Does bagging a bargain set your pulse racing?

21 February 2012 17:31:49

A bargain really does set your pulse racing.

Discovering bargains and discounted products can literally set our pulses racing, according to new research sponsored by T-Mobile. The mobile operator asked scientists to look at the body's response to various stimulants and found that people showed their highest levels of excitement when confronted with a real bargain.

Neuropsychologists found that women got more excited by the prospect of getting £150 off the cost of a washing machine than they got when looking at images of Hollywood star Ryan Gosling. And watching football resulted in an average heart rate that was 14 per cent lower than that recorded when looking at a 'buy-one-get-one-free' deal.

Securing a good deal could even be more exciting than experiencing new love, according to Dr David Lewis. He told the Daily Mail: "When it came to getting a good deal, those were some of the highest levels [of excitement] we have seen. Bagging a bargain was routinely shown to be more exciting than love at first sight - an experience that typically causes a peak in the physical symptoms of excitement shown in both men and women."

So what can you do to get your pulse racing?
The obvious way is to keep an eye out for high-street sales, which are now a regular fixture as a result of the economic downturn. Many shops are so desperate to make sales that electrical goods and clothes can be found at rock-bottom prices. It's also worth signing up to your favourite stores' email updates, as these will alert you to sales and may also provide additional discounts or vouchers.

Be prepared to shop around
If you have a particular brand and model in mind, go online and compare the prices in different stores. You're likely to find a wide range of prices and could save a significant amount of money. Alternatively, if you're not too fussed about the brand, it may be possible to find an alternative that just happens to be on special offer.

Scan newspapers for vouchers
Newspapers are a great way to find money-off deals, particularly on things like holidays. Some also run campaigns where you collect enough vouchers to get money off theatre tickets or products. Just make sure that if the newspaper in question is not one you usually get, the cost of buying it every day won't cancel out the saving.

Financial products can provide bargains too
Of course, securing a bargain need not necessarily mean coming home laden with shopping bags, eagerly awaiting the arrival of a parcel or jetting off on a cut-price holiday. Getting a good deal on your insurance or securing a savings account with a healthy rate of return should also be something to smile about. That's why it's important to research these products properly and make use of a price comparison tool before signing up to a new deal. It may not be the most exciting bargain in the world, but who knows - the money you save could be enough to bag yourself a deal you really do want!

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