Staying Away from the Extras

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Checkout lines are notorious for being some of the best anglers in the world. Who else can have 90% accuracy when it comes to putting out a baited hook and actually getting the catch in the boat? There are so many different items that are placed within the, already tight, confines of a checkout line. There is a good chance at least one of them will catch your eye. It may be the sugary candy, the collector cards or even the small little shiny trinket and let’s not even bring small children into the picture because the odds are instantly increased.

With everyone feeling the difficulties imposed by the recession, stores are counting more and more on the little extra impulse buys. Have you noticed that the checkout lanes are more organized and enticing than ever before? That’s because these last minute items are extremely important to their business. It is the magazine that you need to grab because you don’t have an updated copy, the gum your significant other really needs or that favorite candy bar, just waiting to be torn into like a vicious savage.

Currently, impulse shopping is down as the monetary pressures are being felt in all income brackets. That being said, retailers are getting savvy to how consumers are beginning to shop and are changing up the impulsive items. Where customer once would splurge on a seven-dollar bag of beef jerky, the stores are now replacing the dried meat with more health conscious alternatives like seven-dollar bags of dried fruit. The consumer is justifying the purchase by the “at least it is good for me” standard, not even aware he or she just spent the same amount of money.

There are a few tips to curbing that impulse shopping and allowing the call from the checkout line to grow more distant every day.

1.    Make a list – This is the single most important thing you can do if you are trying to save money. Many people believe that making a list will help to keep them on track when it comes to items they are going to buy, and it does, except when impulse buys come into the picture. By taking a list, you are able to track your spending and stick with your budget. This means if you need parmesan cheese but you want the candy bar, you may have to settle for store brand to keep the balance in check.
2.    Take a snack and drink – Parents will bring a snack and juice for their child while walking through the store so they don’t try to grab anything outside the cart. Subsequently, those parents also grab a box of goldfish and a soda. Why not bring in your own snack and drink to satisfy that snack attack?
3.    Choose your line wisely – Picking the shortest line when going to checkout is a must. The less time you are standing around, the less likely you are to “find” something you “need.” Check the items on your list as you put them on the conveyor and make sure you know the prices ring up correctly. Some stores offer free items if they ring up your purchases incorrectly. If you stay busy, you will not have time to act impulsively.

Of course the checkout line is not the only place impulses hide. They also lay in waiting down the chip isle, soft drink isle and the candy isle. Ever notice how these isles are thoughtfully spread throughout the store like a team of well-trained snipers? This is not saying that you cannot ever go down those isles. It’s a warning to be weary when walking around without a plan. Make a list and stick to it. If you have a craving for some junk food, make sure to put it down on your list and get only that. If you plan for it, it will not come as a surprise when the clerk tallies your take-home.