Have any of you ever googled something and then be inundated for weeks with ads for what you googled?
The other week I did a google search for fertilising our lawn, then immediately for the next month I was receiving ads on my computer for Tiger Turf. It’s quite scary how quickly google is selling our information to companies marketing departments. Thankfully I had no interest in this product, so was not interested in purchasing anything in the slightest.
Reducing the temptation to buy things
But imagine if I was on the fence about a product, but leaning towards no. Then being bombarded every day for a month to look at this product. Eventually, even the best of us may get worn down and admit defeat and buy the damn thing. We can’t ignore it anymore! Our no’s become yes’s and our wallets become leaner for it. Our current selves go punishing our future selves yet again.
If one of your search keywords is also a keyword for a paid advertisement in their geographic target market, then chances are you will also be immediately inundated with promotions and ads too.
Here are some tips I have found handy in reducing temptation.
As a financial adviser, I often do internet searches on investment providers for my clients. As a result, I receive plenty of advisory services ads. Some of them sharks, some of them legit. Again, I am happy with my provider and am well trained now in ignoring the noise.
But no wonder those with less knowledge or experience often either go in one of two directions:
1/. Bury their head in the sand; or
2/. Make rushed uninformed decisions. It is information overload.
Another area I have experienced aggressive marketing is through email. I have recently bought items from the Mighty Ape and Game Kings websites. Both websites immediately emailed me the invoice and delivery details. All good so far. After delivery however, they both emailed me almost every day trying to sell me stuff I didn’t need. I blocked both senders and still somehow continued to receive emails. I unsubscribed from both email lists and still continued to receive emails.
It took me having to contact the website support to take me off their bloody email lists. It was a much longer ordeal than should be necessary and many would have given up before I did.
Marketers rely on people giving in.
And they employ a multitude of marketing tricks to get you to buy.
I am not losing to them though. I’m determined and competitive and that is what helps me get ahead. I only want to buy things I want to buy, not what somebody else is telling me I should buy.
I reduce the amount of temptations that will get between me and my goals. I know I’m human and I am as prone as anybody to make impulse decisions. I can’t be trusted. That is why it is best for me to remove the distractions, instead of always having to say no. It gets tiring and eventually I will give in.
Take away the option in the first place so you have nothing to say no to.
Make deliberate purchasing decisions
Our information is being sold to companies in record numbers. Just be aware that you are a product that is constantly being targeted. It takes a lot of willpower to always say no, so try and eliminate the emails and promos as much as you can.
Don’t wait for someone else to tell you what you need to buy. Remove yourself from their lists. You will know when you need something. Only then will you buy. You know where to find them.
I don’t mind ads so much on websites as there is a lot of free content online that the publisher should at least be paid somewhat for. I don’t have ads on my website, but that’s not to say I never will.
But if you see them on any website, like my Tiger Turf experience, just continue on with what you visited the website for. I think most of us have trained ourselves to ignore online ads anyway.
If something piques our interest, then chances are we may have wanted it anyway. If that’s the case, give it at least a few days cooling off period to see if you feel the same way. If the feeling passes, you never wanted it badly enough and will save yourself some money.
Everybody wants your money. It is up to you to defend your wallet.
The information contained on this site is the opinion of the individual author(s) based on their personal opinions, observation, research, and years of experience. The information offered by this website is general education only and is not meant to be taken as individualised financial advice, legal advice, tax advice, or any other kind of advice. You can read more of my disclaimer here