The holidays are fast approaching. You know what that means, right? Vicious capitalist competitions, for the next two months. It might seem to be the season of joy and family and such, but it’s also underpinned by the machinations of most companies to goose you out of your hard earned cash. They get you to spend, and you spend less than normal, so everyone wins. All items are incredibly popular things to buy, so here are some tips to help with your paycheck distribution.
http://www.freefoto.com/preview/1043-10-2/Shoppers–Blackett-Street–Newcastle-upon-Tyne
1. Deal With It
Check the ads for everything ever. If there is something you want, it will undoubtedly go on sale at some point soon. Movies/TV/games/phones/cameras/memory sticks/sprinkler systems, it does not matter. It’s all fair game to go on sale soon. Make sure to check aggregation websites to see the best deals, and to not give up at the most popular places, since there might be hidden deals around local shops. You have to be a deal shark, sniffing out slashed dollar signs.
2. LINE?!
If you want something, if you think it’s yours and you need it now, be prepared to morally fortify yourself. You’re going to need to stand in line. There’s no two ways about it, shopping near the holidays has in fact become an arena sport, an out and out deal saving derby. For many popular products, especially in this year with 2 new consoles launching, lines are ever present. Only the strong make it, and show no mercy, unless you want your precious spot taken by immoral ruffians.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Friday_(shopping)
3. Get It Right
Are you shopping for someone else? Either bring them with you or have them on speed dial. The thing about technology is that it can be very specific, inspiring a blood-cult like following for certain brands and products. Do not buy a video game for the wrong system, or the youth you’re buying it for will hate you forever. Don’t buy a gift card to the wrong electronic bookstore, or you will get hate like you wouldn’t believe. It might be easier just to give cash.
4. Knowledge is Power
For goodness sake, read reviews. Online, in print, word of mouth, anything. Read up on a product before buying it for yourself or anyone else. Many people foolishly buy a product based on packaging or hype or some other marketing device, only to find it subpar and lacking. This leads to miles and miles of holiday complainers. Save yourself and everyone else the trouble. Just go and read a review, get an idea of what you are in for. You’ll thank us later when you’re not complaining.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/stevedinn/270519589/
5. Chill.
It’s winter. Winter is cold. You are cold. Thus, you need to chill. The holidays really aren’t different from any other time of year. Everything that seems to be stressful is just manufactured. None of it is a very big deal. So what if you’re a half hour late for dinner or you miss a sale or don’t get a gift on time. You can just get it a bit later. It’s way more important to enjoy life as it comes. Make shopping a fun family activity instead of a race. Just have a nice time this year.
No comments:
Post a Comment