Even Clark Howard Falls for This Sneaky Retail Trap - Are You Doing It?

If even clark howard falls is on your radar, this short guide cuts through the noise. Here is what is worth knowing, and how to put it to work today.

Key Takeaways

• Have you ever found yourself buying something you didn’t actually need, purely because it was on sale?
• There’s a word for that: “spaving.” It’s the act of spending money under the illusion that you are saving money.
• And you know who has been incredibly guilty of that over the years?

Have you ever found yourself buying something you didn’t actually need, purely because it was on sale? There’s a word for that: “spaving.” It’s the act of spending money under the illusion that you are saving money.

And you know who has been incredibly guilty of that over the years? Yours truly.

I have spaved again, and again, and again. I’ve had to tell myself, “Clark, heal thyself.” It is a very common trap, and retailers are masters at setting it. They know exactly how to trigger our impulse to purchase.

The Psychology Behind the ‘Deal’

Retailers use classic tactics like “purchase two, get one free” or “purchase one, get 50% off a second.” Anything that creates a sense of urgency makes us feel like we have to pull the trigger because we are “saving” money.

Have you noticed how much Amazon uses our natural instincts against us? Over and over again, you’ll see prompts saying, “Purchase two and get this additional discount.” This has become routine on Amazon now. It’s not a tool to save you money; it’s a way to get you to spend more.

When we see an item on sale, it triggers a literal dopamine hit. We think, “I want the deal! I want the deal!”

I am so obsessed with finding bargains that I actually had to teach myself to fight the instinct to purchase something just because it was marked down. The promotions that totally worked on me were the multi-purchase offers — getting a second item for half off or buying two to get a third free. We chase the deal, grab something we don’t need, and end up with a closet full of things gathering dust. That is never a excellent financial move.

Nowhere was my weakness for spaving worse than with electronics.

I would purchase a gadget just because it was a excellent cost, and then it would sit there unused. And what happens with electronic items? The value drops faster than a rock. They are always cheaper later.

How To Fight the Urge to ‘Spave’

To combat this, we’ve developed a few rules of thumb that you can use to protect your wallet from the spaving trap.

1. Implement the 24-Hour Rule

If you are shopping online and see an item you want, add it to your cart, but do not check out. Hold it there for 24 hours. Christa found that eight times out of ten, she never goes back to purchase it. Sleeping on it clears the impulse, allowing you to ask, “Do I really need this?” Go look in your closet, and realize you already have something just like it.

2. Never Purchase Directly Through Social Media

If you see a product you like on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook, never purchase it directly through the app. Go research it online independently. Look at what it costs at other retailers. More frequently than not, it is cheaper elsewhere.

3. Ditch the Shopping Cart

When you walk into a physical store, do not grab a shopping cart. A cart is a magnet for impulse buys and “specials.” If you don’t have a cart, you can only purchase what you can physically hold in your arms, which naturally limits your spending.

If you are at a warehouse club (like Costco or Sam’s Club) and you genuinely need to purchase a big, heavy item to replenish the home, do not get a cart at the entrance. Walk through the store, grab the cart at the very end, load the specific item you came for, and head straight to the checkout lane.

Chasing a deal feels excellent in the moment, but keeping that hard-earned money in your bank account feels much better in the long run!

The post Even Clark Howard Falls for This Sneaky Retail Trap - Are You Doing It? appeared first on Clark Howard.

Final Thoughts

The bottom line: a little research on even clark howard falls goes a long way. Compare your options, watch for seasonal offers, and never pay full price when a better deal is one click away.

Originally published at clark.com.