Misconception of Savvy Shoppers!
As a busy mom of two I am always looking for ways to save time and money. There are many moms and consumers out there who feel the same. With the economy the way it is, it's just plain smart to be wise with your money.
I spend a lot of time clipping coupons and watching the sales in order to save money on my grocery bill. I can usually save about 75 to 80% off my bill. You also might find me shopping the clearance racks in clothing stores. You might even go so far to say you might come to my house and find my new recipe for homemade foaming hand soap sitting on the bathroom counter. So I guess you could say I fit the bill of a frugal mom or savvy shopper.
Lately I have been hearing that there is a big misconception about “Savvy Shoppers”. I have heard comments that savvy shoppers or frugal shoppers are not the right targets for certain products or savvy shoppers never have nice things. Being frugal doesn't mean being cheap. What I mean by being cheap is low quality ( not getting a good deal, like my motto says).
Being a savvy shopper just means being a smart shopper. Yeah, sure we like to get a good deal but we also don't want to skimp on quality either. We know as consumers that buying a low quality product will just cost you more in the long run. I find (as do other savvy shoppers) that taking the time to save money on groceries and being frugal in other areas makes me feel good about spending money on higher quality products. For example, I just saved 80% off my grocery bill yet I got a cute new outfit from Ann Taylor Loft. I mean, I like high quality items and nice things for my home. If I want to buy them they need to be of value to me. I also need to pick and choose in what areas I want to save in. Let's not forget about gifts and word of mouth either. We all have that certain someone who is hard to buy for and I usually spend more money on those people than I would for myself. And don't forget a lot of these savvy shoppers are very social and know a lot of people. Word of mouth goes a long way. If they don't buy it they may know people who will and would love to pass the information on to someone else. Do you know how many times in one day I recommend a product? I think it's funny because I am seeing a trend now that the economy has changed, people are starting to really think about what they spend their money on. I have people who are barely making it who read my blog but I also have people who live in $300,000 homes who read my blog. It's not just penny pinching moms who are trying to save a buck anymore. I think everyone is trying to make a conscious effort to be wise about their spending these days.
I hope companies, media, etc. will remember this when working on story content or promotions for the future.
Melissa from “Saving Sense” and I have been talking about this on Twitter and you can check out her story as well here. While on twitter we had several people make comments about this issue and I thought I would share them with you:
babygoodbuys@ConsumerQueen I hate that, too! I buy top of the line, just at absolute rock-bottom prices. I'm a brand-name-loving bargain hunter
Tworkathome@ConsumerQueen Tellem we R broke but we R bourgeois lol! Just because we R savvy doesn't mean that we don't want the best 4 our families
mindicherry@ConsumerQueen yep – they just can't imagine why I am not jumping to give them free advertising (exceptions made for PR people I like 😉 )
- AdorableDiapers@ConsumerQueen It's insulting, too. Oh well.
- mindicherry@ConsumerQueen I love when they send me nothing but a press release, then email me 3 days later asking why I haven't posted it yet!
- jantallent@ConsumerQueen It is their loss if they let petty minds ruin their business. 🙂
- 4TheMommas@ConsumerQueen I hate that they think we don't spend money! I may save money, but I never skimp on quality!
- Tworkathome@ConsumerQueen You can tell they don't read our blogs can't you. All that Ghirardelli chocolate says otherwise doesn't it lol
- PoorSanta@ConsumerQueen Actually most of us have Champagne taste and beer budgets… anyone can go out and buy cheap junk
- momAgenda@ConsumerQueen Me too; cheap shampoo, expensive shoes!
Let us know how you feel about this?
Great article. I know.. really, just cause I am a savvy shopper does not mean I am going to stop toting around my Coach Bag, and stop buying my teens Nike Shoes and buying high quality cookwear. I can justify it much more, when I can save $$$ on consumable items I buy at the grocery store. Yes, it may take a little extra time, but it is totally worth it. I call it being a good steward of my ( I mean husbands, LOL) money.
