Sunday, November 17, 2019

34 Good Habits to Sidestep the Consumerism Trap and Stop Overspending

Consumerism. It's not just bad for the planet, it also wreaks havoc on your financial health - both in the short term and long term. There could be many reasons why you fall prey to bouts of shopping. It could be a fear of missing out, a desire to save money or a shopping addiction you're not aware about. 

I'm here to give you some tips on how to sidestep consumerism and protect your wallet at all costs. Ready? Let's begin...
  1. Marketing tricks can fool you. Don't get emotionally attached to marketing materials such as SMS messages, brochures and notifications. It may feel like the message is personally directed at you but be aware that the same message is being sent to hundreds of people. 
  2. The merchandising market will make you believe you need a new outfit for every season. Do not fall for such fads or fads that tell you that the outfit you bought last month is already outdated. If it looks good on your skin and body type you've got a winning outfit.
  3. Unsubscribe from brands' newsletters and email promotions so that you're not tempted to buy something on an impulse.
  4. You know how you were merely thinking of a product and an ad shows up for it? It's because your activity is being tracked across all the devices you access. What can you do? Well, what you can do is not think it's the universe's way of sending you a sign to buy whatever it is you keep seeing in ads. 
  5. While you're at it, unfollow social influencers who urge you to buy stuff you only want because they are cleverly marketing it to you. A good example is Amazon's Influencers Program. Ever seen shopping haul videos? These influencers are clearly in need of a good decluttering of their makeup, food, equipment, etc. themselves.
  6. Sales staff will use techniques to sway you towards products you had previously only considered buying. Say you were just window shopping. A sales staff member will likely approach you with options and/or benefits of buying that product. Before you know it, you're at the cash counter buying an item you don't even need.
  7. Also steer clear of limited period offers and upto 50%/60%/70% off sales. You do not need that sweater in summer.
  8. Be organized so that you know what you own and don't end up buying duplicates of products just because you liked an ad you saw of it.
  9. Second hand goods are no excuse to spend. Do you really need four mirrors in your house? 
  10. Be grateful for the things you already own. 
  11. Once in a while rummage through all of your stuff to remind yourself of all that you own.
  12. Get rid of things you no longer use or love. 
  13. Avoid comparing your life and lifestyle with others. Someone is always going to be better off or worse off than you. Comparison simply adds unnecessary stress to your life and steals your individuality. Your goal should be to be rich, not look rich.
  14. Spend more time in nature. Mother nature does not charge you for using her resources. E.g. Take a walk in a park or go trekking to a safe spot with friends.
  15. Your self worth and success are not determined by the things you buy and own.
  16. If you see a nice shiny object that you want in your possession think about what you could get rid of in your house to make way for this replacement item. 
  17. Ask yourself where you will store the item after buying it. Do you even have the space to devote to this item?
  18. Take a picture of it and wait a few weeks before buying a product that you want. If you're still craving that item after those weeks go ahead and buy it. This is especially important if you know you're an impulsive buyer. Take an online quiz to know if you are one.
  19. Create a monthly budget. Then, ask yourself "Does my budget allow me to buy this item?"
  20. Invest in yourself, rather than spend money to acquire things. E.g. Read a book, socialize and network, volunteer, etc.
  21. Do thorough research on a product you're intending to buy. Weigh the pros and cons to avoid buyer's remorse.
  22. Discuss with friends and family whether you really need the product. 
  23. Do not opt for credit cards. It's easy to buy an object with them but it's equally hard to pay off your credit card bill. People spend years trying to pay off these bills.
  24. Be self aware. Do you really need to shell out your hard earned money to glam up for an evening out no one is even going to remember in a year? Wouldn't you rather have fun with your friends than worry about how you look all the time?
  25. Be body positive. What about the much coveted thigh gap? Or rib cage bragging? Does anyone still care about these for real? Things like these are just passing fads. Be mindful of that. Further, if a diet or exercise is too good to be true, it probably is.
  26. When it comes to food, avoid wastage and buy only the required quantity. Oh and never go grocery shopping when you're hungry. You tend to overestimate your body's requirements in such a state.
  27. Also, remember to sidestep food fads. 
  28. Thinking about picking up a souvenir for a loved one? Ask yourself "Will s/he actually like this?" "Will this add to their clutter?" and "Where will they keep it?"
  29. Remind yourself of the origin of products. Knowing that buying palm oil because of which orangutans lose their natural habitats will certainly put things in perspective. Or the story of how highlighters are made.
  30. The tendency to shop is higher when you're not mentally stimulated i.e. when you're bored. It's the same case when you want to reward yourself. The way to reward yourself for carrying out a good habit is not by carrying out a bad habit. E.g. Eat a fruit or get a massage from a loved one if you want to reward yourself.
  31. Practice late gratification. If you have a tendency to treat yourself every other day, postpone this to every week and do it responsibily after you have enough savings. 
  32. Have a no buy month in which you spend on replacement items only. No other new items are allowed in this month. 
  33. Stay away from shopping platforms - whether online or offline. You'll be tempted to buy a product or more so before the urge kicks in just leave or don't go there in the first place.
  34. Create a list before you go shopping of things you need to buy to avoid being swayed by product displays, discounts, sales staff, etc.
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Friday, July 28, 2017

