What is going on in our world? As a savvy shopper I watch Groupon for deals on stuff that I need and often enough there is something that comes up that is a good deal. Here is a little side note BE CAREFUL. There is all kinds of stuff on Groupon that you think you need.
I use the 24 hour rule to make sure. Simply put if you see an advertisement for any product, whether you are in a store, online or even driving the car, if it is not a planned purchase then wait 24 hours. There are very few “deals” that I have missed by implementing the 24 hour rule but a ton of things that I thought I needed and 24 hours later had forgotten that I needed them!
Waiting 24 hours does 3 things. It:
- Gives you the opportunity to check with your plan or your spouse (whichever is appropriate)
- Gives you opportunity to check with God (remember it is His money not yours)
- Separates you from the emotional manipulations that marketing and advertising intentionally use to get you to buy stuff. (and yes they are very good at this)
Take a look at this example I found
Look at the savings – I can get a Prenuptial Agreement for 75% off the regular price, only $24! What a deal – except I am married and don’t plan on leaving my wife – ok so not every Groupon is for me. But look down, I can go out for a meal for only $15 – now that is a deal! Right? Well it is, if I am planning a night out with my wife. (But this restaurant is not 28 miles from home it’s closer to 50) The key word being PLANNING. 20-30 % of all Groupons go unused. Don’t be a statistic!
Finally the portrait – Now that is one you just can’t say no to, right? I mean the kids get older every day! I hear you all but before you buy always look at what you get – remember the advertised price gets you in the door but once there and you see those precious pics you will want more. Find out what is included
- Studio photo shoot, with session fee included (a $14.99 value)
- Single-image portrait CD (a $79.99 value)
- Six natural-colour portrait sheets of up to six different poses, each of which is available as one 8″x10″, two 5″x7″s, four 3.5″x5″s, or eight wallet-sized prints (a $59.94 value)
- One enhanced 10″x13″ print (a $29.99 value)
Everything here I understand except the “single image CD” which happens to be the biggest cost. I need to ask what that is. Now I need to make a phone call. How many of us would make that call? Would we not just buy it after all even if we don’t include the “single image CD”? We would be getting all the other stuff for only $35
The question here is not a right or wrong question, it is a “Have I planned it” question.
9 times out of 10 if you have not planned it you did not need it, until you saw the advertisement! And that my friend is the power of advertising: creating a perceived need.
The antidote: 24 Hours!
As you can tell I am all for saving money and I have absolutely nothing against couponing or Grouponing (is that a word?)
JUST REMEMBER: PLAN WHAT YOU SPEND AND THEN SPEND WHAT YOU PLAN! With or without the coupons.
If you have to have it then wait 24 hours and see if you still need it, my bet is you will have a clear picture and a better spending plan.