Tricks to resist the impulse to buy in Times Travel

Merry Christmas to all! for the next week I'll be writing about the steps to acquire financial security, but this time I would draw attention from what is known as "Offers? especially the "Offers Christmas?.

For all it is well known that there is a global crisis that threatens to major consuming economies like the U.S., Japan and European Community, and this also affects small economies in the sense that few products are made to reduce production , cutting employees and more expensive raw materials in producing countries. That is why we have seen unprecedented growth of indoor, unemployment, inflation, etc.. The Economy in 2009 is not going to be stable, and we will be experiencing a period of uncertainty not seen since the Great Depression of 1929.

Despite this, many people still believe that this crisis will not affect. I heard the President of Venezuela retract what he said a few months ago, and now says the crisis "is going to affect the Venezuelans?, The president of Ecuador also expressed, and no less reliable has been the president of Mexico Of course, not counting the countless interviews and speeches of the President of the United States.

So What does all this discussion about the crisis? Why is it relevant to me? Well, first we must understand that times are difficult, and in each country is going to manifest in different ways: there may be tax increases, currency devaluation, inflation, restriction to buy dollars, among other measures. If we understand this situation, I assure you they will think twice in making unnecessary expenses, and this is what the article: Christmas on the offers.

I was able to spend Christmas in Hong Kong, a small island that belongs to China and is "shopping paradise? for people in Southeast Asia. There is a saying among locals that says "If you do not find it in Hong Kong, probably does not exist?. The global crisis has greatly affected trade in this city, to the point that many places offering discounts of 90%, something incredible when you consider that Christmas is the time of selling and when they all raise prices. Well the way I took these "deals? was quite pragmatic: I asked myself What I really need? This simple question triggers many others such as "is on offer is very cheap, I have one, but I'll need it later? o I'll get it later?.

When I left Hong Kong, I knew exactly what I needed (for example a wallet, a polo shirt) and had also sought market prices, in case you found them at a good price-or cheaper-in Hong Kong. My kids had planned to buy toys of December 24, a pair of educational books and some clothes, nothing specific in this case, but whether it has established a budget, which is important when you travel.

Overall, I found offers that say "buy 3 pieces and give 20% discount if you buy 5 pieces and give 25%?, It's crazy to fall into this OFFER! If you need all 5 pieces in your wardrobe is fine, but if you plan to spend another $ 100 to earn an additional 5% discount, you're thinking wrong. Are you following me?

Another "Deal? very popular is "Buy 3 pieces and leaves him free?. That means if you buy 3 suits $ 500, the fourth suit is FREE. Now I ask, Is it spent $ 1500 range in 4 suits? Unless you are a politician or lawyer, I doubt you use the 4 suits in a year, and they are worth the investment you made. I think you would be cheaper to bring the suit that you update the lines with a good tailor, and you adjust it for you. You'll see the difference ... the discount? Well, put it as follows:

You can get 100% discount on an item simply not buying it.

Try to postpone that decision, analyzes if you really need, if you have can last a year or 6 months, do not think that because it's cheap is "necessary? buy, remember that the crisis, as I and many analysts have said, it will last a long time.

I hope the next time you're faced with an offer you can see the fine print of what is actually being offered, and you can understand, like me, sometimes the best deal is one that is not used. What is the strategy that you use to get away from these tempting offers? For example, my friend Liz shopping establishes two year period, with pre-established budgets. For my part I am inclined to set my needs and then go through them in time of bids. Living in Asia, I understand that the offers appear in July-August and December, so I plan my purchases for these dates, either before or after. If you live in the U.S., I think Thanksgiving and January are good seasons for shopping.

If you're still having problems with the bids, you are tempted (a) for them, and you have to go to the mall or grocery store for something specific but fear the temptation, I advise you: 1) do not take your credit cards, 2) make a list of what you need, 3) making a basket instead of a shopping cart to limit your impulses, 3) think about the crisis and what we could do with the money you would save this time, finally 4 ) think the best deal, that gives you 100% discount, is that you do not use.

I appreciate your comments on how you handle these times of offers, so you can share with all readers.