The holiday season is considered by some to be the most wonderful time of the year, but it can also be the most expensive. Amid the crazy sales that Black Friday emails or social media influencers tell you about, spending can take on a sense of urgency. It’s easy to believe that you should act fast to get the best deals.
Despite all the great holiday deals, the shopping frenzy can lead to overspending and unnecessary purchases. This is where slow shopping comes in, which many shoppers plan to do this holiday season. In a study conducted by Talker Research for Affirm, “nearly 3 in 4 consumers (73%) said they took a slow approach to shopping during the holiday season.” USA TODAY
Slow shopping is the opposite of impulse shopping. This “contributes to the fact that it’s important to spend time thinking about each purchase in order to make more informed purchasing decisions.” CNBC
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When you shop slowly, you “take time to consider the need and value of each item” and “prioritize quality and wait for the best deals.” Bank rate
One simple method of slow shopping is to “add items to your online shopping cart and then wait at least 24 hours before making the purchase,” Bankrate said. This “gives you time to think about whether you really need the item, find better prices, and look for coupon codes or discounts.”
Slow shopping can make a big difference in your spending habits, so it’s possible that it could save you money. Many people “say they shop slowly to make sure they only buy things they really want,” while others “say it helps them spend more time researching their purchases beforehand and comparing different brands and styles “, USA Today reports. This may help prevent excessive shopping and make sure you’re buying exactly what you want (and need).
In addition, shoppers are using slow shopping “to take advantage of more deals and sales,” according to USA Today, which is another way to save. Plus, according to CNBC, “slow shopping also gives you more time to save for expensive items.”
Finally, slow purchases create room for initial excitement emotions — when you see a tempting price or your favorite influencer promoting a product — pass. “When you give yourself time to let go of your emotions or give yourself time to reassess your needs or wants without worrying about missing out on a deal, you can make a more informed buying decision,” Voroh told CNBC. “Often this will mean avoiding an impulse buy.”
yes First, shopping slowly “can take a lot of time, leading to over-analyzing your purchases,” and that can cause you to “miss out on deals or limited-time offers” because of the wait, Bankrate said.
One example of when slow shopping “might not work” this time of year is “if your kid is hoping for a hot toy for the holidays,” CNBC quoted Walroch as saying. “The most popular toys are usually under 30% off during the holiday season, so if you find a good sale, you can buy the item so it doesn’t sell out.”
Another risk of waiting too long to pull the trigger? “Shipping delays,” CNBC said.
How else can you save this holiday season?
Slowing down time shopping this season This is a great way to avoid overspending, but there are other ways to save:
Have a budget. Determining in advance how much your vacation plans will cost—and how much you can afford to spend—will help you stay realistic.
Make a list and stick to it. Decide ahead of time what you’re going to buy and who you’re buying it for, then stick to that list as you shop.
A bunch of savings. In addition to sales intelligence, “find coupons and freebies that can be earned from signing up for a store mailing list or mobile notifications,” according to USA Today. And if “you’ve saved rewards from your credit or debit accounts, use them.”
