While trying to fall asleep one night, I was looking around my bedroom and started thinking about how many things I have in my bedroom that I don’t really need. Then I started thinking about other rooms of the house and before I knew it I had a mental list many pages long.
Going through that exercise helped me realize two things:
1.) I have bought many things over the years that I really didn’t need. Going through and really thinking about everything, I see things that were purchased that I thought I needed, but really didn’t. With just doing this exercise mentally, I can only imagine how many more pages would be added when I actually look around every room and physically check every nook and cranny.
2.) I have the makings for a pretty good garage sale. I don’t like having a garage sale unless I have quite a few items to sell. After taking the mental inventory, I realize that I have more I can sell than I thought I did. So, my project for this summer is to have a garage sale and all proceeds will go directly towards debt. What I will do is go room to room just like I did with my mental inventory and have a large box ready to throw everything in.
I’m glad I did this. It gave me a lot to think about the next time I want to buy something. I’ll also hopefully have some more money to put towards debt after having a good-sized garage sale 
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Posted: May 14th, 2006 at 6:56 pm
Interesting the juxtaposition of this post — about buying things that weren’t necessary and planning to sell them — and the one just before, about how to buy clearance items. Conflicted?
Posted: May 14th, 2006 at 8:27 pm
At the end of the clearance post, there is a warning about only buying things you really need. That is definitely a problem with my shopping in the past - I was blinded by the great deal. That’s how I ended up with things I didn’t need.
The garage sale is a way to redeem myself, yet I know that I will lose money in the end because I paid more for things at the time of purchase.
I am finding that the more I look deeper into my previous habits, I am finding ways to improve myself and in turn improve my family’s financial situation. I enjoy when others leave comments that make me think even more about everything.
Thanks for stopping by and commenting
Posted: May 15th, 2006 at 11:36 pm
Having just moved 2 weeks ago, I definitely know that I have been guilty of buying things I haven’t needed. Shoes, clothes, magazines, books, things etc.
I’ve made a deal that for this month, I will not buy any clothes or magazines or books at all. I am spending money on things for the new place such as pots and stuff, but nothing completely unnecessary such as clothes etc.
So far, half way through and going strong
Posted: May 16th, 2006 at 7:05 am
Mandy - that’s great to hear things are going so well for you! I see from your blog that you mention that you don’t really have room for all the things that you have bought. That’s definitely a problem that I have - especially with clothes. I have so many articles of clothing that I don’t use and it’s a shame.
Thanks for stopping by and the best to you with your “Operation Stop Buying Crap”
Posted: July 20th, 2006 at 7:26 pm
[...] I love garage sales and I love getting deals. But after starting this blog, and taking inventory of the things I don’t need, I realized I have gotten some great deals throughout the years - but most of it is stuff I didn’t really need. Things like picture frames, decorations, clothes that I don’t wear, etc. [...]