So, it’s the New Year. A month and a half in, and you’re probably still mourning the inevitable chunk that holiday shopping bit out of your budget. You planned well but if it puts a smile on Grandma’s face to get her that beautiful expensive scarf she had her eye on, you’re going to go the extra mile, dig into your emptying pockets and do it. We all would! And now that Valentine’s Day has come and gone, the realization that you have to save more throughout the rest of the year might be starting to kick in. (And if you really messed up on Valentine’s Day- you might already be in the market for another gift).
You’ve all read about the “disposition effect” before. As humans we don’t like to admit when we’ve made a mistake and, oh say, overspent because it makes us sad to acknowledge that. But rest assured that while admitting there is a problem is the first step, not beating yourself up is the second. You don’t have to deprive yourself or the ones you love from the necessities or treats. We just have to be smart about creating a financial balance and clever in how we pick to do our special shopping.
For example: have you been hounding your hubby to get someone to fix the patio deck? Why not take advantage of the array of coupons that Home Depot provides, get yourself the materials at discounted prices and make a date of it? Working with your hands, together, will be a great and economical way to bond. And hey, if anything goes hilariously wrong you’ll have a great story for the grandkids. Just make sure to use safety equipment (which you can also get at Home Depot) and save the champagne toast for after all the carpentry!
The same principle applies to our label loving Grandma. Next time she spots something fancy she loves, you don’t have to balk at getting it for her or agonize on the financial hit you’ll take to do it. Just drop her off at a talkie and run on over to Nordstrom or Sears. It’s at retailers like these that a smart shopper can take the most advantage of the deals they offer to still get top quality at a fraction of the cost. Not only will you be able to bring that much coveted smile to Grandma’s face, you’ll make 2015 the year of savings for you and those you love.
