Introduction
The many options presented by the mall are tantalizing and can lead to difficulty in making purchasing decisions concerning the items needed by the average person. Shopping is a complex and nuanced experience, with a multitude of cultural, psychological, and economic undercurrents that shape our motivations and behaviors.
Why are we drawn to malls?
1. The setting is usually an attractive and convenient place to spend time.
2. It gives us something to do when we are bored, without the expense of an outing.
3. It offers a break from the routine of life, which may be one reason why we choose to purchase something new at a mall, rather than replace something we already own.
4. There are often attractive displays and sales, which helps make shopping more fun.
5. It brings us into contact with people who are the same age as us.
6. It is a comfortable place to take children, who may be less likely to misbehave in a mall than they would in other locations.
7. The act of shopping may be ritualized and follow a predictable path, which makes it seem safe and comfortable, rather than chaotic or stressful.
How to cut your shopping costs?
1. Plan ahead by setting a budget for yourself, and sticking to it.
2. Stick to one store, and do not be tempted by specials in other stores.
3. Don’t buy things you don’t need or have the space for.
4. Shop during sales and look for items on clearance racks.
5. Bring your bags, or reuse plastic bags that had vegetables in them before they were thrown away by the store (and even get the money refunded when you bring them back).
6. Don’t lose your shopping list, and check items off it as you find them so that you won’t have to take time looking at everything in the store to make sure that you didn’t overlook anything.
7. Avoid impulse purchases, by taking some time before buying an item to consider whether or not you need it, and whether or not you would be better off saving and using that money for something else.
Conclusion
If you can keep yourself away from shopping malls, and only go to department stores, you may be able to save some money. And if you are a regular shopper at one shop, this can be done fairly easily by getting yourself various coupons in the newspaper that say such things as “Buy one item and get another 40% off.” Look for ways to cut your expenses on other ways of shopping too.