The One Thing You Need to stop buying clutter

Are you hitting a wall in keeping your home clutter free? You can declutter and let things go, but they keep coming in because you keep buying more? And it’s difficult to say no to good deals, or things you might need (but really don’t)?

Finding something difficult doesn’t mean that you give up.

Perhaps you haven’t found that one thing you need to master your shopping and consumption habits (you could totally be bringing in new things for free that are causing you clutter!).

Lucky for you, I’m here to teach you all about how to shop mindfully, and get control of what you bring back into your home.

First, what is Intentional Shopping?

Ever heard of overconsumption? Don’t worry if you haven’t. Simply put, overconsumption is when we buy or use way more than we actually need. Think of it like that pile of clothes in your closet you’ve never worn, or the extra toys scattered around because they seemed like a good deal at the time.

For those of us juggling the chaos of family life and trying to keep things under control, overconsumption can look like grabbing one more “just-in-case” item or getting swayed by a sale. It’s not just about buying too much—it’s about the toll it takes on our homes, our wallets, and our sanity.

The remedy for overconsumption is: Intentional Shopping. Here’s another explainer podcast episode for you to help stop buying clutter!

Addressing overconsumption can really help you streamline your life, cut down on clutter, and keep your home more organized. By making smarter choices about what we bring into our homes, we can keep things simpler without going full minimalist.

It’s also good to know that:

Overconsumption often leads to more stuff than we can manage, which means more clutter and mess.
It can stretch our budget thin as we end up buying things we don’t truly need.
Too much stuff can make us feel overwhelmed and stressed, instead of the joy we hoped for when we made the purchase.

How I Stopped Buying Clutter

Not to humblebrag, but you may look at me, and my clutter free home for over a decade, with 5 kids, and think, “She’s one to talk about struggling with how to stop buying clutter and needing to shop intentionally“

But ten years ago, I was just like you. I was spending my weekends at the local consignment stores looking for something cool I could bring home that cost not a lot of money. I was buying lots of stuff I already had, and didn’t need because it was a good deal. And I definitely said YES to anything free, whether I needed it or not. More was more to be back then.

Then, I found intentional shopping, and it changed me and my cluttered life by:

Putting me back in control of how I spent my money
Allowed me to buy more stuff that I could actually enjoy longer. Whether it was better quality items OR spending money on things like day trips with my kids to make memories.
My house has stayed clutter free even with adding in 2 more kids to our family during those ten years.

Side Note: This may seem like I just do it, but it’s still hard work to fight the very human desire to get the thrill of buying or acquiring something cool. Others in the minimalism arena have really good insight on this. For example, Intentional View has a similar belief of mine that we really don’t need to buy more, but she focuses on the ways brands we love manipulate us. It’s a really good blog that I think you’ll enjoy.

5 Actionable Steps To Stop Buying Clutter

I’ve got a simple 5-step guide that’s been a game-changer for me. Once upon a time, I was living paycheck to paycheck, splurging on every trendy kitchen gadget, fast fashion, and cozy throws I didn’t need. If I can find a way to cut back and declutter, so can you!

This guide will help you build awareness about those impulse buys, set manageable budgets, and, most importantly, help you feel more content with what you have. Plus, you’ll be doing your part to contribute to a more sustainable world.

Track Your Spending

Okay, let’s get real. You’re going to have to be honest about how you’re spending your money, and on what. This can feel overwhelming, but it’s key to knowing where your money is going. Start by listing all your expenses—don’t forget those sneaky little purchases like coffee runs or impulse buys.

Sometimes we just need to have it thrown in our face a bit in order to make a change. Look at what you are spending money on and exactly how much. Add it up and then think of all the ways you could have spent that money so much better.

I remember when I held a garage sale looking at all the junk I had and thinking to myself, “I totally could have paid off my student loans if I hadn’t bought all of this pointless stuff”.

Take stock of what you have

Once you know how you’re spending your money, it’s time to take stock of what you already have. Look around and notice the things you’ve accumulated that you don’t really use or need.

Take note of everything you do have, that you will not need to purchase more of ever, or any time soon. Keep that list with you and refer to it when you are shopping. We end up with duplicates because in the moment it looks like something we need or will use, but won’t and don’t.

