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How many times have you looked at a sale ad and justified buying something by thinking "but it's on sale!"?
Recently I was thumbing through the grocery store ads and making a mental note of what was on sale and where before I made my weekly grocery shopping list. Grocery shopping is an activity you can't avoid, right!? I always try to stay on top of what is on sale at what grocery store so I can stock up on items we are running low on. As I was looking at the ads that day, however, I happened to mention to my daughter that a particular item was on sale at the grocery store that week, and that maybe we should buy a couple and stock up. And her reply? "Mom, just because something is on sale doesn't mean you have to buy it." Her statement floored me. I looked back down at the ad and suddenly realized that she was right and that I was about to spend money on something we really didn't need. It wasn't even something we eat a lot of, not to mention I probably wouldn't have bought it anyway if it hadn't been on sale. I had thought I had it all figured out, avoiding the most tempting ads and not going shopping when I was just looking for something to do. Everyone falls prey to impulse shopping at one time or another. Several weeks ago I overheard two men having a conversation about how their wives love to shop. They figured it was "a woman thing," because they themselves rarely went shopping, and when they did they bought only what they really needed and then went home. No window shopping for them. They commented that even men have a few weaknesses when it comes to shopping, like when they see a store full of power tools, but that they don't even go to look unless they really need something. They could always find something they'd like to buy if they were just looking. So they just don't look. I chuckled to myself as the two men concluded that all women must like to shop. Not true, I thought to myself, but you do have to teach yourself to avoid spending money you wouldn't have otherwise spent if you'd just stayed home or gone for a walk at the park instead. The money you save by not shopping you can spend on other things like a family vacation or a quiet weekend for two! I know I have better things to do then pouring over store ads and then spending countless hours driving around town trying to find the best deals on things I don't need. Really think about what you're spending your money on and if you really need it. Even the grocery store can entice you into buying things you wouldn't normally buy. Go To Page: 1 2
The copyright of the article But it's on Sale! in Creative Homemaking is owned by Rachel Paxton. Permission to republish But it's on Sale! in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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