We are all guilty of wasting money. It would be wonderful if we could always buy the exact quantity of everything we needed, but we don’t always make the right decisions and sometimes it’s difficult to know. Most of us would be stunned by the amount of stuff in our homes that we simply never use or the number of leftover items we continue to store, thinking we’ll need it one day, but we never do. Here are some of the items that are most commonly over-purchased:
Clothing – The majority of us can recognise that we have clothes hanging in our wardrobes that still have the labels on and have never been worn. It could be that we decide we don’t like it but never get around to returning it, our weight changes or it goes out of style too quickly. Many of us could fill several charity bags. Anytime is a good time for having a clear out, to tidy up and organise our wardrobes better. Alternatively, treat yourself to a new wardrobe with a bespoke design to your storage requirements. For Hampshire Fitted Wardrobes, visit https://lamco-design.co.uk/fitted-wardrobes/
Toys – We all seem to go a bit crazy at Christmas or on birthdays and our kids end up with far more possessions than any previous generations owned. A recent study has shown that the average child has over 200 toys but only really plays with 12 per day.
Food – This is most likely a weekly issue but becomes more obvious and acute at Christmas. No matter how much food and drink we buy, we are convinced that it won’t be enough and then over-buy. Even if you are only having 6 people for Christmas dinner, we normally cater for double that amount! Food wastage is big news right now and families are making efforts to cut down on the amount of food that gets thrown away.
Shoes – Most women have a reputation for owning too many pairs of shoes, but this could apply to anyone with a penchant for footwear. If you’re struggling to find space in your wardrobe to accommodate all your shoes, it might be time for a clear out or some better organisation techniques.
Home Exercise Equipment – At some point, we all go on a fitness frenzy and think we’re going to change our lives and bodies! What normally happens is that very pricey pieces of equipment end up being used as clothes dryers! Do you have dumb bells rusting in the shed? A dusty ab machine pushed guiltily underneath the bed? New Year’s resolutions don’t often last much past the first two weeks of the new year.
Fast Food – Our lives are busy and hectic, so preparing healthy meals is often difficult for families. When you’ve all been at work or school all day, it’s hard to motivate yourself into cooking every night. The closet drive-thru or microwave convenience meal looks increasingly tempting. Once or twice a month as a treat is great, but if it’s becoming 2 or 3 times a week, not only is that not great for your calorie count but is wasting a lot of money too.
