We are all guilty of owning at least one thing that we regret buying and more than often the act of remorseful buying happens when we are high on impulse – perhaps our favourite brand may be having a sale or chances are we may have developed some sort of obsession with a particular design style or concept.
However, it is more than common for impulsive shopping to happen when the price is low. It’s even more factual to say that we base our decisions purely on cost and not actual desire for the item. By nature it is said that we are frugal (well most of us) beings at heart.
As the Thanksgiving celebrations took place in the US, many around the world have anticipated the black Friday sales, whether it be online or in the actual brick and mortar stores. Though Thursday was a holiday specifically associated with the USA, its commercialized extension has grown strong globally. Black Friday sales are now even a thing in some stores in Guyana and Trinidad.
While I love a good bargain, in my opinion the whole idea of the Black Friday sale promotes the discount culture that we all fancy. Before we bargained for our “betta price” now we don’t seem to want to shop without seeing a percentage off the full price. We have latched on to the idea of always looking for a deal and expecting a reduction.
One thing that I dislike about acquiring clothing during a sale period however, is the fact that I somehow tend to value them less as opposed when buying full price. The worth of the garment or product is somehow interlaced with the price and I treat it accordingly. Items that cost less are valued less by me and I suppose it’s the disposable nature of the item that fosters such an attitude. Many of these items are easy to pass on to charity shops and family, without any particular feeling of loss.
Whereas things that I have purchased full price are more only difficult to part with – I even force fit things that I have grown out of. While this juxtaposition of worth and desire is quite normal to have, it is something that I have tried tirelessly to work on when a sale period approaches. It is this very feeling that fosters in us the ability to waste so much. We associate worth with cost.
Dependent on your disposable income and shopping style, Black Friday sales may or may not appeal to you. Some people, on the other hand, are turned off by the clutter and chaos that such sales attract. Regardless of if they do or don’t, I think it’s key to understand the factors that contribute to your decision-making process when acquiring new clothes.
This week I will leave with you a few sale shopping rules to live by
Give yourself a budget and stay within it. I prefer to take cash to brick and mortar stores as opposed to using a debit card. Sometimes we believe the plastic card has limitless funds and we swipe our lives away.
Think about what you really need and try to be honest with yourself. The excitement of everyone else shopping may get to you and you may feel the need to buy. Leave the store if that happens. Don’t monkey see, monkey do your fashion choices.
Constantly ask yourself, if this was full price- would I buy it? Try to figure out the true reason for it being so desirable. If you enter the store and find nothing. It’s not you, it’s the sale. There is no need to consume just for consuming sake. Leave with your heart and wallet pleased.
