Take it from Mama…shopping is completely a mind game on the part of the retailers. Perhaps it’s just because Mama is fuming today over another shopping fiasco (believe it or not…it did not involve Mama’s children) but Mama has had enough of these mind games. It’s time to beat them at their own game. Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Free Shipping Weekend…it’s all a gimmick to get YOU and MAMA to believe that you’re getting a great deal when in fact, you’re not. Let’s dissect the shopping world for a few minutes so you begin to understand how to beat them at their own game…
Group Deal Sites — aren’t you sick of them yet? Everyday there is a new one popping up promising you the BEST and most DIVERSE deals in your area. Yeah right…Mama has seen it all from deals on tattoos to things that Mama loved buying like the one from Shabby Apple (from which brings this fuming post by the way…!) to buy wonderful and beautiful clothing at a deep discount. Here’s the problem — the expiration dates and the hoops one must jump through to redeem them. Mama is one of those last minute deal users. For example, Mama tried to redeem her voucher for Shabby Apple on December 31, 2011. The expiration date was for December 31, 2011. YES…Mama made it! Oh…not so fast or so easy…coupon code says it’s already expired! GRRRRR!!!! This is not the first time this has happened when trying to redeem a voucher on the said expiration date (what can Mama say…Mama lives for deadlines!). So Mama e-mailed the deal company for which it was purchased from…their response, “Not our problem, contact the company!” Huh?! So Mama e-mails the company and doesn’t hear back for almost a week. They extended Mama’s coupon which ended January 31, 2012. Mama tries to redeem it on the deadline that it was extended to and guess what…YOUR VOUCHER HAS EXPIRED appears on Mama’s screen! GRRRRRRRR….does one give up or keep trying in this instance. So companies, if you give a deadline — STICK TO IT!!! **Mama must say that after contacting Shabby Apple’s customer service again, they did honor Mama’s vouchers — great customer service on their part…not so much on the deal site’s end. Moral of the story — don’t stock up on the deals just because it’s a good deal — they will come again and only buy things you know you’ll use immediately!
One more left in stock — impulse buying! This is totally psychological. Flash sale sites are notorious for this method labeling things like only 4 in stock or putting a 15 minute time limit on your cart. It makes you just push the BUY button instead of taking the time to decide you don’t actually need it. Mama fell into this trap last week buying a diaper bag that was so not needed but there was only ONE left. Mama is trying so hard to be good and not fall into the limited quantity trap but it’s so hard! Moral of the story — don’t fall into the limited quantity trap. If you find it one place, you’ll find it at another too and maybe even at a better price!
The season before it’s needed — this is where Mama always gets into trouble. We’re still in the middle of winter and yet, spring clothing is upon us and so is Easter decor and it’s not even Valentine’s Day yet. So when you go to Target a week before Valentine’s Day, you know that there won’t be anything left. So you stock up and stock up and then…you can’t remember what you have already bought so you end up with so much stuff. It’s the story of Mama’s life! It’s no wonder we’re busting at the seams. That and well…Mama intends to make all these crafty-crafts with Lily-girl and then time always slips away from us. Moral of the story — take inventory before you shop…do you NEED IT? Do you WANT it? Usually it’s always WANT!
How else do they get you to spend? Well, it’s the sale thing…25 percent off, 40 percent off, FREE SHIPPING, Clearance…it’s everywhere all the time and you always think you’re getting a good deal…unless, they actually mark-up the price before the sale?! Ha, that’s how they get us, isn’t it!
So what did Mama buy anyways that sparked this lovely little rant…well, let’s see…
With Mama’s deal coupons…Bon Voyage Dress, $78, at
And this one too…because one wasn’t enough! El Mar Dress, $66, at
Then there was the diaper bag…OpenSky.com is great at getting you to impulse buy (only one left!), Yummy Mummy Diaper Bag from Pink Lining UK, marked down to $69 from $129! Although, they are having a pretty good sale What have you bought lately that you just couldn’t resist because of the great price? 
My philosophy is simple: just because you're a mom doesn't mean you have to forgo style or your life. You can do it all with a little help from Mama. Mama makes life easier by doing all the shopping, crafting and ranting for you because really...what Mama has the time for that?! Mama will not lie, I can bake but if you're looking for cooking tips you might be better off going someplace else!
