I've spent 7 years living in a tiny home and a camper van. It's taught me how to be a smarter shopper and better saver.

"When you're stuck living in 400 square feet, every purchase feels like it matters 400 times more. By now, I've spent over seven years of my adult life living in either a tiny house or a camper van, two lifestyles that demand ruthless space efficiency. There's no walk-in closet to hide impulse buys, no attic to store forgotten hobbies, and no junk drawer to absorb life's overflow. Every object in my space has to justify its presence."

"Tiny living didn't just change how I organized my home; it reshaped how I shop, what I value, and even how I measure convenience and comfort. In short, it made me a much smarter, more intentional consumer. Fortunately, many of the habits I've developed aren't just reserved for those of us living in tight spaces. Whether you're in a mansion or a micro-studio apartment, consider working these lessons I learned about buying better, wasting less, and choosing more intentionally into your own life."

"In a tiny home, there's no such thing as "just in case." Every jacket, gadget, and mug has to fight for its right to exist inside my space, which can feel especially tragic when you have a penchant for artisanal mugs as I do. To override these often impulse-driven wants, I've learned to ask myself two questions before buying anything: Do I actually need this? And, if so, where will it live?"

Living in 400 square feet makes every purchase multiple times more consequential. Seven years spent living in tiny houses and a camper van demand ruthless space efficiency: no walk-in closets, attics, or junk drawers means every object must justify its presence. Dramatic downsizing reveals the value of investing in quality, multipurpose items and reshapes measures of convenience and comfort. A practical buying rule arises: ask whether the item is truly needed and where it will live, visualizing placement before purchase. Skipping items without a clear spot prevents impulse buys. These habits reduce waste, save money, and decrease stress in any home.

Read at Business Insider