Only buy what you need, not what you think you need

in #frugal6 years ago

It's confession time. I'm guilty of loading up on 'super specials' and then finding they reach their 'use by' date before we've eaten them.

Sound Familiar?

Well, I'm not surprised as this is one of the biggest mistakes extreme couponing and bargain hunters regularly make. Over estimating the amount of product to buy when it's selling for a crazy price.

Now don't get me wrong, stocking up isn't a bad thing, but overstocking is.

Stocking up isn't a bad thing, but overstocking is.

The tip is to only buy what you need and can consumed in a reasonable time frame or that 30% savings you just made could be wiped away, when you have to toss a few of those items away.

And what I've noticed is 'special deals' seem to come around on a regular basis anyway, so figure out what that time period is and stock up accordingly.

Because depending on the products it could be fortnightly, monthly or even quarterly before you see it on sale again.

I remember reading about a person stocking up on toilet paper because it was 'so cheap' and they actually filled a second bathroom full of toilet rolls, which made the bathroom unusable.

But someone forgot to tell them, they'd be on special again within the next month.

Living Frugally is as much about living with a smaller footprint as it is as saving money.

Only buy what you need, and remember the next sale is just around the corner.

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