Dear1 Dear2

What are packaged deals? It’s something like 1 curry puff cost $1.10, but if you buy 10 curry puffs, it won’t cost $11, instead it’ll cost only $10. That’s a packaged deal. Basically, it means that if you buy something in bulk, then you are considered a valued customer and the company offering the product or service will normally give you a bulk discount. See? It’s so worthwhile to get package deals, especially if it something that is consumed quickly and frequently. My stand is, as long as we, as consumers, stand to gain from a packaged deal, why not? Let’s take a look at some of the packaged deals we’ve signed so far.

1. Movies - 10 movie passes for $50, valid for Mon to Wed.
2. Foot reflexology - 10 sessions for the price of 8 (or was it 12 sessions for the price of 10). I only remembered we earn 2 ‘free’ sessions.
3. DVD rental - Buy a $50 credit voucher and earn extra 2 ‘free’ DVD rentals.
4. Facial treatment - 12 sessions at a discounted price plus 6 sessions ‘free’ diamond peeling treatment.
5. Hair treatment - 5 sessions full hair treatment for the price of 4 plus ‘free’ rebonding and ‘free’ colouring.

Hmm… That’s all I can think of at the moment. Maybe there are some I’ve left out. Looking at all these freebies that we’re getting, it seemed quite worthwhile getting these packaged deals. But of course there are some catches. Most of these services require that you pay upfront in full. If you dun have the cash to spare and end up owing credit card debts, then it defeats the whole purposes. So rule #1 is, never incur credit card debts to buy packaged deals.

Sometimes, if you think about having to part with $1000 at one payment seems rather heartbreaking. But if you work out the costs, and find out the per session spendings, if it’s still reasonable, then it’s alright. It’s just like paying in advance for the services. Think of it this way, the money is spent over several months and you don’t have to spend a single cent the next time you visit the place. Package deals are good, but do compare prices and be sure you’re getting a good deal.

One other thing to consider is the necessity of the item. If there are some greater needs (i.e. buying milk powder), then that should be the first priority. Most of these packaged deal things are leisure items and should only be purchased if there really is some spare allowances to indulge in.

On the same note, it also makes sense to purchase a membership card or the like for products and services that you frequent. In the long run, it’ll really help to save a large sum of money. But before signing up, make sure to do your sums and make sure that you indeed will spend up to the amount that will recoup the card membership cost. It’s no point splurging on the last day before the card expires just for the sake of ‘recouping’ the admin cost, you’ll just be forcing yourself to spend unnecessarily. The best would be lifetime memberships with only a upfront fee and no annual fees.

End of the day, spend within limits. Then maximise your goods within this limit.

-Dear1