How I Shop Sales Without Falling Into the ‘Spending to Save’ Trap

I love a good sale. I mean love—the dopamine hit of a markdown, the rush of feeling like you “beat the system” by getting something at 40% off. You’ll never hear me knock a smart, well-timed purchase.

But over the years (and after a few too many “amazing deals” that sat untouched in the back of my closet), I learned the difference between shopping strategically and shopping emotionally.

Turns out, “saving” money isn’t actually saving anything if the thing wasn’t on your list to begin with. That’s where the “spending to save” trap gets you: you tell yourself you’re being responsible by grabbing the discount, but you’re still spending money you didn’t need to part with.

After a bit of trial and error—and let’s be honest, a couple financial wake-up calls—I started shopping differently. Below is exactly how I still enjoy sale season without sabotaging my savings goals or falling for every 20% off email that lands in my inbox.

The Myth of “Saving Money” by Spending It

Before we jump into tactics, let’s debunk a common misconception: a sale is not a money-saving event unless you were planning to make the purchase anyway.

Let’s say you buy a $200 pair of boots for $120. Did you “save” $80? Technically, sure. But if you weren’t planning to buy boots at all, you just spent $120 you didn’t intend to. The “savings” is only real if it replaces something else you were going to spend money on.

Once I internalized that, it changed the way I approached sale shopping. It wasn’t about avoiding sales altogether—it was about shopping from a position of power, not impulse.

I Built a “To-Buy Later” List—and Refer to It Religiously

The single most practical shift I made? I started keeping a running “to-buy later” list. Not a Pinterest board. Not a mental note I’d forget the second I entered Target. A real, structured list in my notes app of items I genuinely wanted or needed—but wasn’t in a rush to buy.

This included:

• Products I’d tried and liked but weren’t urgent
• Clothing gaps I’d noticed during seasonal changes
• Kitchen tools I knew I’d eventually upgrade

Then, when a sale rolled around (like Labor Day or Black Friday), I already knew what I was looking for. No scrolling, no “just browsing,” no unnecessary detours. Just a direct, intentional hunt for items on my list.

I Created a “Fake Checkout” Buffer Period

Online sales have a way of making everything feel urgent. “Only 2 left in your size!” “Final hours!” “Cart reserved for 10 minutes!” That manufactured scarcity is engineered to override your logical brain.

So I implemented a rule: no checking out for 24 hours. I could browse. I could fill my cart. But I wouldn’t hit “buy” until I’d slept on it—literally.

What usually happened? One of three things:

1. I completely forgot about it (which meant I didn’t really want it).
2. I came back and removed half the items after thinking it through.
3. I bought it, but with zero regret because I gave it proper thought.

This one habit drastically reduced my impulse spending—without taking the fun out of the shopping experience.

I Use Price Trackers to Spot Sales

Retailers are incredibly good at getting your attention—and nudging your emotions. So I unsubscribed from most marketing emails and started using price tracking tools instead. Sites like Honey or CamelCamelCamel (for Amazon shoppers) let me track specific items I’d already identified and notify me when they go on sale. That way, I don’t fall into the “sale rabbit hole” just because I opened an email.

It flips the power dynamic. I control what I shop for and when. The sale supports my goals—not the retailer’s.

I Reframed What a “Deal” Actually Looks Like

At one point, I realized I was chasing discounts more than I was chasing value. So I started asking better questions when evaluating a purchase:

• Is this a smart use of my money right now?
• Will I still want this item next month?
• Does this align with my values, my style, or my budget?

A $50 sweater marked down to $20 isn’t a deal if I never wear it. A $100 purchase that prevents me from hitting my savings goal this month isn’t a deal either—even if it’s 60% off. On the flip side, I once bought a high-quality vacuum during a holiday sale that I’d saved for—and it felt amazing. That’s what a real deal looks like: a purchase that brings lasting value, not just momentary gratification.

I Budget for Sales—But I Don’t Budget Because of Them

There’s a big difference between:

• “This is a planned category in my budget.”
• And: “It’s on sale, so I’ll figure out how to pay for it later.”

Now, when I know big sales are coming up (hello, end-of-season markdowns), I plan for them. I’ll often set aside a small amount each month in a “shopping” or “wishlist” sinking fund. It’s not restrictive—it’s empowering. I don’t feel guilty when I buy something during a sale because it’s not spontaneous. It’s budgeted and intentional.

And no, the budget doesn’t ruin the fun. If anything, it makes the experience better because I’m spending with clarity, not stress.

I Ask Myself the “Four-Wear Rule” (or Its Equivalent)

Years ago, a stylist gave me one piece of advice I still follow: If you can’t think of at least four ways to wear it, don’t buy it. It’s a small mindset shift, but it makes a difference, especially when you consider that the average person in the U.S. throws away 81.5 pounds of clothes every year. That’s 11.3 million tons of waste, and most of it—about 85% goes straight to landfills.

You can apply this to nearly anything:

• Would I use this pan in four different recipes?
• Would I wear these shoes in four different outfits?
• Would I use this skincare product in four weeks?

If the answer is no, it probably doesn’t deserve your money—even if it’s half off.

Strategic Spending Is Still Spending—And That’s Okay

Learning how to shop sales without overspending isn’t about deprivation. It’s about clarity. It's about asking, “Is this moving me closer to the life I want—or just filling a momentary want?” Sometimes the answer will be yes, and you’ll hit “buy now” without guilt. Other times, you’ll close the tab and walk away. And both of those decisions can be wins—because they’re yours.

Claire Matthews, Contributor

Claire has a passion for all things finance and a talent for turning money challenges into opportunities. From boosting credit to building savings, she's always on the lookout for simple, clever ways to make money work harder for you.