Remember that moment when you shopped with your friend, and you were debating whether or not to buy that cool new thing you found? Maybe it was a leather jacket, another pair of overpriced jeans, or maybe even....a puppy!
You probably furrowed your brow in deep thought, knowing you needed to be practical and NOT spend extra $, but your friend said: "Just get it!"
You respond with a doubtful facial expression. "Um, I don't know.....should I? I really like it, but I-"
"Buy it! You want it, so get it."
Secretly, those are the words you wanted to hear. Yay! You think gleefully. Your heart races, you give a satisfied smile to nobody in particular, and hurriedly step in line before you change your mind. Of course, as you leave the cash register, you're struck with a nasty feeling of guilt. I shouldn't have done that.....after all, I already HAVE a pair of crocs. But these were light blue! And I wanted them! I don't own any light blue ones, but now I do, whoo hoo!
*Disclaimer: nobody should EVER purchase crocs. Not for leisure, not even for rafting. They're just plain ugly. Crocs were used strictly for sake of an example in this blog, and no other. * Anyways.....
We've all experienced a similar situation. Buying something you really wanted, but didn't need. We justify it by arguing we had a bad day, and needed a pick-me-up. Or, the fact that we haven't shopped in "fooooreever."
If you'd gone shopping alone, would you have splurged at all? It's easy for another person to chime in with a "yeah, just buy it" because, well, nobody likes to hear the word "no." People want to see success and positive exchanges, not boring 'ol rejection and/or caution. Bottom line? Your money is not near 'n dear to others. It's only near 'n dear to y-o-u. Outsiders don't know your your money limit. They make think you have infinite amounts!
Sales reps and cashiers encourage you to get that extra tank top, not because they want you to own a kick-butt wardrobe. It's their JOB to make you buy their products! Yeah, it's easy to give in when the kindly man says, "did you want to pick out another one? They're buy one, get one 50% off!" Those deals sound excellent, but do the math first. If that sparkly red tank top is $29.99, that second one will still cost more than $15. For some, it's a hefty hit on their checking account.
With Christmas around the corner, it's important to know the difference between what you want and what you actually need. I fall victim to the "but I deserve to buy something" scheme sometimes, but I do strive to be frugal. Heck, I have to be frugal since I'm not a millionaire yet. Ha.
Next time you shop with your pals, don't pressure them to buy something they only THINK they want. At the same time, if you have intense doubt but your friend says "just do it" use your head and think: it's my life, my cash. Can I afford to spend money today? You have to work hard for your money, so is that lust-worthy product more valuable than the money in your purse/wallet? Ka-ching, ka-ching.
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