How Decluttering Can Help You Save Money
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- Опубліковано 29 чер 2024
- When I started my very first No Buy several years ago (a no buy focused on cosmetics after my shopping got out of hand), I started the process of decluttering my home. It's been a slow and steady process (I much prefer to declutter slowly than processes like 'Swedish death cleaning') but it's had multiple benefits - not just less time spent tidying or cleaning, but financial benefits too. Today I want to share how decluttering helped my to save money by addressing my shopping habits and halting emotional spending.
(For 12 months in 2020 into 2021, I bought absolutely nothing but essentials, sometimes referred to as a No Buy Year. I did this in a bid to save the most money I possibly could, so that not only would this help with my financial goals, but that should the worst happen through this weird time, I'd be ok financially. Through completing a year long no buy (along with other money saving methods) I managed to save more than 50% of my take home salary which is both mind boggling and life changing. I'm fairly certain I will have changed my relationship with money forever.)
Over the last few years, I've come to the realisation that whilst a certain level of material things do add to your life, more stuff will not necessarily make you happier. This realisation hit me when I looked around my home that was filled with stuff (so much so I felt I needed a bigger house) and couldn't say I was particularly happier than when I lived in Spain (in 2008) when everything I had with me fit in one large drawer and a very small wardrobe.
These days I prefer to adopt a buy less, buy better approach, with a focus on quality over quantity, removing the clutter, and utilising my money in the best way possible.
WHERE ELSE TO FIND ME:
Instagram - / kirstyloukirby
Blog - www.kirstykirby.com
MAKE UP WORN:
ABH Modern Renaissance Palette
Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara
Benefit Ka Brow
Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation
Tarte Shape Tape Concealer
Laura Mercier Translucent Powder
MAC SkinFinish in Medium Deep (As Bronzer)
Zoeva Coral Blush Palette
MAC Lip Pencil in Stripdown
MAC Lipstick in Cherish
NAILS:
None - no time this week!
CLOTHING:
Dress - Karen Millen (past season, probably 6 years old)
Jersey Top (worn underneath) - Primark
LIGHTING:
I use natural light (i.e. I sit in front of a window) supported by a ring light on darker days.
DISCLAIMER:
All products were purchased with my own money and this video is in no way sponsored. Should a video ever be sponsored, or should I receive goods for free to review I will always aim to disclose this either in the video or in the video description. My views will always remain honest and my own.
Items marked with an asterisk were received as a gift or as PR.
I do sometimes use affiliate links in my description, these links do not cost you any more to purchase, often you will receive a discount, but I may earn money from these links. - Навчання та стиль
after decluttering myself my home, it happens to me that when I go shopping I do not feel the need to buy as before, it comes to my mind all the stuff I had and I ended giving away or similar and I do not want the same happening again, so it was hard to declutter but now is easy go-to shopping only getting the things I need. my decluttering was done 3 years ago almost 4. But I think in nordic countries is easier to live simply than in Uk, Uk has all these lovely shops with country decorations and tea and similar, lol (just kidding) .HI from Finland
Yes! I relate to that completely. Once I went through the discomfort of decluttering and noticed all the things I was sending to the charity shop or given away, and experienced feelings of regret of how I could have utilised that money differently, it really changed my feelings in relation to shopping. I don’t want to have to declutter again, or waste money on things I won’t get wear or use out of. X
100% agree
I like the way you present this subject in an honest way. I’m totally into buying much less, but buying better. I’ve learned about fabrics, cuts, ingredients, furniture, fabrication, technology, I read reviews from buyers and specialized websites, whatever can help me make better decisions. I waited almost 10 years to buy a rosewood dining table, now I get to enjoy it at dinner everyday. I do still make mistakes, but fewer 🤷♀️
Thanks Dominique! Yes I definitely think less but better can be a great way to go forward, and it’s not hugely more expensive sometimes. When it comes to clothing for example I know a few brands where the quality is truly excellent and they will last years, but aren’t much more expensive price point wise than a lot of the high street.
I totally agree, by being more mindful, thinking, taking your time, reading reviews etc you end up with the right item first time (most of the time!)
Ps your table sounds beautiful. I’m a fellow darker wood lover in a sea of lime washed oak trends 😉 xx
*We just de-cluttered our closets and oh my gosh - the amount of coats and random items we forgot about! It's insane! Now, those items are out of our house and on their way to help other families* :)
It’s amazing how much we can accumulate that we simply forget about! Yes I’ve found it much easier to let go of items by thinking it will help others.
Hi everyone - Hope the video and sound quality is ok! I'm still getting used to the lighting in my new house (I try as much as possible to use natural light) and it's being tricky, so I've started using this camera more, which is great as it automatically alters the settings after a few seconds if the light changes, but the video and sound isn't quite as rich. Also it is full on winter weather here in the UK and whilst filming it was blowing an absolute gale (and still is!) so apologies for some of the lighting changes or background noise - I tried to rectify as much as possible but its just one of the delights of natural light on cloudy windy winter days!
