Despite the tough economic climate, technology is making it easier than
ever to spend money like it’s going out of style. Shopping from the comfort of
your couch or gambling in your bathrobe can be so easy that we don’t stop to
think about how much we’re shelling out. Here are ten of the ways that the
internet makes quick work of your retirement fund.
- Auction Sites –
Auction sites like eBay make spending a small fortune as easy as pie; the
lower-than-retail prices and wide array of available goods are almost
irresistible.
- Flash Sale Groups –
Fashionistas and home décor enthusiasts are well-acquainted with the flash
sale groups. Notifications are sent via email, informing members of an
impending event; for a very short time, generally less than three days,
high-end designer goods are available at deep discounts. The lure of 95%
off of haute couture pieces is undeniable.
- Online Gambling – Blowing
money in a casino is easy enough; when the internet offers the opportunity
to play the same games in your underwear, a small fortune can be spend in
no time flat.
- Multi-Player Fantasy and Simulation
Games – Few things are as addictive as an online role-playing or
life-simulation game. Unfortunately, the companies that put them out
understand the loyalty of their fan base and are constantly introducing
new expansions and add-on packages. These charges, in addition to monthly
subscription and membership fees, can add up very quickly.
- Wholesale Sites –
There’s something about a discount that makes a perfectly rational person
feel certain that they should buy 144 boxes of cocktail umbrellas or 100
plastic whistles. Because the internet makes it so easy to find these
wholesale vendors, it doesn’t take long to end up with an empty wallet and
a house full of trinkets.
- Secure Pay Services – The
act of entering your credit card number for a frivolous purchase can often
make you think twice before clicking that Check Out button. Secure pay
sites and vendors that store account information to enable “One-Click”
purchasing know this, and have eliminated the step altogether. Without
that last chance to rethink the purchase, it doesn’t take long to
overspend.
- Access to Collectibles and Other Rare
Items – Once upon a time, collectors of rare items had to save up
their money and make the trek to a dealer or convention to make purchases.
Now, it’s as simple as locating a forum of like-minded collectors or
dealers around the world.
- Buying Music – Since
the advent of iTunes, it’s a snap to spend a bundle, .99₵ at a time.
Finding one track that you love leads to the purchase of an album; when
you fall in love with it, you have to buy the entire discography.
- Free Shipping – Many
vendors offer free shipping after you’ve spent a minimum amount; most of
us will keep adding things that we don’t need, spending $50.00 to save
$5.00 on shipping charges.
- Product Suggestions – The
product suggestion is the impulse-buy section at the supermarket on
steroids. Just before you complete the transaction, a site will show you
what other users who were interested in the items you purchased bought.
Suddenly, you’re seeing products that you forgot you wanted; in to the
cart they go!
Story by Melanie Slaugh
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