The Core

Why We Are Here => Economics & Investing => Topic started by: rcjordan on February 23, 2018, 03:18:20 PM

Title: Consumers waste $5,400 a year on impulse buys
Post by: rcjordan on February 23, 2018, 03:18:20 PM
Seems about right, maybe a little low since they've (rightly) included food.

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/23/consumers-cough-up-5400-a-year-on-impulse-purchases.html

I'll add that this does not include STUPID purchases such as buying a loaded 4wd SUV with an upside-down car loan.
Title: Re: Consumers waste $5,400 a year on impulse buys
Post by: rcjordan on February 23, 2018, 04:11:20 PM
<related>

This Is What Life Without Retirement Savings Looks Like

https://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2018/02/pensions-safety-net-california/553970/
Title: Re: Consumers waste $5,400 a year on impulse buys
Post by: DrCool on February 23, 2018, 05:22:01 PM
>$5400

Checks Amazon order history... can confirm.
Title: Re: Consumers waste $5,400 a year on impulse buys
Post by: Brad on February 23, 2018, 05:54:32 PM
Quote from: DrCool on February 23, 2018, 05:22:01 PM
>$5400

Checks Amazon order history... can confirm.

Yeah Amazon gets me all the time. 
Title: Re: Consumers waste $5,400 a year on impulse buys
Post by: rcjordan on February 23, 2018, 06:27:18 PM
>Amazon gets me

Yeah, can confirm $20-30/day adds up.  Though I still contend that most of my purchases aren't impulse/wasteful items ---80% of them are successfully deployed in the household.  MOST of my Amz daily purchases are things that I simply would never had found to buy if I was dependent upon shopping out in the bricks.

Or, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Title: Re: Consumers waste $5,400 a year on impulse buys
Post by: Brad on February 24, 2018, 12:21:05 AM
I could fill a decent sized box with stuff I've bought from Amazon and never used, but will someday Real Soon Now, if I remember I already have one when I need it.

I have to say my impulse buying may have gone down a bit on Amazon.  They have both the serps and the product page so garbage up with sponsored products, and garbage I tend to just scroll past their suggestions and everything.

/unrelated

Amazon search is really bad.
Title: Re: Consumers waste $5,400 a year on impulse buys
Post by: buckworks on February 24, 2018, 02:08:29 AM
>> contend that most of my purchases aren't impulse/wasteful items ---80% of them are successfully deployed in the household

I was thinking similar thoughts. It's not a waste if it turns out to be something you actually use and enjoy.

I try to have an overall shopping plan for the various departments of my life, so that when I buy something it fits into a plan. I've had the experience of lusting after something that I didn't even know existed until I saw it just now. I find it's wise to sit on the idea and let some time pass before taking action. That will clarify whether the thing is Really So Fantastic, or whether I was just seduced by effective copywriting. It also increases the chance that I might be able to buy it on sale!
Title: Re: Consumers waste $5,400 a year on impulse buys
Post by: ergophobe on February 24, 2018, 05:47:27 AM
Yeah, Amazon is not the problem. I typically go there for some need I have identified ahead of time.

My impulse buys are almost entirely at the grocery store.

Now, I spend a lot of money on stupid things I don't need and it is probably not to my credit that these are deliberate purchases, not impulse buys.
Title: Re: Consumers waste $5,400 a year on impulse buys
Post by: rcjordan on February 24, 2018, 05:27:13 PM
>80% of them are successfully deployed in the household

Thinking it over, it's likely closer to 90-95%.  I do have a weak spot for raw electronic components for DIY projects that never get done. Luckily, China will mail me those at ridiculously low prices, so it's a cheap high.

I shy away from bleeding edge, but go all-in once I think it's established. I also like to stock spares.  But it is a lot of incoming stuff.  My kids say they come home to find out about stuff they need but have never heard of.
Title: Re: Consumers waste $5,400 a year on impulse buys
Post by: rcjordan on March 05, 2018, 04:18:17 PM
Americans are spending $30 billion on 'drunk shopping'

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/03/05/get-blasted-go-broke-more-americans-go-drunk-shopping.html
Title: Re: Consumers waste $5,400 a year on impulse buys
Post by: rcjordan on August 19, 2019, 10:54:47 PM
Americans putting more of their budget toward eating out
https://www.cnbc.com/2019/08/19/americans-putting-more-of-their-budget-toward-eating-out.html