Shopping, especially online, is more than just a hobby for many people. It’s a lifestyle, a form of self-care, and even a reward for hard work. This doesn’t mean, though, that you need to sacrifice your emergency funds to support this activity. With the right mindset and a few smart strategies, it’s certainly possible to enjoy your online shopping hauls while still being prepared for life’s unexpected turns. Here’s how you can shop smart and save smarter.
Set a Monthly Shopping Budget
Before you add anything to your cart, set a monthly limit for non-essential purchases. This gives you control over your spending and helps you avoid dipping into your savings. A simple way to do this is to assign a fixed percentage of your income specifically for shopping—say 10%. This amount becomes your guilt-free shopping fund.
Stick to this limit no matter how tempting the sales get. And what if you’re expecting a sale to take place in the middle of the month, such as for Valentine’s Day in February or Independence Day in June? Commit to conserving your shopping funds until these dates come by. Also, track your shopping spending in real time using apps to avoid overspending.
Wait for Sales, Promos, and Free Shipping Offers
Don’t buy on impulse. If the item isn’t urgent, add it to your wishlist and wait for a price drop. Sales and promos can seem far in between when you’re craving that shopping-induced dopamine drop, but hold on to your funds. Practicing a little delayed gratification will let you get a bigger bang for your buck. By waiting for shopping events like 6.6 or 11.11, you have a better chance of scoring sales, discount vouchers, and free shipping promos.
Many platforms also allow you to collect coins or points, or unveil coupon codes, that can be used to lower the total price of your intended purchases. Use these features to your advantage. A little patience can go a long way in stretching your shopping budget.
Use Credit Cards That Offer Cashback or Rewards
If you frequently shop at a specific store, get a card that rewards you for it. The Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card from Maya, for example, gives you up to 5% cashback at Landers, 2% on dining, and 1% on other qualified spends.* It’s accepted everywhere—the Landers online store, at Landers physical stores, in restaurants, and all other merchants that accept Visa cards—and using it to complete your purchases contributes toward your savings over time. The card also benefits from Maya’s world-class security features, making it an ideal choice for online shopping. You can use the Maya app to control every aspect of the Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card, including setting card limits and freezing and unfreezing your card. If you value flexibility and security, Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card is a smart option.
Aside from being the best credit card for online shopping in the Philippines for premium products and experiences, the Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card works as your Landers membership card, so you get more value in one tap. Plus, by using cashback to pay for transactions, you can hold on to your cash and have something stashed away in case of emergency.
The best part is that it’s easy to acquire and manage a credit card with these generous rewards. Just open your Maya app, go to the Cards tab, and click “Apply Now” on the Landers card banner. Enter your Landers membership number, choose your cardholder name and billing date, and you’re good to go. You’ll get your digital card details right away while waiting for the physical one.
Build a Shopping Fund on the Side
If you want to build up your shopping fund, it’s a good idea to set up a small savings account just for shopping. You can automate transfers to this fund every payday so you don’t even have to think about it. When sales come around, you can dip into this fund instead of your main savings. This approach gives you the best of both worlds, as you get to shop without touching your emergency money.
Be Mindful about What You Buy
Finally, ask yourself before every purchase: “Do I really need this?” or “Will I still love this in a week?” Being more mindful with your purchases helps you avoid impulse buys and buyer’s remorse. Plus, it helps you ensure that your funds will go towards something that will bring you joy and satisfaction for a long time. Plus, this mindset helps you avoid clutter and frees up your budget for things that truly matter.
Smart shopping doesn’t mean depriving yourself. It just means knowing your limits, using the right financial tools, and being intentional with your purchases. With the right strategies and a bit of help from tools like the Maya Black Credit Card and Landers Cashback Everywhere Credit Card, you can enjoy your shopping lifestyle without sacrificing your peace of mind when the rainy days come.
*Transactions that don’t qualify include: cash in, cash advance, quasi cash purchases, casinos and gambling, fuel, supermarket, pharmaceuticals, utilities, telco, and government.
