Shelves filled with a variety of beautifully packaged products that fuel impulsive buying
As highlighted in my previous article “The Secret to Saving Money” , you earn enough every month, but where does it go? There are two strong reasons behind your inability to save money; these are chasing the “best” & “buying things beyond budget”. Today’s article delves in to how these tendencies further get a boost due to shopping malls & EMI culture. Let’s understand this by comparing how we shop from a super market and a local kirana store?
Scenario 1: Shopping from a Super Market?
How much did you spend on your last visit to a super market; approximately Rs. 4000/- to 5000/- per month, right?
Let’s see, how you buy from a super market:
You come across an angel (salesman), who gives you a trolley the moment you enter and you are tempted to fill this trolley with products you had not planned on buying. For e.g. you buy a food item thinking that ‘guests keep dropping in’. Then there are shelves filled with a variety of beautifully packaged products that fuel impulsive buying, proving the point that “jo dikhata he vo bikta he”.
Why do you buy the way you buy?
Visiting a Mall has become an event in itself. You plan in advance & travel around 15-20kms from your house. How can you then come out empty handed? You get a feeling that “Khaya piya kuch nahi glass toda bara ana”. As a result of which you feel obliged to buy things you do not actually need.
Scenario 2: Shopping from a small kirana store.
Do you often buys things beyond your specific requirements from a local kirana store and indulge in impulsive buying? No, your main focus here remains on buying what is required and getting out of the shop as quickly as possible, right? There is always a struggle to get the space in a small shop and you just manage to get your hand out amongst the crowd and usually say “Bhaiyya, jara Jaldi karna”. You are mostly engrossed in your cell phone & in all likelihood you leave your vehicle on start mode, if you are with a friend or spouse.
Conclusion:
The intention here is not to discourage you from shopping in malls but to explain how you buy and fall prey to various tactics rather than taking advantage of the same. If you can prepare a list and religiously stick to your requirements then shopping from a mall could prove to be more advantageous. Next, I will share the secrets to saving money for a couple with tips & tricks to help you invest it prudently while still upgrading your lifestyle. The whole idea is to first help you save & then explain ways to invest prudently.
Till then watch this space and shop smart!
Image courtesy:©Thinkstockphotos/ Getty images
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