https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/under-or-over-buyer Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Mon, 04 May 2026 21:42:19 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/under-or-over-buyer/page/2#post-1258979 Fri, 23 May 2014 08:08:52 +0000 anne 1258979@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I wrote this on Manidipa's thread, but I think it belongs more here</p> <p>"I told DD3 (age 6) tonight that I would take her shopping on Saturday for new PJ's, new tracksuit pants and (at her request) new white socks for school (lots of lost sock angst in out house. Her eyes lit up. As the youngest she doesn't get many new clothes - though none of them get many. I have never bought her a PJS and no (non school) tracksuit pants since she was 2</p> <p>I feel conflicted about this and have had to override the voice in my head that this feels extravagent and spoiling her, that she already has 2 pairs (one gift and one handed down - but she still feels she runs out) and that it may be a waste of money because her grandma may give her some (which she likes to do, but I don't know the timing of her generosity!)</p> <p>Although we are on a tightish budget we can actually afford this, and it will be our special time for the week together. "</p> <p>Does anyone else find it hard to spend any money at all on clothing their children especially for non essentials like this? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/under-or-over-buyer/page/2#post-1258978 Fri, 23 May 2014 08:04:06 +0000 anne 1258978@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Yes I can relate to those points too Bella. And you are right, we often don't really need the things.<br /> My family teases me occasionally about one of my under buying episodes. I went into a supermarket and noted that they were selling lunchboxes for $2 - thus definitely affordable. And DD10 has had a cracked lunchbox for months. I thought of her - but did I buy it - on no, I just went to the "I'll get this some other time" route. Then I made the mistake of telling her! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/under-or-over-buyer/page/2#post-1258977 Fri, 23 May 2014 07:38:22 +0000 bella 1258977@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am an underbuyer. There are certain things on that list that really resonated with me, like "you’re suspicious of specialized objects and resist buying things dedicated very specific uses" and "You often consider buying an item, then decide, “I’ll get this some other time” or “Maybe we don’t really need this.”" &gt; These two things really define my buying habits particularly when it comes to cosmetics and household stuff. However, I've often found out that these turn out to be true. I don't really need 100 specialized items, and I probably don't that thing right now - or ever! lol.... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/under-or-over-buyer#post-1258942 Fri, 23 May 2014 05:38:52 +0000 Neel 1258942@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Before I even read the article I thought "I am an over buyer of course". But weirdly I answered no to every question! Then I thought "I can't be an under buyer?". And right enough I answered "No" to everything there as well.</p> <p>I think I am in between the two when it comes to non fashion. But fashion - I know I am a definite over buyer. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/under-or-over-buyer#post-1258928 Fri, 23 May 2014 04:56:00 +0000 anne 1258928@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Very interesting everyone!!!<br />I should point out the Rubin isn't saying everyone fits in to &nbsp;one of these categories, more that can be&nbsp;a bit of problem if you are too far down each extreme</p> <p>Like many of you who similarly identified with underbuyer&nbsp;I do in fact not do everything on her list. I also fill my petrol to the brim, and back when I did the weekly food&nbsp;shop I bought enough for the week, and would stock up modestly when there were specials of things we used frequently.</p> <p>But DH who does the shopping now, does way more multiple shopping than I'd prefer (who needs 3 jars of tahini, 3 packets of dates,3 packets of ground cardomon? to give a few actual examples) and I have had to throw food out, which bothers me a lot! And his theory is that to save going down the same aisle next week, he'll get double now. This leads to a less streamlined looking pantry than ideal for me! He'll also run to the shops with way less angst.</p> <p>2 comments above really resonated<br />Laura wrote<br /><span>"I used to be really militant about that to the point where I wouldn't stop by the store that was literally on my way home because I'd already been there once that week, even if I needed something rather urgently"<br /></span>Oh yes that is so me. I would almost always stretch thing out/ substituts to wait for "shopping day"<br />and Torontogirl<br /><span>. "What do you mean we're out of milk, I just bought some 5 days ago ... you kids should drink what's left in your cereal bowl!"<br /></span>Oh yes I had a milk strategy too. If we getting too low and it was not shopping day the next day then we had to save the last litre or so for tea and use UHT for everything else (or a a pinch, powdered milk) and no drinks of milk or milo allowed!</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/under-or-over-buyer#post-1258885 Fri, 23 May 2014 03:31:17 +0000 Gigi 1258885@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I used to be a lot like&nbsp;<b>retailgirl.&nbsp;</b>When I would find something that fit, I would immediately buy it, and if it wasn't superexpensive, I'd buy it in a few different colors. My reasoning was the same as hers: Will I ever find another shirt that fits as well as this one does? Will I ever find another pair of shoes that is as comfy? I have, however, discovered that I will indeed find other shirts that fit, and other shoes that are comfy. I am learning that I enjoy variety much more than "playing it safe" with what works. So I think right now I am at that happy medium between underbuyer and overbuyer, though I in general tend to be more of an underbuyer, since I have some big cash flow issues. I am happy to spend $100 on a sweater that I will really love, but I will wait on buying another pound of ground beef until I have my next paycheck. :^) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/under-or-over-buyer#post-1258825 Fri, 23 May 2014 02:27:59 +0000 FlamesAndAngelWings 1258825@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Over-buyer when it comes to clothes, makeup, and body/face washes. (and all the accessories for my dorm room.)