I'm really encouraged by you saying that you sometimes prefer to just give me things away rather than selling as it is less hassle. I've always felt guilty and irresponsible that I've given away expensive stuff to charity shops, eg
cashmere jumpers, rather than making the effort to sell them. I feel better about that now, thank you!
Hi Iona, thanks for watching. I really think it comes down to personal circumstances, in a way its a lucky position I guess to not need to recoup at least some of the money, but without question selling items can be hassle, and for some, the time could be spent on other activities which could give greater returns be it financially or just in other ways. I will try to sell some items that are new and/or in great condition, particularly branded items seem to do well clothing wise, but there's the photographing, the packaging, the posting, even just waiting around for someone to turn up if selling on local sites etc. Its not without effort or time. For anything I don't feel the time vs return ratio will be worth it, I tend to send to the charity shop. However the great thing its taught me is I really try to think about purchases now, I don't want to buy things just in case, or because its a good deal, because I hate sending stuff to the charity shop that was essentially wasted money.
I have been watching Dr Dray, and now simplify my skincare routine. Drugstore face creams, sunblocks. Petroleum jelly is actually non-comedogenic and good for skin. It can be used as an occulsive to seal in retinol. Cheap too! Yes, decluttering can save you money, money that can be used for more important things like better food, housing in better neighborhoods, doctors visits.
I disagree with her on petroleum jelly unfortunately, I don’t use anything like liquid paraffin or similar, etc. I am really careful with certain skincare due to skin sensitivity but obviously not everyone has similar issues (I’m in the pharmaceutical/medical industry so have knowledge of chemicals and ingredients) but if it works for you and others then that’s fantastic!
As a doctor, I have to agree with Kirsty on this. S CT, please be wary of anyone who suggests playing around with petroleum products; I feel bad that you’ve bought into that careless advice. The effects of petroleum in the form you suggest is an ugly thing to to to one’s body and physiology. Please pay attention to the name itself.... if you wouldn’t use gasoline or motor oil on your body, then don’t use petroleum-based products on your body. And stop taking any advice from so-called experts who advise you to do so. Please, my friend, stop passing that kind of advice on to others.
@@KMcKee-qn6bo I think the UA-camr mentioned is a dermatologist (don’t think she still practices if I remember correctly) but she does have some interesting views that I find a bit odd having worked in that field in the past. On one hand she is correct that it will be occlusive, in the same way that those products form a barrier and are used in incontinence creams products for that reason, but barriers are not always a good thing when it comes to our skin. Plant oils can be quite inexpensive (varies obviously) and I’d personally lean towards them for a simple routine (and do use them) that’s natural.
Great, great, great program today, Lady. You’ve put together information in such a thoughtful and clear manner... no clutter in your ideas and suggestions and content ... nothing cutesy, nothing hyped ... just such calm and sensible direction from you. Thanks for a strong confirmation of the path I’ve chosen for this year... and beyond. I ended up decluttering my hair for a symbolic point... I did a buzz-cut for a fresh start and I LOVE it enough to keep it. I have been on a path of decluttering my weight-and-food-intake. Decluttering ‘body products’ and clothing. Decluttering my home, my clinic, my art studio, my yard and my workshop. And I’m doing a no-buy year... and beyond. Gads... I have spent years being so mindless about those areas of my life. I feel so relieved with the plan to care for myself and my life with mindfulness. Thanks for your guidance. It helps so much.
Wow I love the mindset of decluttering your weight and diet. Having recently lost weight myself I can relate to this mindset, that extra weight weighed me down in so many ways. My diet is much simpler now and as an upside much healthier.
Thanks so much for watching! Xx
Hello Kirsty, I'm knew to your chanel and am enjoying your content. I'm decluttering myself and I'm amazed at how much better it makes me feel in myself. Also i made a decision over Christmas to be more mindful with my spending. I've had an emotional and difficult couple of years which led to my spending being out of control. I'm now ready to take control. January has been a great start, thankyou for your tips and inspiration x
Hi Karen, welcome! It’s weird how decluttering and addressing over-shopping seems to go hand in hand somehow. Don’t be too hard on yourself, the last couple of years has been really challenging for many of us, and I know a lot of people have overspent through this time. The massive positive is you want to make a change and take control of your finances! Xx
Love the straightforward and heartfelt practicality!!
Thanks Jessica! X
Very helpful!
Love your videos!
Thank you!
❤️
Thanks for watching Natalia! 😘
Hi Kirsty I’m new to your channel and you have inspired me to shop less and begin the process of decluttering. When I started watching UA-cam a few years ago I would watch other mature women’s channels and purchase everything they recommended only to see that in future videos there were all new holy grail products. I now have so much makeup that I will never use. I am going to get rid of stuff I won’t use and now just want those few products that I will use and be happy with. I really enjoy your content!
Hi MaryEllen! Oh I relate so much here, my fall down the rabbit hole that is the UA-cam beauty community is in part responsible for my massive makeup spending in the past. I was at a point in my life where I wasn’t feeling good about myself and therefore was an easy target really. I too bought so many ‘game changer’ and ‘holy grail’ products! Some of them were great, but some were average at best lol.
