Are Sales Really a Sale?

Sales are not bad. In fact, who doesn’t love a good bargain?

But I think we have to be “healthy” about sales.

I’ve been in a lot of homes over the years, and I’ve seen the downside of buying things just because they’re on sale.

I’ve seen clothes that a child never even got to wear because by the time they fit, they were already out of style.

I’ve seen food that spoiled or went rancid before anyone had a chance to use it.

I’ve seen paper towels that literally turned yellow because they had been sitting around for so long.

And I once helped someone clean out a gifting closet that was so packed with brand new toys and games she had bought “for gifts” that she ended up donating them because she wasn’t actually giving them out and she needed the space.

And this is where I think sales can get us.

We see “10 cents off!” and think, What a deal! I should buy 20!

But is it really a deal? Where will you store the item? How long will it take you to use it? Will it go on sale again way before you run out of the item?

Sometimes we get so caught up in the marketing “limited time!” “Buy more and save!” “Stock up!” -that we forget to stop and ask ourselves the simplest question:

Do I actually NEED this?

Having something “in stock” can feel like being prepared. And sometimes it absolutely is. If you know you’re going to use it, you have the space, and the savings are significant, stocking up makes sense.

But buying something just because it’s a good price (or is it even a good price?) doesn’t automatically make it a good purchase.

Before you hit “add to cart,” take a minute and ask yourself:

Is this actually a significant discount?

If it’s only saving you a few cents, is it worth buying a much larger quantity than you normally would?

Will I actually use it?

Not could  I use it. Will I realistically use it?

Do I already have something similar?

Sometimes we buy another version of something we already have plenty of.

Do I have space for it?

A bargain doesn’t feel like much of a bargain when you have to find somewhere to store it.

How many do I really need?

Will I use all of them before they spoil, expire, go bad, or become outdated?

And maybe the biggest question:

Am I buying this because I need it, or because the sale is making me FEEL like I need it?

I’m definitely not saying you shouldn’t buy things on sale. I love a bargain!

I’m just saying that sometimes the best “deal” is not buying something you don’t need.

Because saving $5 on something you never use isn’t saving $5.

It’s spending money, taking up space, and eventually having one more thing to get rid of.

So go ahead and enjoy the sale.

Just make sure you’re shopping the sale, not letting the sale shop you.

Happy bargain shopping,

Shulamis