Last month, while organizing my storage, I discovered an electric grill that I had never even opened.

I was lured by the 40% discount during Black Friday, but I realized I had never used it.

This experience is not unique to me. According to a recent survey, 84% of consumers made impulse purchases in the past year, and 44% of them regretted their purchases immediately afterward. Interestingly, among those who regretted their purchases, 45% chose to keep the items instead of returning them. The money has already been spent, and the items just gather dust in drawers or storage.

Why does this happen repeatedly? The answer is surprisingly simple. Sales disrupt our criteria for judging the value of items. When a product originally priced at $100 is marked down to $60, our brains react first to the fact that we saved $40 rather than whether we actually need the item. This is known as the anchoring effect; once the original price is established, all subsequent judgments are influenced by that anchor. In fact, a survey found that 72% of online shoppers make impulse purchases due to discounts or sales. This is not just a matter of individual willpower; it's a structural trap that affects nearly everyone.

The degree to which people fall into this trap varies by age group. One study found that 60% of consumers in their 20s reported regretting their purchases, while only 21% of baby boomers felt the same way. Younger generations are more likely to make immediate purchases based on products they see on social media, meaning they often don't have enough time to think things through. In an era where payments can be made in just a few seconds on a smartphone, there's little room for careful consideration.

When phrases like "limited time" or "stock running low" are added, the urgency to decide increases. The anxiety of missing out can override rational calculations. Once a purchase is made, the psychology of justifying that choice kicks in. This is why people often choose to keep items they don't use rather than return them. Returning an item means admitting that the decision was wrong, so it's easier to tuck it away and pretend it never happened.

Ultimately, the true cost of an item bought on sale is not just the number on the receipt, but the space it occupies and the likelihood that it will never be used again. Even if you bought it for $60, if you never use it, it's like throwing away $60. In fact, it could be a more wasteful purchase than buying something carefully at full price.

I believe that instead of relying on government regulations or consumer protection campaigns, individuals should establish their own criteria for making decisions. To resist the influence of external stimuli like sales, you need to have your own principles. I ask myself three questions: Would I buy this item at this price if it weren't on sale? Can I substitute it with something similar I already have at home? Will I still feel I need it a week after the purchase? I only hit the purchase button if I answer yes to all three questions.

This principle isn't anything grand. It's simply a habit of pausing for a few extra seconds before hitting the purchase button. However, those few seconds can significantly reduce the number of mysterious small charges on my credit card statement each month. Since it's a standard I set for myself, the reasons for adhering to it are clear, and when I fail, I have no one to blame but myself, which actually motivates me more.

Sales themselves aren't bad. Buying something you genuinely need at a lower price is a rational purchase and a sign of smart shopping. The problem arises when you mistakenly believe you need something simply because it's discounted. The next time you see a sale banner, I encourage you to consider whether that item truly adds value to your life before focusing on the discount rate.