So glad to have you here, I still purchase things, and I’ll likely never be a minimalist, but I now think about purchases, and buy things I really want or like, even if the price point individually is higher, and overall it seems to be working out far better - plus my home is tidier which I love!
Great video. It motivated me to go through my things and declutter. I haven't done it in a couple of months. I know I have plenty of clothes in closets that are too small for me and that aren't my style anymore that I need to declutter. I am guilty of impulse buying things at Aldi that I didn't really need. Some I never ended up using and some I only used a couple of times. My fiance now does the grocery shopping because he is more efficient. Plus it reduces the amount of temptations. Since pandemic I shop online for the most part but I price compare and often get a better price than physical stores. Like if I buy in bulk some of the necessary items that I know I will use since I use them daily like floss, soap etc... Also online shopping gives me more time to think. I put things of my lists and let a couple of weeks or months sometimes go by. Then I realize I don't really want that item anymore. I have CPTSD so I do deal with depression sometimes, my house gets messier. Then the fact that my environment is messy and cluttered puts me in even more of a rut. When it's nice weather outside in spring and summer I am more motivated to declutter
I.unsubscribed from a certain youtuber.she would do.a massive decluttee video.then the next 12 were huge haul videos.lather.rinse.repeat.
The point of declutter is stop having clutter.think before you buy.
Yes.that top is cute.will you actually wear it?no?leave it for someone else.just because it's there does not mean YOU have to buy it.
Yes exactly this. In being more mindful I realised I can now identify that even if an item is cute, I don’t have to own it. I think of things more practically now and can judge more accurately if it will serve a purpose 🙌
I know what you mean. I think certain fashion haul videos get insane amounts of views so it becomes almost addictive for the content creator to create them I guess. But it’s normalising that level of purchasing, which for the vast majority of us is nowhere near normal.
I agree re think before you buy. I love clothing, I’ve loved clothes for as long as I can remember, but I’m much more selective now. Items can only come home with me if I need them, I’m confident I will wear them, good quality, fit well, really love it, etc etc etc. Plus with sales there’s always something else you like at the next one, as you say you certainly don’t need to buy it just because it’s cute. Cute but unworn, hanging in your wardrobe is daft. X
Haha!
So true
😏😂
Great ideas.
Glad you like them!
excellent video and advice. I went through my entire closet and found items I had forgotten I purchased. resulting in duplicate items and space taken up
It’s amazing how we can end up with so many forgotten or unloved items. I’ve definitely found the process of decluttering has highlighted that and meant I only want to buy things I’m absolutely confident I will wear/use etc.
Great video absolutely right...minimalist is my kinda life
Hi there, thanks for watching! I don’t really consider myself a minimalist but definitely appreciate less clutter. 😊
@Kirsty Kirby hehe agree less u see the better u feel too and appreciate everything we have more
Really great and helpful video!
Thanks as alway for watching honey 😘 xx
Thank you for the video encouragement ….I’m not sure I can do a no buy year but I think I will try a no buy month and see how it goes from there….
Hi Debra, I never intended to do a year, maybe just a few months or so, but it got to the point where it was almost a fun challenge to see how long I could go. Good luck if you give it a go.
Decluttering definitely changed me a whole lot as well 🥰
It’s mad isn’t it, how much your mindset can change from something as simple as decluttering! X
@@KirstyKirby yes, most definitely. It liberated me from the idea of always looking for things I could possibly want. My idea of fun became experiences and not things. I actually had money for things I really needed or truly wanted because I wasn’t constantly spending endlessly. I became an example to my children that consumerism isn’t happiness but knowing myself is what truly makes me happy. My decluttering I learned what was truly meaningful to me and what I loved as far as clothing and personal items. I ended being able to curate everything in my life that wasn’t serving me or other people and I did the same with relationships that weren’t serving me as well and even my time spent started to become curated as well. Because of minimalism I was able to travel to China before the pandemic which was a childhood dream of mine. So many things changed in my life for the better because of it and the world is a better place as well because I consume less and can contribute to leaving this world better for those that come after me. 💖
Very nice to listen
Thanks!
Hello. I hope you are doing well today. I found the video very useful and informative. A few ideas for try myself. I wish you all the best for the future. With your channel. Thanks.
Thanks for watching Dale! X
@@KirstyKirby thanks for the reply. I can see you. Are trying to help people.. A brilliant thing to do.. It takes confidence to be on UA-cam. I believe you do really well. Based on the video I saw.
Great video :-)
Thanks for watching 😊
I just decluttered one room. Oh the stuff I have and some things I don't even know why I have them. All the money I spent on stuff I'm selling giving away or throwing away. So many body lotions, Notebooks, pens, and candles lol
I know that feeling! One of the good things that’s come out of it is I’m really critical of what I buy and tend to make less mistakes now, but the guilt I felt for wasting money on utter rubbish when decluttering… 🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️
I have way too many hair products. I get my hair permed sometimes and then I need curly hair products and then my hair grows out and I need sleek hair products. Sometimes I just have to laugh at my own ridiculousness.