The True Cost of Our Stuff

Are you overwhelmed by the amount of stuff in your home? The truth is, our stuff isn’t just measured by the price tag we pay for it at the store. There is always a hidden cost involved.

Over the past year, our family has been slowly, but surely minimizing our belongings to only the things we use and love. It’s been life changing to say the least. While in the midst of simplifying our belongings, we’ve been able to really reflect upon the true cost of all of our stuff.

I discovered that over the years I’ve spent so much time and money investing into things that I don’t even like or use. However, changing my mindset towards my possessions has made a huge impact on how I shop and what I shop for.

Our stuff costs a lot more than the price tag we see in the store.

Do you struggle with making purchases irrationally? Do you find yourself in a home cluttered full of stuff you don’t use, love, or need? Are you exhausted from maintaining items that don’t serve a purpose in your life?

If so, then you may need to re-evaluate the true cost of your belongings.

When you bring something into your home, you have to:

• find a place for it
• maintain it
• organize it
• clean it when it’s dirty
• repair it when it breaks
• pay for accessories to go with it
• pay for batteries or electricity to use it

These are just the tasks involved in caring for the item once it’s purchased. Oftentimes before we even purchase it, especially if it’s a larger item, we will:

• research it
• shop around for it to find the best deal
• bring it home
• set it up

All of these tasks involve a lot of time, effort, and money. If we can change our mindset towards our possessions, we will save ourselves a lot more than just the cost of the item.

While it’s disheartening to think of the amount of time and money we’ve wasted on these unwanted possessions that have recently left our home, it is a very good feeling to know that moving forward we have set limits for ourselves.

While I still very much have my moments, I’m much more careful about making purchases and can now talk myself out of buying almost anything. This one little change in mindset has drastically affected our home and our finances.

It can be hard to shift our way of thinking, especially when we live in a world surrounded by consumerism. However, I challenge you to think twice before making each purchase. Ask yourself about the hidden costs behind each item. I imagine it will begin to affect your home and finances as well!

How much is your stuff really costing you? Let me know in the comments below.

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