This Week's 2 Cents
Hey {{first_name}}, Every other week, I share a quick money tip, myth-buster, or "I can't be the only one" moment to help you get good with money in minutes.
The Moment
Tell me why... you can look at something that costs $38 and be like, "Hmm... I don't know about that price..."
But then you see a pop-up that says: "Spend $13 more for FREE SHIPPING!"
Suddenly, our math goes out the window. We’re hunting for a $15 candle we don't need just to avoid a $7.99 shipping fee.
Now we’ve spent $53 to "save" eight bucks.
I just want to understand! Why are we like this, lol?
The Move
There is nothing "wrong" with you, friend.
Your brain is just wired to love a win.
Retailers are experts at "Gamifying" your spending.
They know that "Free Shipping" feels like winning a prize, while a "Shipping Fee" feels like a penalty.
They design these moments to make you feel like the smartest person in the room exactly when you’re spending more than you planned.
The Shift: Keep your "win" — just just make it yours.
Next time that free shipping pop-up appears, pause for a second.
Ask yourself: "Was I already buying this, or did my cart just get tricked into growing?"
If you were already buying it? Cool. Carry on.
But if you're adding stuff just to "unlock" a perk?
That's not a win. That’s a trap.
Free shipping is a smart financial move only under two conditions:
✔ It was already on the list: You actually needed the second item. You’re just buying it today instead of next week.
✔ The math checks out: The price of the main item + the extra item is still cheaper than buying the main item alone somewhere else.
Otherwise? Pay the shipping fee or walk away from the cart. Don't let a "deal" trick you into spending extra just to feel like you won!
Being the one who decides is the real “win”.
Trending Now
According to researchers, 58% of shoppers will add extra items to their cart just to hit the free shipping threshold. Not because they needed those things. Because the brain locked onto the reward and started shopping backward.
That's not a coincidence, it’s a system. Find out how the system works. And how to beat it.
Goodie Bag
Want a tool that beats retailers at their own game? Use Rakuten.
Instead of adding random clutter to hit a threshold, Rakuten lets you earn actual cash back on the primary item you already wanted.
It completely flips the script so the store pays you to shop.
Pass the Mic
Be honest... what is the wildest, most "random" thing you’ve ever added to a cart just to hit free shipping? (Mine was a set of 4 silicon straws I still haven't used. 😒)
Hit reply and tell me or drop the story in the Dream Catchers group so we can laugh together!
Live richer,
Tiffany