How We Save Money Through Spending

We as a student save our pocket money to fulfill our minor or major wishes. Wishes like eating in a very hyped restaurants, buying different dresses and also different jewelry and shoes matching with the dress , gifts for friends etc . We belong to a restricted family so we do not get permission all the time to buy anything or to go anywhere at anytime.Our parents give us pocket money once a month for our food mainly. But we save that as much as we can . We both are shopaholics and we are very fond of various brands ,unique things and the most astonishing thing is our inclination and preference are almost similar. 

Nowadays virtual shopping is very much popular and when we get time we scroll our Facebook and watch various online sellers  promoting their products.  One day, we were scrolling through our Facebook and suddenly saw that a brand promoter was promoting a website in a live video and she was announcing a mega discount on various products. We as students save money to fulfil our desire for renowned brands. So we  started to browse that fashion website and we stumbled upon an online clearance sale that promised jaw-dropping discounts on high-end branded dresses. The thought of owning these exquisite pieces at a fraction of their original price was too tempting to resist.

Without looking at the dress sizes, we excitedly put a number of dresses to our buying cart. Every dress represented a different aesthetic. We hurriedly made our way to the register after concluding that we had chosen wisely by investing in our clothes.

A few days later, shipments containing lovely dresses began showing up at our door. We were astounded by the elegance and skillfulness of each clothing when we opened them. However, as soon as we realised that the dresses didn't fit correctly since they were big, which is why nobody was buying them, a discount was provided on those items, and some weren't as flattering as we had thought, our enthusiasm quickly turned to worry. We decided to keep all the dresses, convincing ourselves that we could get them tailored to fit perfectly. However, as we  tried to return some of the items that were truly unsuitable, we discovered that the online store had a strict no-return policy for clearance sale items.

With our dreams of a stunning wardrobe now turning into a financial nightmare, we  felt a growing sense of regret. We had spent a significant portion of our savings on dresses that we couldn't wear comfortably or confidently. Our impulsive shopping during the clearance sale had led us to waste our  hard-saved money on items that we couldn't fully enjoy.

So, with a broken heart and empty pocket, we were trying to convince ourselves that we will certainly make up for our loss. And we both suddenly thought of exploring our nearest shopping malls so that we can compare the prices as well as the quality. At first, we went to the high end shopping malls to explore and to our utter surprise we found that the prices were at least 2 times cheaper compared to the online prices. Then we realised as  these are the “Posh” shopping malls of the city, maybe we should explore the local shopping malls as well to compare the prices furthermore. We started looking into various markets and this time the price range of local markets amazed us as well. We could see things of many types, qualities and price ranges as well. This kind of investigation truly opened our eyes and we got to learn the amazing aspects of exploring. Offline shopping offered us an array of advantageous aspects that appeal to discerning consumers. Firstly, the tangible experience in brick-and-mortar stores allowed us to engage our senses, indulging in hands-on product exploration, which fostered a deeper connection and aided in making well-informed purchase decisions. Secondly, personalised customer service, provided by knowledgeable and attentive staff, imparts a sense of assurance and trust, elevating the overall shopping journey. Additionally, the social component of offline shopping promotes meaningful interactions with fellow shoppers, creating a sense of camaraderie and shared experiences. Moreover, immediate gratification is achievable through instant product availability, obviating the need for shipping delays. Lastly, offline shopping permits consumers to avoid potential cybersecurity risks associated with online transactions, fostering a heightened sense of security. 

We could improve one more important skill which is bargaining. Bargaining while shopping holds significant importance as it empowers consumers to secure the best possible deals and maximise their purchasing power which we couldn't do while online shopping.  Negotiating prices allows shoppers to exercise control over their spending, ensuring they get value for their money as well as saving money, especially the students. Bargaining also fosters a sense of engagement and interaction with sellers, promoting a deeper understanding of the product's worth and quality. Moreover, successful bargaining can lead to cost savings, enabling individuals to allocate funds for other essential needs or indulgences. Embracing this practice cultivates financial prudence and  essential communication skills, making it a valuable asset in any consumer's arsenal for a satisfying and economical shopping experience. Thus offline shopping taught us how to spend money cautiously and that's how we started  saving money through spending.

Written By

Shamiha & Tajkia