, I am sure that is also because we are focusing on kitchen stuff. I plan to do more searches on Etsy for vintage and handmade items, pick stuff up during travels, look on Craigslist, force myself to head to downtowns with smaller locally owned businesses and of course, be OK with a little online and HomeGoods shopping as well. There is nothing wrong with Target, I still have some items I love from there, I just don't want everything to be from there, and want to avoid the impulse that comes from doing my weekly grocery shopping. xoxo!

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  6. Jen, Where did you get the cute notebook at? Dianna

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    1. Hi Dianna,

      The notebook is from Kikki-K: www.kikki-k.com/notebooks-journals/planners/leather-personal-planner-mint

      xoxo!

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  7. Oh I think a list like that would do well for my closet as well as the rest of my home!
    Thanks!
    Deb

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  8. I use a pinterest board for this, too. After some time, I see items in my wishlist with a different perspective. It also lets me consider several options for the same purpose.

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  9. We've recently started using the wishlist approach too. We keep ours in an app on our phone and it's been really helpful in directing where we spend our budgeted money. I've also made the committment to DH to at least review the house wishlist with him to see if there's anything HE thinks needs added...or to voice his opinion about something BEFORE I buy it. :)

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  10. I make a list too, but I use my grocery list app (OurGroceries) on my phone by adding a list called Household. I have one for clothing as well. I always have my phone on me so this works well. Another great advantage to a list of some sort, writing down measurements next to the item. Need a entry table, measure the space you would want it to live so you make sure what you bring home fits. Also, always carry a small tape measure with you. It's amazing how many times I use mine.

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  11. Love this! It's such a fine line between impulse purchase and "going with your gut" when shopping for the home. And it can be so hard to be patient and wait for the right thing to come along when you just want your home to be DONE! I'm still living with a room in my house that feels pretty "meh" but I'm constantly scouting for just the right thing. All in good time!

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  12. Just wanted to take a minute to thank you for your quick tips. I have 3 young boys, so anything that is quick and keeps me organized is perfect! I have implemented several of the ideas already and they are super helpful! Thank you!

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  13. P.S. what kind of planner are you using now again? I tried to find where you originally posted this but couldn't....
    What's the name again?

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    1. Hi Joyce,

      The notebook is from Kikki-K: www.kikki-k.com/notebooks-journals/planners/leather-personal-planner-mint, I recently upgraded from my discbound, which you can find here: http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/p/2015-daily-planner-faqs.html

      xo!

      xoxo!

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  14. This is an awesome post! I was just sharing with some ladies in my women's ministry that we have to be intentional in 2015 with how we live regarding relationships, career, ministry, finances. I am working on shedding debt this year. Having an "Intentional" Wish List is Perfect! I will definitely use it and also share it with my women's group. Thank you so much.

    Breshana -
    Grace to Grow - living an abundant life with grace and style
    www.gracetogrow.com

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  15. Jen - I really love this idea. I just got married last year and I am busy trying to set up a home for me and my hubby. I am so eager to have picture perfect rooms set up exactly the way I'm visualizing, and I've gotten into a bad habit of buying home decor items that I end up wishing I had left at the store, just because I was eager to finish a space. I love this plan because it will help me to actually pin down the pieces that I really do need, and keep me from sweeping the clearance aisle into my cart just so that I can defend to my hubs that "it was all on clearance!".

    You are pretty spot on with your plan to avoid target, even though it is also a littleeee tragic. :)

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  16. Great. I make lists all the time and they are so ugly. At least now I can have some color and inspiration to finish.

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  17. love this! definitely need to start this... we just put our house on the market and will be moving into the new one soon. so...yeah. Target has seen TOO much of my $$ lately. maybe I should give up that (and the starbucks) for Lent again! ;)

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  18. Love this concept! I actually use Pinterest to create wish lists and corral things I think I may want to buy which is nice because I always have it with me and I do better with visuals. However, something I've noticed is that the list has gotten a lot smaller, and it'snot because I've purchased the items. I just realized I didn't really want/need it.

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  19. I am loving your quick tip Tuesday.

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  20. "Being organized is not just about clearing the clutter, it is about making sure you don't have to keep clearing the clutter. I am trying to learn from my mistakes and want to do what I can to purge and donate less frequently."

    Perfectly said! I've started a list on my phone for specific clothing items I want for the same reason. And completely avoid whole sections of Target so not to be tempted. It works!

