What not to buy at the Boxing Day sales

By Jo Abi|

Some logic amid the madness


We've all seen those scenes outside city department stores on Boxing Day.

The crowds. The anticipation. The MADNESS!

While Boxing Day sales look like fun because EVERYTHING IS SO CHEAP and you can SAVE SO MUCH MONEY, you won't save a cent if you end up buying things you don't need. 

Check out our comprehensive guide to the Boxing Day sales here.

By all means, go nuts and have fun.

Until we've wrestled with a fellow shopper over a designer handbag we haven't lived, right?

What you want to ensure is that once you get home and survey your purchases, you feel good about what you've bought.

Here's how to do it.

Yes you can save yourself hundreds if not thousands of dollars, but only if you buy things you:

a. Really need, and;

b. Would have had to buy that year anyway.

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That means you have to make a list.

To make a list, you need a plan.

To make a plan, you need to know what to avoid.

Here are the 6 things you shouldn't buy at Boxing Day sales:

1. Summer items

Avoid buying any summer clothing or shoes because the best discounts for these items happen just before winter stock arrives in stores.

So, best to wait until February.

2. Gift cards

There's no such thing as discount gift cards. There just isn't.

Don't waste your money on them, no matter how flashy they look.

3. School supplies

Back to school items are heavily discounted in mid-January ahead of the new school year, including shoes, backpacks, socks and other school items.

So hit the pause button on these purchases, for a couple of weeks at least.

4. Jewellry

While many items of jewellry will be advertised as being discounted during the Boxing Day sales, you're better off waiting until Valentine's Day sales.

That's when the best discounts will happen. So save bling purchases until then.

5. Too much of anything

It can be tempting to buy multiple packs of socks, undies, seven pairs of jeans, 15 pairs of shoes and three microwaves, but don't do it.

Only buy as much or as many of anything as you think you'll need for that year. If you need more for next year you can get them at the next Boxing Day sale.

6. Anything not on your list

The best advice I can give you is to make a list, even if you don't stick to it completely. Even if it's just a guide.

Figure out what you and your family need to buy for the year ahead and target those items first.

Any money saved should not be spent. Otherwise you haven't saved a cent.

Or spend it if you must.

Just don't go over budget!

Also, don't forget to hydrate.
