3 Shopping Excuses Women Give That Drive Men Crazy

What do Carrie Bradshaw, Cher Horowitz, Elle Woods, and Sophie Kinsella’s Rebecca Bloomwood all have in common? They’re all fashionably chic pop culture heroines that perpetuate the notion of women as shopaholics. And while women may scoff at such a generalization, many can admit to coveting their Jimmy Choo’s and Louis Vuitton purses.

Sometimes that retail temptation can creep into our realities. Rather than give in to buyer’s remorse and fess up to a spouse or partner, one may find a justifiable reason to acknowledge the purchase.

“What drives men to not understand women’s purchases? Simple. Men think like men,” says Shari Goldsmith, women’s mental health therapist, life coach, speaker and author of 31 Days to Finding Your Inner Sass. “They don’t have the perspective of being a woman. Therefore, when they see a purchase, they view it from their perspective of whether it’s a viable purchase.”

And while men may cast judgment on their ladies’ retail sessions, they may not have a lot of room to argue. In fact, Shopaholics Anonymous mentioned a Stanford study which revealed that men and women compulsively shop and spend equally.

But the fresh perspective of questioning an impulse purchase may not be so bad for those who want to start salvaging their budget. Learn how the excuses that make men facepalm in unison can translate into overspending risks.

“It Was On Sale”

Perhaps the oldest excuse in the book, “it was on sale” often becomes less about the bargain and more about justifying the purchase of an item.

“Retailers know they can influence buying behavior by offering their new product with a discount and they target women shoppers with great results to the frustration of men,” says Adam Tijerina, personal finance expert for Debt Consolidation USA.

Instead of being boxed in by the fear of missing out on a good deal, understand that paying less once in a while doesn’t hurt, but that bargain-hunting on a frequent basis can become an expensive habit. After all, one too many sale items isn’t a deal for your wallet at all.

“I Deserve It”

A rough day or a rocky week can make you feel like you’re entitled to some retail therapy. Anything from a cup of coffee to a pair of shoes can qualify for that self-imposed treat.

However, the good intentions of this spending entitlement can become a slippery slope. You may start to find more frequent yet less substantial reasons to “treat” yourself. Not all of our budgets can afford necessities, much less frivolities.

Being a little more frugal with your dollars doesn’t necessarily mean deprivation. Instead, think about how some extra savings might be an even better treat for you than spending it immediately.

“I’ll Use It A Lot”

The idea that adding more mileage on a purchase gives it more value can seem like a noble consumer notion. But this excuse is also used in conjunction with more expensive purchases. Champagne taste on a beer budget is a dangerous way to fall into debt.

While one pair of quality stilettos may give you more wear than four cheaper pairs that cost less altogether, it’s crucial to take heed of your budget. Your pricey purchase may be the most versatile item in the world, but the fact remains that more money spent can push your budget to uncomfortable boundaries.

See if you can find a balance between budget and quality. A happy medium can still give you the quality you seek with less damage to your finances. For example, comparison shopping and reading other consumer reviews may help you find a knockoff version of that expensive little black dress, which holds up just as well the original.

Champagne may taste great, but in some cases, beer can be just as enjoyable.

Between irresistible bargains and our innermost desires, live countless reasons that justify purchases. But when you can understand the hidden context behind these excuses, you may be able to wrangle the retail urge for the sake of your budget.

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