How Shopping Consignment Aligns with Minimalism

Shopping = less stuff and consignment = better finds. It probably seems counterintuitive, but I find that by indulging in large shopping 'sprees' I actually end up with fewer, but better, products in the long run. In particular, I'm referring to kids' stuff - toys, clothes, gifts, etc. Shopping consignment means that I make fewer impulse purchases throughout the year and especially love the things I do purchase (goodbye buyer's remorse). This Autumn marks my fourth time shopping the Next Size Up Kids' Online Consignment Event. Here are the ways I use this bi-annual (spring/fall) event to maximize my shopping experience while still practicing minimalism.

Price Point

Consignment sales have shown me the high quality of goods available at such awesome prices. Suddenly those "great" deals elsewhere don't look so great after all. It's much easier for me to pass up a retail sale or Facebook find when I am confident I may find a comparable or likely better price at an upcoming consignment sale.

Selection

Hundreds of sellers in one location with a vast collection of brands and styles make for many options. The assortment of goods I find at the consignment event are unrivaled by any store I've browsed. This is because the collection of items at a consignment sale are just that, a collection across many sellers. I am not limited to just what a store happens to be mass producing this year. There are unique finds and styles to suit any preference.

Curb Impulsivity

Once I realize I can get an item cheaper or more in line with my taste, it is easier to pass on an item in my day-to-day shopping. I leverage the spring/fall schedule of my local consignment sale as my main purchase windows. On any given day when I stumble upon something I want to purchase I ask myself: "Do I need this right now, or can I wait until the next sale comes around?" If it can wait, I wait. By the time the consignment sale comes around I find that I may no longer feel so strongly about the item or perhaps have replaced it with another idea. Knowing that I have the opportunity to shop and find so many things at an upcoming consignment sale makes it easier to curb impulse purchases. Fewer impulse purchases means less stuff and less buyer's remorse. The build-up to the consignment event also makes for an amazing endorphin rush!