I’ve been mulling over a pair boots for quite some time. I don’t actually need the boots- it’s something that I want. Naturally I questioned how much I wanted the boots and considered If this was an item that has value. I finally decided yes. I saved enough of my allowance to buy the boots, checked for sales (none), then made a trip to the store and bought them. Full price.
Growing up I was taught to never pay retail- I think it may also be a golden rule in the personal finance world- but lately I find myself ignoring the rules and buying at full price. In fact, I’ve been avoiding sales.
I often found myself at the mall during my maternity leave. I was bored with being home with a baby all the time and the mall was a convenient place to take him, especially during the winter months. I could meet up with other mommy friends or shop. Being out of work meant I was able to catch the sales: “30% off! Save Now!” and “Limited time only! Additional discount on sale prices”.
I fell for the sales. Repeatedly. I flooded my closet with post-partum body clothes, when-I’m-skinny-again-clothes, back-to-work clothes, and I-have-a-wedding-to-attend-next-summer clothes. With every purchase, I felt like I was getting an amazing deal. I mean c’mon, it was a gazillion dollars off and even though it wasn’t perfect, it was only, like, twenty bucks.
While organizing my work wardrobe near the end of maternity leave, I was frustrated with an overflowing closet. I couldn’t find pieces that fit well together. How could I have nothing to wear after spending a year shopping? Out of curiosity, I tallied up the amount of money I had spent on clothes over the months and I was surprised at the sum. Twenty bucks here and there sure does add up.
Sale prices trigger my impulse to spend. Like Pavlov’s dog salivating at the sound of bell, I take out my wallet at the sight of sales prices. I see Gap’s “Additional 30%. Three days only” and think, “I’m going to need this and even though it’s something I just kinda sorta like, I’m going to lose out if I don’t get it now!”
You see, sales don’t help me save money as advertised; instead, they make me tend to spend more. Yes, I may have saved 60% off that pretty cocktail dress, but I could have saved 100% if I didn’t purchase it at all.
So I started to avoid sales and decided that it’s okay to pay full price. Great sales can net lots of savings as long as buyers have more self control than I do; for me, they deplete my funds.
I no longer concern myself with sales and I do not shop for the purpose of receiving a discount. Instead, I have become more selective with what I want and choose only items in which I find value. I do a due diligence and check for sales and compare prices. If an item I want happens to be on sale, great! If not, I don’t mind. I’ve been more responsible with my spending ever since I decided to avoid sales and buy retail; the boots are the first thing I’ve bought in almost 8 months.
When I pay full price, my purchases are more deliberate, more thought out, and properly budgeted for.
Do you save money from sales or do they trigger your “buy now” impulse?
Both. If I assume the item MAY go on sale, I will wait. Especially if I don’t really want or need it (e.g. a dress).
If I think it will NOT go on sale and I will never find my size and I REALLY want it (read: Smythe coats in size 4 and 6 or Canada Goose jackets), I buy it at full retail price.
I’ve been leaning towards eBay and consignment shopping lately however. Found 2 pairs of Manolo Heels on eBay for only $150 USD, plus about $20 shipping and $60 duties / taxes. For about $200, I got $700 (before tax) heels, slightly used.
THAT is a deal… but you also have to know your size.
I haven’t even considered eBay and consignment; it’s a great idea, and apparently a great deal evident in your Manolos. I am considering a pair of Salvatore Ferragamos and will probably turn to consignment.
That’s basically how I am. If it isn’t urgent I’m likely to wait for a sale – but by the same stock if I do find a good deal on something I snap it up ASAP. For clothes shopping, I prefer secondhand shopping (and having recently visited the US, am thinking I may do a lot of online shopping in the future!)
I completely agree! I have learned your exact lesson: the $20 pants could be $20 off the regular priced pants that I really want.
I have also learned to steer clear of the bargain stores. Educating myself in what will last and what is truly in style will help me put my money where it counts. The sweater at Costa Blanca may have cost a tiny fraction of the Anthropologie shirt, but I have checked the stitching and I believe it will last much, much longer.
Another thing I’ve learned: return policies. I have almost boycott stores because their policy is terrible. So many stores have a wonderful return policy that help you in time of regret.
My new philosophy is to spend time thinking about what I want, buy it, potentially return it. It’s been working quite well so far.
Checking the return policy is key. My mother learned her lesson just recently when wanted to return a coat she found on sale elsewhere but the store would only give her store credit.
I’m prepping a post now on the psychology of the discount and the thrill of the hunt (going to do a why we buy series).
I 100% agree! It is better to be very intentional in our purposes than be lured in by sales or outlets. If we pay less attention to sales and only shop for quality items that will serve us well, we’ll likely spend less overall. I do buy resale and that can suck me in as well and I sometimes have to resell what I’ve bought because it doesn’t fit or work. So often I’d rather buy from a retail establishment and be able to return (I’m on Maui so for many items I have to turn to online as local retail doesn’t have exactly what I’m looking for or prefer).
Hopping over from Save.spend.splurge, I saw your link in her blogroll and your blog name is interesting.
Thanks for stopping by!
I have found I spend much less overall now that I spend more timing considering my purchases instead of buying because it’s a sale item. I can now also save up for things I really want and value versus dropping a little here and there and then not having enough budgeted for the items on my wishlist.
I am a complete sucker for sales. There’s nothing that will get my wallet out faster than 50% off!
That is me… I have no self control. The only thing to keep the wallet in the purse is to avoid sales altogether.
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I love this post! I have definitely found myself being a sucker to sales over the past year, they can make you justify just about any purchase hey?
As my Gramma always said, “A penny saved is a penny earned!”.