It might come as a shock to you, but I happen to suffer from a condition known as procrastination, defined (in verb form) by Merriam-Webster as “to put off intentionally and habitually.”
I was reminded of this recently when my mother-in-law, who reads this column and who may or may not appreciate being referenced here, asked what our family’s plan is for going to the hospital when Baby Girl Roy is born. (In other words, who will watch Big Sister-to-be so she’s not left to freely roam the hospital halls and accidentally barge into a brain surgery to impart her 3-year-old wisdom?)
This monumental event is supposed to occur on or around Feb. 8; therefore, I reason, I have three weeks to think about it. So, I need not concern myself with details until Feb. 5 or so.
Of course, everyone knows storks rarely ever drop off their precious bundles on exact due dates, but I like to bank on that possibility.
The thing is, it’s not easy being a procrastinator, especially if you’re trying to save money. All the nonprocrastinators print the good coupons when they first become available, take up the front of the line during early-bird sales and plan out gift purchases months before the occasion upon which they’ll be given.
It’s very frustrating.
It turns out Sufferers of Procrastination have few advantages in the money-saving universe — but there are a few, mostly thanks to the digital age.
Here is what my research has turned up. Fellow procrastinators, let me know if you have anything to add.
1. Travel deals. Booking hotels, flights, cruises and car rentals last-minute can save you big bucks if you’re willing to take the risk.
Websites such as Expedia, Orbitz and Priceline let you secure deep discounts by booking last-minute — in some cases, the later the booking, the steeper the discount. Hoteliers and airlines are anxious to fill up empty spaces; you, procrastinators, are anxious to have a roof over your head or method of navigating from Columbus to Paris without having to swim the Atlantic Ocean. It just makes sense.
2. Sales. Guess what? Stores have sales just for procrastinators! They’re mostly around the holidays and are branded as “last-minute sales.” However, you don’t need to wait for these momentous/heavily advertised/may-or-may-not-be-legit occasions to save on retail by being a procrastinator: Just wait later than everyone else to buy stuff.
A timely example: As stores begin to display their wares for bikini season — er, spring (also known in Retaildom as January) — winter coats and accessories that all the planners were in a rush to buy in the fall will go on clearance.
You’ve survived one official month of winter without a winter coat. Time to capitalize. (You also could call this “preparing for next year,” which counts as planning in advance.)
At farmers markets and garage sales, the late bird sometimes has a better shot at getting the worm (er, second-hand appliance/sentimental kitschy decoration/wilting head of lettuce), even if it’s not as fat and juicy as the one the early bird gets.
Then there are post-holiday deals, which we all know about. Technically buying those things, too, counts as planning way in advance. (Just explain to Junior that Santa must have misprogrammed your address into his GPS, which is why these Christmas gifts are showing up three days late.)
3. Weddings. I realize this only will appeal to a small portion of the population, but think of how many more days you can spend at Disney World on your honeymoon with the money you save by eloping!
(Note: If you take my advice and end up with family conflicts, please don’t point angry in-laws in my direction.)
4. eBay. Go ahead — be that jerk who outbids everyone else with five seconds to go in the auction.
As long as you walk away with a deal, why join the game early? (Is it too obvious that I’ve been on the opposite end of this scenario?)
All in all, I’ll concede that, in most things, it doesn’t really pay to be a procrastinator.
But for my fellow sufferers out there, I wanted to share a few ways we have an edge.
Now to figure out what to do about that stork.
If you have questions about a money-saving topic, ideas for future columns or tips to share, email me at amroy@ mncogannett.com.
Happy saving,
Abbey
