Budgeting for Impulse Buys
The name/title itself is an oxymoron since impulse buys are just that, IMPULSE BUYS. It’s no secret that I struggle with impulse shopping, and my newest obsession lately is camera equipment.
I’ve become convinced that video is the way to go, and that we need to start shooting video for our fashion blog, that I’ve gone ahead an bought a second DSLR without actually knowing how to use it. It all started when I decided that I wanted to shoot video. I went and checked my existing DSLR and found out that as great as it is at shooting stills (I still only use the auto settings), it did not, in fact, shoot video. So what did I do? I went ahead and started browsing on Ebay to buy a new one. YES, the very same hour.
I emailed about 5 people and 4 of them got back to me. I was able to negotiate one down to a price I was comfortable with and am now the proud owner of a new Canon (new to me). Now you may be asking yourself what the issue is. I wanted something, I found for a reasonable price, and I bought it, right? WRONG. The issue isn’t that I bought it, the issue is that it was an impulse buy, and I don’t have the skill set to do anything with it yet. As I result I have a $800 camera with 2 very nice lenses sitting in the corner of my room collecting dust. Had I waited to learn the basics, the price of the camera would have gone down and I would have a bit more. And shooting video is hard, and the parts are expensive!
The problem with impulse people like me if that we can can’t help ourselves, and jump at the chance to get what we want. Budgets go out the window. Had I not had money set aside in my fun fund, I would have used something like mt credit card as a temporary means of getting what I want. I’m sad to say that had I done my research, I would have know that I needed a different model of camera altogether, and now I have both of the kits up for sale so I can get the one I want and will use. In the meantime, I will be brushing up on my photography and video skills. I found a ton of free resources online that are going to help learn what the other letters mean on my camera.
For someone who impulse buys, you are quite reflective and can course correct. So you don’t seem to be a full blown impulsive buyer. Since you are reflective and self aware, can you use this to stop your impulse buy when the urge happens? Interesting post as I am the opposite of an impulse buyer, haha.
Everyone has weaknesses. Impulse buying is a proof of that. Whenever one saw a thing that he/she really likes, changes in the budget will be calculated immediately. I have this experience whenever I browse online clothing shops. I am so into clothes. That is why I am restraining myself to visit the websites as much as possible.