&nbsp;Under-buyer when it comes to everyday necessities of life. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/under-or-over-buyer#post-1258781 Fri, 23 May 2014 02:00:39 +0000 Jaime 1258781@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh definitely overbuyer when it comes to something that I like and fear might disappear. Underbuyer with paper goods - just don't have the storage space! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/under-or-over-buyer#post-1258699 Fri, 23 May 2014 00:30:35 +0000 MRL 1258699@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm an under buyer, but I'm working on getting better about buying smarter. Like taking advantage of buying in bulk for things I use often and planning/buying ahead so that I have what I need. I will be traveling in July and for once I have been planning ahead as for what clothes I will need and I am actually buying them now when I can find what I need and have good choices. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/under-or-over-buyer#post-1258661 Thu, 22 May 2014 23:50:57 +0000 Caro in Oz 1258661@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't think I'm either but I must admit just reading the under buyer list made me feel stressed. I wouldn't want to be running out of everything &amp; $10 worth of petrol doesn't make sense to me.&nbsp;&nbsp;I like to have enough but I don't stock pile </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/under-or-over-buyer#post-1258642 Thu, 22 May 2014 23:42:15 +0000 Mia 1258642@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am an under-buyer and I realize DH is an over-buyer...&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/under-or-over-buyer#post-1258529 Thu, 22 May 2014 21:40:32 +0000 LoriFLA 1258529@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I love Gretchen Rubin. &nbsp;I read her first book when it came out. &nbsp;I'm definitely an under-buyer! &nbsp;So many of the statements in the Under-Buyer category fit me to a tee. &nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/under-or-over-buyer#post-1258454 Thu, 22 May 2014 20:05:58 +0000 retailgirl 1258454@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am a bit of both...with food and household things, I usually have enough but not too much. But with clothing, I over buy. If I like something, I buy every color. And if I find shoes for my long skinny feet, I buy them even though I may not need them...who knows when I'll find them again? If I am in a cycle where I am loving dresses, I'll have a dress for every day of the week and then some. When I discovered brooks brothers non iron shirts, I bought every solid basic and then lots of stripes. ( on sale! ). It's a tendency I am really trying to overcome. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/under-or-over-buyer#post-1258436 Thu, 22 May 2014 19:30:42 +0000 Aziraphale 1258436@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I am <i>such</i> an under buyer! &nbsp;I said yes to just about every item on that list, except for the one about only putting $10 of gas in the car. I don't do that. I always fill up, mainly because I know I will use the gas in the immediate future. I don't think of myself as frugal, though -- I spend money on good quality things &nbsp;when I could get something similar for less.&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />Oh, and I do stock up on lipstick, because I hate when they stop making my favourite colour!</p> <p>&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/under-or-over-buyer#post-1258425 Thu, 22 May 2014 19:14:25 +0000 Hil 1258425@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm totally an underbuyer... Something I'm trying to work on - trusting that there will be enough cash if I spend without stressing! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/under-or-over-buyer#post-1258409 Thu, 22 May 2014 18:56:26 +0000 Helena 1258409@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>100% underbuyer according to that quiz ... and the exact opposite of Iron Kurtin ... "What do you mean we're out of milk, I just bought some 5 days ago ... you kids should drink what's left in your cereal bowl!" </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/under-or-over-buyer#post-1258397 Thu, 22 May 2014 18:30:45 +0000 Astrid 1258397@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm an underbuyer, although I second Suz - I would never get only 10$ worth of gas. I don't feel the need to stock up when I have all the stores I need just a short walk away. And I wouldn't have the space to store the stuff anyway. There are some drawbacks though, especially with clothes! Sometimes it would be nice to have some more options to fall back on. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/under-or-over-buyer#post-1258390 Thu, 22 May 2014 18:19:41 +0000 Dee 1258390@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm an underbuyer for pretty much everything but clothes! I have a small apartment without a ton of storage space, so I don't want a lot of stuff lying around. And I don't go through things very quickly. A bottle of shampoo lasts six months or so (yay, short hair!), for example.</p> <p>Clothes are not necessarily due to stockpiling, but I was susceptible to adding because of good deals. But I've been working on that! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/under-or-over-buyer#post-1258374 Thu, 22 May 2014 17:57:26 +0000 Janet 1258374@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh my. I am so an overbuyer. Shocker, I know.