A new store opened in the town where I live that sells containers exclusively.  It is oh-so-seductive.  The advertisements look like stepping into the pages of a glossy high-end magazine.  Everything from closets to pets to all things fabulous.  Aspirational living at its finest.  Let’s take a breath.  The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo advises suppressing the urge to buy new containers when beginning an organizing session.  The Kondo method is to thank whatever it is that would be contained in the storage container for its service.  Then pitch it.  Eliminating much of what would be stored in containers reduces the organization required.  Keep only what is important.  Recall The Money Skinny™ mission is to save you time and money.  Let’s take a closer look at four ways to reduce storage container costs.

Four Ways to Reduce Storage Container Costs

• Don’t go to the container store.  Just say no.  We all love a good container.  If I go to a store that sells a plethora of fabulous containers?  I won’t be able to contain myself.  I will succumb to a purchase.  Avoidance is much easier than self-control.  Restricting access is an effective appetite suppressant.
• Use the Value Sourcing technique.  Review The Money Skinny™ post Introducing the Value Sourcing Technique.  The Money Skinny™ defines value sourcing as purchasing the same or a similar item from a lower cost supplier.  Dollar stores sells plenty of plastic merchandise for a buck.  The blue plastic bin and heart-shaped organizer in the picture can hold whatever survives after Kondo’ing.  Another type of value sourcing is showrooming.  A term used to describe reviewing products in a brick-and-mortar store, then purchasing on-line at a lower cost.
• Repurpose.  Use previously purchased items including those not originally intended to use as storage containers.  The Solo cup in the picture – enough said.
• Free is fantastic!  The clear containers in the picture started life in the grocery store holding fruits and vegetables.  Repurposing fruit and vegetable containers is doubly wonderful because they are not lingering in a landfill.   The clear color lets you see what’s inside at a glance.

Aspirational Storage Container

Suppose on a money saving kick, you decide to start packing lunches.  You buy cute containers for the sandwiches you are making in your mind.  This aspirational approach is problematic.  Don’t use purchasing as a motivational tool.  The Money Skinny™ best practice is to start with what you have and where you are.  First make the sandwiches.  Bring them for lunch in whatever carrying method you’ve got.  In The Money Skinny™ Trimming Vacation Travel Expenses, I used a bread bag.  Not fancy, but free.  Let experience determine if packing lunches is a good fit for you.  Then buy a storage container if needed.

Value not in the Storage Container

By carefully considering storage needs, containers already owned and repurposing items, the costs of containment can be reduced or eliminated.  At a minimum, using these strategies results in more intentional purchases.  I can think with a clear head when not bombarded by a landslide of products shouting Buyme!Buyme!  Furthermore, it’s the items in the storage container that possess the value, not the storage method.  The best solution is minimize storage container expense.  Nothing says the storage container doesn’t matter like a used bread bag.

• By carefully considering storage needs, containers already owned and repurposing items, the costs of containment can be reduced or eliminated.
• Free is fantastic!
• It’s the items in the container that possess the value, not the storage method.  Minimize storage container expense.