Set yourself up to win

If you’re still finding it tough to resist impulse buys, take a look at your surroundings. Unsubscribe from tempting marketing emails, limit your time on shopping apps, and avoid browsing just for fun. Instead of wandering through stores or online shops, find other ways to spend your free time, like going for a walk or enjoying a family activity. Less exposure to tempting deals means fewer chances to give in to those “must-have” feelings.

Practice Delayed Gratification

Before making any new purchase, give yourself a 24-hour cooling-off period. If you’re still thinking about it the next day and it feels like a need rather than a fleeting impulse, then consider it again. Ask yourself if it’s something you’ve wanted for a while or just a reaction to a sale. This pause helps prevent impulse buying and lets you make decisions with a clear mind.

Keep a Daily Gratitude Journal

Finally, shift your focus to appreciating what you already have. Most of us don’t have an issue of not having enough, we have an issue of having too much (of the wrong things).

Notice how much you do have, and how blessed you are to have it all. And that you are in a privileged place to even be able to consider letting go of your abundance and excess. This will also create more space of the RIGHT things and the stuff you do want.

I dare you to pick out even just one of these and stick with it for just one month. Imagine what would change for you!

Case Study: Sarah

I want to share a story about my friend Sarah. She’s a wonderful mom of three and a military wife, juggling everything with a smile even though her husband is often gone for work for hours, days sometimes weeks at a time. You know how tough that can be, right? Well, Sarah found herself feeling pretty lonely and overwhelmed when he was away, and shopping became her go-to pick-me-up. Her home started to look like a showroom—filled with all kinds of things she bought on impulse to feel a bit better.

The Challenge

Sarah’s main struggle wasn’t just about the stuff piling up. It was more about what was driving her to keep buying things she didn’t really need. Shopping had become her way of dealing with the emptiness and stress she felt during those long periods alone. So, while her house was bursting with stuff, Sarah felt like she was drowning in clutter and guilt.

The Solution: How To Stop Re-Cluttering

Digging Into the Root Causes

First, Sarah learned to look inward. She connected the dots between her feelings of loneliness and her shopping habits. Instead of just addressing the clutter, she started tackling the emotions driving her to shop. Understanding why she felt the need to buy things was the key to making real change.

Smart Strategies for Shopping

Next, Sarah got some super handy tips for curbing those impulse buys. One of the best things she learned was the “cooling-off period”—giving herself 24 hours to think about a purchase before buying it. This little trick worked wonders and really helped her keep those spontaneous buys in check.

Decluttering with a Plan

Instead of feeling overwhelmed by her cluttered spaces, she tackled one room at a time. She sorted through her things and let go of what no longer served her. It wasn’t just about clearing out stuff; it was about making space for what truly mattered to her family.

Building New, Fulfilling Habits

Sarah built new habits and it encouraged her to replace shopping with more meaningful activities. Sarah started joining a local support group for military spouses and picked up a new hobby. These positive changes helped her handle stress in a healthier way and made her feel less alone.

Staying on Track

She had access to regular check-ins and a community of people going through similar struggles. This ongoing support helped her stick to her new habits and maintain her progress, turning her new way of life into a long-term change.

Results

The transformation Sarah experienced was incredible. Here’s what changed for her:

Clutter-Free Home: Sarah’s home is now organized and tidy. It’s such a relief for her and her kids, and it’s brought a sense of calm to their daily lives.
Controlled Spending: She’s gotten a handle on her spending. Sarah now makes more thoughtful purchases, and the days of impulse buys are behind her.
Emotional Well-Being: With a clearer understanding of her triggers and healthier coping mechanisms, Sarah feels more balanced and less isolated. Her new routine has really improved her emotional health.
Family Happiness: A decluttered home and controlled spending have made life better for her whole family. They’re enjoying a more organized space and a more stable routine.

Wrapping it Up

People like you and Sarah are precisely why I started Motherhood Simplified.

I knew there was a need for decluttering when I first started. But I learned quickly after helping thousands of moms, that RE-cluttering was something moms needed help with, too.

Check out all of our content on overconsumption, over-spending here.

Good job on making it to the end of this post! That type of commitment shows that you will be one of the moms who figures out how to STAY clutter free.