A recent study conducted about consumer buying habits by ShopSmart magazine indicated that 60% of the respondents identified themselves as impulsive buyers. This didn’t really surprise me after I considered a typical shopping experience in the grocery store. It’s like entering a minefield. When you enter through the front door, you immediately smell the fresh-baked goods. The “sales” items are prominently displayed in the center of the aisle, where the higher margin items are stocked. The motion sensors know when you are passing in the aisle, and they are triggered with enticing infomercials that get your immediate attention. Then there are the “sample” stands that provide you a taste of the day’s specials. Of course, there are always the promotional displays for the upcoming holiday. Here we are in April. Notice the additional candy displays and gardening supplies. The retailers are experts in stimulating all our senses to trigger an impulse buy.
Here are a few tips to help control our impulsive responses and get us through the minefields.
1. One of the best investments we have made in our house is the magnetic notepad that hangs on the side of the refrigerator in the kitchen. When we run out of anything, my wife always says, “Put it on the list.” The list goes with us when we shop so we know what to get.
2. With the price of gas these days, we try to limit our grocery shopping trips to one per week.
3. Before we leave for shopping, my wife checks the coupons and sales ads for things on the list to see what’s on sale. That may determine where we go shopping, so we hit the store with the best deals.
4. Don’t take the grandkids with you when you go shopping. The retailers pay big bucks for them to beg you to buy the toys and candy in the aisles.
5. Don’t go grocery shopping on an empty stomach. Your eyes will definitely be bigger than your stomach. You will wind up buying twice as much as you need.
6. 50% off sales are better than “2 for 1” if you don’t need the extra quantity.
7. Don’t necessarily think that the items on sale have the lowest prices. Check competitive brands to see if their price is lower. Store brand prices may not always be lower than the name brands.
In our current economy, every little bit helps. May you enjoy your shopping journeys, but be frugal, friends.
Keep those letters coming, folks. Send your ideas to: The Frugal Forum, P.O. Box 693, Huntley, IL 60142 or by email to: thefrugalforum@gmail.com.
