Impulse buys

firebubble

I rarely buy anything unless I have identified I need it before I go to the shops - I used to waste far too much money on 'bargains'. It wasn't always the case though, and back in my twenties I got myself into horrendous debt from impulse shopping.

I realised though I prefer to have less but better stuff, which I use until it's used up or falls apart.

Last autumn I went shopping with a friend - we both saw a beautiful jacket in a shop which was £300. I decided to buy it. Apart from some cheap tshirts in the summer, it was the first clothing I'd bought that year. My friend was staggered that I'd paid £300, and proceeded to tell me proudly how she limited her shopping to a £20 a week charity shop rummage. I pointed out that her 20 a week was a £1000 a year, and that I wouldn't reach that amount in shopping costs, which was why I felt comfortable buying the coat.

It was the perfect example of why a weekly bargain isn't necessarily a bargain, but you pays your money and you takes your choice...

Siebrie

Jellytotts, that bathroom renovation stuff was very smart shopping! You knew exactly what you needed (e.g. a tap), probably adapted it to what you wanted (e.g. chrome), and then hit when it was a good price.

I don't really do impulse buys, but I do do opportunistic planned purchases; I have a list of things I need or would like to have. My husband, on the other hand, is the impulse buyer: he has 13 winter coats, 31 button down work shirts, 24 pairs of shoes (more than me and my daughters have together)......

pattypan4

VfM4meplse wrote: »

Don't bin them, stick them on Oleo / Freecycle / Gumtree as a freebie or donate to a food bank (some supermarkets also have these baskets after the tills).
.

I thought about that but then realised that I would simply be passing very unhealthy obese-making foods onto vulnerable people. My conscience would not let me do it and all cheap biscuits etc are now binned. I did keep some lovely local crafted chocolates and gave some rubbish hotel chocolat to the newspaper girl.
I am not really that bad with impulsive buying tbh, re the crockery, I have been looking for quite some time, saw what I liked in harts, reduced so it is on its way to me. My wool was impulsive but I can see that 4 x 800g of top quality yarn will always be used, beautiful yarn and was definitely impulsive.

pattypan4

another buy that was absolutely impulse, same category as the christmas nibbles. A magazine, I never normally get magazines but grabbed a christmas good housekeeping. I flicked through it today, was rubbish, full of adverts and recipes and sparkle dresses. A bad buy, won`t do that again

VfM4meplse

pattypan4 wrote: »

I thought about that but then realised that I would simply be passing very unhealthy obese-making foods onto vulnerable people. My conscience would not let me do it and all cheap biscuits etc are now binned. I did keep some lovely local crafted chocolates and gave some rubbish hotel chocolat to the newspaper girl.
I am not really that bad with impulsive buying tbh, re the crockery, I have been looking for quite some time, saw what I liked in harts, reduced so it is on its way to me. My wool was impulsive but I can see that 4 x 800g of top quality yarn will always be used, beautiful yarn and was definitely impulsive.

Those with alcohol addiction could often benefit from the calories, but yes I do understand the logic here.

pattypan4 wrote: »

another buy that was absolutely impulse, same category as the christmas nibbles. A magazine, I never normally get magazines but grabbed a christmas good housekeeping. I flicked through it today, was rubbish, full of adverts and recipes and sparkle dresses. A bad buy, won`t do that again

Agreed I wouldn't spend on magazines now the way I did before. But I do spend about an hour a month at the library - usually on a Saturday afternoon - looking at GH, Red, Prima etc. Occasionally I pick up a bit of pop wisdom, ideas for the home and more often new cake ideas

Caramac

Some Libraries let you download magazines for free. I tend to do it if I see an article I fancy reading when I’m at the checkout. It’s not ideal as I used to love flicking through magazines and reading them online is not the same but it does save a £5.

I have been guilty of impulse buying but generally nowhere near £200 a month. This year I have been really restrained during the sales and bought some Body Shop eau de parfum and a nail file. The perfume was one I wear and they only put stuff in the sale if it is being discontinued.

purpleybat

pattypan4 wrote: »

I did some impulse buys on christmas nibbles, real wasted impulse buys, I am just about to bin this high carb/high sugar rubbish. If I had not gone out, I would not have bought them. Same with bottles of lemonade, down the sink they go, I do better on water.
s

could these not go to friends, family or neighbours? maybe as a trade for something you do like to eat/drink?
me and my pals do this quite often, better someone has the benefit of them rather than the bin

calicocat

pattypan4 wrote: »

I did some impulse buys on christmas nibbles, real wasted impulse buys, I am just about to bin this high carb/high sugar rubbish. If I had not gone out, I would not have bought them. Same with bottles of lemonade, down the sink they go, I do better on water.

My spur of the moment crockery is coming today, very excited, a self-indulgent impulse buy. I am similar to calicoat, my impulse buy candles will slowly but surely be sent on as presents, not wasted. Its the internet, bad weather and boredom that does it for me. Not forgetting the endorphins

Candles never go to waste, I daren’t even count them. However I do use them they are never wasted , I also make more candles with the bits left over.....:D.

Any food you don’t want give to a neighbour or food bank.

I totally understand the boredom too as I ‘browse ‘ on the ruddy internet too much....much better to be on MSE me thinks. :T makes you get back to your goals.

I’m actually getting bored of the shops to be fair, so today have spent my time tidying and organising a few things better. This way I know what I have and will be reminded of that, and less likely to impulse buy. I have put all my room sprays into a Moroccan basket (impulse buy), all in one place instead of in every room and cupboard. About 30 bottles, so no need to buy those for a while.

To be honest I get a real kick out of getting organised too as well as shops, so today has been a double win. I have definite hoarding tendencies which I have been in control of now for around 7yrs.....but being extremely organised can mask this . I also like to be prepared in advance.....which equals a type of hoarding. It’s finding a balance isn’t it.

Anyhow, life would be very dull without the odd impulsive buy wouldn’t it. Life without any impulsivity would be boring. So as long as it doesn’t rule your life, it’s just part of the tapestry.


No impulse but planned, bought easel for huge canvas I bought months ago. I’m going to paint the cat before she is no more ( 20yrs).

I also bought whatever it’s called that you get to make a clippy rug. I thought lots of my stupid clothes can be made into a rug. A reminder of the thousands I have wasted over the years ( not in a bad way) but a good way.


I’m excited for you......new crockery, enjoy.

VfM4meplse

calicocat wrote: »

Candles never go to waste, I daren’t even count them. However I do use them they are never wasted

Me too! I have an ottoman seat full scented candles (it smells delightful btw), 100% of which were impulse buys from Poundland - half price tins at 50p each - and larger glass candles reduced to silly prices in B&M. Its just occurred to me that I bought these nearly 2 years ago when I was trying to track down a vacuum cleaner.

calicocat

VfM4meplse wrote: »

Me too! I have an ottoman seat full scented candles (it smells delightful btw), 100% of which were impulse buys from Poundland - half price tins at 50p each - and larger glass candles reduced to silly prices in B&M. Its just occurred to me that I bought these nearly 2 years ago when I was trying to track down a vacuum cleaner.

All of mine are bargain buys too. I have them stored in a cupboard in the dining room. It always smells lovely. Can’t remember the shop now but went bust years ago, and I’m talking 10 plus, I still have candles from there, and they still smell wonderful . It wasn’t the Past Times shop, but something similar before they closed. I also still have an amazing cushion cover from there that had been £55.00 and I got it for 50p. Still looks like new years later.