10 Tips to survive the Christmas sales like a pro

Shopping 101: How to survive the Christmas sales like a pro?

Perin Sidhu

17 Dec 2015

updated the 3 May 2019 à 13:48

We know you’re itching to spend with all the red tags around but before you do, you might want to read this guide first.

1/10
Make a list
Kickstart your sale shopping by making a list. While most of the sale items might be a surprise, head over to the store's website for a general overview of what you can find. This makes it easier to make a list of items to look out for.
2/10
Plan your budget
It is important to plan a budget. You do not want to just spend all your money in one store. Refer to the list you've made and give yourself a budget for each shopping pitstop.
3/10
Use new notes
It has been shown scientifically that individuals tend to spend less when they are using a new note. All we know is that this tip is great for individuals who have dificulties sticking to a budget. For the rest of us, breaking your cash into smaller denominations will help.
4/10
Leave your credit cards at home
We are all ready to leave the house but wait! Do not forget to leave your credit cards at home. Due to its casheless nature, it is always easy to overspend during a sale period without knowing. Use cash whenever possible.
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Dress comfortably
Now that you have made a list of items, planned your budget and left your credit cards in the drawer, it is time to choose an outfit. Opt for something comfortable which will make squeezing through the crowds easier.
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Eat before you shop
Great, we are all ready to head to the stores and shop our hearts away. Before doing so, grab a meal. Research has shown that individuals tend to engage in impulsive shopping habits when hungry. Think of it as spending money on items to curb your hunger. Eat light and take water breaks in between your shopping trips.
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Plan your time well
Now that you are in the store, take a good look around. How does the queue look like? How's the crowd size? Plan your time well so that you not only have sufficient time to shop but enough to also visit the fitting rooms and pay afterwards.
8/10
Avoid the red sale tags
Sale price tags are often made in red and big bold letterings. This attracts the shopper to the rack as he/she thinks that those must be the best deals in the store. If it is a storewide sale, we recommend looking through the regular priced items first before making your way to that crowded rack of sale items. This way you are maximizing your discount offers.
9/10
It is best to shop alone
During sale periods, your stress levels tend to rise and shopping with a friend of the same gender may just lead to your choices being influenced. Research has shown that shopping with anyone for more than 30 minutes results in your choices being influenced by theirs.
10/10
Shop with a man
If all else fails and you need someone to monitor your shopping, shop with a man. Psychologists have predicted that a man and woman can only shop for one hour and 12 minutes before the man gets agitated. The woman soon loses interest in shopping afterwards. Well we would think of this tip as killing two birds with one stone - not only are you staying within your budget, you are spending time as a couple.

As we gear up for the final leg of festive shopping, it’s time to prepare for the most unexpected of deals. Whether you’re shopping online or in a physical store, there are always some tips which can come in handy to make your shopping experience a pleasant one.

It has been shown scientifically that shoppers tend to experience high levels of stress during periods of sale. This leads to a change in behaviours and we may end up buying things we don’t actually need, just because we’re under pressure.

To avoid spending unnecessarily, we recommend making a list. Figure out which are the must-buys and put them at the top of your shopping list. The next category to look at would be the “Maybe I’ll buy if..” – set conditions for the purchase such as buying a top or pair of jeans only if it offers a 30-40% discount off the original retail price.

This helps to keep you organized and you’ll find yourself more relaxed while shopping – almost like you’re taking a walk through the park.

Head over to the gallery up top for more ways to beat the frantic sale craze like a pro. Happy Shopping!

Perin Sidhu

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