Be a Smart Shopper and Compare Costs

By DoItYourself.com Staff

Annie is in a foul mood this weekend. Last week, she was walking on cloud nine, proudly displaying a new pair of designer shoes she bought at the mall. So happy was she that she convinced her husband to take her to the movies, dine out and visit some friends so she could show off her shoes.

Then everything changed on Friday. They had guests at home, including Annie's friend, Sally. Sally saw Annie's new designer shoes and remarked that she saw that very same style on sale at a nearby shop. It was selling at half price.

Suddenly, Annie's whole mood changed. She didn't sulk, but neither was she as buoyant or as bubbly as she was before. Sally could see from her expression that she was planning to check out the shoes on sale the next day. And she did. Sally was right. They were being sold at half price. Annie wasn't happy with her new shoes anymore.

What's the lesson here? We may really love having something, but once we find out that we've grossly overpaid for it, that thing we love doesn't seem like such a joy any more. In other words, it pays to compare prices when shopping. Visit different stores. Look at different brands. Ask around. Make sure that you are getting the best possible value for your money. It doesn't matter if you’re buying shoes, a toaster or a hammer. Make it a habit to canvass brands and compare prices. Once you get the hang of it, it's really great fun.

Just think, with a "best-price" purchase, we double our enjoyment because we know we paid the best possible price for that thing we love.

© Doityourself.com 2006