Here at Simply Frugal, I post a lot of deals. (Shocking, I know! ;)) But all these deals can be dangerous in a way. They can entice you to spend money, just because it’s a good deal. Many of the deals I share, I share because they could be a good deal for someone, just maybe not for you or myself!
Just because something is on sale, or I posted a coupon for a product that you like, does not necessarily make it a good deal. My number one goal through Simply Frugal, is to show you how to live a life with less excess. Less debt, less stuff, how to enjoy what you have and teach you how to get the stuff you need at a great price. This makes me really quite picky about what I do end up posting.
Here are four questions I ask myself to help me decide whether or not something is a good deal:
Do I have the Money to Buy it?
Probably the most important thing to take into consideration. If buying something will push you into the red or push you further from your goal of becoming debt free, then it’s probably not worth buying. No matter how happy it will make you, the happy feeling will most likely be temporary anyways. Especially once you get the bill! I’ve been there, done that!
Do I Actually Need it or Will I Use it?
Something that you use goes on sale, a pretty decent sale ta-boot. Perfect! You’ll grab as many as you can afford since the price is so great. But you failed to remind yourself that you already have about 7 bottles of unopened body wash, for example. Don’t forget your drawer full of toothpaste too! It would probably be smarter to put that money towards something you really need a the moment.
Or maybe not, if it’s a rock bottom price on the item, you may want to go ahead and stockpile more knowing that the price might not be that low for a while and your budget can allow it.
It’s completely up to you to decide if you need it or have the money to make it worthwhile!
Will it Make My Life Easier?
In my pursuit to simplify my life, this is an important question. If something needs to be dusted 8 times a day, then it’s not making my life easier. If it will take up more room then we have in our closets, then it’s not worth it. But if buying it means I don’t have to wipe the snow off the car with my arm, then the snow brush is a great investment! 🙂
Is it Really a Good Price?
There are just some things you come across and you instantly know they are a good price. But sometimes you’re really not sure if it’s a good price, especially if you’re comparing bulk prices with a smaller package price. This is where a price list can come in handy. A price list allows you to track prices on items you need at the stores you shop at each week. Over time, you’ll start noticing when particular items will go on sale and if they’re really a good price when they do go on sale.
I’m encouraging you to learn how to be a savvy deal shopper. Learn when to pass something by and when to grab it up! I try to post a wide range of deals (and many!) so that each day, some of them will work for you!
How do you decide to buy or not buy something? Let us know your tactics in the comments!
I keep a running list of things I need, the more urgent the need the higher they are on the list. (Separate from the regular grocery list.) I am constantly on the lookout for coupons and sales for items on the list.
What a great idea! Thanks for sharing!
I like this post! Finally there is some post on this kind of topic 🙂
Great article! Even when it’s on sale and I have a coupon… I still have to ask myself, do I need it? Will I use it? If I can’t use it in the next 6 months, I am not buying it. I can pass that coupon onto someone else.
Its so true just because something is on sale it does not mean you need it. Are u located in BC? I love your site.
Love this post! I used to buy lots of things “on sale” simply because it seemed like a good deal. But lately I ask myself similar questions, mostly because I just don’t have room for more “stuff”! If I don’t think I’ll use it in the next couple of months I don’t bother to purchase it. Unless, of course, it’s a really good end-of-season deal like a winter coat or boots that I know I’ll need eventually.
I really enjoyed your post! I totally agree, I see some people buying sooo much. The easiest way to limit how much you buy is walking/biking or busing to the store. I can only buy as much as I can carry.
As far as clothing and junk goes, I have a GIANT pile of stuff to sell/get rid of in my room that’s detering me from buying anything unnecessary! I need a rain coat, I’ve been eyeing a pretty yet functional one at MEC, it’s about 150$ but I figure if I don’t buy anything else then it really won’t be an issue…and obviously return it if I don’t like it (the store where I am doesn’t have it in stock…)
This was soooo me just today! The Zellers by us is working on closing out the store. Everything is 10-30% off. Payday isn’t til the 15th but I did have my credit card with me to pay for the car bill that had to be done today. I had items in my cart that were marked down but as I near the check out, I really asked myself – do I NEED any of this RIGHT now? Nope! I abonded the cart and used the $4 I did have in my wallet to buy my daugther a treat at Timmies instead and headed to the library!Much better spent.
Definitely over time I have realized that just because something is a good deal, it does not necessary mean that I NEED to have it. This takes some time to learn for sure.
I am starting a “Deals blogging community” page on my website. I am going to mention you there, love your site and hope we can work together in the future. I’ve had some not so nice incidents happen on my site recently and want to squash it all.
This is a great post! Sometimes, it is good to stop and think “am I buying it just because it is on sale?” I used to shop like that, it’s a hard habit to break!
My problem lies in sale items in stores that have high regular prices. Just because it is on sale there, doesn’t mean it is the cheapest you can find it; it might be cheaper in another store at their regular price.