Remember the last time you went shopping? Did you return home from the mall to start regretting?
Was it because you got a few kinds of stuff you need and plenty of stuff you don’t need?
Sometimes we even go shopping and spend a lot of money on stuff we don’t even know if we want them or need them.
Your needs are those things that are required, the stuff that is essential or very important to you rather than just being desirable while your wants are the stuff you desire to possess or wish for.
Aside from knowing the difference between your needs and wants, there are other smart shopping savings tips that you need to know to save your hard-earned money when shopping.
Here are ten (10) tips to help you shop smartly and save your hard-earned money on your next shopping.
- DON’T SHOP WHEN STRESSED.
Shopping when stressed is a vicious cycle. You’re upset, so you go to the mall and buy yourself a little gift to cheer up. Only to stress again because of the money you just spent, you have bought more things. And so the loop continues. Instead of going to the mall when you’re feeling down, try something different. There are thousands of ways to reduce stress without spending money. Like: walking, dancing to loud music, or calling your best friend. The best part of eliminating stressful shopping is that over time when you find yourself saving money, you become less stressed.
- DO NOT SHOP WHEN HUNGRY.
Food is essential to life. But shopping is a minefield full of temptations, especially if you’re hungry. You are more likely to buy foods you don’t really want when the stomach dictates. To avoid risk, make a list of the foods/products you need. Follow them and shop at a time when you know you won’t be too hungry. Try it on the weekend after breakfast or a few hours after dinner. This not only helps you with economical shopping, but also can help with weight management quite convenient.
- LEAVE THE SHOPPING SITE IN THE BLACKLIST.
The Internet has turned online shopping into an art form. Between ads tailored to your Facebook data source, it’s easier than ever to buy something without thinking about it. On top of that, sometimes it’s “fun” to scroll through an endless list of “products you never knew you needed” that stores post on their website. But all of this leads to the temptation to spend the budget.
Take the time to block the websites that you know are most attracting your wallet. Use Facebook adblocker. Filter all promotional emails into a specific folder. Leave them not the first thing you see when you check your inbox. At the end of the day, you will find yourself less inclined to shop online.
- DON’T GO SHOPPING IN GROUPS.
Friends are the ones who always help us. Shopping with friends or family is a pleasure. But it will lead to some unexpected spending. You are more likely to stick to your own shopping plan than if you were alone. You can then know for yourself what you need and don’t need without any assistance.
And of course, you shouldn’t cut social media shopping altogether. Because of the fact, shopping alone can be very boring. So if you are looking to shop with others, plan your trip and budget your trip. Also, tell your friends/family about the specifics you need. That way, they’ll be able to get you on the right track.
- TRACK YOUR SPENDING.
Savers around the world are masters of this. Keeping track of where you spend your money and how much you spend it is a useful way to analyze your basic needs, as well as decide which expenses may not be entirely necessary.
The good thing about cost tracking is that it doesn’t need to be done as often. Maybe you just write down how much you spent once a month, or on the weekend of your work, review your account status. Most banks allow you to track your spending online. They provide a detailed list of what you spent and where.
- PAY YOUR BILLS ASAP.
Don’t put off your financial bills. Try to pay your bills as soon as you have a statement or as soon as your paycheck is sent. Not only does this eliminate the risk of debt build-up, but once your rent, electricity, and loans are paid off, you’ll have money left over that can be used for your personal expenses.
- DON’T BRING ALL YOUR CARDS.
If you have multiple bank cards, you shouldn’t have them all with you when you shop. Also, check your account balance and credit limit before you go out. By keeping a card or two at home, you won’t be tempted to overspend by compressing them all at once and you still have a backup in case of an emergency. In general, you should keep a credit card at home – use only in case a disaster strikes.
- CASH TARGET.
Once you’ve figured out how much you can or want to spend in a week/month, decide to withdraw it from your bank account in cash. Then don’t think of touching that bank card until the next budget round. Usually, it’s difficult to know for sure where your money has gone or how much is left – if you don’t see it in front of you. This is why cash is so great. You can actually see it and count it with your own hands.
- PLAN AHEAD, PLAN AHEAD.
Everyone has money goals. Like: buying a house for 10 years, getting a new car, or maybe going on vacation. Goals like these are long term. They require you to effectively plan ahead.
Schedule your goals. Give each goal a specific moment you want to achieve. Then calculate your overall chances of reaching the goal stated. This way, you can create an effective savings plan. You can then calculate your budget.
- PREPARE FOR SURPRISES.
One of the most important things about budgeting is to give yourself some backup. Life doesn’t always go well. You should set up a backup fund, which is separate from your savings and spending accounts. You can use it in unexpected cases. Like: a trip to the hospital, stolen, your iPhone broken, etc.
By dedicating a fortune to cover unexpected life expenses, you keep yourself from ransacking your bank or savings account.
