Last week I discussed Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and how you can use it to assess where you are in your life and using the diagram as a way to manage your current needs in life. Today is a slight twist on the topic using this great diagram to apply the hierarchy of needs to buying stuff. Most of us don’t consider our buying habits on a day to day basis, but this is something where a little planning and managing can really pay off.
First off, before you head out for a day of shopping or hitting up your favorite sites because they’re having their yearly sale, consider what you already have. Do you really need a new monitor or black riding boots if you already bought something similar at a sale not that long ago? Have you recently gone on a shopping spree and your credit card is already hurting? Check to see what you already have and if you don’t really need it, don’t get it.
Second, consider borrowing something. I’m very fortunate in that I have a few friends who are the same size as I am and share similar hobbies. More often than not, I am able to borrow something they have instead of having to buy it for myself. Of course, I am always willing to reciprocate the favor when possible. Luckily, my generation has made it a cool thing to borrow between friends again (or even strangers), which makes it easier for people to get out and do things like travel, kayak, or even get a ride when they might not have been able to otherwise.
Third, is swapping stuff. Say you absolutely love a coffee table I’ve had in my garage for years and I really like a pair of shoes that are still sitting in a box in your closet. Well, why not ask if you can swap them for each other since neither person currently is using the thing? While sometimes it can be tricky to gauge the value of each item swapped (do I give you an extra ten bucks for something, or do we just call it even eventually), swapping can be a great way to find something you need or want while getting rid of something you just don’t use anymore. Craigslist allows for swapping, as well as many thrift stores, online groups for particular brands (like Jeffrey Campbell or Black Milk Clothing), or your neighborhood’s used bookstore. It might take a bit more searching for places that allow swaps, but they are out there.
Fourth, is Macklemore’s favorite thing, thrifting. Popping tags is still one great way to find something you need on the cheap. Granted, not all thrift stores are created equal, and depending where you live, the quality of thrift stores can differ. For instance, Orange County has several areas where I might find some pretty good finds at Goodwill, but if I drive one hour north to the Goodwill in Beverly Hills, I have a far greater chance of finding designer goods that may only be a couple of seasons old (thank you celebrities and bored housewives up there). Just make sure you inspect each item for quality, and always avoid buying things like mattresses, couches, or computer goods used.
Fifth, is making it. If you are artisticly gifted in any capacity, consider making whatever it is you were thinking of buying. If you aren’t sure how to make something, youtube and various blogs have step by step guides on how to make anything you can think of. And while sometimes you might become another Pinterest fail (what was supposed to be an adorable birthday cake turning into a blob of melting frosting), just chalk it up to experience and know that there’s always next time. F
inally, if you don’t already have it and you can’t borrow, swap, thrift, or make it, then your last option is to buy it. I would suggest trying sites like Craigslist, Ebay, Amazon, or other deal places to see if you can find it discounted, or see if the site might have a coupon (Retail Me Not is a great place for this). I always try to find a discount somewhere before I buy it and compare prices on different sites. Hey, even if it’s only ten percent off, it’s still money you’ll be saving.
Perhaps the most challenging part of all this is determining what you need versus what you want. Often we think we need something, when in reality we just really really want it. If you are sailing along financially or have been saving up for something, then by all means get the thing. But, if money is tight or you’re trying to stick to a budget better, try using one of the alternatives listed above or decide that maybe you can hold off on getting that thing at the moment.
Water & Parchment 