Smart Shopping: Break Bad Habits
Whether you love shopping or find it a drag, you may have bad habits costing you money and time. Holidays, like Black Friday and Cyber Monday, often encourage impulse buying.
Changing habits takes effort, but some problems are easy to fix. Take the “never-again” pledge and save money by avoiding these eight shopping mistakes.
1. Don’t Double Up With BOGOs
Buy-one-get-one offers push you to buy two items. Before grabbing the second, ask: Do I have space? Will I use it soon? What if I don’t like the first item—will the second go to waste?
2. Resist Checkout Impulse Buys
Stores place tempting items in your line of sight while waiting in line. Items like candy, magazines, or small gadgets lure you into spending more. Stay focused and skip these distractions.
3. Skip Extended Warranties
Clerks often push extended warranties for electronics and appliances. Most products already have manufacturer warranties, making these upsells unnecessary. They can also be hard to claim if the item breaks.
4. Avoid Paid Gift Wrap Services
Buying gift wrap online or in-store often costs more than it’s worth. Use your own supplies or recycle bags you already have. For creative ideas, check out Martha Stewart’s gift-wrapping tips.
5. Forgo Store Credit Cards
Store cards may offer discounts, but high interest rates and late fees often outweigh the benefits. Applications can also impact your credit score. Instead, use discount gift card sites like GiftCardGranny to save 10–50%.
6. Don’t Drink and Shop
Beverages sold in stores are often overpriced. Bring your own soda or water to avoid unnecessary spending during long shopping trips.
7. Prevent Gift Card Waste
U.S. households hold an average of $300 in unused gift cards. Trade unwanted gift cards for cash on Gift Card Exchange Day (Dec. 26) to turn idle cards into usable money.
8. Dodge Daily Deals
Daily deal sites like Groupon make spending easy. If you buy deals you rarely use, consider taking a break. Many resellers profit from unused deals.
Follow an Expert
Andrea Woroch, a consumer and money-saving expert, shares smart tips for retail trends and personal finance. Follow her on Facebook, Twitter, or visit AndreaWoroch.com for more advice.
