Less is More

I’m tired of being sold to. Even worse? I’m tired of selling to myself.

We are surrounded by a 24/7 loop of commercials, algorithms, and influencers telling us that happiness is just one more checkout button away. I’ve fallen for it more times than I care to admit. But looking around at the mountains of 'shit' I own, I’ve realized that my life has become a collection of things I didn't need, bought with money I should have kept. I’m done with the performance of consumerism. I’m ready for the 'Less.' I’m ready for the 'More' that has nothing to do with a shopping cart.

Let’s dive into solving this problem (It’s me girl, I’m the problem).

Quite Literally, Buy Less

This one is simple on paper, but a battle in practice: Stop spending money on things you do not need. My new golden rule is the 24-Hour Buffer. Before I hit 'complete purchase,' I walk away. Sure, there are exceptions for the rare, genuine 'need' or a long-awaited deal, but let’s be real: 99.9% of the time, I don’t need it. I’ve found that by giving my brain a day to cool off, the 'must-have' urge evaporates. About 90% of the time, I forget the item even existed. Turns out, I didn't want the product; I just wanted the hit of the hunt.

Declutter

For the last few months, I’ve been on a mission to excavate my own life. I’m going through everything I own and purging the ridiculous amount of stuff that was either never used, rarely touched, or bought in a moment of 'what was I thinking?' Because the process is overwhelming, I’ve mastered the 'Power Hour'—every few weeks, I spend sixty minutes ruthlessly sorting through clothes, jewelry, and those endless stacks of puzzles. The results? My home finally has room to breathe, and I’ve made over $2,000 on Poshmark in the last year. I’m literally getting paid to reclaim my space.

Get Intentional

Identify your 'Why.' What are you actually saving for? What are the things you’d do if you had more time and more capital? Write them down and keep that list within arm's reach. Every time you’re tempted to click 'Buy,' force yourself to answer one question: Which do I want more? Is it the $80 sweater, or is it that flight to Europe? Is it the designer handbag, or is it the freedom of an early retirement? Face the choice head-on. Are you chasing a 20-minute dopamine hit, or are you building the life you actually want to live?

Be Creative

You don't have to click 'buy' to get the thrill of something new. Since I work remotely but travel often, I’ve realized that investing in a stagnant 'work wardrobe' is a financial trap. Instead, I rent. It’s fiscally responsible and keeps my look fresh without the clutter. For events, stop buying one-hit-wonder dresses that will just collect dust—borrow from a friend and trade stories instead. And if you’re as appalled as I am by the price of denim lately? Stop overpaying. Buy a high-quality pair from a thrift store or pull an old favorite from the back of the closet and take it to a tailor. A $20 tailoring job will always look more expensive than a $200 pair of jeans that don't quite fit.

At the end of the day, you’ve got to commit to making a change. It’s not easy (it’s me still struggling to part with the jacket I haven’t worn in 2 years) but it’s so beyond worth it for the freedom from clutter and financial gain. Got tips? Let me know, I’m always looking for ways to kick consumerism’s ass!

This One is for the Homeowners!

I’m a new home owner (YAY!) and it is finally time for me to invest in quality home furnishings. I always said I wouldn’t spend a lot on home decor or furniture until I bought a home. It seemed like such a waste to invest when my things were being dragged to a new home every other year.

I still believe in a mix of new and thrift goods. Certainly I’m not about to buy a used mattress, but things like dressers and side tables can easily be found and mixed with some DIY to make a fresh an unique piece.

So where am I shopping? Let’s see the list!

West Elm

West Elm is classic. I love the quality and the customer service. Of course there are some pieces I find overpriced but if you pay attention, they have some amazing sales. Everything also either comes assembled or they’ll do it for you in home. For me, that’s a huge win. I also had them deliver a wrong bed to me and they fixed the issue immediately. I’ve invested in a bed, rugs, a dining table, coffee table, and side table from here and they’ve been worth it for these staples.

Interior Define

I came across this gem from a random Google search. They were having a pop up in my area so I stopped by. I love the quality and the fact that you can customize so many elements of the furniture you buy. I bought a custom sofa in a super durable pet friendly fabric that is a bit mid century modern and fits my aesthetic. With all my customization and a discount, it was under $2500. Couches are expensive so this felt like a deal. I’m also going to buy an over sized accent chair from ID.

Real Rooms

This was another Google find! I needed new dining table chairs and kept finding ones I liked but for around $300 each. As someone who barely uses her dining table. I wasn’t willing to spend that much on chairs. I took a chance and ordered some gorgeous cognac faux leather (you guessed it, mid century modern) chairs. They’re SO well made, SO comfortable and I only paid about $200 for four!

Crate and Barrel

A classic for sure! I have found super simple and reasonably priced (on sale!) small decor items as well as cups/plates/silverware. I like staple pieces to be super classic and neutral. I spice up my decor with the cheaper accent items that are easily replaced when I’m wanting a change. Crate and Barrel is amazing quality and has your everyday classic clean line items.

Amazon

I know, I hate giving Amazon money too, so I try my hardest to not spend too much here, but look, we all do it. I’ve found a ton of great storage solutions on Amazon. As much as I’d like to buy it all at The Container Store, I am not a billionaire. Amazon has some incredible quality organizational pieces for pantry, bathroom and even closet. Often for 1/3 or even 1/2 of the price of pieces at The Container Store.

Local Thrift Stores

I bought a solid oak night stand for $30 at my local Goodwill. For another $15 I bought wood stain and drawer pulls and I’ve got a gorgeous mid century modern night stand for under $50. There’s a similar one I had been eyeing at West Elm for over $200. Thrifting is not for the faint of heart. You have to be willing to invest time and energy to keep looking until you snag a unicorn. But, the amount of money saved and the ability to customize to exactly what you want is well worth it in my opinion.

Consignment Stores

Consignment stores are like a little upgrade to thrift stores. The pieces are more gently used or sometimes even new! Things are more expensive than thrift stores but there’s a much larger and better selection. Really great place to find rugs and couches super gently used if you really can’t swing for full price new.

Use what you have!

I actually utilize my own pictures that I’ve taken on trips and frame them (pro tip: there are some awesome gently used frames at thrift stores!) as my decor. I love that I get to see the trips that bring me joy and it’s a really inexpensive way to decorate. Plus, most of my furniture is neutral so my photos add much needed pops of color. I also have some really incredible family heirlooms, like my grandma’s vanity that I’m re-purposing into a bar cart. I love pieces that have a story and meaning to me, makes my home feel more special.

Where are you shopping for your home decor? Share!