I like to analyze shopping habits. And if you and your significant other happen to shop together at all, you might find interesting a recent report on this topic.

According to a poll in the upcoming September issue of ShopSmart, a consumer magazine, 38 percent of couples spend more money when they shop together, often making joint buying decisions. But if it comes down to one of them making the decision, women take charge.

So, how does this relate to your shopping patterns? Do you spend more money when you shop with your partner?
I think this depends on where you are shopping and what you plan to buy. This report is true for me on a grocery store run. I spend less money when I’m the one shopping, compared to when my husband comes along!

Here are some other interesting results from the report, which was conducted by the Consumer Reports National Research Center:

--The majority of couples (84 percent) shop together at least sometimes, and 85 percent always or often stay together while at a particular store.
--Nearly 80 percent of men and women do at least some of their shopping without their significant other.
--26 percent of men say they shop with their significant other because they are made to do so.
--Women said they are more likely than their significant other to ask for help, use a coupon and make a return.
--One in four couples (26 percent) said they had an argument in public while shopping together.
--22 percent of men who shop with their significant other believe she wins more arguments about what to buy or how much to spend.

If you agree or disgree with any of these findings, let me know about it and share your shopping stories, too.

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• Posted by Jenny Kincaid Boone in Stores
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