Offers, discounts, flash sales and tempting deals are everywhere. But
amid all the excitement, are we buying what we really need or simply what we
are tempted to buy?
The festive season is here! It is the time for celebrations, new
clothes, gifts, sweets, family gatherings and, of course, shopping. Online
shopping platforms have added another dimension to our festive excitement by
announcing attractive offers, exciting discounts and special deals.
Amazon's Great Indian Festival, Flipkart's festive sales, Meesho's
offers and the many deals promoted through quick-commerce platforms such as
Zepto, Blinkit and others have made shopping possible with just a few clicks.
Add the numerous advertisements, notifications, social media promotions and
influencer recommendations on Instagram, and we have a shopping atmosphere that
is difficult to ignore.
There is so much happening around us that we may wonder whether we are
shopping because we need something or because everyone seems to be shopping!
When offers are
everywhere, where is our attention?
A new mobile phone at a tempting price, a kitchen appliance with an
attractive discount, a dress that looks perfect for the festive season,
groceries delivered in minutes, or a product we have never considered buying
until now — everything seems to be available at a special price.
The words limited-period offer, deal of the day, hurry up, only a few
left and extra discount can create a sense of urgency. We may feel that if we
do not buy something immediately, we will miss a wonderful opportunity.
But let us pause for a moment.
- Do
we really need the product?
- Have
we been planning to buy it, or did the advertisement make us think about
it?
- Is
the discounted price genuinely worthwhile?
- Do
we already have something at home that serves the same purpose?
- Will
we use this product regularly, or will it remain unused after the initial
excitement?
These are simple questions, but asking them can make a big difference to
our shopping habits.
The quick-commerce
temptation
Quick commerce has changed the way we buy everyday essentials. From
groceries and snacks to household items and last-minute requirements, many
products can now reach our doorstep within minutes.
This convenience is useful, especially when we need something urgently.
However, when ordering becomes too easy, we may start adding items to our carts
without thinking twice.
A small purchase here, another there, and a few unplanned orders later,
the total amount can be much higher than we expected. Convenience should make
our lives easier, not encourage us to spend without thinking. Before placing an
order, ask yourself: Is this something I need now, or can it wait until my next
planned shopping trip?
Discounts do not
always mean savings
One of the biggest lessons we can learn during festive sales is that
spending less on something we do not need is still spending money we could have
saved.
A product marked down from ₹2,000 to ₹1,000 may look like an excellent
deal. But if we had never intended to buy it, we have not saved ₹1,000. We have
spent ₹1,000!
It is also worth comparing prices across platforms, checking the product
specifications, reading reliable customer reviews and looking at the final
checkout amount, including delivery charges and other applicable fees.
A discount is worthwhile when it helps us buy something we genuinely
need at a fair price — not when it persuades us to buy something merely because
it is cheaper.
Social media:
Inspiration or invitation to spend?
Instagram and other social media platforms are full of festive shopping
hauls, product recommendations, unboxing videos and posts showcasing the latest
purchases.
Someone we follow may recommend a beautiful saree, an attractive
handbag, a useful kitchen gadget or a book collection. Their enthusiasm can be
infectious, and we may immediately want the same thing. There is nothing wrong
with discovering new products through social media. Recommendations can be
useful, and sometimes they introduce us to something we genuinely need.
But remember that another person's needs, budget, lifestyle and
preferences may be very different from ours. We can appreciate a recommendation
without purchasing the product. We can admire something without owning it. And
we can enjoy watching a shopping haul without turning it into our own shopping
list!
Write down what you need before opening a shopping app. Keep the list
handy and try to stick to it, even when attractive offers appear.
Set a reasonable spending limit for festive shopping. Separate essential
purchases from optional ones, and do not stretch your budget simply to qualify
for an additional discount.
Check prices, quality, seller details, return policies and customer
feedback. Do not assume that every advertised offer is the best available
price.
Unless it is an urgent necessity, wait before buying something you had
not planned to purchase. A little time can help you distinguish a genuine need
from a passing impulse.
Before buying new clothes, kitchenware, stationery, books or household
products, look at what you already have. Reusing what is in good condition
saves money, reduces clutter and supports more sustainable living.
Festivals are about joy, togetherness, gratitude, traditions and
sharing. Shopping can certainly be part of the celebration, but it need not
become the centre of it.
We can celebrate with homemade food, traditional recipes, decorating our
homes, visiting relatives and friends, supporting local artisans, buying from
neighbourhood shops and spending quality time with our loved ones. We can
choose thoughtful gifts instead of expensive ones. We can buy what we need
without feeling compelled to participate in every sale. We can enjoy the
festive atmosphere without comparing our purchases with those of others.
A festival should leave us with happy memories, not unnecessary bills,
unused products and regret over impulsive spending.
A small challenge
for this festive season
Before your next online purchase, pause and ask yourself these three
questions:
1.
Do I need it?
2.
Can I afford it comfortably?
3.
Would I still buy it if there were no discount or advertisement?
If you can answer these questions honestly, you are already making a
more conscious choice.
As bloggers, writers, readers and consumers, we can also spread
awareness about mindful shopping. Instead of sharing only the latest deals, we
can discuss the importance of informed choices, responsible consumption,
financial discipline and reducing waste.
The idea is not to reject online shopping or avoid every festive offer.
Technology and online platforms have made many things easier for us. The key is
to use them wisely rather than allow them to dictate our spending habits.
My festive reminder to myself and everyone reading this: Be alert amidst
the chaos. Keep your needs in focus, your budget in mind and your impulses
under control. Let the offers come and go. Let the notifications appear and
disappear. Let others shop as they please. You do not have to buy everything
that catches your eye! This festive season, may we shop with awareness,
celebrate with happiness and welcome the New Year without unnecessary financial
burdens.
The best festive deal is not always the biggest discount. Sometimes, it
is the purchase you wisely decide not to make.
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