Change How Things Look For the “New” Vibe

Consumers buy, buy, and buy some more. Many of them shop to satisfy their compulsive need for something new, not necessarily something they need – I bet all of us can relate to this.

It’s the same old story. You buy it and then it gets your attention for a couple weeks. Slowly, you start caring less and less. Within a month or two, it is the last thing in the back of your mind – and your closet. Some time after this, you go out and buy something again to chase that feeling of getting new stuff.

And that’s the typical path towards massive consumer debt.

The weirdest part is that we acknowledge this repetitive pattern when we examine our spending habits but most of us continue to make this blatant mistake. Our desire for continual change keeps us buying and buying to induce material change in our lives by adding new things to our possession. And usually, these new things do not provide the everlasting, new experiences that we seek.

Mixing It Up
Instead, try to change the things you already have. Looks play a huge role in the feel of the things you have. Colors and designs have such an overwhelming effect on our moods and feelings so why not use this to your advantage – advertising companies do it to lure consumers like you and I.

During college, I don’t know what got into me but I was rearranging the furniture in my dorm room a couple times in a semester. I found that it rejuvenated the room and gave it a refreshing new look. Simply rearranging the desk, bed, and dresser allowed me to relive the moment when I just moved in. Everything served the same function but the new placement was invigorating. When things got boring, I’d move things around again – satisfying the crave for change.

At home, my worst enemy is clutter. My desk is my workspace and keeping it tidy is a daunting job on its own. But, it inevitably fills up with crap that I haven’t gotten around to dealing with. Useless objects find a cozy home on every inch of the table until I’m finally fed up with looking at such a mess. The clutter crept onto my desk and becomes a familiar part of my environment. So, to simply change the look, I clean it up! The table is exactly the same but it sure does feel new when I actually get to see it.

In the electronics department, there are plenty of other ways you can make things a little different. Some of the younger generations these days seem to have some sort of technological ADD. If you just check your “News Feed” in Facebook, some of your friends always seem to be changing their profile pictures. My younger cousins are part of this group. I’ve seen them change the wallpapers on their computers and the backgrounds on their phones all the time.

They Have to Look Different, Not New
The rule here is to achieve a sense of fresh unfamiliarity without the costs of buying something new – ideally, without buying anything at all. Actually, throwing out unnecessary items can also be counted at something different. No one ever said change had to come from more things.

• Rearrange the big stuff. Adding in a little disorientation to the normal routine could be productive and motivational.
• Clean up and organize. If it is dirty, cleaning it obviously renews it. Plus, there is a sanitary concerns here. Reorganize your stuff to their proper places so your whole environment feels “new”.
• Alter images and colors in your surroundings. Your eyes will get bored of staring at the same things day in and day out. Keep your eyes intrigued and excited.
• Buy (if you must) used. The term “used” causes picky buyers to squirm but it is “new” to whoever never had it. Used merchandise is fine as long as they work. Heck, almost all of us live in a “used” house or apartment.

There are probably many other ways to make your stuff look new. Creativity roams free here.

My advice spans as far as my experiences – what nifty ideas did you come up with to “mix things up” without the help of a credit card?

(Photo credit: mandiberg)

• 9 Tips on Staying Cool Without an Air Conditioner...
• The Minimalist Lifestyle: Efficient and Saves Money...
• College Students: Take Care of Your Dorm...
• Public Libraries: The Free Book Shopping Experience...
• The Great Grocery Shopping Tip That I Never Knew...
• The Subtle Money Lessons From My Childhood...