Tips for Mindful Shopping on a Budget

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Recently, we have all come to realize what truly matters in life after watching a virus ravish the world. To me, this means my family, our health, and the planet. I think we can all agree that these things matter more than status, material items and blindly spending money. Naturally, it is no surprise that we all want to become a little more mindful of what, how and where we buy. These tips for mindful shopping on a budget will benefit your health, wallet, and the planet… and will help you become a conscious consumer.

Here at Literally Simple we feel it’s our duty to use this platform to highlight small, local businesses that have been affected by Covid-19. This article highlights Haute Madre in Battle Ground, Washington. If you would like your small business featured on our blog and you are local to the Pacific Northwest, please contact us immediately.

Much love, Sara and Maria of Literally Simple

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Mindful Shopping on a Budget

1. Shop Resale Clothes

I recently connected with the most beautiful and fashion-forward resale boutique in Southwest Washington, Haute Madre. Before the world shut down this Spring, I had shopped at Michelle’s boutique and found a couple inexpensive resale fashion items that I needed. Her shop is full of fashionable, gently worn items at a seriously great price. Think like-new purse for $10 and adorable crop-top for $8.

Haute Madre is a Modern Resale Boutique that specializes in selling Women’s Fun, Fresh, Gently Loved Fashion & Accessories. It is not your Momma’s thrift shop!

Since Michelle’s shop had to temporarily close due to the pandemic for in-store shopping, she has since improvised like a champ. For the time being she utilizes her social media platforms to show shoppers her items (clothes, bags, shoes, hats, jewelry) available for purchase. Simply screenshot the item & direct message her to claim it. She follows up to take care of payment and get shipping info. How awesome is that?

Check out Haute Madre on the website or Instagram where she is very engaged with her audience.

We have written a lot about second-hand fashion here at Literally Simple, and for good reason. It’s sustainable, budget friendly and mindful.

One of the best things I have done to be a more ethical shopper is invest in a personal stylist local to the PNW, Kat Depner. Read about my experience here with a personal stylist, and Maria’s experience here.

2. Grocery Pick-up

After my second child was born about 4 years ago, I have stopped going into grocery stores. So, I bet you are wondering how I manage to buy food for my family? My first choice is always to grow my own food, of course. My second choice is buying from local farms and family-owned produce stands. However, what about foods other than fruits, veggies and local honey?

Enter grocery pickup. Here are some reasons I love grocery pickup: it is convenient, it’s cost effective and it saves energy for busy parents. I can go online from the comfort of my home, log-in to my favorite grocery store, choose the foods that I know we need and then add accordingly.

I like to stand in front of my pantry or fridge, see what we are out of, and then add it to the list. If I have a recipe in mind, I just type in the ingredients in the search bar and add them to my cart.

Then, all I have to do is choose a time I want to pick up my order and drive to the store. I don’t have to deal with the soul-sucking task of bringing my kids to grocery shop, risk the chance I might buy unnecessary items out of hunger or forget what I need (which always happens). The grocery employee brings my order directly to my car and loads it up.

It’s that easy! Obviously, grocery pick-up and delivery are becoming a popular choice given the current situation. However, I have been shopping this way for years and will continue to for years to come. Additionally, I know that it lowers my chances of catching a virus due to decreased exposure to humans and shopping carts. It’s a win-win.

3. Item Swap

If the budget is tight, instead of buying anything at all, consider just swapping or lending items after your kids don’t need them anymore. Because my kids were the oldest boy and girl from either immediate family, I would hand down their gently worn clothes to the younger cousins. I also gladly accept clothes from my friend’s kids who are older.

If you don’t want to buy new toys or books, just trade with families who have kids similar in age. Swap books with your child’s friends or cousins if they are at the same reading level and have some books your kiddo hasn’t read. Toys can also be swapped and traded after your child loses interest, which is usually pretty quickly.

If you have a green thumb, it’s fun to trade home grown veggie starts or produce with family and friends. We usually have too many tomatoes and peppers, so giving them away is always an option to decrease waste. On the other hand, I’ll never turn down a zucchini, corn or squash from my parents if they have excess.

In the fall, we like to can salsa, pickles and beets from the garden veggies. This is a great way to give and receive food with a longer shelf life that is also organic and healthy.

Swapping and trading items is not only great on the budget, it helps decrease clutter because there are no new items entering your home. If you are on a minimalism journey, this is an added bonus.

Final Thoughts

Over the years I have transformed my shopping practices to habits that I am actually proud of. Obviously, I still have a way to go, but aren’t we all a work in progress? I went from blindly buying clothes at a department store to supporting local consignment and second-hand fashion boutiques like Haute Madre.

I went from buying new toys and expensive books for my kids, to swapping out these items with what their friends and cousins have at home.

Finally, I stopped loading up a shopping cart full of unhealthy food from the grocery store and only consciously buy food that is local, seasonal, organic or shopped mindfully.

If you liked this article, we have many more for you to enjoy on conscious consumerism:

If You Can’t Grow Your Own Food, Invest in a CSA

5 Ways to Be a More Ethical Shopper

Three Reasons to Consider Consignment Shopping

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Join the Discussion

In what ways do you shop mindfully for your closet, kitchen or home? Tell us below in the comments.

Author

Sara Halcumb is a registered nurse, health writer, mother and wife. She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband and two kids. She loves nothing more than spending her days exploring the great outdoors with her family. Learn more about Sara’s health content writing services!