In our crazy, crazy world, we often spend huge amounts of money on various things. But people have been thinking about saving, probably since the days when two buffalo skins were given for three leopard tusks. So far, we have not figured out how to change this fang-skin course, but I will try to tell you how to spend less fangs for the same skins.
Let's say that we need to purchase a gadget for which we have twenty thousand rubles.
The stupidest thing you can do if you want to buy a certain thing and intend to save money at the same time is to buy it right now. The fact is that you already have a gadget in your mind, carry home a box with it, unwrap layers of soft pimply polyethylene, feel the incomparable smell of new electronics, gently, affectionately press the "Power" button… Wake up! (If you enjoyed all of the above, similar to the physical — I advise the podcast Unboxing Porn, you will like it). The button and polyethylene with pimples will not go away from you, but a few thousand rubles is easy. Coming to the store in a state of such euphoria, you will not only buy anything (even a car without wheels), but also spend any amount (if, for example, they tell you that there is no gadget for 20,000, but there is a cooler version and for 23,000) In order to save money, postpone the purchase of things exactly for a week, period. This week we will spend fruitfully and learn how to buy correctly (and what did you think, saving money is no less work than earning it).
First let's determine if you really need a new thing. As British scientists say, a person buys new things for two reasons. Firstly, he may feel a real need for a new thing ("my old MacBook is broken, and it can't be repaired anymore"), or he buys a thing guided by the image principle ("my MacBook seems to be nothing yet, but a new MacBook Air has come out, it's cooler"). So — the best way to save money is not to buy things according to the image principle. There is nothing wrong or shameful about it. For example, the founder of IKEA Ingvar Kamprad, whose fortune is estimated at 23 billion. dollars, still drives a car bought 15 years ago and sits in a chair that is 23 years old. And nothing, he's not ashamed!
It seems to you that there is no way to do without a new gadget — good. And now sit down and calmly imagine yourself with a new thing (yes, yes, you've been doing these a lot lately). Imagine how you use the gadget, how often and how comfortable you feel at the same time. Perhaps this will help you understand that you don't need a new thing (for example, you are going to buy a new e-reader, but in fact you prefer paper books or you don't have time to read at all).
Having decided to buy a new thing, try to find someone who already has it and use it in a calm environment (you are unlikely to be able to think soberly in the store). How comfortable is the camera in your hands, do you like the feeling of working at the laptop keyboard? You will not pay attention to all this when buying, but it can be a decisive factor in the end.
Read all the reviews and posts on the forums, both good and bad. Do not read reviews and reviews on store websites, we know who writes them (I'll tell you a secret — I). Try to reach out to all the reviews, if the thing is expensive — talk to the owners live. Study the information on the forums with a piece of paper, on which in one column write out all the shortcomings referred to by the owners of the gadget, and in the second — all its competitors. Pay special attention to the shortcomings that are repeated repeatedly (for example, if users constantly write that the laptop is often heated).
Reread the first list (the list of shortcomings). Maybe something is a critical flaw for you? That's right (and then you could write such critical posts on the forums yourself)!
As we have already said, we have 20,000 rubles to buy a new gadget. Now we are taking and subtracting 10% of this amount — we have 18,000 rubles left. Calmly, I'm doing this for your own good (predicting questions about the origin of the number 10, I say that 10% was not invented by me, but by Leo Babuta, the founder of the popular Zen Habits minimalism blog). And this number is taken away for a reason. The thing is that there is an image factor in any thing (and these 10% characterize just about this factor). Let someone else pay for the brand and a beautiful nameplate, we are not like that, right? Moreover, the 2,000 taken away will not disappear anywhere — they will be overhead. Your new laptop will need a bag, a phone case and a headset, a camera — a memory card and so on. As a result, you will spend just 20,000 (and not 22,000 — 23,000, as it could be).
Carefully study the list of competitors that we have after analyzing reviews and reviews. Which ones are worth 18,000? Emphasize them and start researching the reviews for these models. Soon enough, you will notice that some of the competitors are no worse than what you originally wanted to buy (and maybe even better).
Carefully study all available sources of purchase of goods — all physical and electronic stores. Pay special attention to buying abroad, electronics are cheaper there. Know all about discounts (electronics are usually cheaper in November and December — stores are preparing for the New Year's rush and lowering prices). Do not hesitate to ask about discounts and special offers, as a rule, most stores are ready to make a small concession.
When going to a physical store, take one or two escorts with you (they may be friends or relatives). Pre—incite them - the attendants should sparkle with skepticism and pour bile. With such companions, you will not have a chance to break down and buy the wrong thing. And it's also good to have exactly 18,000 rubles in your pocket and forget your credit card at home.
Help other people save — prompt, advise, teach, take away 10% of the amount and snatch money from your hands, prepared to be deposited to the cashier for a gadget that is actually unnecessary.
Do not do all of the above at once (so you will drop out of work and lose more money than you could earn). You and I have a week, right? Spend half an hour a day analyzing and searching, in the evening, when, according to a well-known proverb, there is nothing to do. Many will say "Is it worth spending time to save a measly two thousand". Firstly, 20,000 is the amount taken as an example (the method works well for both 200,000 and 2.000.000). And secondly, if you can easily spend any amount of money without blinking without thinking of saving at least a little, then forget everything that is written here and sail on your yacht.
That's it, friends, I have advice. I will also say this: in order to have enough money, you do not need to earn more than you spend, but spend less than you earn. Healthy minimalism and the connection of the head have never hurt anyone yet. Good luck on the battlefields with price tags!
