// you’re reading...

shopping

advertising sells. unfortunately

WSA adsense code -->

I wonder whether I’m the only person who is not really interested in shopping for gifts this year.

It’s not really that I don’t want to give gifts to my friends and family, I really enjoy getting them stuff - thinking about what they might like and wrapping and so on. It’s just that for the last 5-6 months, I’ve very rarely been proper shopping (as opposed to food shopping). When I went browsing in the shops the other day after work, I found the whole experience overwhelming. There were too many people, and brightly coloured shout-y posters telling me about all the money I could save if I just spent my money in their shop.

my accidental advertising diet

I think I’ve inadvertently been on an advertising diet. I don’t watch a great deal of tv, and much of it is BBC, so ad free. And I have relative online advertising blindness. Most of the posters I pass on my way to work are either public service or for products I’m really not interested in, like car insurance (I don’t own a car).

This accidental advertising diet meant that when I was surrounded by lots and lots of ads, I had a bit of sensory overload. It was like the whole town was shouting ‘buy me, buy me, I’m a nice bright shiny bauble’.

still left me wanting to buy stuff based on ads

But, even though the ads in the stores in town overwhelmed me, they also made me feel like I wanted to buy things. I’m not sure exactly what things, but I definitely wanted to buy.

Fortunately, for Christmas shopping I need have to a list and buy for difficult people (aka men). So I didn’t actually get sucked in to buying things I didn’t need.

so I’m back to avoiding ads

I’m going to try and keep up this advertising diet, now that I’ve noticed it though. I don’t need to spend money on things that I don’t need, or want. I’m supposed to be a grown up these days, and I want to save my money for fun stuff that I actually do want, as well as slightly less fun stuff that I need.

Similar Posts:

If you like what you're reading, why not leave a comment below, subscribe to my feed, or check out some of my best posts.

Discussion

9 comments for “advertising sells. unfortunately”

  1. I never feel like going shopping. Last year, when I did my Christmas shopping, I remembered why I don’t shop usually. When I was out in the shops, I saw all these things I wanted but didn’t know existed until I saw them. I’m trying to make as many gifts as I can this year to avoid the craziness.

    Posted by psychsarah | November 20, 2009, 5:08 pm
  2. For me, making a list prevents me from buying unnecessary things unless they’re on my list. Definitely reduces the random sprees.

    Posted by cd rates | November 21, 2009, 12:02 am
  3. I know what you mean - I feel bombarded with adverts eveywhere I turn. Totally agree with one of these comments about the list - that really helps me stay in control and not spend on myself instead! ;)

    Posted by oneadvice | December 4, 2009, 1:46 pm
  4. I haven’t started shopping yet at all either. I am not interested in it! :( I know I need to get on the ball. Shopping stinks!

    Posted by Mrs. Money | December 9, 2009, 2:31 pm
  5. I have found your commentary on various Dave Ramsey sites to be insightful and helpful. I hope to learn more in the weeks/months to come. Please feel free to check out my blog as noted above as I just posted in my small following about Dave Ramsey thoughts/questions.

    Posted by Danielle | December 29, 2009, 1:54 am
  6. I completely agree and this has happened with me as well. I have not been enjoying shopping from a long time and the reason is same when I go there I am delighted to see so many people but then when I see ads and all the other stuff, in everything I forget what I really want and what is useful.
    Most of the times I waste money buying something or the other which I really do not need. When I ask other people about this, they say that the experience is same and very few people, buy stuff which they really want and come back while doing shopping of the above kind.

    Posted by Cash Genie | February 10, 2010, 7:52 am
  7. Think you’ll find that different countries have very different approaches to selling airtime and providing access to radio depending on the governments involved.

    Posted by Beaches Resorts | March 5, 2010, 12:32 pm
  8. If you sell him, unless you are willing to thoroughly screen your buyer, including a home visit to make sure the home is adequate, it’s a crapshoot whether he’ll get a good home or not. Rescue is a better option if your breeder will not take the dog back.

    Posted by cane furniture | March 6, 2010, 4:26 am
  9. Those are some good tips. How about some tips on how to increase traffic without breaking the bank. I’ve heard alot about using twitter and such. Any advice on that?

    Posted by boats for sale au | March 8, 2010, 3:15 am

Post a comment

NETWORK
Proud member of the