My short little rant I’m about to go on, has been something I’ve been wanting to write for a while. Hopefully, it doesn’t come as a shock.
Those deal sites/blogs or newsletters that everyone has fallen in love with, they don’t save you money.
I used to frequent this site slickdeals.net. I’m not going to lie; I got a lot of stuff for cheap. The problem was it was stuff. I really didn’t need it. I just bought it because it was for sale.
The same goes for Groupon or any other one deal a day site. Everyone I know has about 5 or more Groupons a piece that they still haven’t used. Now the Groupon itself is like a to do. You actually have to clear room in your schedule to use it.
The Deal of the Century…Buy Nothing
The best deal you will find in your lifetime, is to just buy nothing.
Or more realistically said, just buy what you really need. If you buy only what you really need, it doesn’t matter if you pay an extra 10% or so once in a while. You should own this stuff for years to come.
For just one month try unsubscribing to deal newsletters and blocking all deal/coupon websites you frequent. See for yourself if you end up saving money.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
So true! Its so easy to fall into the 20% off trap… but when its 20% off of something you don’t need, then its 100% useless spending.
Pat
http://compoundingreturns.blogspot.com
Agreed. However, there are instances when such websites do save you money. For example, let’s say you dine out with your partner or spouse once a month. If you know you have this once-monthly expense, deal sites can certainly save you cash on a meal you’d be spending money on anyway. Now, ideally you wouldn’t dine out at all, but in this instance using the site was not the motivating factor behind the spending. Even so, this is not the approach that most people take to these websites, and you’re absolutely right: in these cases they do encourage unnecessary spending. Can’t argue with that.
You’re right. Some sites can save you money. However, for the vast majority of people they don’t.
“The Deal of the Century…Buy Nothing” – So true! Great post.
Thankfully I have built up the self control so that I don’t frequent these sites unless I am specifically looking to buy something.
I know people that spend more because they go to these websites all the time.
If something is on sale and you buy it, you didn’t save money. You spent money.
Awesome line – “If something is on sale and you buy it, you didn’t save money. You spent money.”
Thanks Caleb.
Hey! Love the site…just wanted to throw my two cents in:
I love Groupon! There are several times I have to tell myself not to buy things (Spa packages and other luxuries I just don’t need) but over all, it has been a huge money saver for me. Here are a few:
-$25 for $100 at Picaboo…I made a “yearbook” out of all of our pictures for the past few years and also two books full of my wedding photos. Since I took advantage of another deal they were running at the time, I spent $25 for about $250 worth of product. (Also, due to a glitch with the Groupon, they ended up giving me an additional $60 at Picaboo which I used to make photo calendars for my in-laws for Christmas)
A “deal” site for Jacksonville had this deal: 2 movie tickets and popcorn for $10!
-A haircut at a high end salon that I had been meaning to try for $25….this may not sound that cheap to many, but I usually spend about $60-70 (with tip) for a haircut. You may not agree, but no matter how crappy I am feeling, if I have good hair, I’m happy.
-Every time they have Groupons for restaurants we frequent, we snatch them up! If we’re going to go there anyway, might as well do it on the cheap. It’s also useful to try new restaurants: one place, Bistro Aix, is a super-chic, expensive French restaurant that we might not have otherwise been able to check out more than once.
-We have been able to explore our new city, Jacksonville, by taking advantage of Groupons for the zoo, a pirate cruise (Super lame, but it was fun when friends came in to town and we had something interesting to try) and the ice skating rink.
-Movie tickets. Any time we go to the movies, it’s at least $20 and even though we say we’re going to skip the popcorn, we get suckered in EVERY time once that glorious smell hits our noses
These are only a few and it is true, you can be tempted into buying things you don’t need, but the wise shopper can come out ahead for sure!
I just want to put my thoughts on this article. I use these sites often, my side business is actually to pass on deals to people that I work with when something they want comes up. For me, I made a list of things that I want with the money already put away for it and when I see it on Slickdeals or something, I consider it an ‘opportunity’ buy. Actually, I just picked up a HDTV this week off of Slickdeals.
@Tuan – If you use them right they do save you money. However, most people don’t use them right. They don’t wait around for what they really only need, they buy regularly.
Personally, I have unsubscribed and no longer visit any deal sites. However, if I hear about a deal, like on Twitter for 50% off Amazon.com, where I know I spend money, I’ll swoop that up.
I blog about deals…the grocery kind. Hey, you gotta eat! That’s stuff you would be buying anyway and you can pretty easily save a ton.
That said, I am a recovering Target clearance addict. And I had a relapse this weekend. I couldn’t agree with you more about if you don’t need it, you are wasting your money. And your time, space……