Tightwad Tuesday – curbing impulse buying
Just last week, I had to deal with a case of impulse buying. I found the most beautiful lamps at TJMaxx. I went home and spent about 3 days thinking about them. After that wait, I decided that I still wanted them and my husband was ok with that. Now, this all may seem ok, but these lamps were to be for my bedroom and I would have to buy an entirely DIFFERENT comforter set to be able to use them. The lampshades are in a color that I would like to use in my home – NOT the current color scheme.
See, I’ve been wanting to change out my bedding for a year or so now. I have resisted this “want” because it is not needed. The bedding I currently have is almost eight years old, but it still looks brand new. Now, it did cost a lot when I bought it shortly after moving into our home, but I justified that because I thought it would last a long time – and I was correct! I could probably use it another eight years and it’ll still look brand new (even with cats and a dog sleeping on it every night!).
I left the lamps in the garage after I bought them and started hunting the Internet for a bargain-priced bedding set. I found several that I thought would match the lamps, but it was going to cost a minimum of several hundred dollars for all of the needed pieces including draperies. And, you know what? I just couldn’t bring myself to spend the money! There are more important things for us to be doing with our money than buying a bedding set that I want, but do NOT need! So, my husband returned them for me yesterday and I feel all the better because of it!
So, my tightwad tip is to be careful when buying items that will “snowball” and cause you to think about buying more stuff to go with it, especially if it is an item that isn’t really needed in the first place!
I’ve had the same experience! Many times! It’s so hard, especially when it’s something for the home…
Good tip! Sometimes we can talk ourselves into anything. We need some lamps…hey they’re on sale…well now they don’t match…guess we need a new comforter. It’s any easy trap to fall prey to. Thanks for the reminder to BEWARE!
I am like you. Even after I buy something I will “live” with it awhile and make sure that I really want/need it. Usually, I put something in my cart or carry it around awhile and I can even talk myself out of buying it.