On Being Frugal and Brand Loyalty
I feel like crap for no obvious reason but I figured I should post what my brain will recall on the topic.
Now on Saturday morning I found myself without food in the house, so I went shopping (I don't even think I had breakfast foods). Of course, as I go to shop, I realise that I'm going to the USA in July and really need to save whatever I can. My brain switches in to cheapskate mode as I shop.
For the first time in years I shopped slowly and scrutinised everything. It was so surreal. Didn't help that I was shopping at Supabarn which is the more expensive brand of supermarket. My original plan was to start shopping at Woolies or Franklins in Leichhardt before heading home after work during the week... I may be an organiser for work, doesn't mean I'm organised at home.
Now, I said before that humans are creatures of habit and I have developed some significant brand loyalty over the years. Often, I will take recommendations from friends and keep them if it works.
So this was a really weird process to stop at every item I 'usually' buy, look around and look for the cheaper yet quality option. Then add the whole I'm overweight and need to watch what I eat conundrum, and my shopping trip for some basics, suddenly became a long shopping trip.
I think I saved money, I know I saved money on my face wash. Instead of the Charlie suggested Olay face wash ($12.99) I bought a Neutrogena deep cleansing face wash for $7.99 (reduced from $13.99 win!). I don't consciously watch the scanner, but obviously my mind was attuned to the goal. So I noticed when the face wash scanned at full price instead of reduced price. I apologised profusely to the customers behind me while a price check was ordered, but my $6 was worth their wait :D
I don't know, there was a point to this post I guess.
Oh I got home from shopping to discover I had 15 mins to get out of the house and go to hockey. So ironically, shopping for food taking longer than expected meant I had no time to eat before I left and I hadn't bought anything I could eat on the run. So I had to buy a sausage sandwich during half time of the game I umpired - double fail - spending money AND eating bad foods.
*sigh*
Now on Saturday morning I found myself without food in the house, so I went shopping (I don't even think I had breakfast foods). Of course, as I go to shop, I realise that I'm going to the USA in July and really need to save whatever I can. My brain switches in to cheapskate mode as I shop.
For the first time in years I shopped slowly and scrutinised everything. It was so surreal. Didn't help that I was shopping at Supabarn which is the more expensive brand of supermarket. My original plan was to start shopping at Woolies or Franklins in Leichhardt before heading home after work during the week... I may be an organiser for work, doesn't mean I'm organised at home.
Now, I said before that humans are creatures of habit and I have developed some significant brand loyalty over the years. Often, I will take recommendations from friends and keep them if it works.
So this was a really weird process to stop at every item I 'usually' buy, look around and look for the cheaper yet quality option. Then add the whole I'm overweight and need to watch what I eat conundrum, and my shopping trip for some basics, suddenly became a long shopping trip.
I think I saved money, I know I saved money on my face wash. Instead of the Charlie suggested Olay face wash ($12.99) I bought a Neutrogena deep cleansing face wash for $7.99 (reduced from $13.99 win!). I don't consciously watch the scanner, but obviously my mind was attuned to the goal. So I noticed when the face wash scanned at full price instead of reduced price. I apologised profusely to the customers behind me while a price check was ordered, but my $6 was worth their wait :D
I don't know, there was a point to this post I guess.
Oh I got home from shopping to discover I had 15 mins to get out of the house and go to hockey. So ironically, shopping for food taking longer than expected meant I had no time to eat before I left and I hadn't bought anything I could eat on the run. So I had to buy a sausage sandwich during half time of the game I umpired - double fail - spending money AND eating bad foods.
*sigh*