Have you noticed ALL the sales going on these days? Black Friday? Pre-Black Friday specials, early christmas deals…the list goes on and those marketing wizards have some pretty convincing campaigns out there. What to do amidst all the madness?

Since I write this blog, I do get a lot of emails from various places advertising deals, specials and discounts. I usually scan through them and weed out what I don’t need. Lately, the bombardment is getting so heavy that I’ve decided to delete almost every email which contains a deal.  They all look just so amazing and irresistible. *sigh*

Why?

For one, I don’t NEED anything and I’ve purchased everything I need for the holidays.

Secondly, it’s too tempting, as under certain emotional conditions, I can be seduced by a damn good marketing campaign. This time of year, companies are aggressive and need to compete for your business so the temptation is worse than usual. I can also be suckered into buying items with impressive creative packaging (I love a good design!) or when something GOOD is offered for free with purchase.

I caved the other week when Sephora had their free clutch with 12 samples in it when purchasing anything online. There is something I needed to buy that I could have bought locally but the free deal tricked me into buying from them. I received this clutch and 12 samples and was very disappointed. The clutch looked like it came from the dollar store and almost half of the 12 samples were foundation (something I don’t even wear). Although I did end up with the item I needed, I did pay the shipping costs and in return got a cheap clutch with useless samples. Can you say sucker? In my defense, last year’s clutch and samples were WAY better.

So, here is a list of 5 things you can do to do help you avoid being seduced by good marketing campaigns:

1. Make a list of things you need or use on a regular basis. If none of the items on sale are on your list, don’t buy them.

2. Make a list of gifts you want to purchase  (or at least jot down ideas). Stick to your list. If you see something better than what you had on your list you can buy it if it is less than you planned on spending. And don’t buy both gifts, cross the other one off your list instead.

3. Delete any emails you are sent with deals, sales or discounts. This is a tough one, but it can be done. If you avoid the temptation, you won’t crack under pressure. Don’t even open them. DELETE people!

4. Don’t go leisure shopping. I know we all have to buy groceries and run errands but don’t go out of your way to pop into stores just because you see a sign outside advertising a great deal. Don’t shop because you’re bored or need something to do. Get the stuff you need and get out. Easy to say, hard to do, I know.

5. Bring a friend/partner with you when you go shopping. No, not the one who is bad like you are, but the real tightwads who would give you a dirty look if you bought something you didn’t need.  Bring them along, instruct them to make sure you don’t buy anything that you don’t need. A good friend will stick to their guns and help you. Better yet, a parent accompanying you might be more effective.

This posting is especially relevant to me right now as I can so easily be cooerced into a good deal. The thing is, there is always going to be a good deal out there for something at all times of the year. The madness never ends, but we can certainly terminate the seduction.