As a reformed impulse buyer (often with credit card at hand), it’s really important to me these days that any spending choices I make are smart and well-informed. Whether I’m spending $50 or $15,000 there are certain things I do to make sure I shop smarter and find a great deal.
Before Christmas I decided it was time to invest in a new laptop. At that point I was toying around with the idea of starting my own business, plus I had several weeks’ of travel coming up in December and January and wanted to be able to keep up with my blog while I was away.
Chris has a great laptop that he generously lets me use as ‘my’ computer, but at 19 inches it’s a bit of a behemoth and doesn’t meet the portability requirement for travelling! So I took myself out on the hunt for a new computer, using the following steps to ensure I got good value for my money.
1. Figure out what you need.
Not what you want (new! shiny! all of the features!), but what you actually need. Obviously you have a reason to be shopping for a computer, car, new suit, or whatever, so make sure you are very clear about the features you need. A good salesperson should be able to help you clarify but if you go into the shop prepared you’ll avoid becoming overwhelmed with the options available only to walk away with something more expensive than you really need.
When I was after a new computer, I wanted something portable (not too big or heavy) that would let me do basic internetting and some light graphics editing. That’s it. Once I had that clear it was easier to discuss my needs with a salesperson (and eliminate some of the many options available).
2. Know what you can afford.
Always have a budget in mind that represents what you can truly afford (not ‘I thiiiiink I can make this work’). This helps you stick to your spend limit and find the sweet spot where you can get the most value for your dollar. Plus if you tell the salesperson what you can spend he or she can find something that suits your needs and that you can afford — it’s no good falling in love with something that turns out to be way out of your price range.
This goes for financing too. I’m not opposed to financing (it’s how I got a car that I love!) but you have to be aware of the cost/benefit of following that path (beyond “this means I can get it NOW!” — that’s not a great reason by itself). If you choose to finance, make sure the repayments are affordable without putting your finances under pressure.
Also find out how much you’ll be paying overall; when I financed a laptop at university I got talked into the bells-and-whistles model I didn’t need and the terms meant I paid nearly 1.5 times the cost of the computer. Live and learn!
3. Do your research.
Go online to look at examples of things like what you need and how much it costs. This will give you a ballpark so you know a) if your budget is reasonable for what you’re after; and b) if you’re getting a fair price when you buy. Then, where possible, go to different retailers to see what they’re offering, and get your hands on the item to get a feel for it. Find a knowledgeable staff member and ask them questions. Doing this kind of legwork can feel like a real hassle but it should pay off when you get the best solution at the best price.
When I was looking for my computer I didn’t do much online research because it was pretty overwhelming, but I went to 6 different retailers multiple times before I picked something. And I got a rad deal.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask for a discount.
A lot of people (me included) get a bit squeamish at the idea of haggling over price, for various reasons. But it doesn’t have to be gross and it doesn’t have to be a big deal. Often it’s as simple as saying ‘Is that the best price you can do?,’ and just asking gets a few bucks knocked off the price, which all adds up!
The computer I eventually picked had a great price already so when I asked for a discount the answer was no. But the guy was able to bundle the computer with some other things I needed (software and accessories) and give me a (great!!) discount on the whole lot, saving me a few hundred dollars all up.
Retailers often have wiggle room built into their prices so you’d be surprised at how often that simple question can work in your favour. And if not? The worst that will happen is they say ‘no, sorry’ and you carry on with your purchase. No biggie.
5. Stop looking!
There’s nothing worse than making a purchase then finding the same item a few days later at a lower price. D’oh! But there’s nothing you can do about it except feel crap, and why put yourself through that? Once you’ve found and bought what you needed, just stop looking.
And there you have it — 5 steps to getting what you need at the price you can afford. No buyer’s remorse here my friend!
6. Sleep on it to prevent impulse buying!
Yes, good one!
One of my best tricks for not buying stuff is excessively high standards. Just because I can put something on doesn’t mean it fits. If the fit isn’t flattering, I don’t buy it, unless its something like a suit or formal dress that I don’t mind paying to have tailored. Walking out of best buy empty handed multiple times because I can’t find a computer that isn’t running windows, is within budget, and will work offline. Shoes that are not real leather and will fall apart ( yes, I know some people opt for manmade materials intentionally) or are in any way uncomfortable. Only buying real jewelry instead of every pretty bauble that’s only $2. TL:DR Don’t settle.
You’ve been hanging out with the Minimalists I see 😉 it’s great advice though, thanks Eve x