When the topic of shopping is discussed, many people have different opinions. Some would say it is just a part of their routine, a way to buy their daily needs. Others may think too low of it. Then say buying too much is just a waste of money. But for some, it brings them happiness and satisfaction.
In reality, shopping can directly affect our budget. The more you shop, the more you need to spend money. Of course, the same goes the other way. Shop less to spend little. But the question is: does it satisfy the spender? Science has an explanation for this. As a matter of fact, shopping affects our well-being. According to research, there is such a thing as “retail therapy.” This is when shopping makes a person happier.
There are “therapeutic values” to shopping. First, it gives you an emotional boost. Even nowadays, most of us choose to stay home for our safety from Covid. Online shopping and online browsing can bring personal happiness. Online browsing is now known as the “new window shopping.”
Second, it brings a sense of personal control. This is normally caused by sadness. When you think you have lost control of a bad situation you are in. Shopping somehow brings back that sense of control. With money as your “power.”
But all these should be done in moderation. It is good that shopping brings happiness, even better if it relieves you of your sadness. But the backbreaker is when shopping hits your budget hard. And then it affects money meant for other expenses. This may lead to more issues personally and within the family.
This article aims to help you out. You do not have to overspend. There is a way to buy all the things you need. And while you do that, you also get to save money too.
Here are two practical tips that are worth trying:
Buy Things You Need for a Season While Out of Season
Some people are known to be “creatures of habit.” One of those habits is to buy stuff as the need comes. They buy summer clothes and beach stuff as soon as summer starts. We buy winter clothes as soon as winter starts. The earliest they do it is a week before winter when the air is getting colder.
However, business people and store owners are ready for this. They know that you need their products. And you are willing to purchase what you need in their store at all costs. And there is nothing wrong with that. Good business is always a good thing.
But when your goal is to buy what you need and save money, there is a way around this. Do you know there is a cheaper way to buy Christmas decorations and Christmas stuff? This is a few days after Christmas.
These are the days when store owners just want to get rid of unsold Christmas stuff. But they still want to make money out of them. Try to check out stores while Christmas goodies are still on display. And you can expect at rock bottom prices. Some will even sell them, buy one, get one.
You can only do this while they are on display because they are only seasonal products. But some stores sell seasonal products all year round. For example, there are beach stores that operate for a full year, not only during summer.
So if you want to purchase a good-quality Obermeyer men’s jacket before winter, or a surfboard before summer, there are fantastic stores that sell them in and out of season. And they offer what you need at reasonable prices.
Do Your Shopping Online
Online shopping has revolutionized the way of doing business. Nowadays, this is the safest way to go shopping. But do you know that this is also the cheapest? That is because of the wide array of discounts they offer. They can provide vouchers and discounts through their mobile applications. And these are serious discounts.
Normally, retailers will not do this. The goal is to make as much profit without giving away discounts. But in the case of online selling, the goal is “volume business.” This is for thousands, if not millions of people online and on their phones.
That number of online viewers is good for the business. When discounts they offer are properly advertised, the potential sales are exponential. So they don’t mind giving away discounts and freebies. They know they can sell more products online compared to their stores.
Another factor is they get to save on operational expenses. Running a physical store can be more expensive. You have to pay rent, utilities and manpower. A good online retailer would pass the savings to customers. They do it by cutting costs of their products.
They also enjoy minimal cost on advertisement. Online retailers that offer discounts get to build numerous followers. Not only will these followers become regular website visitors. They will also tell their friends and loved ones about it. They get instant advertisements. Shopping doesn’t need to be expensive. You can still get the emotional and mental benefits that shopping provides. The good news is you do not have to spend more. Save money, and be happy.
