Shopping is a part of everyone’s life – every day people buy food, clothes, appliances, books, go to the cinema or a restaurant. However, do they always carefully consider what they spend their money on? Smart shopping is a skill that will help you make better decisions, not give in to influence or pressure and not spend more than you have.

 

Prices

When you want to buy something, you check how much it costs. This information gives the price. It shows the amount of money you have to pay for it. On the other hand, every good or service also has a certain value, which is not always the same as the price. The value shows what you get as a benefit, pleasure or knowledge.

Prices are of different types depending on who sells and who buys. For example, there are wholesale prices – at these prices, stores buy goods from manufacturers or suppliers. They are lower than the retail prices you pay in the store because stores add a markup. This is how they cover their costs. It is also a good idea to pay attention to the unit price listed on the label, especially when items are sold in a package or in larger quantities – for example, how much does one waffle cost if it is sold in a package of 3. This will allow you to compare products and choose the best deal.

 

Purchases

Not everything that is sold is worth buying. Sometimes products come in a package that includes several things together – for example, a phone + case + headphones. This is not always cheaper, so it is good to compare prices individually.

Some purchases entail additional costs – for example, if you buy a game, you may later have to pay for new levels or accessories. If you buy a bike, you will have maintenance costs, such as tires, a pump, etc.

When choosing what to buy, it is important to prioritize your needs by assessing your needs and wants, as well as deciding what you need more. For example: “I really like this makeup kit, but I need a new paint set more, so I will wait until I have saved enough for it.”

When comparing different products, do not only look at the price. Assess whether they are of good quality, what kind of warranty they have, whether they are environmentally friendly. Very often, a cheaper product ends up being more expensive because it wears out or breaks faster, and then you will have to spend money again.

Be especially careful with promotions. Always assess whether you really need the product or if you are tempted to buy it because of the “good“ deal.

It is also important where you shop. Online stores often offer good prices, but they must be reliable and safe – they must have privacy protection and clear return policies. Do not believe advertisements for something “free” or something that sounds too good – this is most often not true. Always shop online with a parent or close adult because sometimes you may not even realize that you have bought something you do not need.

Also, make it a habit to always calculate how much your purchase costs before paying. For example, if there is a 15% discount, calculate what the final price will be.

 

Payment methods

When you buy something, you can pay in different ways. The most traditional is with cash - with coins and banknotes. People today increasingly prefer to pay by card, as this is a much faster and more convenient way. After several payments or for larger amounts, the POS terminal requires the entry of a PIN, which approves the payment.

You probably have a debit card, since in Bulgaria many banks issue cards to children over 7 years old linked to the current account of a parent or guardian. If you are 14 years old, your parents or guardians can even open an account in your name.

Cards can be saved in a mobile application or in a smartphone/smartwatch. This makes payment even easier.

Internet payments are very convenient, but they pose some risks - if someone learns your PIN or card details, they can misuse them. That is why it is important to never share your card information - for example, in a chat with strangers, even if they sound very "friendly".

If you need cash, since card payments are not accepted everywhere, you can withdraw some from an ATM. This is very easy - you simply insert your card into a slot on the ATM, called a reader, or bring it closer to the place where the contactless payment symbol is. Enter your PIN and select the amount. It is important to be careful when withdrawing money, as well as to make sure that there are no suspicious people nearby. And of course, do not share your PIN!

Remember that money is a useful tool, but only if you use it wisely.