Conscious Spending: Aligning Our Money with Our Values

Lately, I’ve been thinking more about how I spend money—not just how much I spend, but why I spend. Too often, we buy things out of habit, convenience, or impulse rather than genuine need. But what if we slowed down and became more intentional with our purchases?

Do You Really Need It?

Before buying anything, I’ve started asking myself: Do I really need this? It’s easy to justify purchases in the moment, but taking a step back helps me recognize when I’m simply shopping out of convenience. One simple strategy that has helped me is leaving items in my cart for a few days before checking out. More often than not, I realize I don’t actually need them.

Supporting Small Over Big

When I do make a purchase, I’m working on shifting my dollars toward small, Black-owned businesses instead of big-box retailers like Target and Amazon. It’s not always the easiest choice—those corporations have made shopping effortless—but I know my money has a greater impact when it supports an artisan, a local business, or a brand that aligns with my values. BLK + GRN makes it easier to shop local and Black-owned, but we also encourage mindful consumption. We know women often have hundreds of unused products sitting in their bathrooms, and we don’t want BLK + GRN products to become part of that pile.

Reuse, Rewear, Repurpose

Another shift I’m making is resisting the pressure to buy new things for every occasion. For my cousin’s wedding, instead of purchasing a brand-new dress, I’m rewearing one I’ve worn to past weddings. For an upcoming vacation, I’m pulling out pieces from my closet rather than buying a whole new wardrobe. I’ve realized that many of my past purchases were more about the idea of something new rather than an actual need.

Choosing Experiences Over Things

One of the biggest changes I’m making is prioritizing experiences over material items—especially for my children. Instead of buying them more toys (which they already have plenty of), I’m taking them to a dinosaur and LEGO exhibit. These experiences create lasting memories, unlike toys that often end up forgotten in a pile.

A Mindful Spending Challenge

I’m challenging myself—and you—to be more conscious of where our money goes. Can we reduce impulse purchases? Support small businesses instead of corporations? Find joy in what we already own? Spend more on experiences instead of things?

It’s a journey, but every mindful choice moves us closer to spending in a way that truly aligns with our values. Let’s do it together.