Lazy Man and Money

  • Blog
  • Home
  • About
    • What I’m Doing Now
  • Consumer Protection
    • Is Le-vel Thrive a Scam?
    • Is Jusuru a Scam?
    • Is Beachbody’s Shakeology a Scam?
    • Is “It Works” a Scam?
    • Is Neora (Nerium) a Scam?
    • Youngevity Scam?
    • Are DoTERRA Essential Oils a Scam?
    • Is Plexus a Scam?
    • Is Jeunesse a Scam?
    • Is Kangen Water a Scam?
    • ViSalus Scam Exposed!
    • Is AdvoCare a Scam?
  • Contact
  • Archive

6 Proven Ways to Stop Blowing Your Budget While Shopping

March 17, 2016 by Michelle Fitnpoor Leave a Comment

You’re at the store and you see it: the most awesome and amazing item you’ve ever seen. You just have to have it – now. But you came here for a new pair of socks or a carton of milk, not this new thing, and you try to remind yourself of that. However, as you round the corner of the checkout line, you go back and put it in your cart. It’s only one thing, right?

Most stores are designed to be temptation central, a place for you to find what you came in for and more. That means lots of blown out budgets and items getting charged to credit cards. But there are ways to stop yourself before you get out of control. These 6 simple steps can get you in and out of a routine shopping trip without your wallet taking a hit.

6 Steps to Stop Unplanned Purchases

Take a Handwritten or Printed List

With smartphones in your pocket, you most likely have abandoned the handwritten shopping list. But there are a few reasons why you should go back to writing everything down yourself. First, it helps you plan ahead. Knowing what you need and where it is located in the store can help you visualize your shopping trip before you step in the door. And, having a list in hand to cross out or check off, is a great practice of focus and goal setting.

Leave the Cards at Home

If you have to pay in cash, you’ll find it much harder to buy the object. However, coming to the store with enough cash is a bit risky, especially if you are unfamiliar with prices or aren’t sure if you can use a coupon. Instead, head to the ATM before you get in the store (don’t use the one there). Get enough cash for everything you estimate plus about 10% more in case you need it.

Avoid Temptation Stations

Most stores are designed to attract your attention from the very get-go, which is why all the newest and most popular items are upfront or advertised in larger flyers. Avoid this by using a less frequented entrance, such as through a garden center. For those who are tempted by clearance sections, stick to the middle of the store or away from end caps where those deals are most likely to be found.

Put It In Your Cart

If the item is too big a temptation, place it in your cart and walk around the length of the store. During your walk, ask yourself four important questions:

1. Do you have the budget for it?
2. Do you already have one that works/good condition?
3. When will you use it and how frequently?
4. Do you need it today?

By the time you get through these questions and do the full walk through of the store, you will likely see that you don’t need it after all and will want to put it back.

Check In With a Friend

Like all vices and even addictions, having an accountability partner is key. For shoppers, this person may be a spouse who knows your family’s financial position or a trusted and honest friend who has a frugal side. Whomever you pick, have them on speed dial when you find yourself eying a new pair of gloves or a video game for your collection. Have them repeat the four questions and see what their opinion is on it once you are done. If they give it the greenlight, buy it.

Put It on Hold

If you still want that item badly, try putting it on hold for however long the store will give you. Then, give yourself a break. Try not to think about it for a few hours now that you are away from the price tags and the shopping carts and see how you honestly feel about it. More than likely the attractiveness of the store display or the rush to get a good deal can cloud your judgement. However, if you are still dreaming of it several hours later, do some research. Can you get it cheaper online or at another store? Does it go on sale at a certain point in time?

Bad shopping habits die hard, especially for impulse shoppers (I know; I’m one of them). But by following a few simple steps, you can keep yourself in check, control your urges, and stick to your set budget.

Filed Under: Spending Tagged With: shopping

Last Chance Christmas Shopping

December 21, 2013 by Lazy Man Leave a Comment

That title feels a little weird to type on the 21st. I’m sure that many people still have some shopping left to do and can pick up what they need locally. Truth be told, I’m in that position myself. I need a couple of gift cards to finish up my shopping too.

However, if you are like me, you do much of your shopping online. I really don’t like dealing with the crowds. Unfortunately, for most shopping online, time has either run out or is just about to run out. The “just about to run out” is what I wanted to write about today. With tomorrow being Sunday, there really isn’t much time to get something shipped to you for next Wednesday.

One of the options left is to sign up for Amazon Prime and order by tomorrow, Sunday. The free two-day shipping on millions of products* will have you sounding like Ebenezer Scrooge on Christmas morning: “It’s not too late!”

If you need a little inspiration on what to get people this Christmas, I humbly suggest the Lazy Man’s 2013 Holiday Gift Guide.

* I thought millions was an exaggeration, but it isn’t according to Amazon.

Filed Under: Spending Tagged With: christmas, shopping

Finishing with Last Minute Shopping (and Personal Finance Links)

December 15, 2010 by Lazy Man 1 Comment

While my wife is out of town, I have a little opportunity to get a few things from the Christmas list. So while I’m out running around instead of writing new, interesting articles for you, why not completely cop out? Here are a couple of gift guides from the last couple of years:

  • Lazy Man’s Gift Guide 2009 – I still love the Plano shelving from Wal-Mart. It practically lines my whole garage now. The only thing that tops it were the BAGGU Reusable Shopping Tote – 6-Pack, but they seem to be much more expensive this year.
  • 15 Products that save Time, Money, and Space – Though the list is a little dated, some of the products on there are ones we still use every day.

