The Five Re’s (April 2008)
Reduce
Reduce the number of purchases you make in the month of April. Make lists before you go to the store….AND stick to them! Want to do more? Take it one step further and vow to make no new purchases for the month. Still not enough? Challenge yourself to a full year of not buying anything new!
Recycle
Recycle bad shopping habits by turning them into good consumer practices. Toss out social pressures and crafty retail advertising for the latest fads and fashions! Turn these negative forces into positive money saving experiences. Reading this month’s issue of the footprint should provide much food for thought on consumerism and what you can do to create healthy habits for you and your family.
Reuse & Repurpose
Americans tend to rely too much on disposable everything. Big box stores deliver goods to us cheaply, sacrificing quality. There are probably many things around the house that are unused or underused. Delay purchases and think about things you already own. Go room to room and gather things that are no longer in use. What items can be reused? Can something be repurposed to become useful again? Before you throw something away or donate it, ask yourself if it can be used for another purpose.
Rethink
Rethink the importance of each purchase you make. Is the item a “need” or a “want”? Delay purchasing something for one week or one month and think about whether or not you really need to make a purchase. Will that item fulfill a need or a want? What value will it bring to your life and how useful will it be? Being aware of what you really need versus what you only want will help to curb wasteful spending and save you money!