I’m usually pretty frugal. I’ll often do without something I want but don’t need, or I’ll find a cheaper alternative. It’s just my nature.
But just after the holidays, I decided to indulge. I bought a navy blue Brooks Brothers blazer I’ve had my eyes on for years, the kind of thing that never goes out of style and that I can wear in all kinds of situations.
As silly as it might sound, I’m really excited about it! It’s something I’ve wanted for a while and I can’t wait to wear it. But I’m also excited about the deal I got. Instead of paying the full $558.49 price tag, I was able to get it for $260.47.
Here’s how I saved the money, and how you could do the same on your next big purchase.
Step 1: I Waited
I didn’t buy the blazer as soon as I saw it. It probably sat on my wish list for a few years before I actually pulled the trigger. And that waiting did a couple of things for me.
First, it allowed me to find an opportunity to buy it for less. Instead of paying full price, I was able to get it for 50% off during the Brooks Brothers annual sale. That saved me $249 on the price of the blazer, and another $22.81 on sales tax.
Second, I benefited from delayed gratification. I got to spend a long time anticipating the purchase, which is actually a key part of enjoying something. And when I finally did buy it, it felt like a gift. I appreciated it more because I had been waiting for it.
Waiting helped me save money AND enjoy the experience more than if I had bought it immediately.
Step 2: I Looked for Alternative Savings Opportunities
With a little digging, I found that I could buy a $250 Brooks Brothers gift card for just $225. So I bought the gift card, used the card to buy the blazer, and saved myself another $25.
Whether it’s a gift card, a coupon code, or something else, it never hurts to look for alternative ways to save money before buying.
Step 3: I Used a Cash Back Credit Card
When I bought the gift card I used a credit card that earns 1% cash back, which saved me an extra $2.25. Certainly not a life-changing amount, but every little bit counts!
Step 4: I Bought Quality
This is a high-quality blazer I expect to use in many situations for many years to come.
When I spread the cost out over a number of years, it becomes a lot less expensive. Especially when compared to cheaper alternatives that might fall apart, or go out of style, a lot sooner.
Lessons Learned
Now let’s be clear: this was still NOT a frugal purchase. I spent a lot of money on something I wanted, but didn’t really need.
But that’s okay from time to time. Nobody should feel like they always have to stick to the bare necessities or like they can never indulge.
I couldn’t make a purchase like this all of the time, but I’m happy to spend money on a high-quality product that I’ll use a lot and enjoy wearing, especially when I’m able to stack savings for a great deal.