If I were to recommend one product this year, I’d make it Dungeons & Dragons: The Complete Animated Series. Clearly, a cartoon from my childhood isn’t for everyone. However, for under $7.50 the 9 hours of entertainment of all 27 episodes can’t be beat. There are some two types of shows from my childhood, those stand on their own today and those that, well fit the “what was I thinking?” mold (Dukes of Hazard and Knight Rider come to mind). This cartoon is still amazing today. In re-watching them recently, I realized that the characters set it apart… they matured throughout the show. The other thing it had was a continuity to it, much like you would see on How I Met Your Mother or a similar show. I’m sure the D&D theme may scare some away, but it wasn’t really about that so much as a bunch of lost kids trying to find a way in a crazy world and putting others ahead of themselves.

Okay, time to stop gushing now and bring out the links:

Money Writers:

  • Brip Blap presents 10 tax deductions you don’t want to overlook.
  • Digerati Life on building a better blog & bootstrapping an online business.
  • Frugal Dad with holiday safety tips for home and away.
  • Generation X Finance talks about five year-end financial moves for a better New Year.
  • Million Dollar Journey goes over how RRSP withdrawals work.
  • Money Smart Life posts IRA contribution limits.
  • My Dollar Plan shares the most expensive Christmas gift ideas you don’t want to miss.
  • The Sun’s Financial Diary discusses why you should not get married (financial speaking).

Top PF Posts:

  • Free Money Finance talks about when a money-saving item ends up costing you.
  • The Smarter Wallet posts major credit card mistakes to avoid.
  • Saving Advice presents ten financial films worth watching available from Netflix.
  • One Million and Beyond shares 4 ways to save on gifts this Christmas.
  • PF Stock asks how does my income compare?
  • Saving Money Today blogs about 7 things you shouldn’t purchase until after the holidays.
  • Fine Tuned Finances goes over ridiculously priced products that we continue to buy.
  • Christian PF with 6 strategies for improving your finances.
  • Pop Economics on using the “small wins” strategy to achieve big goals.
  • Kiplinger goes over some of the best values in private colleges.

Filed Under: Links Tagged With: shopping

Second Black Friday: Will (or Did) You Shop?

December 26, 2008 by Lazy Man 7 Comments

I’ve caught a couple of news segments saying that today is a second black Friday. Makes sense to me. Here are just a few of the reasons why today might be such a good shopping day.

  • Day Off of Work – When Christmas falls on a Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday, people generally have to work the following Friday. With Christmas on a Thursday, most employers seem to be giving employees a four day weekend.
  • Gift Cards – Anyone who got a gift card yesterday is probably going to want to cash it in. The earlier the better in this economy where you don’t know if the company is going to be around in another month.
  • Deep Discounts – Things were already ridiculously cheap during the shopping season. Some analysts are saying that they’ll be even cheaper now that they don’t have the holiday season to boost sales.

With all these in mind, I’m going to head to Circuit City and see if I can use a gift card that I’ve had there for too long. I’m also going to take a look at the Amazon Friday Sale since I can do it without dealing crowds. After that, I’m off to watch the Celtics attempt to start up another 19 game win streak like the one that got snapped last night.

Did (or are you) going shopping today? If so, what are you looking to pick up? Where are going and where are the best deals?

Filed Under: Spending Tagged With: black friday, shopping

What Example are You Setting with Baby’s First Bunny Bank?

June 29, 2008 by Lazy Man 11 Comments

baby-bunny-bank.jpgMy wife and I got invited to a Christening the other day. In fact the Dad might even be reading this post. (If you are reading, G, we aren’t likely to make the 3,000 mile trek. We will be doing Relay For Life). Anyway, we wanted to send a gift for the new baby. In fairness, it wasn’t really a “we”, I often outsource these tasks to Energi Gal (thanks Honey).

During her search she came up across this item… Tiffany’s Bunny Bank – Baby’s first savings account. The $1,225 price tag sure is a lot of savings. If that money was invested and it earned 6% a year (not an unreasonable amount after taxes, inflation, and investment fees), it would be worth more than $54,000+ in 65 years. That’s real, spendable money in today’s dollars. If he uses the money when he’s 80, he could go on a spending spree of $129,600 (again in today’s value of dollars).

I get the feeling I know what Cap would say about this purchase. Is this just something for the rich uncle to buy? I just love the irony behind this product.

Filed Under: Spending Tagged With: baby, bank, bunny bank, christening, new baby, relay for life, shopping, tiffany

As Seen In…

Join and Follow

RSS Feed
RSS Feed

Follow Me on Pinterest

Search The Site

Recent Comments

  • Wesley on The Google Pixel Watch is an Unmitigated Disaster, but…
  • Lazy Man on The Google Pixel Watch is an Unmitigated Disaster, but…
  • Wesley on The Google Pixel Watch is an Unmitigated Disaster, but…
  • Lazy Man on The Google Pixel Watch is an Unmitigated Disaster, but…
  • David on The Google Pixel Watch is an Unmitigated Disaster, but…

Please note that we may have a financial relationship with the companies mentioned on this site. We frequently review products or services that we have been given access to for free. However, we do not accept compensation in any form in exchange for positive reviews, and the reviews found on this site represent the opinions of the author.


© Copyright 2006-2023 · Perfect Plan Publishing, Inc. · All Rights Reserved · Privacy Policy · A Narrow Bridge Media Design