NEW YORK — In an era of rising prices and economic uncertainty, Americans are finding solace and excitement in the art of bargain hunting. A recent survey reveals that not only do shoppers experience a measurable “high” from finding a good deal, but they’re also becoming increasingly savvy in their pursuit of savings.

With 82% of Americans searching for deals more often than ever before, it’s clear that bargain hunting has become a national pastime of sorts.

For the study, 2,000 Americans adults were polled about their shopping habits and attitudes towards deals. Results show that the average American experiences a post-purchase glow that lasts precisely 216 minutes – that’s three and a half hours of pure bargain bliss.

For some lucky shoppers, the high extends even further, with one in ten respondents reporting that they stay on cloud nine for the rest of the day after finding a great deal. Nearly a quarter of those surveyed (22%) ride the wave of a good deal for at least four hours.

Despite the focus on savings, Americans aren’t denying the fun they’re having. Three-quarters of respondents (74%) share that they enjoy shopping, particularly at grocery stores and clothing stores (68% each). Hobby shopping (48%) and home shopping (45%) also ranked high as enjoyable kinds of shopping.

On average, Americans leave about 14 extra minutes while shopping just to “look around.” This browsing time can be dangerous for the wallet, as more than half of Americans (56%) will never pass on a good deal, even if they don’t need something. It’s no wonder the same percentage say they need to avoid certain parts of a store to limit their spending.

Bargain hunting in the age of inflation

The survey reveals that bargain hunting isn’t just a hobby – it’s becoming a necessity. With 82% of respondents searching for deals more often now than ever before to combat inflation (down slightly from 85% last year), it’s clear that economic pressures are driving shopping behaviors.

Despite these efforts, 85% of those surveyed said the prices of common items have increased where they live over the past year. This is a slight improvement from the 91% who reported price increases last year, but it still represents a significant majority of Americans feeling the pinch.

Americans continue to feel that certain items are overpriced, with gas (47%) and fast food (46%) topping the list. Grocery items are also a concern, with meat or fish (42%), eggs (34%), and milk (30%) being cited as more expensive than consumers want to pay.

However, there’s been a slight easing in concerns over some categories. The cost of clothing (33% vs. 41% last year) and personal care items (32% vs. 39% last year) are less of a worry this year.

Worth the splurge

Despite the focus on bargains, Americans still believe some items are worth paying full price for. Cell phones remain the top choice (21%, compared to 23% last year), followed closely by appliances (20%) and computers or laptops (20%). Quality food items also make the list, with coffee (16%), meat or fish (14%), and snacks (12%) being areas where some consumers are willing to splurge.

As economic pressures continue, the art of bargain hunting is likely to remain a crucial skill for American consumers. “As inflation and prices for everything consumers need continue to skyrocket, finding ways to stretch your dollar further is an important skill for consumers,” says said John Swygert, chief executive officer of Ollie’s.

With 60% of respondents claiming they can find a deal on any item, it’s clear that Americans are not just embracing frugality – they’re mastering it. As the thrill of the bargain continues to captivate shoppers across the nation, it seems that the real deal isn’t just about saving money – it’s about the satisfaction of outsmarting rising prices in an uncertain economy.