Impulse buying is a major weakness among us. When they contacted me for my willingness to have a info-graphic post, I wanted them to write on this topic. I have previously written about my old trusted method of controlling impulse buys.
Still at times both SMB and I make impulse purchases. The info-graphic shows the most rampant place where impulse buying happen is your grocery store. Yes, I also felt that way.
When we blog about impulse buying, we always talk (and probably think) about major purchases in malls that we make, usually the ones which cost more than a couple of $10 bills. But, even a $2 item can be purchased impulsively. Grocery stores advertise items on sale, you go to that grocers to take advantage of the on-sale items and you end up buying mark-up items as well.
Impulse buying happen in every store, minor or major. You wanted to buy a loaf of bread and get fixated to the apple pie kept very next to it, when you end up buying it, isn’t that an impulse buying? Yes it is!
Every time, in almost every shopping trip, we purchase impulsively. We do not realize most of the time but it happen to us always. We end up buying more stuff than what was listed originally on our grocery list.
Impulse buying decisions are human weakness that businesses exploit. Please read below and leave a comment about how you feel.
[Info-Graphic Credit The Pen Company]
At the end, here’s my techniques for controlling impulse buying.
- Don’t buy things just because you have coupons, get coupons for the things you want to buy instead.
- If you have a buying urge while at home, buy it after two days. Two days later you may not feel the same need.
- If you have a buying urge while at a store, buy the item on your next trip. You may not need it in next trip.
- Make grocery list and do not deviate, even if there’s a discount.
- Be strict with your children, if they don’t need certain things, they don’t need. Do not welcome nagging.
Don’t be a victim of marketing strategy, outsmart the strategy and save money! Because only you care about your money.
| SB is a husband and working as a software professional for a Fortune 100 corporation in Florida. Thanks for visiting the blog.
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Loved the infographic and the takeaway SB!
Thanks MC!
I used to be terrible with impulse purchasing; I’d buy all of the stuff that line the aisles if I could. The thing that strikes me now is that if I didn’t see those things, I wouldn’t have wanted to buy them.
Exactly thats what is impulse buying. Good that you got over it.
I’m such a Geek for infographics!
Our biggest impulse purchases seem to be going out to eat when we didn’t plan to do so. At least with most of the other impulse buys (excluding groceries) you at least have something to show for it afterward.
Who would you show off your additional pair of shoes..will they remember for more than a day or two?
My father used to say 30% savings is a 70% loss. The graphic is impressive.
Thanks Jai..going by that rule, we would starve to become 100% profitable
Awesome graphic..
We battle this constantly, to try to keep our food costs down.
Planning ahead (with meals), and creating grocery lists, is critical to curtail these impulses.
Meal planning is something I am very poor at..perhaps I would learn while blogging.
The way people view savings to me is just completely backwards. You would think you want to save a lot more considering you don’t want to work forever. However it seems that spending makes people feel better and makes working worth while. I agree enjoy yourself but so much money is wasted.
Life Well summarized!
My son can attest to my strict “buy by the list” rule for grocery trips. The other day, I only had 4 items on my list and I paused for a second to look at some sausage because I thought it was a type that I use, but had never seen at that store before. I had on intention to buy. However, my son barked at me, shouting, “Hey, that’s not on the list!” It was then that I realized the lesson of shopping by a list was hitting home for him and he’ll grow up to do the same.
Thanks for sharing Lauren. You are imparting good education on him! very important.
I’ve been a victim of impulse buying a time or two. I try to avoid it as much as possible by sticking to my list!
For me, no matter how hard I try, I often fall for it. Its too hard to control.
Ohhh I really like the infographic.
I was the queen of impulse shopping, but I have curved it now.
That’s good to know. It reduces a lot of clutter too in addition to saving money
A big factor in being able to control impulse spending is understanding how a store’s marketing strategy is designed to get you to part with your money.
Sure, sometimes a sheer knowledge is also enough.
I do #2 a lot. And usually after a couple of days of waiting I decide that I don’t actually need or want the things I would have impulse bought. I also sometimes break down how long I’d have to work to buy something if I was being paid hourly. That’s usually enough motivation to stop an impulse buy for me.
First, love the infographics, as always.
Second, I’m shocked that only 60% of women admitted to making an impulse purchase in 2011. I am guilty of making impulse purchases every time I go to the grocery store (since we’re counting those $2 buys, after all). I’m surprised how many women have significantly more willpower than I do!
right, 60% is not the real picture. Thanks for praising the graphic
These are great tips. I scan the weekly ads looking for coupons, but like you say, I look for coupons for the products I use and not simply for coupons. Unfortunately, most of the products I use don’t have coupons in the weekly ads. I’ve ‘liked’ them on facebook and signed up for emails from them. That way, I get coupons from them.
Very good strategy, never thought about tat, like Olay to get Olay coupons, huh..
That’s a whole lotta impulse buying! I bet the biggest culprit for where impulse buys happens is the grocery store. It’s really hard to get out of the with ONLY what’s on the list.
Yeah and the stores take full opportunity of that weakness
Impulsive buying just happen and the victim is not even aware of it. Very nice info graphic and very surprising statistics
One more problem which i think is related to impulse buying. While I am able to curb my impulse of buying (most of the time) I can’t stop myself thinking that expensive one is always better than the cheap item… For example. A baby trolley can cost from 100 dollar (made in china) to 500 dollar(branded). Both do same purpose while the only different is cheaper one have 8 out of 10 of the branded feature and the extra 2 feature is not frequently used. I ended up in fork out extra 3times of the cost to buy the branded trolley.
does this consider an impulse buying??
Nice sharing by you though. Thanks!
Hi SB,
I have included this blog post at my website weekly roundup