When you buy any kind of product, a lot of things have to be considered. There’s the price, which is one of the most important considerations for consumers especially at such a financially volatile time. There’s also the quality, which depends on why you’re buying the product in the first place. At the end of the day, you have to weigh the price of the product against the quality you’re getting.
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With those things in mind, here’s how you can be more purposeful in your product choices:
Determine the Cost Per Use
Paying for an expensive product is justified when you are getting good quality for the price. It’s also justified when you can use the product multiple times. For instance, if you buy a cheap jacket but have to replace it with a new one every winter because of its low quality, you’re spending more in the long run. Meanwhile, if you can buy a more expensive but sturdier jacket that you can wear for years, or even decades if you care for it well, it’s certainly worth the price. For skincare, this means it’s only right to pay more for products that go a long way even in tiny packaging, such as a primer, sleeping mask, or concealer stick. Meanwhile, a sheet mask can be more affordable because it’s a single-use item.
Buy Only What You Consume
The draw of wholesale prices is if you compute for the price per piece, it’s way cheaper than buying at retail price. However, the savings you think you get can be deceiving if you end up buying too much. A big family will definitely have more use for a family-sized toilet paper pack, but a couple or an individual may not go through the same amount of toilet paper in a month. Of course, you can always argue that you can use the toilet paper at a later date, but you could also develop a false sense of security and think you have enough, which results in wasteful toilet paper use. Consider the demand for the product as well, especially if you’re trying to save money. If the demand is high, the price you’re paying for your toilet paper right now might be higher than what you would pay if you bought it at a later date.
Ask Yourself if It’s a Want or a Need
You are allowed to buy the things you want, after you have purchased all the things you need. It’s important that you think of your basic necessities before going for any kind of luxury item. This is the main reason you have to determine whether what you’re buying is a want or a need. If it’s a need, there is no question about buying it; if it’s a want and you’re prioritizing it over more pressing needs, that’s a financial problem. If it’s a want and you can’t afford it now, learn to save up for it first. Again, this isn’t about depriving yourself of the joys of life, especially if you worked hard for it. But what’s important is that you know when you should buy these wants.
For many, price is the main consideration when buying anything. But to be truly purposeful about your purchase, always consider all relevant factors.