Shopping card

When I started with minimalism, I got a lot of inspiration online. There weren't a lot of minimalist videos like in 2017. I liked going shopping and find new stuff in store. Still there should be some ground rules that I need to set to get on this journey. So I made a list of what to do and how to do. I created my own shopping card.

You may think shopping card, it's not what you think. It's a way of reminding me how to be a minimalist in real life. The things I mention are so logic and simple but without an constant reminder it was difficult. Go on youtube and you hear so many minimalist that they don't shop anymore. I think it is one of the ways to not bring new items to your home but for someone like I that likes to walk and do window shopping it's a killer no. Because shops have new items and new arrangements. It can also surprise you, it can also inspire you to create things with stuff you already have (upcycle). It can cause conservations between strangers or you go meet up with friends in shops.

Currently when I am shopping I am not tempted to buy because I know I don't need it and I see the tricks.

This shopping card does need some explanation but afterwards you can easily see why this small card with only few rows of words and bad drawing works (at least for I).

Shopping cart: You only need a few items, just don't take a cart because you will try to fill it up. I used to do shopping on my bike and the volume from the cart doesn't fit on my bike. This is a no brainer.

Bread: Everything you eat, always check the expiration date and the nutrition label. Excuses like, it's too mall to read and I can never find the date, it cost too much time are no real reason to not do it. If you take the product home and eat it, got sick and having to go to the doctor doesn't that take time and money?

Candy: Once in a while it's not a sin but you can't fool yourself, if you feel the pants getting tighter it means less sugar intake and snacks.

T-shirt: If you can replace it with something similar in your closet leave it in the store, only after you donate your old ones you can go back and buy it.

Reading material: write down the title and buy an e-edition, if it has nice paper insert those are very cheap and don't justify the price tag.

%OFF: Don't get fooled by the big sales tags. Seriously when isn't it sales. Retail prices are high because they need to include transport, personal cost, etc. When you buy you never save money because the price tag says so. You still spend money, instead of think of it as in hours you need to work for the money, your likely to put it back.

Sofa: Don't buy furniture that you already have. If you really want to replace it, get rid of the old item before buying and use a measurement tool to check if it really fits in your home.

By having this in hand while shopping you remind yourself with what is important.