4 Ways to Make Shopping Fun

With Independence Day right around the corner, it's sale season again that time of the year. Everyone knows how tiring shopping can be, especially if you don't like malls much. So why not make it fun? Here are some ways you can do just that:

  1. Mess around with shopping assistants. Get them to pronounce French names of cosmetics, E.g. Mac Film Noir, Chanel Rouge, Chanel Le Rouge Crayon De Couleur, etc. 
  2. Take a friend along to mock ugly clothes with you. Plus, just their presence is enough to make trying on clothes fun.
  3. Understand consumerism for what it is. You don't have to buy it but you can definitely try it for the ego boost. No money? No problem. 
  4. Install and take along an app like Personal Closet to mix and match potential outfits with already existing in your closet clothes. 
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Friday, October 7, 2016

3 Ways to Hone Your Gift Giving Skills


It's said that it's the thought that counts, but believe us when we say that if you neglect to get your mom/dad/sibling/friend a gift for their birthday or anniversary, there's going to be at least a little resentment. But how do you hone in on a gift when there are so many options or conversely too few options, given how fussy some folks can be? Worry not, you're going to learn how to pick the gift that's just right for them. 

1. Become a Detective

Find out what your receiver of your gift actually wants. Make a list of everything the object of your affection is interested in - not just before their milestone event but all throughout the year. Save these ideas somewhere, like on Pinterest, where you can later remember details of the product. Take cues from the past or future.

  • Are they planning to live away from home? What kind of things do you think they'll need? 
  • Did you visit their house and notice the lack of a wall clock in the kitchen? 
  • Or say, lipsticks lying cluttered on their table instead of in a lipstick holder? 

2. Stereotype Them

What would a person living all by themselves need? Or someone who just graduated and is about to take on a job?
  1. Money
  2. Cutlery 
  3. Glasses
  4. Cookbook
  5. Bag
  6. Towels
  7. Subscription to a service
  8. Tie or shirt
  9. Watch
  10. Plant (also a good retirement gift)
  11. you get the idea...
What about their personality? In case they're introverts or extroverts, here are a few quick ideas:

Introverts
  1. Earphones/Headphones
  2. Something from Bed, Bath & Beyond
  3. Reading material, e-books or an e-book reader like Kindle
  4. Tickets to a play or a Netflix subscription
  5. Activity class which involves less/no interaction with other people E.g. Art appreciation, pottery or yoga classes since they need to recharge their batteries after a couple of hours of people interaction and such classes allow for that.
Extroverts
  1. Speakers
  2. Activity class where people interaction is a requirement E.g.wine-tasting 
  3. Just Dance/Dance Central
  4. Tickets to concerts or entry to movie theaters, bars, clubs and pubs
  5. Loud accessory (either in color or in size, shine or texture of embellishments) - because not only are they not afraid of attention, they actually thrive on it.

3. Personalize the Gift

Even if your gift is as cliche as a mug or photo frame, you can add a special touch to it by customizing it with their name or face or both, among other things of course that can be personalized such as their sun sign (if they believe in that, of course).

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Saturday, September 14, 2013

The Future of Shopping

Let's see what shopping will be like in the years to come.

Seeing the success of stem cells in creating cattle meat, we can expect much of our food to come from this source. Animal lovers rejoice!

Another tech we can expect to see in the future is the advanced use of HUDs (heads-up displays) such as Google Glass in our daily shopping, giving you information about future sales, which celebrity is known for use of the product you're thinking of buying, showing friends tried on products. It will also prevent you from buying clothes you already have/won’t use seeing past behavior & events you frequent. You'll also get best matches for clothes you already have in your wardrobe. 


