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How To Overcome The Temptations Of Retail Therapy

With a population of nearly 5.7 million people, the humble Lion City is one of the major e-commerce markets in Southeast Asia. In fact, the largest segment in its e-commerce market is the Electronics & Media. This segment’s growth is understandable given that most of us relied on technology to sustain our needs during the pandemic.

Aside from this, research firm IGD Asia found that Singapore’s grocery market saw an increasing demand in its consumers. It was forecasted to become a S$9.9 billion industry by 2023. The leading players in the local online groceries were NTUC FairPrice and RedMart.

These figures highlight the increasing numbers of people who patronize online shopping. Online shopping can bring multiple benefits to its consumers, but it can also encourage retail therapy. Oh! What exactly is retail therapy?

DEFINITION

Retail therapy is the act of shopping for goods with the primary purpose of improving one’s mood or disposition. In other words, it is shopping (or window shopping) for something to make you feel better.

PSYCHOLOGY BEHIND RETAIL THERAPY

Retail therapy produces “happy hormones”.

When you are shopping, the body releases dopamine. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that plays a role on how we experience pleasure and reward. It helps reinforce enjoyable sensations and behaviors. This affects how people feel during the anticipation and acquisition of a new possession. Interestingly, the height of the blissful release is usually during the anticipation of getting a new item. Before you know it, the bliss is gone!

Retail therapy can boost the buyer’s self-esteem.

Many advertisements take advantage of how retail therapy can boost one’s self-esteem. You may be tempted by both targeted ads and SMS notifications when you are most vulnerable. Be mindful!

On the other hand, treating yourself can be strategically motivated. A 2011 study showed that consumers can exercise restraint if this act leads to improved mood.

Retail therapy has its advantage too.

The authors of a 2013 study suggests that retail therapy gives people a sense of control that counteracts the feelings of powerlessness. People tend to feel empowered when they decide what they must purchase. When done in moderation, retail therapy can bring positive effects.

However, it becomes a harmful habit if you consistently shop to cope with distress. The temporary boost associated with shopping can prevent you from seeking necessary help.

Retail therapy can affect your financial situation.

Retail therapy may affect your finances if you do not keep track of your spending. Having a budget and sticking to it can help you cushion the costs of shopping.

Spending more than what you have may lead to significant levels of debt over time. Drowning in debt can result to more distress. Therefore, it is important to have a realistic allocation for your leisure shopping activities.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND

FOLLOW A REALISTIC BUDGET

Overspending and debt are the primary negative consequences of retail therapy. Avoid these by strategically planning your spending. Create a budget and maintain your limits. Set aside a specific amount for your retail therapy each month.

If you want to shop for an item that is beyond your limit, you can plan to save up for it. Saving for a desired item can be rewarding!

TRY WINDOW SHOPPING

Much like physical or online shopping, window shopping or scrolling through an online store can positively impact your mood. The anticipation of eventual possibility of a treat releases dopamine. It gives your brain the bliss it craves for, but it does not cost a thing!

REDUCE THE TEMPTATION

Shopping apps are tempting for all types of consumers. The convenience of shopping at one’s fingertips as well as swift online payments have helped increase the online shopping tendencies of many. Because everything is convenient, there is only a small room for contemplation and clearer decision-making. Hence, you can delete the shopping apps from all your devices to reduce its temptation.

THINK BEFORE YOU PURCHASE

Everyone has bad days. If you are overwhelmed with emotions during your shopping day, give yourself a brief waiting period. Ponder about the content of your shopping cart for one to two days. Then, go back to it.

If you still feel like you want or need the item when you are in a better mood, you can get it if your budget permits it.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

CONCLUSION

Retail therapy is the act of shopping for goods with the primary purpose of improving one’s mood or disposition. In most cases, rewarding yourself with new items can make you feel better. You just need to stay within the budget.

It turns harmful when you use it as a coping mechanism to regulate your emotions (i.e., emotional spending). To relieve distress on a long-term basis, you must identify and manage its triggers. Seek professional help when necessary. Remember that retail therapy is not actually therapy!

