Counting Pennies

Did you ever walk into the Dollar Store to buy a packet of paper napkins and ended up spending $30? You’re not alone. Experts believe that many of us spend more than we should because we’ve been trained to see individual prices, rather than the total amount. That’s why supermarkets will tell you the price per unit, rather than give you the price per package. If you’ve been guilty of overspending in the past, you need to come up with a system to help you control your expenses. For example:

• Make a list and stick to it. Decide what you need before you leave the house and don’t buy anything unless you jotted down in advance.
• Bring a calculator and count the total price, so you don’t sweep into the idea of a price that’s not real.
• Don’t use the Dollar Store as an entertainment outlet. Just because something costs a dollar, it doesn’t mean you need it or should buy it.
• Avoid single serving packets. They may seem cheap but if you count the total bulk price, you’re probably paying 2 or 3 times the real price of the item.

At any given time, think long-term, rather than instant satisfaction when buying something. Just because an item is cheap it doesn’t mean it’s actually a bargain.

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