No more compulsive shopping and crushes in front of irresistible promotions. The BISOU method is a technique easy to remember to consume in a sober and responsible way. It gives you the opportunity to think before you unsheathe the bank card and avoid falling for something you don’t need. So, what is the Bisou method?
The BISOU method was introduced in the book The first effective method to free oneself from overconsumption by Marie Duboin and Herveline Giraudeau, made famous by their Facebook page Budget management, mutual aid and minimalism which has 200,000 followers.
The BISOU method: what is it?
It is a practical tool which aims at responsible consumption and sobriety. The concept is to use a series of five essential questions before each purchase of a product or service. BISOU is in fact a mnemonic process to remember the questions to ask yourself before buying whatever. Convenient !
KISS, it means Need, Immediate, Similar, Origin and Useful. Now, let’s see this in detail …
1. Validate your Need
Do I really need to make this purchase? This question is the first to ask when an object or a service makes us want. In case of positive answer, ask yourself if this need is motivated by its use (you buy a phone because it is broken, lost or beyond repair and not to strut in front of your friends next week.
2. Confirm if the purchase should be Immediate
Ask yourself if you can wait a few days to think about it or if it is an absolute emergency. It is a question here of escaping marketing stress pressures which offers lightning offers with a countdown and constantly reminds you that there are only a few hours left to take advantage of this incredible discount.
3. Check first!
If the fruit of your desire serves the same purpose as an object, gadget, or item of clothing that you already have at home, ask yourself if this investment is really justified. You might end up with duplicates.
For example, there are tons of mobile phones in perfect working order (but out of fashion) in the drawers of our fellow citizens. It’s too bad.
4. Ask yourself about the Origin of the product
Today, it’s more important than ever to ask yourself if the product you want was made halfway around the world, and if it crossed half the planet to land in your living room.
Perhaps it was assembled by an exploited workforce? Perhaps it has contributed to deforestation? If the object that makes you salivate comes from afar or seems ethically suspicious to you, could you buy it second-hand at Bon Coin or at a recycling center?
5. Finally, assess its Usefulness
You’ve already come to terms with the need to make this purchase, but is your dream item essential to your organization or can you do without it? Will it bring you essential comfort and if so, how did you manage to do without it until now?
Take the example of a drill that you may be using four times a year; you need it now, but it might be in your closet 99% of the time. Wouldn’t it be better rent it or, even better, borrow it to your neighbors?
If the coveted product passes these five filters in turn, then yes, maybe it has its place in your home!
The idea of the BISOU method is not to say that nothing should be bought but rather that consume in conscience, with a sense of ethics and in the most responsible way possible. This step leads you little by little towards more sobriety.
By applying the Bisou method, you will save money by buying only what you need. You will also reduce your personal impact on the planet.
