Tis the season … to shop. Between Christmas, Hanukah and the White Elephant Gift Exchanges everyone is either looking online or going to the stores to find the perfect gifts for friends, family and co-workers.
With sales of all kinds being offered during the holiday season (Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday) it is really hard not to go shopping and even harder not to buy. After all, the sales will save you money right? Nope…sorry. Wrong!
The sales will definitely save you money IF and I quote “IF” you actually need whatever it is that is on sale. The problem is…we trick ourselves into thinking that just because something is on sale that it’s going to save us money. We then try to rationalize why we should buy that something because it’s on sale.
The companies marketing the sales are very clever. They offer: lower prices, free shipping, BOGO, to get you to buy. OMG! There are so many different tactics that it’s hard to keep up and even harder not to get sucked in.
So, hopefully, these few suggestions will help you at least stop and really think before you buy:
Wait before making impulse purchases: Whimsical purchases can really creep up on you, even when you have your list in hand as you’re shopping.
- Rather than making an impulsive purchase, regain some emotional and financial control by focusing on your list and waiting 24 to 48 hours before buying “that thing.”
- You could also stretch that time-frame to 2 weeks if you wish. Usually, after a bit of time to think it through, you’ll come to a better decision about whether or not to buy it. That doesn’t mean you won’t go back to the store to buy that special item. It simply means you’ll give yourself adequate time to think it through before taking it home with you.
- Waiting a bit, even if that thing is on your list, can also save you some time and another trip to the store if you decide that you don’t want/need it after all. It will also save you the time of having to return it.
- Use the “One In, One Out” rule: Another way to limit those impulse buys is to think about the one thing you currently own that you’ll let go of when/if you bring the new item home.
Think twice (or a few hours/days) before buying. Today’s purchases, especially unplanned purchases, become tomorrow’s clutter (and don’t get me started on clutter!).