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Worst Things To Purchase Online

As I was mindlessly scrolling through my Instagram feed, I saw an advertisement for a porcelain triple barrel hair waver. It was sold for less than S$10. Can you grasp how cheap it was? I was skeptical at first. I did not want to burn my hair for a hair tool that normally costs more than S$50. However, I took my chances and bought it online thru a popular retailer.

Online shopping sounds like a good idea, until the item you purchased disappoints you. In my case, it was the hair waver. I did not get the “beautiful beach waves” that I dreamed of. Instead, the hair waver barely worked. I did not want to trouble myself further by placing a return. I used it once and never touched it again!

I know that I am not the only one. Online shopping is a tricky platform. Nonetheless, there are some items that are best purchased in store. This way, you will be able to judge its quality up-close and ensure its perfect fit. Moreover, you will be avoiding expensive shipping fees and will be given the chance to negotiate the price.

Apart from hair tools, here are some of the items that you must consider buying in the physical store.

1. WEDDING GOWNS

While online shopping is always tricky and risky, buying a wedding dress online is one of the biggest gambles you may enter. Despite being a once-in-a-lifetime piece of clothing, many brides go to the Internet to search for tempting discounts on wedding gowns. Some of these gowns were designed to look like the latest bridal collections of renowned designers such as Vera Wang and Monique Lhuillier.

In most cases, your dream dress can turn into an unrecognizable garment on your doorstep. Imagine ordering a white dress and ending up with a lime green dress after several weeks. Dresses may come in different colors, poor materials, and crooked hemlines. If a deal is too good to be true, it probably is!

2. PANTS

Articles of clothing may not always come as it was advertised. Colors may appear different due to the studio lighting and sizing may vary from brand to brand. Thankfully, most of us have skipped wearing jeans due to the current work-from-home setup. Some of you may regret buying jeans online, because you never had a chance to wear them. While others may have purchased the wrong size.

If you are attending to your professional duties at home, it is better to invest on a comfortable pair of jogging pants or leggings. Who needs to wear a tailored pants during a Zoom call anyway?

3. BICYCLE

Health is wealth! As the world puts a spotlight on the importance of regular exercise, you may embrace the benefits of cycling. The Internet is a great place to research on bicycles and its accessories. You can read all about bike geometry and carbon fiber frames, but the information found here can be limited. It is important to purchase a bicycle that is tailored to your measurements. You can feel the specifications of a bicycle by visiting the nearest bike shop. Most cyclists do test-rides before purchasing their newest bicycle. You may do the same.

Moreover, it can be a hassle to get repairs done under the warranty on a bicycle that you ordered online. Save yourself the stress of packing it up and shipping it to the seller. With a locally purchased bicycle, you can just take it to the nearest bike shop and have it fixed.

4. CHILDREN’S SHOES

It is no secret that children grow up fast. Their feet are no exception! My mother used to draw our foot on a piece of paper and take it on a store when she bought shoes. Nowadays, you can simply order shoes with a few taps on a screen. Although you know your child’s current measurements, sizing varies among brands. If you child is size 3 on brand A, she may be size 4 on another.

It takes more time and effort to purchase several pairs of shoes in a store, but you will be able to purchase the right ones. Remember that some retailers do not offer free returns.

5. MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS

Last year, I studied how to play the Kalimba or thumb piano. I still have it with me and play its soft tunes whenever I can. I opted to purchase online as I was a beginner and I am not a professional musician. It provided a great start in discovering my musical prowess.

For professional musicians and Music students, it is a different story. These people need higher-end equipment, especially for fragile instruments such as violins and cellos. You should purchase these items in person rather than on the Web. It is important to play the instrument in person to ensure that you are getting a good value for your buck.

6. SWIMWEAR

For some people, shopping for a new swimsuit or bathing suit can be a daunting task. As such, you may opt to hide behind your computer screen and order online. The only downside of doing this is that fit can fluctuate among suits from the same brand. It is better to not take your chances with fit!

Furthermore, you may not be able to return a small swimsuit if the packaging has been opened or if there is evidence that the suit has been worn. The same restrictions can apply to other intimate apparel such as bras, purchased online.

