Is Shopping On Line A Good Thing?

On line shopping has changed our lives. It has made everything more accessible, from food to clothes, to office supplies. There's nothing you can't buy on line, whether you need it or not. That is the big question. Do we need it? Does having access to everything in the world at our fingertips cause us to buy things we don't really need? Of course it does, and for some of us that can become a problem. We see it, we like it, we want it, we buy it. For shut ins and those living in rural areas, online shopping is a godsend. They may never be able to get to Bloomingdales, but through the magic of the internet, Bloomingdales can come to them. Shuts ins with illnesses or handicaps, can purchase their necessities without the need to go out. Another positive aspect of shopping on line, is price comparison. You can shop for Nike tennis shoes, for example, and find the very lowest price. If you to do this by shopping store to store, it would take you hours, if not days. Shopping on line is so convenient it's hard not to do it. But do you really need everything you buy? Are you an impulse buyer? Online shopping is NOT good for people like you. It's too easy to just push a button and purchase something. Shopping might be a mood changer for you, as exercise or eating might be for someone else. Nothing makes a woman feel better than a new pair of shoes or a new handbag. (well, almost nothing). Look in your closet, in your kitchen and in your garage, and see how many things you have bought online that you just had to have, that you have used once, and never again. It should make you stop and think. When I shop online, am I buying what I need, or what I want? There's a big difference. I love to browse online, at catalogs, shoes and clothes, but I rarely buy. First, I'm worried about the fit, and returning things on line is a pain and sometimes expensive. There are, however, several things that I do buy regularly on line: ink jet cartridges, anything for my computer, like cords or speakers, books (I don't buy many anymore, as I use the library almost exclusively), and discounts from Groupon and Living Social. I try really hard to keep my buying to what I know I will use. It's hard. Recently Ron's Casio watch broke. The $20 watch was his favorite, and try as I did to find one at various stores around town, I could not. I went on line to the Casio website and bought a new watch for less than the original had cost him. I've gotten away from thinking that just because something is a bargain, I should buy it. So what if it's a bargain if I don't need it? Fishing poles might be on sale at a great price, but I'm not going to use them! My kids tell me that diapers online are a huge savings. I'm sure many baby items are deeply discounted, and my kids with twins saved hundreds of dollars buying diapers and formula online. For me, the best part of online shopping is the opportunity to comparison shop. For others, it's the time savings that gets them to buy online. So, next time you browse through Amazon or Overstock.com, make sure that you are looking for something that you need, not just passing time, or shopping as a mood enhancer. You'll save yourself a lot of money over the course of a year, and you'll keep your closets from getting cluttered. Many people that overshop on line are not even aware of how much they are spending. Most people use online shopping responsibly, but many get carried away and into bad habits. I know I fight hard to resist sometimes. I love workout clothes, and I could shop everyday and find something to buy. Instead, I shop in my closet. I've got plenty of workout gear, and buying more would be buying just because I wanted it, not because I needed it. Or, if it doesn't matter to you or your pocketbook if you purchase stuff you don't need, go ahead and buy. Even though it may not be good for your pocketbook, it is good for the economy.