Everyone wants to save money, but putting enough away can be a drag. You might find yourself well-intentioned every time you go shopping only to come home with the same amount of money lost. How can you get ahead without scrimping? One part of saving is being mindful, which relates to not only how often you spend but also how you think while you’re shopping.
The other aspect of smart consumerism is awareness; how do brands know what you like and use your information to market to you? You are always being sold to, and knowing what businesses do to get your attention and turn you into a customer will help you be more vigilant about how easily you are persuaded into buying things you don’t really need.
Browse Wisely
Social media platforms collect personal data that they sell to marketing firms. This information gets compiled into a deidentified profile that then gets targeted through ads online. When you browse the web, the internet stores cookies, so other sites know where you’ve been and what you’re looking for. Using the internet in incognito mode can help you save money; when cookies are enabled, retailers will adjust prices based on factors like your location, browsing history, and even whether you’re on a phone or computer. It’s called dynamic pricing, and it can result in significantly higher rates if you aren’t mindful of how it’s integrated into modern eCommerce strategies.
Understand How Companies Rope You In
Do you often think about why Google or your preferred search engine shows you a certain store when you make a search query? Let’s say you were looking for cat beds. Why did a certain store pop up first? The first few search results are typically paid, but the rest are all categorized by relevance based on search engine optimization. SEO helps businesses target their ideal customers more easily. Intent SEO is a rising strategy that companies are employing to make greater sales and outrank their competitors. Intent SEO from Granwehr allows you to create value while reaching potential consumers more easily. It also helps you multiply revenue by putting solutions over simple sales language.
Upcycle
How many times have you bought something only to throw out a similar product at home? Certain things might get a little worn out over the years, but more often than not, they don’t need to be tossed. Upcycling saves money and reduces waste; you can transform everything from old jackets to furniture with the right online tutorial. Just Google whatever object you’re working with and look for ways to make it feel new again.
Only Buy What You Need
Challenge yourself to go six months without any unnecessary purchases. Brew your own coffee. Cook all your own meals. Wear what’s in your closet, and appreciate all the things you already own. Smart consumers are not just dedicated to saving money; they’re also more interested in learning how to get the most out of everything they own. When you stop buying unnecessary things, you’ll also be amazed at how much you save. Even just forgoing a daily coffee run can save you over $100 a month.
Spend on Quality
Part of learning how to spend smarter is understanding where and when it is appropriate to spend more for quality as opposed to buying what is less costly. Furniture is a peak example of this thought process. Big-ticket items that you need and expect to hold up for many years are going to be more costly than discount warehouse pieces, but over time prove that the expense was worth it. Often with cheaper options, the quality is lacking, hence the lifespan is short. Purchasing a discount sofa multiple times over the course of a few years is not more affordable than purchasing a higher quality piece initially that will have a longer lifespan.
Manage Impulses and Timing
Time management is not an obvious way to save money, but how you shop impacts your spending just as much as where and how often. Planning out time for your purchases can help to reduce impulse shopping and control the volume of your purchases as well. Procrastinating shopping can be costly whether it is weekly groceries or annual holiday shopping. Creating lists and timelines will help you to only buy what you need and can also save you money on expedited shipping costs that can result from putting off the purchase.
Patience is another hidden way to help save money. It can be hard to control the impulse to purchase every item you need to complete a project or fulfill a wish all at one time but practicing patience can help save you tons of cash. Home décor can be a great example of a way to challenge yourself to be patient. It might seem like nails on a chalkboard to not complete a room in your house in one big swoop but giving in to the compulsion to do so will not come cheap. Instead, identify the items that are most essential and pace out your purchases to complement that order. You may find that this method will also help you identify items you initially thought you needed but ultimately realize you do not.
Cancel Subscriptions
Convenience is rarely ever cheap, and the rise of subscription-style shopping is a great example of how expensive it can be to have everything you need to be delivered to your door. Not to mention, these out of sight out of mind monthly fees can really add up. Manage your subscriptions by paring them down to the essentials or challenging yourself to eliminate them together. Membership clubs for extras like athletic wear, beauty products, and gourmet snacks can also encourage you to purchase items that you do not necessarily need simply because they have been conveniently delivered to your home.
The same goes for in-app purchases. So many people have their credit or debit card linked up to their app account and agree to the original purchase price of an app without realizing what the additional fees might be. Ten dollars here and ten dollars there might feel insignificant each individual time but consider how quickly these small amounts can add up over the course of a month, or a year, then remind yourself that these are annual reoccurring charges unless you make the conscious choice to cancel.
