Taking Inventory
Decluttering and taking inventory of what you already have can save you so much money!
Check out the ideas below on how to use what you already have in your home.
01
Check your fridge, freezer, and pantry!
Have bananas going bad? Make banana muffins. Have frozen fruit you don’t know what to do with? Make smoothies or applesauce with other fruit (I made peach strawberry applesauce the other day!). This is especially helpful with produce that is going bad. If you don’t use it quickly, you run the risk of losing it (and the money you spent on it!)
Check the expiration dates. If something is getting close, figure out how to use it – Pinterest is great for this! Chili is a good one to also use up veggies hanging out in the fridge. If you make too much of one dish, freeze the extras! Your future self will thank you one day when you have no clue what to make and a dish is ready in the freezer for baking/cooking.
02
Use up soap, shampoo, and conditioner!
Make sure you’re using ALL the shampoo, conditioner, and soap before throwing that bottle away. This goes for laundry detergent too! You can rinse those bottles with water to ensure you get your money’s worth! Use all of your products before buying more.
More items to finish off: cosmetics, cleaning products, lotion/moisturizers, toothpaste, & perfumes.
I’m not saying that having a back up is a bad thing, especially if you wind up unemployed. However, if you have 10 bottles of something, take a break from buying it and use what you have (especially if you’re currently feeling like you need to pinch pennies!)
03
Check your closet before purchasing!
Many of us truly do have plenty of shirts, jeans, shoes, etc., but we still end up buying more. Before you go shopping, double check your closet. Do you need a fourth pair of running shoes or another pair of jeans? If you actually NEED it (because you don’t have others or something no longer fits), by ALL means, get the best deal you can for high quality items and go for it! You’ll have peace of mind knowing that you spent money on something you actually needed and feel good about bringing into your home.
As mentioned in previous posts, clutter can crowd our homes and our minds. While it can be nice to have something new and shiny, you truly don’t need five bottles of that lotion or sixth pair of the same style shoe. Taking inventory of what you have will allow you to be more mindful of what you’re spending your money on and bringing into your home.
Bonus points: Take the money you would have spent on those shoes you loved, but didn’t need and put it aside. Use that money for a bigger goal (paying down debt, an emergency fund, money for your child’s school activities, or a vacation fund are just a few ideas!).
What are something ideas you have? Let me know below!