Have you ever found yourself buying something you didn't need just because it was a great deal? The allure of a sale can be irresistible, leading us to make impulsive purchases that may end up cluttering our homes. Let's explore the psychology behind why we are drawn to bargains and how these irrational shopping decisions can result in unnecessary clutter.
The Temptation of a Good Deal
Who doesn't love a good deal? The rush of excitement we feel when we see "75% off" or "buy one get one free" can trigger an impulse to add items to our carts without much thought. We might reason that getting something for free or at a deep discount is too good to pass up, even if we don't have an immediate need for it.
The Aftermath of Impulsive Purchases
The excitement can quickly fade once we realize that we've acquired items we don't actually use. Those boxes of microwavable macaroni packets might have seemed like a steal at the store, but if they end up untouched and unappetizing to the family, they become clutter rather than a wise purchase.
It's not just grocery items; garage sale finds and discounted household items can also end up unused if we don't have a proper place for them.
Breaking the Cycle of Clutter
To combat the clutter resulting from impulsive buying, it's crucial to pause and question each bargain purchase. Asking ourselves whether we will genuinely use the item can help us make more conscious decisions. Additionally, resisting the urge to stock up on multiples of cheap items can prevent unnecessary accumulation.
Understanding Predictable Irrationality
The concept of predictable irrationality sheds light on why we make these impulsive decisions. According to behavioral economist Dan Ariely, our brains are wired in ways that often lead us to irrational choices. His book, "Predictably Irrational: The Hidden Forces That Shape Our Decisions," delves into numerous examples of how these irrational behaviors manifest in our daily lives.
By understanding these psychological quirks, we can become more aware of our decision-making processes and be better equipped to resist marketing gimmicks and impulsive buying. While we can't eliminate irrationality entirely, being aware of its influence allows us to make more thoughtful choices and reduce clutter in our homes.
This is one of my all-time favorite books. Not only is it an interesting look into why we make bad decisions, but Dan Ariely is funny and entertaining. He makes it an easy read. To get a taste of his humor, check out one of his Ted Talks below.
Behavioral economist Dan Ariely, the author of Predictably Irrational, uses classic visual illusions and his own counterintuitive (and sometimes shocking) research findings to show how we're not as rational as we think when we make decisions.
Shopping for bargains can be thrilling, but it can also lead to clutter when we make impulsive and irrational decisions. Recognizing the psychological factors at play and understanding our tendencies can help us break free from this cycle. By making more conscious choices and questioning whether we truly need an item, we can create a clutter-free living space and make the most of our purchases.
The next time you encounter a "too good to be true" deal, take a moment to think before adding it to your cart – it might save you from unnecessary clutter in the future.
Cheryl says
I soooooo need some organization in my life. Love your blog. Will be back often!
Melinda says
Thanks Cheryl! 🙂
ashok says
I used to buy books because they were cheap, but I did try reading them. Nowadays I’m a lot more selective, but a few of those unreadable books are still lying around.
Melinda says
I’m not sure I would ever think of books as a bad purchase. 🙂 Thanks Ashok!
Jenny says
Hi Melinda
This sounds exactly like me, I cannot pass up a bargain and yes it is causing a huge problem. Thanks for letting us know about the book, I think I am going to have to pick that one up, not just for my irrational purchases;)
Melinda says
lol Let’s just say buying the book can’t be classified as an irrational purchase. It is immune from that category. 🙂
Stacy says
Great Post. This really hit home and I want to check out that book. I am so guilty of buy one get one free and thinking it’s great, or buying things at a yard sale that are cheap but end up being my clutter or bargain priced things in stores. Thanks for this post.
Melinda says
Some crazy things have come into my house. I finally said “if you go garage sale shopping, what you bring back can’t be bigger than a bucket” – after the giant electronic game incident.
Maria Muir says
I was going to say I don’t fall into this category! 🙂 but thinking about I do. Books are my passion, and I have been known to buy a book just because it has a gorgeous cover. I read all sorts of books and used to buy 3/4 every week. Not that I read them all in that week, I have a pile of 15 books waiting to be read. I’m not really into materialistic things and only buy what I need. Except for books 😉 I can walk past every bargain in a store and walk out empty handed.
Melinda says
I’m the same way. I tend to have 10 books at a time that are waiting to be read. I do make the decision to keep some, and the rest I sell on half.com after I read them. Otherwise I would be drowning in them regardless of three bookshelves.
Sam Sall says
OMG Melinda, this is a wake up call for me.You were describing me in your post…I have tge same thought and feeling when I pass by discounts and special offers ..just now I was in the store and found this big can if Tang juoce powder have the price and with it cute red cooler ,although it seems to me silly now but I almost buy it although I don’t need any more juice or the cooler, I’m glad that I over come the urge.
