Photo: www.BuckStore.com

There are two types (well probably more than two) of over-shoppers 1) The Bargain Shopper who loves a good sale.  He or she would rather get 10 of something cheap than 1 good quality item. They see a T-shirt on sale and buy-up the whole lot of them. And forgetaboutit if there is a coupon! In reality its all trend junk.  2) The Quality Shopper loves brand and luxury names and convinces themselves that they need to spend more because its hot and they are getting great quality.  When in reality they are over paying for the name and a perceived societal status and not actually buying worthy merchandise.  And in a month (usually less) they will tire of it and buy a new one.

The Bargain Shopper and the Quality Shopper have two different philosophies on shopping but what they both have in common is that they are both over-shopping and spending outside of their budget on things they don’t actually need.  Oh and can the two style of shoppers fight. One can out argue the other on their method of shopping all day long.  I’ve had this argument many many times.

I myself am guilty of being 1) The Bargain Shopper.  Oh how excited do I get when I get a discount and I get two instead of one.  It’s the greatest thing on the planet.  And boy, do I love a $1 Store! I can spend all day walking around just looking and imagining what I could use something for.  That is why I found this article from Daily Worth called “How Dollar Stores Drain You Dry” written by Donna Freedman so relatable.  Oh  Donna how you hit the nail on the head with this one.  Enjoy.

Sometimes I go to the dollar store. After all, sometimes you need a mop bucket. But suddenly things start jumping into my cart. Books, an apple corer, a bag of gingersnaps.

Yes, there are some deals. I’ve even bought underwear: Hanes “slightly irregular,” three briefs for a buck.

But overall? The dollar store is a budget destroyer because things are so cheap it’s easy to overbuy. You go in for baby-shower balloons and come out with 13 other items. Why not? They’re only a dollar.

Why not? Because:

• A dollar here and a dollar there become a lot of dollars, fast. (Track your spending for a month and see how much you spend on gum and Diet Snapple.)
• Do you need more clutter?
• Do you need more calories? (Curse you, one-buck Maui onion chips!)

Recently I read about a woman who hits the dollar store when she can no longer control her urge to buy. For $30 or so she can shop till she drops.

Sorry: Frugal compulsive buying is still compulsive buying. That picture frame or frying pan may be deeply discounted, but unnecessary shopping is never a bargain. You’re still spending money you don’t need to spend in order to buy things you don’t need to buy.

So you’ve got half a cart full for only $19? Good for you. Go put it back.

Well, you can keep the underpants.

‘Fess up. Are you a bargain-hunting junkie?

 Donna Freedman is now writing the new Frugal Cool blog on MSN Money. She’s also a staff writer for Get Rich Slowly.

Share/Bookmark