Is it completely fine to be excited about a great bargain?

Question

Rich Dad · Accepted Answer

If you get more excited about a 50% off sale than a 50% return on investment, we need to talk.
Being excited about a great bargain isn’t wrong — but it depends on what you’re buying. A bargain on a liability is still a liability. A $2,000 couch marked down to $1,200 didn’t make you $800 — it cost you $1,200. That dopamine hit you feel? That’s the retailer’s profit strategy working perfectly. Stores engineer “70% OFF” signs because they know humans love the illusion of winning. Meanwhile, the wealthy get excited about buying assets below intrinsic value — rental properties under market value, stocks during a 20% correction, or a business with strong cash flow that’s temporarily mispriced.
Look at Warren Buffett. He gets excited during market crashes. In 2008, while everyone panicked, he deployed billions into undervalued companies. That’s bargain hunting at a wealth-building level. Or consider buying a rental property worth $300,000 for $250,000 because the seller needs quick liquidity. That $50,000 discount isn’t just savings — it’s instant equity and leverage. Now that is a bargain worth popping champagne over.
But getting thrilled about discounted sneakers? That’s consumer conditioning. Retailers mark items up 40–60% just to mark them down later. Black Friday deals often save you 15–25% at best. If you spend $500 “saving” $200, you still lost $500 of capital that could have compounded at 8–10% annually in an index fund. Over 20 years, that $500 could grow to over $2,300. That’s the real opportunity cost.
Now, I’m not saying never enjoy a deal. If you already planned to buy a laptop for your business and it drops from $1,500 to $1,100 — fantastic. That’s intelligent allocation. The key question is: Would you buy it at full price? If yes, the discount is a bonus. If no, the discount is bait.
Excitement isn’t the problem. Direction is. Train yourself to get more excited about discounted cash-flowing assets than discounted consumption. When the stock market drops 20%, most people panic. The wealthy lean forward. That mindset shift alone can separate someone who builds a $2 million portfolio over 30 years from someone who just accumulates stuff.
So yes, enjoy a bargain — but graduate from consumer bargains to investor bargains. One builds clutter. The other builds freedom.
The rich don’t chase discounts — they chase undervalued assets.

Poor Dad · Answer

A dollar saved is a dollar earned — and there’s nothing wrong with smiling about it.
Of course it’s fine to be excited about a great bargain. In fact, being mindful of prices is one of the cornerstones of financial stability. If you consistently save 20% on groceries, clothing, and household items, that could easily mean $2,000–$3,000 per year staying in your bank account. Over 10 years, that’s $20,000–$30,000 — not insignificant. That could be an emergency fund, a down payment, or a solid contribution to your retirement account.
Think about everyday examples. If you buy a reliable car for $15,000 instead of stretching to $25,000 for a flashier one, you’re not just saving $10,000 upfront — you’re likely saving on insurance, taxes, and interest if financed. If you refinance your mortgage and reduce your rate by even 1%, you could save tens of thousands over 20–30 years. These are real, practical bargains that improve long-term security.
However — and this is important — you must be careful. Retailers are experts at making you feel like you’re saving money when you’re actually spending it. Buying something you don’t need simply because it’s 40% off is not financial wisdom. It’s impulse spending dressed up as responsibility. Before celebrating a deal, ask yourself: Was this planned? Is it within my budget? Does it align with my long-term goals?
Excitement is healthy when it reinforces good habits. For example, finding a high-yield savings account offering 4–5% interest instead of 0.5% is something to be genuinely happy about. Choosing a well-reviewed appliance on sale that will last 10 years instead of buying the cheapest unreliable option — that’s smart. Bargains should improve your stability, not clutter your life or derail your savings plan.
Also, consider your financial stage. If you have credit card debt at 18–25% interest, no sale is more important than paying that off. If you don’t have 3–6 months of expenses saved, that should come first. Bargain hunting should complement a strong financial foundation — not replace it.
So yes, it’s completely fine to be excited about a great bargain — as long as it supports your security, not your impulses.
Saving wisely today protects your peace of mind tomorrow.

Is it completely fine to be excited about a great bargain?

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