Shopping with a list but buying things out of the plan.
By bryanwmc
@bryanwmc (1051)
Malaysia
March 13, 2013 12:50pm CST
occasionally i tag along with my missus to do grocery shoping have you evrto pick up few things, most times i know exactly what i want to buy and yet sometimes i am tempted to buy something that is not in the plans but because of the advertising in the supermarket, something like special deal, save 50% when you get this now..or as i walk the aisle in the supermarket looking for something, i come across the free samplings of whatever it is being promoted at that particular time, beverages, sausages ,ice cream ,milk etc etc.
usually cannot resist trying the free samples but after that feel a bit sheepish , when asked to buy the item, and always a fantastic deal which saves you 50% of the price or more, many times i end up buying it.convinced i saved money but not realizing i don't really need it and instead of saving, i actually spend more because of the unplanned purchase.
Department stores ,also, ie i am looking for school uniform for my kid, but plastered everywhere is posters or banners proclaiming, cheap shoes or clothes, 70% discounts. many times i end up buying the item because of the inhouse advertising..thining i saved a lot of money only to find out later that it is actually wasting money, because after peak season, school shoes are much cheaper.
So question is do you get tempted by the advertising that is in-house and have you ever bought anything that was out of the original shopping list at supermarkets or department stores directly because of the in-house advertising promoting item.
1 person likes this
8 responses
@franseman (516)
• Philippines
14 Mar 13
My most important rule: NEVER go to the grocery when you're hungry because you'll end up buying much more than you want/need. But I always know exactly what I'm looking for and I never let the banners etc. get to me cause I know I will spend lots more in the end. That's exactly why they do it!! They DO care for your wallet for sure. To get as much out of it as they can!!
@bryanwmc (1051)
• Malaysia
15 Mar 13
i think it may be better if we can have the mindset of " never go to the grocery store alone..! '" that is if intention is to have control over spending.Unless we have the training or conditioning of being able to resist temptations and have discipline to stick with the master plan. other wise it is just a losing battle.
yup , let the trained Pro do the buying and we jus tag along and occasionally try to slip in something into the cart discreetly
@dagami (1158)
• Rome, Italy
14 Mar 13
this happens all the time to almost everyone. the key is to always keep in mind that you entered the store with the intention of buying the things you NEED. stores always give special discounts on items that are 'near expiry dates' and outseasoned ones. next time you want to tag along, leave your cards at home and just bring enough cash to cover the purchases you intended.
@bryanwmc (1051)
• Malaysia
15 Mar 13
great suggestion only thinking how many of us can have the discipline to do so. " what if the store is having a very special promotion and up to 70% off, meaning can save a lot of money.or what if there is a new product with very special offer.." Just in case , maybe should bring a bit more cash or cards on stand by.."
mind sets of shoppers are like the statements above. The " What If.." syndrome !.
@LovingMyBabies (85288)
• Valdosta, Georgia
13 Mar 13
I am very good about sticking it the list and what we can afford. But my husband is a spender so whenever he goes into a store for one thing he comes out with ten more things than what he was supposed to get! Lol. So, I try to make sure I go in the store and not him...
@bryanwmc (1051)
• Malaysia
13 Mar 13
well, i guess it explains the reason why my missus is insistent on doing the shopping for house hold items and never lets me volunteer , it is a twice weekly affair , that she either does by herself or , i can tag along but - NO- i cannot go by myself.! usually, especially the weekend shopping, the shopping cart has just enough space for the weeks groceries, but i think if left to my devices, is akin to allowing a kid to raid a toy store. Watching my wife in action, she goes straight to the aisle that stocks the item she wants, studies it and compares it with other similar products, and then it either goes into the cart or she moves on to the next.
as for me , i just explore the aisle and when i chance upon something i m curious about,or never seen or used before, i will be very tempted to buy it just to try it. Many times, i put something into the cart only to have her put it back on the shelf, except for certain things i am adamant in getting. most times i see the sense in her reasoning, it is exactly as you described. Go in to get one item , and if i have my way , i will leave with 10 more things not in the list,push in one shopping cart but leave 2 full carts. And i always thought that ladies have a weakness when it comes to shopping.Well dont think it applies to grocery shopping!.
@mrswhitfield (2044)
• Indonesia
14 Mar 13
I ALWAYS DO
Last week I went for groceries I have my list with me and I have promised to buy what I have listed and not tempted to buy something else. Guess what? I did not buy few things in my list and buy more things that absolutely not in my list before
When I buy those "out of my list" stuff, I was like "ok, I take this and that, the price is reasonable and I will use them. I will buy other thing in my list in another day" When I got home I realize it slowly but sure that what I need the most is something that I have cancelled to purchase
Last week I went for groceries I have my list with me and I have promised to buy what I have listed and not tempted to buy something else. Guess what? I did not buy few things in my list and buy more things that absolutely not in my list before When I buy those "out of my list" stuff, I was like "ok, I take this and that, the price is reasonable and I will use them. I will buy other thing in my list in another day" When I got home I realize it slowly but sure that what I need the most is something that I have cancelled to purchase
@CandyzNikka (380)
• Philippines
14 Mar 13
Most of the time when I go shopping inside a mall, I tend to buy other things that are not on my list. I am fond of discounts and freebies but I always think if I need those things or not. It's very seldom I buy for items that are not really important.
For those products with promos, most of them are foods that I purchase or makeup. Hehe. I also don't buy some stuffs that are on my list. I highlight only those that are really urgent to bring home so it will be easy for me to replace it with other things within my set budget.
It's different when I buy on a small market near my place since the store is too crowded. I choose to stick what's on my list.
• India
14 Mar 13
For me shopping is so much boring so I never go on shopping and send someone else to shop for me. The budget is not a problem for me.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
14 Mar 13
If I go with a list, I stick to the list and don't buy things not on the list.. unless I happen to come across a good sale on something I'd use. I tend to not go with a list though.
@Dominique25 (9464)
• United States
14 Mar 13
Yeah it is hard to resist the temptation to buy things that aren't planned purchases. I'm continuing to work on this. I would like to do better about saving so I have to be more thrifty when out and about and look for ways to save money instead of spending it. Like packing lunches if we are going to be out during a meal time, and when we go to the store buy only what I came for.
