Shopping online can be a great stress reliever, or a huge source of stress itself, depending on who you ask. On one hand, you get to buy the things you want with your hard-earned money, and that’s a good reward in itself.
On the other hand, however, shopping for items you don’t get to have any physical interactions with detaches you with the act of buying it, taking away most of the satisfaction of buying stuff you want. There’s also a danger of getting addicted to online shopping.
Going broke from shopping is always a no-go, so here’s a few hints and tips you can make use of so you don’t break the bank while you shop online.
1. Set a Budget
As with many other things in life, it’s never a bad idea to put limits on the amount of money you should spend. Not only does this put a bit more control in your hands, having a budget can help you set realistic expectations on what you can actually afford to buy. It might be heartbreaking to not be able to buy that sweater you want, but a heartbreak now is better than a headache tomorrow.
2. Buy During Discounted Sales Deals
While it can be very tempting to buy that nice pair of jeans right then and there, imagine the pain of discovering those jeans on sale at half price just a few days after buying it. It may be tedious to think about waiting for a discount, but these deals do happen quite often. Signing up for a particular store’s newsletter will also ensure that you get to the discounts first, while their selections are still good.
3. Visit The Thrift Stores
If you’re having the urge to buy a specific item, like shoes or bags, it may be a better idea to check the second-hand websites first before going to the main online retailers. It shouldn’t come to a surprise that slightly used, or second-hand items cost much less than buying them new. Sometimes, these items haven’t even been used at all, and will still be priced like they have.
4. Do Your Shopping Off-Season
It may be a bit unsatisfying but buying items when their season has passed can net you a lot of savings. Many retailers are getting rid of the stuff they couldn’t sell last season, hence the huge discounts. Winter jackets are cheaper in spring, for example, and summer sandals are practically given away at fall. You can always keep these in your closets to use next year, and you still get to save a bit.
5. Settle With Just Window Shopping
Sometimes the crave to shop is much stronger than the act itself. Try to keep yourself from buying any new item when your cravings pop up, or simply satisfy yourself with just looking at these items online. Your craving may be temporary, but the money you may end up wasting is not.
With online shopping, the key to not getting broke is self-control and a little bit of effort. Going broke doesn’t have to be part of the deal when you buy the stuff you love. If you know where to hunt for deals, it’s still possible to walk away with a ton of new stuff without making your wallet cry.
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