As you scramble around online today trying to score some of those tantalizing Cyber Monday deals, remember to buy only what you need.

That super cheap external hard drive and that steal of a magazine subscription are only really great deals if they actually get used. Buying items when they go on sale is a great strategy for your wallet for obvious reasons, and it’s also a great strategy for your War on Clutter if it gives you time to think about your purchase.

Deciding to buy an item, and then waiting until it goes on sale will force you to evaluate how much you really want the item, and give you time to find a place for it in your home. When it goes on sale 2 months later, you may decide you don’t really need one after all.

Cyber Monday (and Black Friday) deals don’t give you that chance, and you may find yourself about to buy something simply because it is on sale, rather than carefully considering the purchase ahead of time and then shopping smart when it is on sale.

Stay smart, dear readers! Keep clutter in mind as the craziness of the Holiday Season ramps in the coming weeks. The less junk you bring in now, the less junk you have to worry about come January.

Photo by geektonic.

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