These days, everyone is trying to keep a better watch on their money. But if it seems like all you’re doing is watching your slip through your fingers, it may not be entirely your fault.
Marketing expert and author of “Buyology” Truth and Lies About Why We Buy”, Martin Lindstrom says that “we are much more seduced by outside factors when shopping than we think we are.” And numerous studies seem to back up this idea that consumers may not have as much control as they think over how much they spend.
So what can a thrifty shopper do to put a halt to unnecessary spending? Here are some factors that can influence your spending and how to avoid these pitfalls:
- Shopping while hungry – if you’ve ever gone to the grocery store on an empty stomach, you know how quickly you can fill up a cart! But hungry shoppers may also have a bigger appetite for buying clothes and other merchandise, not just food. Lindstrom notes that some stores introduce such scents as cinnamon and vanilla with the hope of making customers a little hungrier and triggering their urge to shop that much more. So if you feel your stomach rumbling, stay away from the store.
- Shopping while sad – consumers are more likely to spend greater amount when they are feeling sad because they feel more desperate to satisfy their urges and cheer themselves up. Instead of turning to retail therapy for a pick-me-up, try boosting your endorphins through exercise.
- The size of your shopping cart – it may sound sill, but the larger the size of the shopping cart, the greater the likelihood that you will spend more. The smaller carts might be harder to find, but it is worth the search when you reach the register.
After making the investment of buying your new home, you may want to postpone such expensive tasks as landscaping and adding a deck, but there are a few essentials that you shouldn’t put off.
One of the first actions you should take is to change your locks. You never know if the previous owners gave keys to former friends or repairmen. Don’t wait to call a locksmith; this relatively inexpensive security measure should be taken as soon as possible.
It’s also wise to go around your new home and replace all the batteries in smoke detectors. You should also install a carbon monoxide detector in the hallway near the bedrooms if one isn’t already their.
Finally, take the time to find out the location and non-emergency phone numbers for the nearest fire station, police station, and hospital. Keep them by the main phone so they are available at all times. You’ll also want to introduce yourself to your new neighbors, and keep their numbers on hand in case of an emergency.
Buying or selling your house? There’s an app for that. Well, not exactly, but there’s plenty of high-tech help available to guide you through the process.
The iZillow app gives you access to date on more than 80 millions homes, including square footage and an estimate of fair market value. Take a drive around your possible new neighborhood and see home values pop up on your phone with real-time real estate info.
Get real-time mortgage rates from hundreds of lenders nationwide with the Mortgage Marvel app. Use it to compare the rates and fees –prices reflect transaction-related pricing adjustments, such as loan amount, loan-to-value ration and property type–and view disclosure information for all rates. When you’re ready, you can select a lender, fill out an application and be approved
The RulerPhone app lets you use your iPhone as a tape measure to see if you couch will fit in your prospective new home. Place a credit-card-sized card next to an object, take a picture with the phone and align your image with the card placeholder displayed on-screen. A ruler will be displayed, allowing you to adjust the measurements with the drag of a finger.
The ExpertVideo: Home Repair app brings valuable home repair how-to videos to the palm of your hand. More than 20 videos are available, covering how to repair concrete steps, paint kitchen cabinets or patch a drywall hole. Still have questions after watching? A moderated discussion panel gives you the answers.
Keep home improvements and routine maintenance tasks organized with the Homeowner Calendar app, featuring a calendar for monthly tastes, suck as checking smoke alarms, cleaning air filters or cleaning your gutters. Alerts let you know when the tasks are coming up, and the application allows for custom additions.
Find all these apps at www.apple.com/iphone/appstore.