&nbsp;</p> <p>I blame my mom. I loved her dearly, but she stockpiled EVERYTHING that might come in handy. I sure hope the recycling center appreciated the giant box of clean, empty glass&nbsp;Wheat Germ jars.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/under-or-over-buyer#post-1258369 Thu, 22 May 2014 17:52:31 +0000 rabbit 1258369@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>This is interesting. I think I've just&nbsp;tipped into 'over buyer' on clothes, especially tops, leggings and skirts based on tracking wears, but for years I was definitely an under buyer. &nbsp; &nbsp;So now I'm pretty much at SYC.</p> <p>I started couponing last year for food and toiletries and so there are stock piles of some nonperishable things&nbsp;-- I really thought we'd go through deodorant and laundry detergent&nbsp;more quickly for example, &nbsp;but the food is all getting eaten, and I'm so reluctant to pay full price for necessities that I'll go without something while&nbsp;waiting for the next sale on Tillamook cheese or whatever. &nbsp; Actually one of the most useful tools I found was a stock-up price guide for basic necessities that listed the lowest prices you consistently buy things for. &nbsp; It makes it easy for me&nbsp;to bypass sales that 'seem' like a good deal but really are run of the mill.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/under-or-over-buyer#post-1258342 Thu, 22 May 2014 17:19:22 +0000 Laura (rhubarbgirl) 1258342@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm not sure what I am. I prefer to have a 'hot spare' of things like toilet paper and soap, but I won't make a special trip to refill the cache; it just goes on the list. I am definitely an efficiency devotee, and try to make as few shopping trips as necessary. I used to be really militant about that to the point where I wouldn't stop by the store that was literally on my way home because I'd already been there once that week, even if I needed something rather urgently. I'm trying to relax about that and be ok with being a little more last minute about some things.</p> <p>As far as clothes, I like to anticipate needs before they come up, so I guess in that category I'm an over buyer. But of course you can never be 100% correct with that. I hate shopping for clothes at that last minute for an event or trip. Hate it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/under-or-over-buyer#post-1258312 Thu, 22 May 2014 16:54:05 +0000 ironkurtin 1258312@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Overbuyer, which is why I'm always taken aback when suddenly we don't have floss or dish detergent or toilet paper.&nbsp; Because I bought 400 rolls just the other day!&nbsp; How the heck are we running through so much TP?! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/under-or-over-buyer#post-1258308 Thu, 22 May 2014 16:49:37 +0000 Sveta 1258308@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I think I am mainly under-buyer (hey, new swimsuit shopping just weeks before the tropical vacation in the end of winter?) However I buy in bulk at Costco when I know I will use the stuff and it will cost less this way. As for the "efficiency" streak (high five Suz!) I am the major optimizer out there. Not only fill the tank to the brims to save on trips but also combine the trip to the gas station with grocery shopping and if possible picking up my son from the bus station! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/under-or-over-buyer#post-1258259 Thu, 22 May 2014 15:47:31 +0000 Suz 1258259@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm neither! My main tendencies are towards under buying, but I also have an "efficiency" streak which would never allow me to buy only $10 worth of gas at a time, for example (unless it is all the money I had) -- I simply wouldn't want to make two trips to the station. So if it increases efficiency I will buy enough. I rarely feel stressed by not having the things I need, except for special occasions.&nbsp; </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/under-or-over-buyer#post-1258245 Thu, 22 May 2014 15:31:26 +0000 MsMary 1258245@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have definite over-buying tendencies, which I am reasonably successful in keeping in check.&nbsp; But yeah, I do tend to stockpile toothpaste and paper products and the like... </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/under-or-over-buyer#post-1258239 Thu, 22 May 2014 15:19:49 +0000 carter 1258239@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Ouch! If anyone needs toothpaste, shampoo, shaving cream or soup, I'm your girl. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/under-or-over-buyer#post-1258235 Thu, 22 May 2014 15:12:12 +0000 Anonymous 1258235@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I don't really fit either group. I try to buy ahead or the giant size of things we use up regularly, like laundry detergent, and also use extra soap like shampoo for hand wash or for cleaning the bathroom in a pinch. I try to keep a closet ready for most occasions to have something suitable for a wedding, funeral, gala, painting the hall, etc. for each season. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/under-or-over-buyer#post-1258233 Thu, 22 May 2014 15:06:35 +0000 celia 1258233@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Honestly I am neither. I buy what I need when I need, and I can buy them.<br />Yes, sometimes I run out of shampoo or flour but don't really feel stressed about it. Why should I ? I can go out and buy them or just use something else in its place, no biggie.<br />Interestingly I would never had realized it it you hadn't brought it up :)</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/under-or-over-buyer#post-1258223 Thu, 22 May 2014 14:54:36 +0000 shedev 1258223@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm a little of both. I have made a lot of progress on overbuying.</p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/under-or-over-buyer#post-1258218 Thu, 22 May 2014 14:36:58 +0000 deb 1258218@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I fit into both groups, almost 50/50&nbsp;so what am I? </p>