It is possible to have too much of a good thing. Aesop said that, and while others have made fun of this quote, I believe he was close to the truth. Think about binge watching TV. Several years ago, my wife and I watched the first ten episodes of a popular show in one sitting. This actually kept us invested in the show long enough for it to grow on us. But each episode ran together. While we enjoyed the experience, we didn’t get maximum enjoyment from each individual show.
Researchers have found this to be true when you’re shopping too. People who spread out purchases reported being happier than those who had completed a marathon shopping trip in one afternoon.
Anticipation
I enjoy going out to dinner. I see it as an occasional treat, something to be enjoyed to its fullest whether I’m dining at a five-star restaurant or the bagel shop down the street. Part of this is due to the fact that we don’t go out to eat every night, or even every week. It’s still an outlier, a big event that’s fun to anticipate. Often, we check menus even before we arrive just to get an idea of what we might want.
Yet I have friends who go out so often, it’s just part of the workweek. They sort-of enjoy the food, they may not even notice their surroundings; they’ve gone out so often there’s no real excitement anymore. Spreading out purchases – in this case, meals out – will help maintain that excitement and anticipation.
Research
I mentioned above that we may review menus before going out; similarly, I often review purchases to make sure I’m getting the best option for my dollars. When I buy hiking boots, I need to make sure that they will stand up to the rocky trails as well as exposed roots. By taking the time to carefully evaluate a purchase, I’m more likely to find an item that will bring me the most happiness and help avoid buyer’s remorse.
Overspending control
With inflation, restaurant pricing has skyrocketed while portions have often grown smaller. $15 hamburgers confound me. It’s ground beef, people! By taking a little time between purchases, I can make sure that an item is within my current budget. This isn’t to say that I won’t spend $15 for a burger, but if I’ve gone out three times that week, I probably won’t. However, if it’s a treat and the first time I’ve been out lately, the expensive burger might be okay because it fits better into my budget.
Missed deals
Some people believe you should buy immediately if you find something on sale. And while this may prove true if it’s a one-time-only sale, I’ve found that most sales are cyclical. Websites even have calendars that show when certain items go on sale (like computers in the fall when kids are returning to school). What might be better than buying now is saving up for the next time the sale comes around to make sure you have enough in the budget.
Tricks to help you control the urge to splurge
If you’re having a hard time controlling your spending, ask yourself some questions when you’re at your favorite store. Will I use that, or do I already have three at home? Did I need this item before I entered the store? Why am I here – did I have a rough day at work? You can even put something in your cart, walk around for a while, then put it back.
Anticipation almost as good as the experience
According to several studies, having something to look forward to increases your positive mood while lowering stress. The anticipation can be almost as good as the actual experience or purchase. In fact, “Imagining good things ahead of us makes us feel better in the current moment. It can increase motivation, optimism and patience and decrease irritability.”
To get more out of your purchases, consider spending more on experiences. We’re planning our annual beach trip, to the same beach we’ve gone to since the kids were young. Yet I’m counting down the days and can’t wait until we get there. Not only am I excited now, I’ll have stories to tell and relive after we return. Experiences often pack more punch per dollar than a material good.
Spreading out your purchases can help you manage your money while providing a better experience both before and after the purchase. Like other financial goals you may not be sure of, at least try this for a while and see how it works for you.
Photo by Bonnie Kittle