Buzz
If you're facing a big shopping weekend like Memorial Day or Black Friday, unsure of what to buy, where to shop, or how to assess whether you're getting a good deal, here are four tips to guide you through the process:
If something exists, there’s likely a sale for it.
If it’s not on sale, consider skipping the purchase.
The best deal is simply getting an item you were already planning to buy at a price that works for your budget.
It’s a bad decision to buy something on sale if it doesn’t fit your budget, even if it costs less than it would once you’ve saved up for it.
This advice is particularly crucial right now, especially as many are feeling uncertain about their job security and future income. With the ongoing pandemic and economic struggles, staying within your budget is much more vital than splurging on that 5-foot-tall inflatable corgi-shaped lawn sprinkler—no matter how tempting Kohl’s’ price drop from $59.99 to $53.99 may be for the Big Mouth Inc. Corgi Yard Sprinkler.
(Just so you know, that’s only a $6 discount—and honestly, it doesn’t even resemble a corgi all that much.)
You might also want to reconsider purchasing a bottle of Augustinus Bader The Cream—which The Strategist pointed out is a celebrity favorite—because when I checked, the single ounce of luxury cream no longer appears to be on sale. You’ll shell out $170 for it if you’re set on buying it—but remember Rule #2, and you probably shouldn’t.
One of those “best Memorial Day sales” lists—just to clarify, this isn’t one of them—recommended I grab a pair of Levi’s Wedgie Fit Women’s Jeans for $49.99 (down from $98). Yes, they are made to give your butt a little extra lift. No, I’m definitely not buying them.
What will I be purchasing this Memorial Day weekend? Will I go for tech deals, furniture bargains, or mattress discounts? Well… maybe. I’m considering grabbing a new set of sheets. My current ones are three years old, and there’s space in the budget for a fresh pair.
But before I make any purchases, I’ll stick to my usual good advice: I’ll figure out what kind of sheets I want (probably percale), then I’ll check if they’re on sale, then I’ll assess whether the sale price aligns with my budget. If I can’t find exactly what I’m looking for at a price I’m comfortable with, I won’t make the purchase.
Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned about sales, it’s that there’s always another major holiday sale just around the corner. Before we know it, the Fourth of July will be here.
