Using Less Consumables

Before purchasing additional items, make sure you've used what you already own. Otherwise, you risk running into expiration issues, especially with consumable goods.

Think of your household products like a stack of plates or bowls---layered on top of one another. You might have an amassment of toothpaste, a stockpile of shampoo, or rows of bottles stored away in closets and cabinets. Yet, when you need something, you likely reach for the most recent purchase sitting at the top of the pile. The products at the back---the ones you bought months or even years ago---are forgotten, pushed further out of sight, out of mind.

This leads to waste. Many consumables don't last forever, and when we ignore what we already have, we not only waste money but also contribute to environmental waste. Our habits favor "newest first" rather than "first in, first out", leaving older products to expire before they're ever used.

Minimalists try to avoid this cycle of accumulation. They recognize that nothing lasts forever, and life's unpredictability---whether relocation, change, or even disaster---can strip away possessions in an instant. Clinging too tightly to material things can be a burden, especially when so much of what we store remains untouched.

Instead of stockpiling, consider mindfully managing what you own. Use what you have, be intentional with new purchases, and keep in mind that excess doesn't always equal preparedness---it often just leads to waste.

Start Small

Buying additional quantities of an item does not necessarily lead to a significant marginal unit cost reduction. Consuming and storing excess products is more likely to increase debt, not convenience. Owning more of something is not necessitated simply by perceived lower unit prices. The most significant cost often overlooked in depreciating value of owned possessions. Therefore never own more than what you and those you love need in the immediate future. Expiration dates and the deterioration of goods and packaging occurs faster than we realize.

The way to prevent this type of behavior is by never buying more of the same type of good without finishing what you already have. If buying the item in bulk make sure the bulk already acquired of that item type has already been completely used. When storing the bulk items, store it in a way that it cannot be easily forgotten. Once it gets stored behind other items in the cabinet or in the closet it's already too late.

When initially buying something new, try to find items of smaller sizes if you can. This will allow you to buy just the right amount to actually try it without having to over-commit to it. You will have the opportunity to make sure you actually need the item. This provides us with more freedom in our consumption while also helping us to save money by preventing buying too much of something. We can then verify its usefulness within our lives.

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Expiration Dates

Lets discuss product expiration dates and planned obsolescence. There is a lot of speculative debate on the subject. Consumer staples have pretty aggressive expiration dates don't they? There is limited evidence explicitly showing companies have made a intentional effort to shorten product expiration dates for profit.

What is known though is some industries, such as electronics and fashion, explicitly use planned obsolescence to boost sales. However, applying this concept to consumer staples (like food and household goods) is less substantiated.

Although there is no conclusive evidence that companies intentionally shorten expiration dates as part of a widespread manipulation strategy, conservative dating practices may align with business interests in some cases. The lack of consistent regulation as well as consumer's misunderstandings may also contribute to unnecessary waste and increased purchases.

Get in the habit of using something completely or running out of it before you go to the store to by more. The store isn't going to run out of inventory. They will have it and the price isn't going to change so significantly to warrant going to the store and buying more of something you haven't already finished. Unless there is some significant shortage you're aware of or a major world issue that is going to impact the supply of something, avoid buying more of what you have not finished.

If you don't think it's possible to shop only for what you need in the immediate future, if you think that you need to hoard a ton of food because you're not sure when you'll have time to go back to the market, think again. Once you convert to following minimalistic food shopping practices you're going to have a lot more time for everything, including shopping. You'll also have time to be more mindful of how your food choices impact your overall health and wellbeing. When you focus on shopping only as needed you'll end up having a lot more time to spend whenever you do end up going to the store. This will allow you to shop more methodically. You can think more about your food purchases while shopping. It will also free up additional time for other hobbies and tasks.

Avoid getting food delivered if the options are available at your local supermarket. You will save packaging and can be more selective about your sustenance consumption choices. Try to stay away from subscribe and save and other auto delivery services. You should decide when you need more of something, not a time based algorithm.

There is no point in hoarding goods because they just depreciate as expiration dates get closer and closer. Whether or not expiration dates are actually something to be concerned about might matter less than we think because with mindful intentional rationed purchases, you'll end up buying an amount you can actually consume long before the expiration date's arrival.

The longer a consumable good sits the more its value depreciates as well. Aside from the potential decline in quality of something as it sits overtime there are also new options and upgrades that will be released. Consumers appetite for things changes as with time as new information and resources become available. This is why its always advantageous to have the minimal amount of an item you need and nothing superfluous.

Optimizing Cosmetic Use

Once a skin care product is opened, it quickly begins to degrade. Being exposed to oxygen does a number of the chemicals used in cosmetics; as does the growth of microorganisms. Oxidation or degradation of ingredients isn't always harmful, but it can make them less effective, according to Dr. Anne Chapas a board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon based in New York City. "Even if it's not going to be harmful to you, it might not be that beneficial to you either," she added. "Generally, most skin care products are safe to use for six months to a year, although maybe a bit less for eye products," she said.

"Products containing sunscreen or acne treatments should not be used past their printed expiration dates for this very reason," according to Dr. Bruce Brod, who is a Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

"After opening a new serum or moisturizer, write the date on it with a marker or on a piece of masking tape," Ms. Elisabeth Anderson, [credentials], advises. Also, note if there's an expiration date or Period-after-opening (PAO) symbol on its packaging. Using this will allow you to have a good estimate of how long the product can still be used for optimal results.

The take away is finish cosmetics you already have before you buy more of the same type of substitute. Buying smaller sizes is better not just to prevent waste but to see if something actually is effective for your skin. You will be in a better financial position to determine how suitable a product is for your needs.