Buy wise and lessen stress!

We do not need clutter in our lives. The more we pursue “more,” the more stressed we become. More stuff means more maintenance, involves time, energy, and resources. The truth is that more stuff makes us less happy. There comes a point when we have enough stuff, and everything above and beyond that level only creates stress.

Before making a purchase, ask yourself, “Do I really need this?” and “Why do I want it?” these questions will help you to determine the true motivation of your desired purchase. Is it a need, a self-esteem issue, or something else? You may find yourself wrestling with your true motive and decide that your reason for purchasing the item is not a good one.

Do not buy replacements for things you already have until you absolutely need them. Take better care of your possessions and remind yourself that you don’t always need to have new things.

I have a friend that believes he has to have the latest cell phone model on the market. I have used the same cell phone for over five years and it works fine. I had a priest friend that needed a new car every 18 months. I drove a Ford Explorer for ten years and it was like new when I got a new car. I was able to save and purchase a small farm by not buying what I did not need and my priest friend never had anything, but a new car that was never paid in full.

For some reason, we think we have to spend money to have fun. That’s just not so. Simplify your entertainment choices. Travel now and pay later can cost you three times as much in the end.

Some of us are living beyond our means, and the stress is killing us. I can’t tell you how much stress relief and joy can be found in selling an expensive car and buying one you can pay for in full. Selling a large home and downsizing with smaller payments can bring more happiness than you think.

Simplifying your life requires self-control. It’s about not giving in to instant gratification. Stop being a slave to impulse buying.

Have you ever walked into a department store looking for a new pair of shoes and walked out with a whole new wardrobe instead? That is impulse buying! Does your trip to the store for some toothpaste end up costing you $50? That is impulse buying! Impulse shopper make purchasing decisions based on impulse rather than planning, research and premeditation.  Retail establishments love impulse shoppers.

Retailers study how to encourage impulse buying for it is very lucrative. Bigger is better, even when it comes to shopping carts. Big-box stores line up hundreds of super-sized shopping carts at the entrance. The average shopper intends to buy only one or two items; an empty cart entices you to fill it up. The customer service desk is almost always located in the back of the store. This means you have to walk through a lot of merchandise – with eye-catching displays on the way.  The more you see, the more you buy, so say market researchers. Retailers hide high-commodity items like socks, among high-ticket items like jeans or outerwear because they know that once you’ve decided to buy socks you’ll be more open to buying other clothing items as well. Employees are instructed to put the most expensive products at eye level.  Better deals are usually at the bottom of the shelf. Sugary cereals are down by your knees, at your kids’ eye level. Grocers know that if they can’t entice you into buying it, they can get your kid to badger you into it instead. Ever wonder why every checkout counter has magazines on display?  It’s because shoppers have just enough time to skim the headlines before it’s their turn in line – but not enough time to get the full scoop.  So they’ll end up buying the magazine and probably a candy bar, too.

Avoid jumbo shopping carts. Stick to a shopping list. The more focused you are, the less likely you are to make impulse purchases. Carry a pocket calculator to compare costs. Wait 48 hours before making a major purchase and consider the pros and cons of the purchase.  Don’t let strolling the mall become your favorite form of recreation. Shop smart, save big and have less stress.