Which Shopper Are You?

There are various types of shoppers on this planet. They are The Impulsive, The Non-Shopper, The Budget Buyers, The Dazed and Confused, The Discriminate, and The Quiet Shopper. I regard myself to be mostly the Budget Buyer, but like everyone else, I am all of the above depending upon my finances, which restricts me on what I can buy. The place where I am, if not chosen intelligently will squander time and money, also what's available allows for quality and price comparison, and the people I am with who may or may not influence my purchasing choices.

I was not always a budget shopper. Back in the days when I used to cohabitate with my aunt and her family, at the time when I started working and earning some money for myself, my shopping style then could be classified as impulsive. Considering the fact that living expenses, transportation, and other necessities were taken care of for me, there was no worry; there was no budget to contemplate. When I first became employed at the age of 12, little did I understand that I had been prepared for something more precious: independence and the wisdom needed in the real world.

In our teenage years, we apt to acquire things without further deliberation. Money was more for spending on something we covet, not need. I used to buy every little piece of article or picture of Def Leppard, an older rock band of the early 80's, whenever I came across their story in the magazines. It was not necessary for me to make the purchase, but as a teen it was definitely a need, because in some way, the purchase made me feel "good", and bring me out of a depressive mood. In the beginning of my teenage years, depression occurred a lot and my Def Leppard collection, a hobby, made life then a little easier.

The sense of wanting to feel and be independent compelled me to become a budget shopper. Things at home were, most of the time a bit stressful, living under someone else's rules. There were no actual rules, but more like my family's inability to communicate effectively. In my culture there is so much respect for the older generation, and little for the younger; I could no longer withstand my brother-in-laws careless attitude towards me, so in an effort to relieve him of his misery because of his dislike of me, I started saving up. Employed, and with my own transportation, I began a search for an apartment. Then at 19, I secretly moved out without leaving any note behind.

Being on my own taught me quite a lot on budgeting. There were too many bills to pay: car payment, auto insurance, rent, and food among other things. I was able to live on $10-$20 a week for groceries. Since I was working and attending school full-time, I made sure I saved some money for when my classes could not be covered under my employer's reimbursement program or for a withdrawal from a class. Work did not pay well, but I managed all the bills on my own.

With all that I have experienced and the concern of wanting to be able make the right decision in mind, I will now head to the store with careful selection; I will go and buy what I need and want within my budget.

I was at Market Basket one day during the afternoon hours on a Saturday. It was a nice weekend with the temperature being in the high 40's, but there I was pushing a grocery cart. At times I enjoy taking my time, just to kill time, but that day, I was on a mission. I did not get competitive and try to race with the other shoppers, thus I remained calm and proceeded with the anxiousness and intensity of wanting to play bumper carts.

Usually being considerate of all others around me, as well as the congested grocery isle, I would park my cart out of others way, and go down the isle to collect my items, then come back and load them into the cart. When I do not feel like caring, I go down the isle with my cart, as if it and I were in a chapel, bound together until after the groceries are loaded into the van, would we be parted.

One lady, who seemed to be a discriminate shopper, careless with her arms folded, leans on her cart while pushing it nonchalantly, taking her precious time, tuning out others, caught my wondering mind. Discriminate shoppers are not only introverts but also seem selfish and unaware of others around them. They consider themselves the best, that they should be first at choosing. Like Budget Buyers, they are careful at selecting their items, going over the details on the package, making sure if it is a "good buy". The one difference between the two would be the attention given to other people around them.

"Could you please move a little faster lady," I thought to myself, "you are blocking me from getting to what I want." I told myself to remain calm. If I were to say something at all, for I am also a quiet shopper most of the time; I could initiate a certain explosion or trigger a terrible wrath from the lady. I could see her eyes big and wide, eyebrows down, fangs as sharp as the cobra's ready to strike me without warning. It is best to let the lion sleep, so I went to a different section for an item while I waited for "the sloth" to inch away. I thought I noticed some fungi trailing behind her footsteps when she finally took her next step.