7. MATTRESS

My uncle always highlights the importance of buying a good mattress. He works tirelessly everyday and dreams of getting home to a comfortable bed. We spend a third of our lives on the bed. This is the primary reason why you should invest on a mattress that you can use for several years. According to the Better Sleep Council, a mattress should last up to seven years.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

It is challenging to commit to a mattress that you merely saw online. A reviewer may sleep on his back and you may be a side sleeper. Your online reviews on the same mattress may be polarizing since we all sleep differently. It best to feel the material of the mattress face-to-face. Who knows? You can score a better deal during store promotions and seasonal sales!

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

Daiso Just Opened An Online Store – All For S$2

Before the likes of Miniso graced Singapore, Daiso was known as the one-stop shop when it comes to ridiculously affordable deals for anything. It sold gadgets, utensils, bathroom supplies, stationary, and more. You name it, they have it for as low as S$2!

Daiso’s roots date back in 1972 when Hirotake Yano established a shop called Yano Shoten. It mostly sold household items for 100 Yen or S$1.28. It was not until December 1977 when the Daiso we recognize today was first discovered. Ten years later, it opened its first Taiwan store and the Korea store followed a month after. New stores opened almost every year since then.

Daiso has locations in 25 countries and regions worldwide including Japan, Vietnam, Mexico, Myanmar, New Zealand, Oman, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, and United States of America.

Interestingly, Daiso Japan is the king of batteries with over 147,500,000 batteries sold each year. Moreover, a fake eyelash pack is sold every 1.3 seconds. What’s more? It just opened its Singapore online shop last January 18, 2021. Many of the products they sell are imported from Japan, China, and Korea.

Daiso Singapore’s online shop has a range of over 400 products across 25 categories including cleaning supplies, kitchen tools, cosmetics, stationery, storage solutions, and more. This is a far cry from the 100,000 products offered by the store. However, we can expect to see more products popping in their online store in the future.

For instance, the only missing category is food. While, the most well-stocked category is cleaning supplies. This is understandable given our current situation. If you cannot find what you need or want online, you can go to one of its brick-and-mortar stores in Singapore including their branches in Marina Square and Canberra Plaza.

Image Credits: facebook.com/DAISO-Singapore

Just like the physical stores, the online shop sells all items at S$2 each. Do note that the delivery fee of about S$5 applies. This is just the basic fee. The delivery fee may differ depending on the weight of the items purchased. Moreover, customers are required to make a minimum purchase of five items. So, make the most out of your delivery fee by purchasing five or more items in one receipt!

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

6 Storage Solutions For Small Spaces

As we celebrate the 2020 Singles’ Day (11.11) in Singapore, more and more retailers have converted their promotions into the e-commerce platform. According to The Straits Times report, this year’s 11.11 sales will most likely shatter the 2019’s 11.11 sales record.

Physical stores in Singapore, such as Isetan and Marks & Spencer, have started selling their products online through Lazada. Metro, will also be joining Lazada’s 11.11 promotions this year. I know it is tempting to purchase items today due to the good deals. However, being mindful is more important that giving in to your impulse purchases.

If purchasing storage items are necessary for your home, you may consider these storage ideas and other inexpensive alternatives to decorate your small space.

#1: MAXIMIZE THE SPACE BEHIND THE DOOR

For flats with tiny laundry areas, you may take advantage of the storage space behind the door. Use stick-on hooks or over-the-door racks to keep your laundry supplies and accessories. You may also mount a hook rack, if you are looking for a long-term solution.

#2: USE PEGBOARDS FOR MULTIPLE PURPOSES

From cubby holder to tool organizer, pegboards have multiple uses in one’s home. Simply mount a pegboard above your desk and use hooks or zip ties to attach your art materials and other items.

Image Credits: familyhandyman.com

Most pegboards come in two colors – white and brown. Dress it up by rolling a coat of paint with a gloss or semi-gloss finish. Remember to apply light coats to avoid clogging up the holes. You can get a 36×56 cm pegboard for S$15 at IKEA Singapore.

#3: PURCHASE AN OTTOMAN STORAGE

Investing your money on an ottoman storage can help you store unnecessary items scattered around your living area. You may either purchase a new one or revamp an old one. Aside from adding a functional furniture and a dash of glamour to your space, an ottoman storage will keep the clutter out of sight.

Lazada Singapore offers ottoman storages such as this fabric option, which retails for S$13.86.

