What’s Your Shopping Style?

Many different styles of shopping exist. Of course I knew this, but it slapped me across the face over the weekend when my wife and I went Christmas shopping together. Our shopping styles sit on the opposite ends of the spectrum, and it takes a big helping of patience for us to not get annoyed with each other. I thought we’d have a little fun today and compare the shopping styles of my wife and I.

Shop Like It’s A Military Mission

I do the vast majority of my shopping online, but for the few things that force me to go into a physical store all research is done ahead of time. By the time I get into the car I know exactly where I’m going, what I’m getting, and how much it’s going to cost. Upon entering the store, I find the item I’m looking for, if they have it in stock (sometimes can’t tell online) I buy it and leave quickly.

Advantages

  • Shopping is extremely fast
  • Easy to stick to budget

Disadvantages

  • May miss out on other good deals
  • No clear backup plan if item isn’t in stock

Shop Like It’s An Event

When entering a store you can almost see the words, “I wonder what else I can find in here,” written across my wife’s forehead. On her way to the desired object she walks up and down the aisles looking for other gift ideas or good deals. The time in each store is much more lengthy.

Advantages

  • May find great gift ideas
  • May find sale items

Disadvantages

  • Shopping takes much longer
  • Potential budget breaking due to buying items spontaneously

Writing this, I had to try really hard not to let my biased view of each shopping method to show through. Obviously I think my method is the way to go. It minimizes time shopping (crowds and parking lots make me shudder), and it’s very easy to stay on task and on budget. Although I’m sure my wife has way more fun shopping than I do. I view it as something that needs to be done, while she enjoys browsing and looking at seasonal items.

In the end, there’s no right or wrong way to shop as long as you don’t buy things you don’t need, and you stick with your budget.

How about you, EOD Nation, what’s your shopping style?

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