These snails or discriminate shoppers are hazardous to your health. Your mind starts acting up. The body's blood pressure starts racing. If you pay attention to your fingers, your nails become claws and are longer than you think. In a grocery store as cold, and tundra-like as Market Basket, you could almost see the steam coming out of my nose and ears, as I was about to charge down the lady. However, thank goodness, my conscience held me back. It would be a good idea to shop with plenty of time.

I came upon, twice in one day, a couple of dazed and confused shoppers. Luckily, they were men, otherwise if they had been women; we would have had a battle of Whose Cart is it Anyway? I left my cart to the side but close enough to the other guy's. While looking for my items, I didn't realize that my cart was being carted off, until I turned around to notice an empty space where my cart used to be. I searched around for identifiable item placed in my cart. Lo and behold, I found the dragger. "Excuse me," I said as quietly as I could, but still audible, "I think you have the wrong cart." He apologized and we laughed. Since I was not in a rush, I felt all right and forgave him.

I supposed his wife was busy with the baby that day. Perhaps he lacked experience in the proper taking of grocery cart technique. The other man who towed my cart, which could have been at his own expense, was not intuitive, so focused with his grocery list, perhaps he was Mr. Perfect. It's not only Santa that checks his list twice. I wonder if Santa also has problems with the taking of his bags.

It wouldn't be much fun without the dazed and confused kind of shoppers. As for me, I do not get upset if someone mistakenly takes my cart. It also shows that you are not the only one who forgets. Just a long as you don't leave a bank account number and a secret treasure map in the cart, do not fret. In this situation, it would be wise to have a little wallet or a hidden jacket pocket for your credit cards or debit cards. You may have a little cash, but don't bring enough for a family's grocery bill.

I think it is wiser to use your card. There are several reasons: saves time, safety, and security. You'll save time as long as you can remember the pin number. As long as you can protect your card from being confiscated and stolen by someone else, safety and security would not be an issue.

What about those Non-shoppers who just come in, take what they need and run? Suspicious, perhaps, but the person could be in a rush, and has no time to look around. The person is set on what he wants, and he does not care what the price is because he may have enough cash. They don't really shop like the typical shopper. In this category, you might find a husband going out on a late night to fetch a pail of ice cream for his pregnant craving wife. Add a jar of pickles to boot, and she will completely be satisfied. Businesses must really love these folks, as long as they don't suspect that you have robbed a bank, all will be fine.

Budget shoppers know how to handle their finances. Buying only what's necessary and are good at saving for future wants. Making comparisons, researching, waiting for a sale, and clipping coupons all pertains to this group. That doesn't mean they are like Mr. Scrooge, and even though there may be one of them that does not always record her transaction in her checkbook, does not indicate a financial trouble. You can drink alcohol to a limit, and you shop to a limit, keeping what's available in mind. It's ok to be an impulsive shopper as long as you are in no trouble financially, but for the most part leave it for the rich, or wait until you hit the Power Ball, or wait for someone who is wealthy to buy it for you. I know I can't, but that's another story.

When shopping I enjoy doing it alone or with my best friend, who doesn't mind tagging along. We would go to Goodwill, a bargain shoppers' paradise, where used, affordable, wide selections of clothing, books, house wares, antiques, and specialty items can be found. Your purchase can be tax deductible. I would not recommend it to people who have a compulsive disorder, and are afraid of touching used items. There is a drawback for someone who is looking for something in particular regarding style, color, or size. If you're on a really tight budget, before you go purchase that new item, give yourself a lot of time to try and find that item.

We were impulsive in our childhood when we wanted that ring pop candy displayed right at the cash register, while waiting in line. Other times we are the non-shopper, dazed and confused, and discriminate due to our hormone imbalances, which affect the majority of the parents whose children desire extremely expensive brand name jeans.

Through the years we've learned to be wiser because we know we can find "it" less expensive than here. In the end, we may be a little more dazed and confused than normal, because too many purchases have led us to become mentally disabled. These are associated with people who have a lower tolerance for stress caused by an addiction. Shoppers shop according to their personality's reflection, how they were raised and what they saw on TV; they are motivated interest seekers.