I was looking at my cart and was wondering how I got here. I had bought so many things that I now needed to order a taxi. This was not the plan at all because I planned on buying just a few things and now I can barely even carry my purchases in one hand.
Yeah, there is that part of me that is happy and elated, I got some nice deals but still I feel bad and guilty. Even though I got nice discounts, I still bought a lot of unnecessary things. Funn y thing is, this is not the first time this is happening but this time just felt different.
Sometimes I walk into the supermarket especially пятерочка with the determination to buy milk. Just milk. Not a single extra item. I even repeat it like a mantra: “Milk, milk, milk.” But as I step through those automatic doors, I am hit by the smell of freshly baked goods as I call them.
My goodness, those things are so good. Some weeks, what I am addicted to is basically meat pie with a Russian twist and the funny thing is that the price is so cheap, so I buy two. After that I think I need greek yoghurt, I am kinda addicted to that stuff too and on and on, until I leave the supermarket with much more than I intended. And just like that, I enter the rabbit hole of endless impulse purchases.
Let’s move to the juicy part of this article and I have come up with ways you can shop smartly without going off track.
1. Make a List and Stick to It– Write down exactly what you need no more, no less. Treat it like a sacred scroll that cannot be altered. Trust me it works, I find that the times I spend less and actually buy what I need are the times I have a list. Yes, sometimes I still go out of line, but my list always serves as a check for me.
2. Don’t shop on an empty stomach- Shopping on an empty stomach is like crossing the road without looking left or right, it is dangerous and regrettable. Many times when I go shopping without eating it’s like recipes and ideas of what to cook start bombarding me and at that moment, I just want to buy everything. My advice? Have a snack before you head out.
3. Set a Budget: Decide how much you’re willing to spend before entering the store. I even go as far as moving the money I want to spend to another card or account so that it is clear that this is what I am using.
4. Avoid Aisles That Tempt You: If you know clothes or perfumes or like me baked stuff are your nemesis, steer clear of that aisle. The chances of you buying something unnecessary is higher when you are around your weaknesses.
5. Use Self-Checkout: This way, you can scan items without being tempted by the cashier’s friendly smile and suggestions for impulse buys.
Which of these work well for you?