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  21. This is a great idea and will be so helpful! Thank you!

    www.lee-lee-land.com

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  22. Oh my gosh! I love the tape measure....so cute. I need to get me one of those; I've been carting the disposable one from Ikea around.

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  23. Love it! I keep a wish list in the notes on my iPhone. I also keep a notebook at home with a wish list as well. I take the notebook with me when I know I am going shopping but I make sure I have the backup on my phone for those unplanned spur of the moment trips or to jot things down when I am not at home just so I don't forget. I love the notebook because I love highlighting items that I purchase and being able to see progress. I also like to keep a date (month and year) of those purchases next to them. Just to be able to look back and reminisce as I grow older. (May be cheesy but that's just me)! I will definitely download this! Thanks!

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  24. I'm totally the opposite! So sometimes im too cheap, and then I find myself after 8 yrs of homeownership not having finished rooms and some still without furniture! My intention this year is to finish off decorating some areas as well as purchasing organizing musts like cabinets to store items. Where I have failed is purchasing a few decorative items based on what would match my room now even though my intention has been for the last 3 years at least to change the style of our house. all those items never made it on the wall so now im waiting until we repaint to purchase wall art and decorative items. Although I have a few tricks up my sleeve to make my own art once the weather gets nice so I can paint outside!

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  25. Oh my gosh, this is perfect! My fiancé recently got on me about how much I buy and then how much I end up donating not long after. It'll be a full two years at our house on the 2nd of March and my style has changed dramatically from when we moved in until now, hence why I buy things I like at the time, my tastes change and I give it away along with the money I spent. I'm hoping these printables will serve as a reminder when I'm shopping to not buy things that aren't on my list. I probably should start with not going into Target so frequently, that place is dangerous!

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  26. Avoiding Target - easy way to save money! : ) The Target store in our neighboring town just closed down a couple weeks ago, and while I will miss it a little, it will help me refrain from those impulse purchases! Home décor, kids' clothing clearance racks, etc. - most of what I bought at Target were not necessities, and it was really hard to resist some of the cute stuff! I'll be better off without the temptation.

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  27. That is a great idea! I also started doing the same thing this year. I write what I need for the house and as I earn Amazon gift cards, I look at my list and purchase what I can, but nothing additional.

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    1. How do you earn Amazon gift cards? Thanks.

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    2. I earn them through various survey programs.

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  28. I have been doing this for some time now and it really helps you spend less on impulsive buying as well as keeping focused on what you really need.

    Something I do is that I am as detailed with the item as I need to be once I've identified a specific need. In the past every time I saw a mirror I liked on sale I remembered I needed one for my master bedroom but never really had the measurements I needed so I kept missing out. Since I started this method if I ever find something that I've been looking for I can make sure its the perfect fit for my need rather than getting something that I will later regret or that won't quite be what I was looking for in the first place.

    I take my time with each purchase. Even though I love visiting décor stores I only buy when I find what fits my needs, the wait can be painful but it is so worth it!
    Love your blog, thank you for sharing!
    (all the way from Portugal)

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  29. Wonderful idea. Exactly what I need. Thank you!

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  30. THis is awesome! Thanks so much for sharing this.

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  31. I noticed you've added some plummy purple shades to your printables - I love it! I hope you'll add some plum to next year's planner :). Thanks so much for the great printable!!

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  32. We keep seeing little tantalizing glimpses of your gorgeous new planner and I'm curious, because you had seemed so gung ho about your discbound binder, why the change? Did something put you off about the MS discbound? I used a Filofax for years then switched to the Levenger Circa 2 years ago and haven't looked back. Any chance you'd consider a little post on the subject? Thanks for such a fantastic blog!

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    1. I still love my discbound systems! I use them for quite a few different things around the house, and will stand by my love of them. I was actually doing some product research for my planners and looking for A5 options since it is an extremely requested size and style. I really love some things about the new planner binding/case, yet there are some things I am missing about the discbound. Still testing things out at this point, but will be sure to share more about the experience with the next planner release. xoxo!

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  33. Hi, Jen,
    Could you tell me where you got the beautiful floral tape measure from?

    thanks Radhika

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    1. Hi Radhika,

      The tape measure was purchased from Amazon: http://amzn.to/1n70EvZ

      xo!

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