Top 10 list on Shopping With and For a Purpose
Shopping for many is easy…they head-out to the store…try a few things out…and they either come home with something new or not. Bada-bing bada-boom! Done! For others is not that simple. Many shoppers take their time and look through every single item, try everything and anything, compare one store to the other, one price to the other, one quality to the other, etc… and they either come home (much later) with something or they don’t, but yet their minds are still at those stores shopping!
Which ever type of shopper you are, here is my TOP 10 list of shopping “with” and “for” a purpose:
This is the most important one: Leave the Husbands at home! J
List your items. Before heading out, make a detailed list of what you want/need. Make sure you go for specifics and not just general. For example, if you are looking for shoes…what type, brand, color, size, etc… This will make sure you are focused in what you want/need to get.
Online first. Take that list and go online to get some prices in the virtual world. Go to price comparison site such as shopzilla.com. Then, make a fictitious purchase to see if there rare hidden fees. To do so, add the article in your “shopping cart” and complete your purchase right up to giving your credit card information. This will allow you to see the full purchase price!
Sign-up. There are great shopping portals that as you become a free member and join their newsletter, your will receive weekly deals that are out of this world. Some weekly saving could reduce or give free shipping, promote percentages off (I have seen up to 70% off), give away bonus gifts, etc… And these rebates are only given for online shopping. You will not see these in the physical stores so join one today! Here is a great one: https://www.goodwillmall.com/membership.php
Shop with purpose. Of course we want the WIIFM (what’s in it for me) when shopping, but what if you could also give back as you shop! Many stores support causes which help the world. From the fight against cancer to the environment! So investigate the stores you shop at and find out what they support (if any)…this way you can feel good shopping knowing your money goes towards something other then yourself. Another way to shop with purpose is to look for an online mall that provides a chance to give back to charities as you purchase. There are a few good ones out there…so look for them! And some even provide loyalty points and other fun incentives! All benefit…it helps you the shopper and the world by giving! Check them out!
Set your budget. Many times we tend to go shopping without a budget in mind. Two things can happen with this…you under-spend (very rarely) or over-spend (most likely)! This can cause unnecessary stress in your life. So before heading out, make a budget on the amount that you can and are willing to spend. Stick to it and never go over no matter what. Even if the deal of a century is right in front of your eyes, stick to the budget, there is always a deal of a century around!
Choose your shopping partner wisely. Have you ever gone shopping with someone that keeps telling you “oh, that looks great, you should buy it!”, “wow look at that useless gadget, you should really have one of those”, “did you ever get me anything for my birthday?” yet never buy anything for them selves? These people are called “nit” (no intention to) shoppers. They have to intention shop, buy, or even pay a dime when to go out to the stores with you. They get their fix from YOU shopping and spending money. STAY AWAY from shopping with these people; you’ll come home with all kind of useless junk!
Gifts. If you are going to buy a gift for someone (spouse, child, friend, etc…), don’t go overboard with the price. Keep it under $30.00 (unless it’s a wedding anniversary or very special event). Try to organize “gift exchanges” when ever you can…or else it could add up. Try to give free gift such as YOUR TIME! And used items that are collectibles are always good…so visit those yard sales and flea markets, they offer a vast variety of treasures!
Overall cost and benefits. With the price of gas being so high, you need to start calculating the total cost of your shopping. Take a look at the distance you need to travel to get to the physical mall. What does that translate in gas cost to you? Add it to your bill. Then, what is your time worth? Calculate how much you make (income) an hour and multiply that 3 (very conservative) to get a true worth of your time. Now estimate the amount of time you will spend shopping (either online or physically), then multiply your “time” by the amount of time shopping. Add that to the bill. Will you need to eat out? Add that to the bill. Now take a look at your cost of shopping physically and the cost of shopping online. What are their respective cost and benefits? By comparing both, you will get a clear picture where your next shopping experience will occur. For me, it’s online all the way!
Your new bible. Now that you have my top 10 list on shopping with and for a purpose, please share it with others and make sure to follow it each time you go shopping, it will save you time and MONEY!
