You’re out shopping with the intention on buying ONE item; let’s say a sweater for fall. Then you see a huge 50 percent off sale sign toward the back of the store. What do you do?
A. Stick to your plan and keep looking for your sweater.
B. Ask an employee how long the sale lasts and make plans to come back.
C. Head straight to the back.
If you’re anything like me, the sweater hunt is long over and you’re making a beeline towards the sales racks! Lately I have noticed that impulse buying is a problem for me. I’m a sucker for a good sale even if I don’t need the merchandise. Ultimately, I end up having a ton of clothes but nothing to wear. Coming from someone who has been working in retail for four years, I should know just because something is on sale doesn’t mean you should buy it.
Another factor to impulse buying is money, having money to spend is a great thing but when you have it spend it wisely. After sitting and looking in my closet trying to figure out how much money I’ve wasted on unnecessary things, I came up with some tips to help myself other shoppers get the most bang for their buck.
1. Does it compliment you? Think about your hair, eyes, skin tone, body shape, etc .when shopping for clothes and accessories.
2. Will you wear it soon or is it being saved for later? How important is it that you buy it right now? Think about the season you’re in and how long you have to wear what you buy.
3. Will you wear it enough for the price you paid? Is it so cheap that everyone will have it? Is it a financial risk? Determine if what you’re buying is really worth the money. If it is buy it; if it isn’t leave it.
4. Does it cater to your personal style? Do you really see yourself wearing it often? Or is just a sporadic impulse buy because you see it on a mannequin or the store employee talked you into buying it.
5. Do you really need it? Or are you only buying it because it’s on sale? Determining need vs. want is the most important factor when deciding to buy or not. Most times we see things and want them when we have several at home already like it.
It’s okay to shop, just be smart about it.
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