#4: ADD A MAGIC MIRROR

Adding a mirror to your space gives an illusion of a bigger and a brighter room. If you have a blank wall space on your flat, take advantage of it with a full-length mirror. Max out the space on a small entryway by adding the mirror without the need to add a bench.

You can get a long mirror an IKEA for as low as S$7.90.

#5: CONSIDER A FLOATING WORKSPACE

Instead of filling up a cramped space with bulky tables and dressers, you may opt for floating shelves and cabinets. They can store your needs without occupying an overwhelming amount of space.

IKEA Singapore sells the EKBY ALEX for S$89. For corners and short walls that can be hard to utilize, you may use wall-hung shelves and cabinets like EKBY ALEX. Pull up a chair underneath and you are ready to go!

#6: KEEP YOUR SHOES IN ONE PLACE

The abundance of the shoes your family owns may cause a major headache when you have a small space. Do not fret! Use your creativity to tuck away your shoes in a tidy manner. You can either purchase a dresser with pull-out drawer or a shoe hanger. These will provide extra surface area for other necessary furniture in your home.

You can grab a 24-pocket hanger for your shoes in Lazada Singapore for only S$15.20. Look for other options to reap the best value for your money.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

8 Shopping Traps That Make You Spend More

Have you ever experienced going into a shopping mall or an online shop with a list in mind, and ended up buying more? Whether you shopped with an empty stomach or got entangled with several marketing strategies, stores can employ tricks to make you spend more. It is best to increase your awareness on the subtle, psychological, and clever marketing traps to help you save more money on your next bill.

On that note, here are 8 Shopping Traps That Make You Spend More:

#1: CHILDREN’S OPINION

As the Yuletide season approaches, many stores offered colorful options for children. Children have a strong influence on what goes inside the carts. Supermarkets purposely place cereals, toys, and sugary treats at a kid-friendly level. Avoid giving in to your child’s desires by leaving him or her at home when you are grocery shopping.

#2: VICTIMS OF FREE SHIPPING

The truth is, free shipping is not “free”. Retailers have already factored in the shipping costs before they release their prices. It is easy to be lured with “free shipping”, especially when you are purchasing several items online. You just have to pay an extra S$5 to S$10 on an item just to get the free shipping option. This ensures that you end up buying more than what you expect.

#3: HIDDEN NECESSITIES

Daily necessities such as dairy, bread, eggs, etc. are placed at the back of the store and far away from each other so you will be encouraged to travel the whole store to get it. Once you have travelled, you probably got more that what you initially needed. Consider going straight to the back of the store and keep your shopping list on hand.

#4: LURED BY THE NUMBERS GAME

Retailers are smart! Instead of putting a price of S$5 on a product, they will put an irregular price of S$4.99 or S$4.96 to make you think that you have scored a better deal. What’s more? They will also add the illusion of saving more money by buying more of their products. These seemingly small details actually work.

#5: ATTRACTIVE SALES

When you see the word “sale” advertised in a physical or an online store, you automatically think that you are getting a better deal. This may not always be the case. Just because something is on sale, does not mean that you have to buy it. Purchasing sale items overtime can get you on a trail of consistent overspending.

Sale traps include: “receive a free give when you spend…” and “buy 1, get 1 free”. The former may be giving away free items that the store could not sell. While, the latter is only useful for essential items such as food and toiletries.

#6: ENTICED BY THE AROMA

Imagine the smell of baked breads mixed with the fresh smell of flowers. Very attractive, right? This is why newly baked goods and fresh flowers are placed near the front door. The goodness of smell will surely make you feel hungry and keep your mood up!

Image Credits: pixabay.com

#7: RIGHT DAY TO SHOP

Interestingly, there is a “right” day to shop. Prices seem lower than usual during Tuesday and Wednesday. Moreover, you can get better discounts in the month of November. This month is so close to the Yuletide and year-end sales. You can also score good deals on January as retailers are trying to clear their stocks.

#8: RIGHT SIDE TO SHOP

Many grocery stores place popular items on the right side of the shelves to move shoppers from the left to the right. This is because all items throughout the store are strategically placed to follow the right path. Are you really saving more money by moving from left to right? Keep that in mind!

Sources: 1, 2, 3 & 4

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