Don’t Get The “Big Eyes” While Shopping!

Ever come out of the store (any store) and think to yourself, “Man, I really didn’t need to spend that much?”

Well, you’re not alone … you see, we all overspend from time to time. Why is this exactly? The simple answer to this question is that we, as humans, are hoarders (some more than others). Think I’m lying? Then take a good look around your house, and do a quick inventory of the stuff you have collected over the years …

“Do you really need that third TV?” I ask you now, or “Does that filled clothes closet need to be packed any further?” You know I’m right when I say that everyone needs to stop listening to the marketers when they tell us (through lies and deception) we need to buy more and more. Truth is, they are the only ones benefiting from your overindulgences, and as for you: blowing all your hard-earned cash is going to leave you with nothing but guilt and despair (trust me! Been there, done that).

I use to do the same thing when I went out shopping, and I truly know it feels soooo bittersweet when you’re in the store, and they have all this cool stuff, and your brain is telling you to buy way more than what you really need (the reason for this: you’re not thinking straight, and it’s all your brains fault). I now have a perfect solution to this problem, and if it is implemented before you enter any store (100% of them) I can almost guarantee you’ll stop buying more than you need:

Bring only enough cash for what you need (plus tax, if there is any). Then add like 10 dollars in case you need gas or something on your way there (you know what your something is, I don’t). This way, you won’t be tempted by that evil salesperson, and they won’t be able to land their filthy claws into your unsuspecting wallet (or purse, if you’re a woman and you’re reading this).

That’s it … pretty simple right? Oh yea … one more thing: always, I mean always, remember that the salesperson needs the sale more than you do (you are the boss, is what I am saying) especially if they’re getting a commission, or need to keep their job! The longer a salesperson spends with you, trying to con you into buying more than you need, the more pressure they’re going to be under from their sales manager to justify that time. Clearly stating that you don’t like the price (especially if you haven’t told them how much you expect to pay) can, and will, often lower it.

Don’t worry: You can ALWAYS get a lower price than advertised (if not, walk away and go to the next store). Want to know if the guy talking your ear off is giving you the best deal the store can offer? Then start noticing the level at which they have to keep checking a price with their sales manager (you’ll start getting good at it after a while. I’m at a second-degree black belt level, but I have years of training behind me). Good luck, young Jedi!