How Being Picky Will Help You Save Money
How many times as a child have you heard someone tell you that you were just too picky? It always sounds like a bad thing, doesn’t it? The connotation with being picky is that you are difficult and childish. You should just make do with what you get.
Well, in terms of financial matters, being picky may just be the best plan ever. Picky people tend to get exactly what they want. And, by being picky you have the potential to save yourself money, make wiser purchases, and have a much better handle on your finances.
Picky consumers are usually the ones that research their purchases in great detail. Perhaps you read every consumer report on refrigerators you could find in order to decide which bells and whistles you really needed. Or perhaps you test-drove ten different cars before deciding that a specific car is best suited to your family’s lifestyle. Whatever purchase you’re making, you can bet that if you’re picky while making your choice you won’t be experiencing buyer’s remorse after your purchase is complete.
Shoppers who are picky are also traditionally patient shoppers. After spending all kinds of time choosing the right product, picky shoppers won’t have any problem waiting to find the right price, too. Being patient allows a shopper to comparison shop and to take advantage of any upcoming sales.
Finally, choosy consumers don’t mind making sure that they get everything they pay for. If you’re picky and you buy a new computer, you won’t mind following up with the store to make sure you’re getting every rebate you are eligible for. Or, if there is a small defect, you won’t be ashamed to return the item to the store for an unflawed item. Picky consumers get their money’s worth.
So, the next time someone tells you that you’re picky, try not to think of it as a derogatory remark. Maybe all they really meant is that you have a great attention to detail and that you’re a careful shopper.
It can go either way. Now that I have enough clothes and can afford to be picky, I hardly ever buy clothes. When I do, it’s always something affordable that fits, is flattering, goes with other things I have, is washable, etc.
However, now that I can afford to be picky about food, I spend more on organic stuff, humanely raised or grown or harvested stuff, and other things that cost extra.
And some people who always want the best end up buying things often as yet another new best thing is created (think electronics, cars, fashion).
But back to being picky helping save money, procrastinating can also help save money. If it takes you a while to replace shoes that are wearing out, you will end up buying fewer pairs of shoes over your lifetime than if you replace them right away.
Shoppers have good reason to be picky about produce these days. Overall, food prices are expected to rise as much as 5.5 percent this year, with a slightly bigger increase for food that people make at home and a smaller increase for food in restaurants
You have to pick your picky, I think. When it comes to food, we are extremely picky, mainly because circumstances lead us to believe that much of the stuff that is sold to people in this country isn’t great to eat. When it comes to finances (investments, insurance, etc.) we are picky because it is sensible to do so. But there are also plenty of things that aren’t worth the trouble to fuss about, too.
Jerry
[...] Made of Money explains how being picky will help save you money. I guess I’m too easy going! I like the points made about how being [...]