2 for 1

How many times have you been to Target or K-mart or even the grocery
store and seen the 2 for 1 sale? Always looks appealing and sounds
appealing and seems to be a good deal, but is it? I never bothered
to read the expiration dates or ask the store manager why this is
such a good deal? I have to admit that I am guilty of all charges.
I will zero in and zoom straight towards any 2 for 1 deals, anytime
and anywhere.
When I lived in London for eight years, I would go to a drugstore
called Boots. They have existed for at least a hundred years and I
have been buying their 2 for 1 products for a third of that time. I
even have a Boots card to earn points so that I can buy even more 2
for 1 products. Such a deal, what a steal. I would even
intentionally buy a whole bunch of products just to get the points
in order to buy the 2 for 1 using my points! Can you ever imagine a
better deal than that!
I go to CVS here which is a drugstore similar to Boots and buy like crazy to get
points onto my CVS card which in turn I will use towards any 2 for 1
products. The excitement and joy of this little scheme I have
mastered which never fails to delight me as it must delight you.
When I go to a supermarket, if I see the buy 2 laundry detergents
to get the 3rd free, I go for it. It will end up in my trolley or shopping cart
faster than a speeding bullet. The ice cream 2 for 1 really
thrills me. I will scoop this up in seconds and push my trolley
with more pride than a chicken laying a dozen eggs!
But then I wonder, is it a good deal or a scam to buy more. Are we being
coaxed into buying products we do not need or buy amounts we will never use?
Are we so gullible that any deal offered to the consumer
prompts us to buy even if we do not need the items? Is this a very
clever advertising campaign? Am I that stupid?? The answer is
probably yes and no.
I actually did some serious research on this and found out a few
pointers I would like to share. It is a good deal when the 2 for
1 is actually less expensive than the single unit and you actually
need it. Divide the price in two on the 2 for 1 and see if
the price is less than the price per unit. Often, it is actually
double the price so you are not getting a good deal. Next, do look at the
expiration date and see if you would use the product by the time it
expires. I have found that many items expire far sooner than you
might expect. If it suits you, than you are making a good deal.
Check out the unit cost and take a calculator with you. See how
much the per unit cost and then calculate if indeed it is far less
than to buy the 2 or 3 for 1 or 2 for 1 deal. Now, I'm getting confused
but this is a good way to not buy what you do not need and help manage your monies.
We never seem to realize how fast these little amounts add up to each month!
It took me awhile to realize that I was spending a fortune to earn
points to buy the 2 for 1. I am ashamed to admit that after I had calculated how much I was spending trying to earn points for good deals than if I
had just bought one of the products when I needed them was ridiculous! I was
hoarding like a chipmunk, collecting nuts to store for the winter. And all along the real nuts were stored in my brain.
I ended up with so many 2 for 1, that I had to buy an extra
storage unit to store all these wonderful deals. Then I found
myself using double the amount faster just to use up the
product. I would even offer and give away my 2 for 1 to family
and friends. What kind of fool am I? It has taken me awhile to
calm down and to realize that I was spending far more money trying
to get a good deal, than if I had simply bought what I needed when
needed and not store any of it.
I wanted to share this embarrassing experience of mine or rather
vocational career I had made out of good deals and earning points in
order to get the good deals. Most of you probably have long ago
figured this out and although at times, one can benefit from these
terrific deals, it is also a psychological pampering and like a
drug, moments of high and then lows.
Did you hear about the buy 5 panties get 1 free at Victoria
Secrets? I'm there, girlfriend...

-----------