How many of us have gone “window shopping” with the intent of buying absolutely nothing, and yet we come home with bags of stuff, watching our dollars (with those little wings) flying out of your wallet?
In truth, many of us are so easily swayed by the media, their deceptive ads and the constant style watching that sometimes we unconsciously buy things. Yes, you’re physically there, but sometimes we buy in a different state of being, almost like running on adrenaline, not realizing that we are, in fact, spending our own money.
Here are some basic tips that can help you become a more efficient shopper (if you do them whole-heartedly).
Get to know your closet – Depending on how often you shop, you should regularly look through all the contents of your closet (or your drawers or wherever you keep your clothes) and organize your clothes. Not only will you become organized, but having to sort all your clothes will give you a thorough look at everything that you own and whether it’s an “I will wear this forever” piece, or a “why did I buy this?” kind of look.
Keeping track of all the items that you own will help you become more conscious of what you buy in stores. Personally, sometimes when I shop I am drawn to things similar to things I already own – justifying that a zipper in the back makes it a completely different piece. This is NOT TRUE.
Sorting your clothes often also allows you to weed out the items you no longer have interest in – and at the same time you can help someone else with their fashion budget by donating it to Goodwill.
Prioritize your needs – Do you need a classic black blazer more than a frilly gunmetal mini-skirt? The answer is yes. Mindlessly shopping is a poison we all drink and has a consequence we all suffer. Sometimes we do buy great things, but a lot of times we go home almost regretting spending money. Having basic goals when shopping allows you to focus on the items you need, therefore making it easier to concentrate and not get sidetracked into purchasing things you don’t need.
If you must lust – Choose your pricy items carefully – If it’s a clothing item, go through your closet and make sure it works with enough of your other pieces. If it’s a beauty product, either test it with samples or read reviews on that $40 lotion. Create what Glamour Magazine calls a “lust fund.” It makes the most sense to prioritize and pick the item you want the most and just save for that, instead of 30 different things.
Determine its worth – If it’s on sale, and you wouldn’t even consider buying it had the item been full price, chances are slim that you really want the product. Mostly likely you subconsciously just want the savings – even though often times we fail to see that not buying also has great savings!
Ask yourself if you’re going to wear it often and whether or not it fits with the rest of your wardrobe. If it’s a stand out piece, is it a classic one? Keep in mind that the best facet to have in an expensive item is the quality of the product. Make sure that it is one that you can wear in every month, every season and every year.
Determine your desire – Most often times for me, when I see something I like and I get excited about it, it’s almost a 100% guarantee that I’m going to buy it. When I am browsing the store and look at it a couple times and am hesitant – I would shy away from buying it. In this economy, a lot of us can’t afford to spend our bucks on everything, so I suggest if you feel lukewarm about something, don’t buy it. Simply admire it and leave.
Don’t shop when you’re emotional – This usually leads to compulsive shopping. Usually when we’re feeling down, buying something for ourselves lifts our spirits temporarily, but if this becomes a habit, you will break the bank quickly. If you happen to be shopping during an emotional time and you see something you like -if you know it’s going to be there next week, go back and decide later when you’re in the right state of mind.
Don’t buy clothes that don’t fit perfectly – This is a common problem that annoys me because it not only affects people I know, but it affects me too. We all have those moments when we fall in love with certain pieces that we know in our mind can look gorgeous, or we imagine ourselves being able to pull off certain looks, only not in reality-but in the bodies that we “wish” we had. We have to fight harder to be more realistic because we just can’t afford not to.
If you’re humoring yourself by trying the same piece on over and over, hoping it will fit, do not buy it- this is something that will never be. Don’t buy things hoping that they’ll eventually fit. If it doesn’t fit perfectly when you want it, then don’t buy it. However, if you are willing to pay a tailor and you’re sure they can make it fit perfectly, then go for it.
Don’t be fooled by the sale sign – Even if its only 10% off, sometimes people want to buy something just so they know they got that savings. Unless you really want it – it’s not worth 10% off something you don’t really care for. A 40% discount is not a justified reason to spend money on something you don’t want either. You’ll save even more money in the long run, by just not buying it.
