Sales. We all love them and are always on the lookout for them. So, what do you think constitutes great savings? 15 percent? 25 percent? 50 percent or more? Well, there was a time when I thought saving 20 percent off of my grocery or any other retail purchase was pretty amazing. However, with the more I learn, it seems the more jaded I have become.
When I have a week when I spend $60 to feed my family of 5 and find out I saved only $20, I feel I failed myself. Yes, I actually will say I saved only $20. I have to stop and remind myself that I spent ONLY $60 and I saved 25 percent on my weekly grocery bill. So what if I can’t spend only $15.00 a week like people I read about. I am still saving money and that is ALWAYS a good thing.
The same thing happens when I shop at my favorite retail clothing store. I only shop there when things are marked down 40-50 percent . And of course, I don’t shop without a coupon, which gives me at least another 15 percent off (sometimes as much as 30 percent off). So, I normally save 65 percent when it comes to purchasing clothes for my family.
When I head to the clearance racks there and see items marked 60 percent off, I don’t consider it a bargain. As I walk away, I sometimes shake my head and say, “What are you thinking? 60 percent off is a great deal—even if you don’t have a coupon! Now turn around and go pick up those shorts or you will kick yourself later.” Nine times out of ten, I turn around and grab the bargain I nearly passed up.
So, I have to remind myself that savings are just that—savings. Whether I save 5 percent or 85 percent, I still didn’t pay full price. Sometimes that inner frugal shopper reminds me that I did well. But, the times when she tries to tell me that I didn’t save QUITE as much as I should have, I just try to shut her up. It seems chocolate can quiet her quite nicely.