Great article. I know.. really, just cause I am a savvy shopper does not mean I am going to stop toting around my Coach Bag, and stop buying my teens Nike Shoes and buying high quality cookwear. I can justify it much more, when I can save $$$ on consumable items I buy at the grocery store. Yes, it may take a little extra time, but it is totally worth it. I call it being a good steward of my ( I mean husbands, LOL) money.
Whoever thinks that savvy shoppers do not spend money is insane. For example for Christmas I buy presents for my immediate side of the family (6 adults and 2 kiddos and 1 dog, my husbands immediate side of the family (18 adults and they are having kiddos so fast I lost count right now) plus my kiddos. Because I AM savvy and shop sales and clearance I can get nice stuff at lower prices.
My baby right now is sleeping in a high chair wearing Tommy Hilfiger Overalls, Nike shoes and my coach purse is on thre couch. My kids wear Old Navy Clothes and I am addicted to The Avenue. Almost everything in my house is name brand but bought on sale or with coupons.
I also recommend products to people all the time. Just last night I was receommending a hand lotion to my Mom and today I was talking about diapers and baby formula with my neighbor!
If I can buy my groceries with coupons and sales and save a ton that frees up extra money for savings, my van–bought with coupon savings–or things that we want to splurge on!
Whoever thinks that savvy shoppers do not spend money is insane. For example for Christmas I buy presents for my immediate side of the family (6 adults and 2 kiddos and 1 dog, my husbands immediate side of the family (18 adults and they are having kiddos so fast I lost count right now) plus my kiddos. Because I AM savvy and shop sales and clearance I can get nice stuff at lower prices.
My baby right now is sleeping in a high chair wearing Tommy Hilfiger Overalls, Nike shoes and my coach purse is on thre couch. My kids wear Old Navy Clothes and I am addicted to The Avenue. Almost everything in my house is name brand but bought on sale or with coupons.
I also recommend products to people all the time. Just last night I was receommending a hand lotion to my Mom and today I was talking about diapers and baby formula with my neighbor!
If I can buy my groceries with coupons and sales and save a ton that frees up extra money for savings, my van–bought with coupon savings–or things that we want to splurge on!
Thanks for the link love! I think this is such a great topic and one that is important to address because people need to feel good about saving, but also about finding quality products (or services, etc) without feeling guilty. Thanks for the discussion!
Thanks for the link love! I think this is such a great topic and one that is important to address because people need to feel good about saving, but also about finding quality products (or services, etc) without feeling guilty. Thanks for the discussion!
Savvy shoppers not having nice things!? That’s funny as all the comments below are women who are savvy and by the sounds have nice things. But truly the sad part about the article is, who are they to judge others. If someone likes to buy cheap stuff then why can’t they spend their money as they wish?! However, I do feel that the Consumer Queen tries to show and teach people to get the best product for rock bottom prices. I am very savvy and thus, my husband and I have been able to take some wonderful vacations with savings! Not to mention that we also put the extra savings in each of our Roth IRA’s. Lastly, it has afforded us the chance to go through fertility treatments (as most/if not all insurance companys don’t pay) for several years and pay as we go! Which now the savings is being spent on our up coming bundle of joy! Just because we choose to save money doesn’t make us cheap!
Savvy shoppers not having nice things!? That’s funny as all the comments below are women who are savvy and by the sounds have nice things. But truly the sad part about the article is, who are they to judge others. If someone likes to buy cheap stuff then why can’t they spend their money as they wish?! However, I do feel that the Consumer Queen tries to show and teach people to get the best product for rock bottom prices. I am very savvy and thus, my husband and I have been able to take some wonderful vacations with savings! Not to mention that we also put the extra savings in each of our Roth IRA’s. Lastly, it has afforded us the chance to go through fertility treatments (as most/if not all insurance companys don’t pay) for several years and pay as we go! Which now the savings is being spent on our up coming bundle of joy! Just because we choose to save money doesn’t make us cheap!
Being a savvy shopper is being a smart shopper. I agree! This only means that a savvy shopper has already gained the right knowledge from his or her shopping experiences, and become smart and wise to spend money in the right, effective and most efficient way.