A Guide To Money Saving Tactics For Shopaholics
Chaitra has a triple main bachelor’s degree in journalism, communicative English, and economics from St. Aloysius College, Mangalore, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from St. Joseph's College, Bengaluru.
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Life is hard for us shopaholics. We may seem like we’re the richest people on earth but we’re not (majority). We just love shopping so much that we spend all our money on it. For an outsider, our lives may seem very fancy and extravagant, but this extravaganza lasts only for the few days after we get our salary/ pocket money. The rest of the days we are poor people who survive on Maggi and friends who let us borrow their money. If you are a shopaholic you’ll totally relate to what we’re saying unless you have a flying pony and you eat gold. But, this shouldn’t happen to us, right? Shopaholics are good people! It’s because of us the retail industry survives *angel face*!
So, to help you out from the dreadful after-effects of shopping, we’ve got you a list of money-saving tactics (thank us later). Now some of these may be easy, but some others will need you to stay strong and put a lot of effort into it. So, here we go!
1. Set A Limit For Yourself Before You Go Shopping
No matter how much money you have in your hand or in your pocket, decide on a spending limit before you go out for shopping. When you know you have a limit, you will think twice before purchasing anything. Also, it will help you make a better decision when it comes to comparing prices and buying the product that fits your requirements and budget.
2. Carry Cash And Do Not Use Your Card
This is true especially if you are going for street shopping. You may feel like buying everything that you see. But having a limited amount of cash will restrict your natural instincts and help you focus on those items that you really need. Card swiping doesn’t really hit you until you check your balance. But, the cash in your wallet will always remind you about how much you have left.
3. Don’t Fall For Fancy Words And Bad Sales
If you’re a shopaholic, you should be strong enough to not get carried away by the fancy place, the fancy salespeople, and the fancy things that they tell you. If your mind is easily manipulated (which is what the salespeople do best), you will end up buying things that you will regret later. Also, one of the main reasons why shopaholics spend their fortune within just hours is a board that says “50% OFF.” Yes, we get that it’s exciting. But, what’s the point in buying a potato for five hundred rupees because they’re telling you that its original price is thousand?
4. Go With Haggle Experts
If you think that you’re not good at haggling or you can’t control your urge to buy everything that’s shiny, take your haggle expert friend or family member along. They will remind you and pull you away from all the bad places, including that ridiculously expensive shoe store. Also, they will help you haggle with shopkeepers and get you stuff at much lower prices. If you have someone like this in your life, treasure them!
5. Eat Well And Wear Comfy Clothes
You are at your best when your tummy is full and you’re wearing comfortable clothes. You cannot run around the mall or go street shopping when you’re wearing a fancy dress and heels. So keep on your sweatshirts and sneakers whenever you want to go on shopping. Also, these clothes are easier to remove while trying on new outfits!
6. Compare Expensive Items With Online Price
This rule applies to most of the expensive items that you want to purchase. The branded jacket at the store can cost way higher when compared to the same product online. You don’t want to buy it for double the amount when it’s actually on a sale online, right? So, just open your phone from wherever you are and check if something similar is available online.
7. Do Not Shop In Haste
If you have an event to attend in a few weeks, shop ahead of time. Your clothes may need alterations or you may want to exchange them. Shopping things in haste because you need to use them the same day or the next day will put you in a lot of pressure. And, since you have the shopaholic mind, you’ll end up the first pretty thing instead of exploring the rest of the stores.
8. Compare Items And Calculate Utility In Your Mind
If you want to save your money, you should practice the calculation of price and utility in your mind. The faster you can do this, the better. Before you purchase something, ask yourself if it’s something that you really want. Then ask questions like “Is it worth the price?” “Is it durable?” “Will I use it a lot?” This will help you save money while shopping.
Shopping is actually a wonderful experience and a very good stress-buster. However, spending off-limits can make you upset later and struggle to get through the month while dealing with a financial crisis. Hence, try to follow the above practices and save money while shopping. Now get your girls and go for it! Are you a shopaholic? What are your money-saving tactics? Let us know in the comments section.
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