The Myth of the ‘Best Deal’—What Saves You Money?

Sarah Brumley

Sarah Brumley

Tell me if this sounds familiar—you spot a ‘limited-time sale,’ rush to grab the deal, and walk away feeling like you just won at shopping. But then… a few weeks later, you realize that ‘amazing bargain’ wasn’t so amazing after all. Maybe it fell apart, maybe you didn’t actually need it, or maybe—just maybe—the sale wasn’t even real.

If that’s ever happened to you, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Today, we’re breaking down the myth of the ‘best deal’ and figuring out how to actually save money—without falling for clever marketing tricks.

Sound like something you need? Well then, let’s get started!

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The Myth of the ‘Best Deal’—What Saves You Money?

Well hey there and welcome back to the Financial Fix Up Podcast. I’m your host, Sarah Brumley, and if you’re anything like me, you love a good deal. I mean, who doesn’t? That little thrill when you see “50% off” or “limited-time sale” is hard to resist. It feels like you’re winning at the money game, right?

But here’s the thing – just because something is cheaper doesn’t mean it’s a good deal. In fact, sometimes choosing the lowest price can actually cost you more in the long run.

I learned this the hard way with winter boots. A couple of winters ago, I needed a new pair and saw a cute option on sale for just $25. I was thrilled, because why spend $80 or more when these would do the job. Fast forward two months and those boots were a disaster. The soles had worn down, my feet were constantly wet and I was miserable. Before winter even ended, I had to go out and buy another pair. By the end of the season, I had gone through two pairs – spending far more than if I’d just invested in one high quality pair from the start.

That’s when I realized: sometimes, the best deal is the one that lasts longer, not the one with the lowest price tag.

So today, we’re going to break down the myth of the “best deal” and talk about how to actually save money – without falling for marketing tricks. Let’s jump right in.

It’s Not Always a Real Deal

So, how do you know when a deal is real and when it’s just a marketing trick? Let’s start with one of the biggest pricing traps: fake discounts. Retailers love to make us think we’re getting an amazing discount, but often, it’s just a pricing trick.

Ever seen a dress ‘originally priced at $80’ but marked down to $40? Chances are, it was never meant to sell for $80 in the first place. Stores inflate prices just so they can ‘slash’ them later, making the sale look bigger than it really is.

Another common tactic is “Buy More, Save More” sales. Maybe you walked into a store planning to buy one candle, but now you’re debating grabbing three because you’ll get a discount. The reality? You just spent more money than you intended—all in the name of getting a “deal.”

So before jumping on a sale, take a moment to check whether it’s truly a bargain. One of the easiest ways to do this? Pay attention while you shop. After a few trips to the store, you’ll start to recognize what items actually cost. If you see something on sale, ask yourself, Have I seen this price before? Is this truly lower than usual, or does it just look like a deal?

Another simple trick: Check the price tag closely. Some stores list both the original price and the markdown, but the real clue is in the fine print—sometimes, you’ll see that the “original” price was only used for a short time before the sale kicked in, meaning the discount isn’t as big as it seems.

Buying Cheap = Buying Twice

Beyond fake discounts, another common mistake is thinking the lowest price always saves you money. But what happens when cheap products don’t last? This is exactly what happened with my winter boots. When we buy the cheapest option, we often end up replacing it sooner.

I mean, think about the items you use daily – shoes, kitchen tools, appliances. If you buy a cheap vacuum that breaks in a year, you’ll be buying another one soon. But if you invest in a slightly more expensive, high-quality one, it could last for years.

One trick to help with this? Calculate the cost per use.

Let’s say you buy a $20 pair of shoes that last 3 months. You’re paying about $6.50 per month to wear them. But if you buy a $60 pair that lasts two years, you’re only pay about $2.50 per month. In the long run, the better quality pair is the real savings.

So, before buying something, ask yourself: Is this the cheapest option or the best value? If it’s something you use a lot, it’s worth investing in durability.

When a “Deal” Leads to More Spending

Let’s talk about the classic “spend more to save more” trap.

Retailers know we hate paying for shipping. That’s why they set free shipping thresholds – “Spend $75 to get free shipping” or spend $25 to get shipping today or first thing tomorrow morning. You see that and end up adding extra things to your cart just to avoid the shipping fee or to ensure you receive it as soon as possible.

Or maybe you see a great deal on bulk items – like a 10-pack of something you only kind of need. You justify it because “it’s cheaper per unit” but in reality, you just spent way more than you needed to.

The key here is to stick to your shopping list. If you weren’t planning on buying it before you saw the deal, chances are it’s not actually saving you money.

I will say that when it comes to needing a couple more dollars to get same day shipping on Amazon – and I’m a sucker for that – I’ve placed items in the “for later” section of our cart that I know we will need over the course of the month. Things like cleaning products, vitamins, granola bars and other things we order and use regularly sit in that spot until we critically need them or there’s a need for a little add on for a same day purchase. It’s saved us tons of money – because those are things we WILL order anyways, but we don’t just add random things to the cart to get that same day delivery. So, something to consider.

How Will You Get the Best Value?

Now that we know what doesn’t work, let’s talk about how to truly get the best value when you shop. It comes down to being intentional with your spending and looking beyond the flashy “sale” signs.

Here are a few simple strategies:

  • Compare prices before you buy. If it’s an everyday item, take note of the usual price so you can recognize when a discount is actually a deal.
  • Invest in quality when it matters. If it’s something you use daily—like shoes, kitchen tools, or appliances—spending a little more upfront can save you money in the long run.
  • Stick to your shopping list. If you weren’t planning to buy it before you saw the sale, chances are you don’t need it.
  • Plan purchases ahead of time. If you know you’ll need something in a few months, watch for seasonal discounts or store markdown cycles instead of impulse-buying.

At the end of the day, the real best deal is the one that helps you spend smarter – not just spend less.

So, my challenge for you this week: The next time you see a ‘deal,’ pause for a second. Ask yourself—Is this actually saving me money, or just making me spend more? Start paying attention to when a sale is truly valuable and when it’s just clever marketing. The more aware you are, the better choices you’ll make.

Whatever you decide, just know that I’m cheering you on! You’ve got this! Have an amazing day and I’ll chat with you again next time!

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