3D Printing - Future of fashion

A system at the shop location will autodetect your current outfit and state and accordingly make suggestions. There will also be an instant discreet feedback mechanism for rude and unhelpful salespeople...if there are any.


Thanks to 3D printers it will be easier to lengthen short legs of pants or sleeves of tops. 



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Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Sale Season is Here!

It's that time of the year again when stores get crowded. Why wouldn't they? It's sale time with as much as upto 75% off.

No, wait. That's not what I meant.

Independence day is just around the corner and you can be sure of those "offer valid till August 15th" ads. Of course, those always get extended to 1 more day, then another....you get the point.
Unless you have a huge trust fund we doubt you'd want to blow up all your hard earned money on brands if you know you're going to get it cheaper during sales. I'm not looking at you die hard fashionistas who splurge to cure an urge. Or you ladies who'd rather stay home than be seen wearing the same outfit as another woman. 

Trying hard to hide their embarrassment.
Pink & Shakira

Still trying to get over the fact that more than 1 person would wear that dress. My eyes!
(L-R: Bruna Abdalah, Amrita Rao and Mugdha Godse)


Rai's definitely rocking this look. Or it could be the camera angle, light exposure & pose

Sales you may want to check out:
On an unrelated note, did you know that the original name of Chor Bazaar was Shor Bazaar?

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Thursday, July 5, 2012

Don't Leave Home Without...

A cellphone, wallet & a handkerchief/tissue.

But it depends on where you're going. If it's just to run an errand then these will do just fine.

If you're required to dress up and going to be gone a while, you'll need a proper handbag to go along with your outfit. Something like this would go with any outfit.

And shoes, of course again the kind you wear depends on the occasion. I'm not a big fan of wedges, given my love-hate relation with them. Hate them when someone else wears them and kicks my toes into my feet. Love them, of course, because of their comfort. Either go for heels or flats if you share my love for people. Based on the journey to your destination they're going to have to be durable and comfortable. If it's to impress a guy however, put on the heels & grin and bear the pain, if any. Believe me, if it hurts long enough, after a while you're not going to remember you have feet. Just kidding. Slip in a pair of flats in your bag to carry along and change into.

 Everyday wear no-no. Imagine your feet at 60. Ack!

Everything that's important for the occasion goes into that handbag:
  1. Mobile phone, phone charger,
  2. Wallet
  3. Handkerchief/tissue
  4. House keys
  5. Shawl
  6. Pen
  7. Moisturizer/Lotion
  8. Water bottle, Munchies (I carry Snickers)
  9. Sunglasses
  10. Prescription glasses, Band aid, Hand sanitizer, Pain reliever, Sanitary pad/tampon, Other medication for common ailments such as indigestion
  11. Tongue scraper, Mouth fresheners, Mini toothbrush, Mini toothpaste
  12. Comb, Kajal, Lipstick, Lip balm, Mirror, Pressed Face powder, Blush (if touch-ups are needed)
  13. Vial of perfume, Mini can of deo
  14. Flat shoes (if wearing heels)
  15. Camera (if you don't trust your phone battery)
  16. Book to read or scribble thoughts on/Headphones 
  17. Hair ties, Barettes/Bobby pins

Snickers. Okay it doesn't have to look exactly like this sitting in your bag

Looking & feeling good is important when you're out and about meeting people. This is doable if you have your life-savers at hand.


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Tuesday, July 3, 2012

All-Time Favourites - The Clothes Edition

Now and then, we'll all go back to our favourite clothes in the closet no matter what trend is in at the moment. Here are such classics you can don and look good no matter what your body type.
The good-'ol T-Shirt

White Buttondown Shirt

Cardigan Sweater

Little Black Dress

Little Grey Dress

White Lace Dress

White Peasant Dress - cuz a bit of shoulder is always sexy

Embroidered Peasant Top


Wraparound Skirt

One more Wraparound. Loving the clasp holding the skirt in place

A-Line Wrap Skirt
Lace & Satin Pencil Skirt with Nude Lining

Ruffle Satin Blouse. Don't miss the pretty skirt.

Well fitted Jacket

Casual Dress

A Pair of Jeans

Camisoles
Capris
Khaki Pants
Jeans Shorts

So many more...
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