Few months I was Stopped by a near electronics store to buy headphones only but I came out with an iPod and a 2 headphones just because there was a 30% discounts on that iPod ,I thought to my self it’s true I have one plus my iPhone but it would be a great gift for someone!!!! 😯
Now to over come my irrational shopping I an thinking not to carry a credit cards with me , only cash that is just about enough for my daily,if I needed more ,then I have to go to the bank or go home to bring my credit card… 😀
Melinda says
I have heard to leave credit cards at home so that you can think over the decision during your trip home. When my kids have money to spend, I tell them they have to think about it for a day. More than once they have changed their minds and saved their money after giving it more thought. This was especially helpful when my daughter wanted to keep wasting her money away on stuffed animals.
Kathleen says
I must say, I fight the urge to make irrational purchases. When I see the “buy one get one free” I ask myself if I will actually benefit from this deal. Often, the answer is “no”. As in your case, many of the freebies don’t go over well in my family, so I don’s make the purchase.
Lee says
First of all there are several things around here (p.s. I didn’t buy them) that are still in the box. To name a couple 3 of them would be a crockpot, a hotdog grill machine, several boxes of dishes and so on. My my my how I wish someone in this house would understand. I just had this discussion with my sister over the phone a couple days ago about the clutter and unused things at that. Crazy!
On to the video. Probably the most important 20 mins I’ll spend all week was listening to Dan. I kept looking at the time and as it got closer to 16 then 16 1/2 mins. I was like no, don’t end yet!! Seriously I really do enjoy listening to these type of workshops ect. I had not heard of him and will seek out his books to spend time with away from here. LOL Again thanks for sharing Mel.
Melinda says
Oh boy, Lee..that made me laugh. Dan’s books are awesome. I find his work so fascinating, and I was thrilled to find a video of him speaking about it. I think I watched it 3 times and then forced my children to watch it…hoping it would help them make better decisions.
Hmm…I wonder if that “someone” needs a “certain” book under the Christmas tree. ha ha
Melinda says
BTW I failed to mention that didn’t effect my daughter’s decision to purchase virtual clothes and items in the game she plays. We will see how she regrets that decision when she wants a real shirt. 😉
Lee says
Quit it… LOL now that made me laugh… I had to read it twice. lol. Let me be glad that that someone doesn’t know about the virtual things they could purchase..
Mitch says
I’m not often an impulse buyer, but I do have my moments. I have been an impulse buyer in my past, and I’m lucky I grew out of that and paid off all that debt. Scary moments when things got tight, I can tell you. Having said that, though, if double stuff Oreos are on sale…
Melinda says
LOL Mitch! Well…who can pass up double stuffed Oreos? That’s one item that doesn’t have a chance to clutter up anything. They have a shelf life of about 6 hours in my house. 🙂
the Success Ladder says
Very interesting article, thanks. Keep up the good work.
John Alden says
Really nicely put article Melinda. I can’t count how many times i bought something that i ABSOLUTELY did not need just because it was a great deal. But at the end of the day, paying 10 bucks for something worth 50 is useless, if you’re never gonna use it 🙂
Melinda says
So true.
Kathy says
I have to admit that I have fallen victim to my own irrational purchase decisions more than once. Sometimes I see it beforehand and catch myself. Other times I don’t see it until after I have spent the money.
I absolutely love these TED videos. I have learned so many things form them and so much personal insight. Videos like that are adding real value to the web.
Melinda says
I’m an admitted TED talk addict. They are always so fascinating!
Dianne says
I love this post. I posted it to my profile on face book, twitted it and stumbled. Great job.
Melinda says
Thanks 🙂
Mia says
After buying a lot of things that i didn’t need, I’ve come to the conclusion that nothing is free. It’s all a strategy to make you buy more even if you need it or not. Now, I’m making a list every time i go shopping and I try to stick to it.
David says
I 100% agree with Mia. The only sure-fire way to avoid walking out of pretty much any store is to go in with a list and have the discipline to stick to the list. It does take some time to be able to actually do this. There is always the “Oh, this looks good” temptation. Keep walking. Nothing to see here. They say it takes 30 days to create a habit. If you can go 30 days with this discipline, you will save money and reduce the amount of “must have” stuff in your house that just gathers dust. Oh, and never go grocery shopping when you’re hungry. But everyone knows that one already.
Steve says
This post is so true! I definitely feel an excitement about getting a great sale. In fact I’ll be heading to my local Borders tomorrow to get a steal on some books. I’ll put your tips to the test and see if I come home with 3 books or 15. Wish me luck!
Matt says
That Dan Ariely video is a great watch. I am definately going to pick up that book. Do you know if you can get it as an audio book as I’m always on the move.
Melinda says
Yes it comes in an audio version