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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

Newbie’s Basic Guide To Smart Shopping

1. BATTLE BETWEEN NEEDS AND WANTS

If you want to be a smart shopper, it is important to stick to what you need to buy and what your budget permits. Knowing the difference between a perceived deal and an actual deal is also a must. For instance, you find a studio that offers 80% off their Pilates classes, but you have no passion for it, then you are still wasting money if you purchase the deal.

2. CHOOSE THE RIGHT CREDIT CARD

Committing to smart shopping entails a credit card that has the best rewards. By that I mean, you must find the best card that aligns with your purchasing habits. For instance, if you intend to save more on flying then get a frequent flyer miles card. To each your own cards match.

3. GET OFF THE ELECTRONIC MAILING LISTS

Most of the stores especially those that are online makes you give out your email details. This can break your savvy shopping strategy. Being a newbie, you may not be able to resist the urge to shop once you learned about the deals available, so it is recommended to unsubscribe from the mailing list right away. This simple change will eventually break the bad habits.

4. STICKING WITH THE MONEY YOU HAVE

If you cannot trust yourself with the responsibility of holding a credit card, then stick with cash and debit card. It is best to spend the money you already have rather than to swim in a pile of debt. You may allocate a portion of your budget per month to a category called “shopping money” so you will be sure that you always have money to spare.

5. FREE SHIPPING IS NEVER FREE

Free shipping is usually offered in more expensive items and by comparing prices you will find out that an item at a lower price is much cheaper with shipping included!

Image Credits: Yoel Ben-Avraham via Flickr

So, when a website offers a free shipping minimum, it is smart to shop what you need and observe if your virtual shopping cart has reached the minimum. This not only gives you a chance to see the prices go up and down to fit your desired budget but it also gives you a chance to save even more money.

6. LOOK OUT FOR DISCOUNT COUPONS AND DEALS

Online shoppers need to know this. Why pay full price for your cart when you can save even more with discount coupons? There are many aggregators out there that offer coupons and deals for online shopping. These sites help benefits customers by giving them varied discount coupons and choices in their shopping experience, by leveraging our relationship with merchants.

For example, shoppers can easily save up to 70% with a promo code for Zalora that can be found on Paylesser.com.

Save Cash By Reusing These Vintage Things

Have you heard of the saying: “out with the old and in with the new”? If you have and you strongly believe in it then, let me change your mind with these vintage or old things that you can still reuse:

1. CLOTHES

You can recycle your gorgeously patterned old clothes by sewing it into pillowcases or teapot covers. On the other hand, you can accept mint condition hand-me-downs from family and friends especially those who have baby clothes or infant toys. Do not be too picky. These said items are not utilized a lot since babies grow significantly every day anyway.

2. PIECES OF FURNITURE

There are plenty of used pieces of furniture that you can greatly score online. Try searching for drawers, tables, chairs, and closets at singapore.craigslist.com.sg or carousell.com.

Alternatively, do not be shy to ask your friends or neighbors if they are giving away any pre-owned furniture. Be careful or do avoid the articles with fabric (e.g., couch) to prevent getting bed bugs into your home.

3. DESIGNER BAGS

Pre-loved bags that long-lived across time can be found in online shops too! With prices that are up to 80% lower than the retail price, how can you resist an online bargain deal? Start with the trusted retail websites such as madammilan.com.sg and reebonz.com.sg.

What is special about these vintage bags is that they give a one-of-a-kind twist in the modern fashion.

4. CARRIER BAGS

Give your carrier bags a chance by recycling them! Plastic bags can be reused at home as the bin bags around the flat while paper bags make as a simple wrapping paper.

5. BOOKS AND MAGAZINES

Save more money by purchasing secondhand books or magazines that still look practically new. Start with purchasing good condition used books at Evernew Bookstore, Bras Basah Complex. Evernew Bookstore has a full collection of non-fiction books, fiction books, textbooks, children’s books, and so much more.

Image Credits: Sharon & Nikki McCutcheon via Flickr with Creative Commons License

Another option of browsing books and magazines would not cost you a thing! Go to your neighborhood public library and flip through a nice book or two.

Be Healthy And Save More Money With These Awesome Veggies And Fruits Hacks

Aside from growing your greens at the community garden, use these hacks to get more nutrition and more value for your dollar…

1. COOK OR EAT BROCCOLI FIRST

Since broccoli is one of the most perishable veggies, you can save more money by eating it first. In fact, by the time you reach home, it has lost 80% of its nutritional value. This is why you must buy broccoli by heads, keep it in the perforated plastic bag (i.e., available in the grocery), and put it in the refrigerator. You must eat this within two days upon purchase.

2. OPT FOR “BIG” CARROTS

Instead of buying “baby” carrots save more money by cutting your own “big” carrots in small sticks. Also, carrots can be internally hard to break down that is why it is best to cook the carrots to get most of the beta-carotene.

Image Credits: Kona Gallagher via Flickr with Creative Commons License (ShareAlike)

3. OPT FOR SMALLER AND DARKER TOMATOES

Unlike carrots, bigger tomatoes does not it is mean better. Tomatoes on the vine are more expensive too, but they do not give a huge advantage nutritionally. You can get more nutrition and save more money by choosing the smaller and darker (red) tomatoes. Cooking tomatoes minimally is healthier as it changes the Lycopene into a more Bioavailable form.

4. COOK THE KALE

Save money on medical expenses by cooking kale. Raw kale has high oxalic acid levels, which may lead to kidney stones, gout, muscle weakness, and thyroid problems. Steaming kale destroys the oxalic acid. Then, you may happily add it on your salads or smoothies.

5. PROLONG THE AVOCADO’S FRESHNESS

Did you know that avocado contains as much fiber as two bowls of oatmeal? Well, if you are left with half of this fibrous avocado, apply lemon juice or put a slice of raw onion on top to keep it from turning brown. With this hack, you can say farewell to brown and slushy leftover avocados.

Image Credits: threelayercake via Flickr with Creative Commons License (ND)

Sources: 1 & 2

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