Intentional, not impulsive: Shop smart this festive sale season

13 hours ago 5

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F lashing signs that scream ‘50% Off ’ and relentless app notifications counting down the hours to a mega sale, can create a sense of urgency that’s hard to ignore. Before you know it, you’re rushing to the mall or scrolling through your online cart, convinced that you are scoring unbeatable deals.

But, are you? For a smarter shopping experience this festive season that steers clear of impulsive buying, all you need is prior planning and awareness.

Tips to shop smart

Make a wishlist of things you genuinely need
Set a clear spending limit and treat it as non-negotiable
Divide your budget according to categories like clothing, electronics, and essentials
If you’re unsure about a product, wait for 24 hours before buying, as it helps in filtering out an emotional purchase
Check real prices before the sale begins, as some discounts are based on inflated MRPs
Sign up for brand newsletters or app alerts for early access and exclusive coupons
Don’t treat your budget like a target by aiming to stay under it
Always check return and exchange policies on discounted items
Keep track of small purchases, as they add up quickly and can derail your budget

(As suggested by Sakchi Jain, CA, and financial educator)

What to buy during sales

Big-ticket items like laptops, kitchen gadgets, or even annual OTT subscriptions and gift cards
Non-perishables like toiletries or cleaning supplies
Off-season items like winterwear or festive decor

Sale seasons tap into our emotions, offering a sense of reward, control, and comfort. But confusing urgency with need, or shopping to self-soothe boredom or loneliness, often leads to impulsive buys. The trick is to make a wishlist, pause before adding to cart, and ask, ‘Would I buy this at full price?’

Arouba Kabir, psychologist & therapist

Avail bank offers, credit cards, and loyalty points

Identifying the best redemption opportunities, such as reward points, cashback offers, vouchers, or gift cards, and selecting payment methods that offer additional benefits, can make a significant difference.

Amit Koshal, co-founder and CEO of a fintech company, explains, “Shopping during sales has become easier now, even if your reward points are spread across different apps or cards. Many platforms and credit cards now let you use points together.

Not all points can be combined, but finding common ones can help you save more.” Many shoppers forget to use the available benefits that could significantly reduce their final bill. “When shoppers don’t factor in these savings tools, they end up paying more. Being mindful, especially when rewards can be redeemed, can make purchases feel more worthwhile and satisfying,” explains Amit.

Great deals can be tempting, but I always pause and ask myself, ‘Do I really need this?’ to avoid impulse buying. I also compare prices across platforms, but usually stick to one site to earn loyalty points

Jovita George, digital creator and shopper

Shopping on weekdays is always better, as there’s less crowd. One of the most important tips I swear by is – buy only what you need. During the festive season, it’s easy to get swayed and buy stuff that you may never end up using. I mostly buy Indian clothes and saris. Jewellery is the one item on my shopping list this time

Prachee Shah Paandya, Kathak dancer and actor (As told to Debarati Sen)

Know these terms:

UP TO 50% OFF: Not everything is 50% off, some have lesser discounts, while some items can have none.
FLAT 50% OFF: Every item has a flat discount of 50%.
FLASH SALE: Short-term offer (for a few hours to a day) with big discounts, designed to push quick, impulsive purchases.
BUY 1 GET 1 FREE (BOGO): Sounds like a great deal, but the first item’s price may be inflated, or the offer might be limited to select products.
CLEARANCE SALE: End-of-stock sale with steep discounts, where the items may not be eligible for return or exchange.
DEAL OF THE DAY / LIGHTNING DEAL: Refers to limited-time offers on specific items, and can sometimes just be regular discounts hyped with urgency.