“Offer must end soon” - “One day only” - “While stocks last!" - "Final Clearance"
I went into town a few days ago and there were sales everywhere. Huge stickers were plastered across windows full of items at what appeared to be hugely slashed prices. Clothes, furniture, cosmetics, curtains - you name it, it was on sale.
I didn't buy a thing other than what I went in for. Plastic beakers for our picnic that are good enough to last for years at 77p for four. I bought eight.
Sales are designed to separate us and our money. They tempt us into buying stuff NOW because if we wait, we’ll miss that fantastic bargain. They don’t want us to have a cooling off period while we think about how much we really want or need the item in question, they want us to flash that credit card and walk out of the store carrying with us what might, if we’re lucky, give us a few days of pleasure. If we’re really unlucky, it’ll give us a lot of regret when the credit card bill arrives and we’ve had time to realise that the new sofas didn’t quite fit in with our room design, or the dress that looked fantastic in the shop emphasises every lump and bump.
In order to make use of sales, you have to be very confident about what you need and whether or not this particular item is the right one. Unfortunately, few of us are actually that confident and most have experience of gadgets, clothes, ornaments etc that have spent most of their lives hiding away in the darkest corners of our cupboards. I know I have - I’ve chucked out enough of them during my de-cluttering process.
Luckily some of us learn not to fall for it, even if it's the hard way.
Sharon J
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9 comments have been left:
I used to fall prey to the sales but I've started using my noddle a bit more recently. I almost bought a lovely summer jacket last week for £15 but realised that with the weather the way it is i probably won't use it this summer and it will be no good for winter so there was no point.
I usually spot something pre-sale and then if its in the sale, my size etc, it was meant to be! Otherwise, I step away from all sale things. Most shops just bring out all their old tat and stock to get shot of. I find that going to the charity shop is far more exciting and you always get something at a bargain price!
it definitely take some research and knowledge to go out and take advantage of sales in a smart and efficient way. Otherwise, it could actually take you backwards on the simplicity front.
J
http://adventuresinvoluntarysimplicity.blogspot.com/
Very, well put. I have started a minimalist lifestyle since the beginning of this year. I realized that this is the one thing that kept me from living the minimalist lifestyle before this year was the lure of sales. It is so important to keep the awareness of consumerism when we go out, especially in NYC where I live. I have some decluttering tips on my blog Urban Minimalist (http://urbanminimalist.wordpress.com/)
that may be of help to you. Good luck with simplifying.
@ Pat. I bought a pretty summer dress back in May that I thought I'd get loads of wear out of but yesterday was the first time I've worn it. Hopefully it won't fit next year (trying to put on weight) so unless the weather cheers up considerably for August, it won't have seen much daylight.
@ New Leaf. It's true about the old tat and yes, the charity shop is a far more satisfying place to have a mooch through.
@ Jack. I've fallen for their tricks too many times in the past - hence the amount of clutter I'd accumulated. No more. No way. No Sir-ee!
@ Katrina. I can imagine there are all sorts of temptations lurking around every corner in NYC, rather like in London. At least our smallish town doesn't make it quite so tempting to spend. I'll take a peep at your blog very soon.
Hi Sharon
yes sales do tempt, I find the best way is to avoid going into town completely and then I dont have the temptation. Sales seem to tempty even if you dont need the item.
ps I have lefy you an award on my blog, cant remember if I told you already or not!, so dont worry if I am repeating myself
x Dom
I don't go into town much as a rule but sometimes there's no choice. It felt good to see the sales in a different light, though.
(I've picked up the award and will be blogging about it presently. Thank you.)
You are absolutely right Sharon, I avoid shopping as much as possible and only ventured into them at sale time with a list of what was a need rather than a want. It worked, no ornaments or dust collecting gadgets for me!
You've obviously got it down to a fine art, Catz :)
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