Shopping – a modern pastime activity of pleasure and benefit. Are you trying to figure out how to save money when shopping?
Well, right off the bat – we won’t be able to make your $1000 purchase get a 90% discount.
However, what we can do is to teach you some shopping tips, which will help you save some money here and there.
Keep reading to discover 13 incredible shopping tips that will save you money.
13 Shopping Tips
Use these tips to your discretion and combine them for maximum potency and result.
1. Do Not Fall For Sales
Pretty much everybody finds sales appealing. What’s better than buying something for less than its original price?
Cheap or not, if you know you won’t be using it – don’t buy it. Don’t spend money on something you didn’t come after.
Leave the store, and if you still want it – come back the next day and pick it up.
Not to mention, the majority of sales are marketing ploys to make a purchase look more affordable. When in reality the original price is marked up, and the sales price is actually equivalent to the higher-margin value of the product.
2. A Shopping List Is Key
Going out for an errand shopping spree? Make a shopping list. Write down everything you need, and separately everything you want.
If you’re honest with yourself, don’t buy anything that’s not on the list. Get in and get out. Impulse shopping is the side-effect of non-certainty. Become certain of your purchases, and you will be certain in your expenses.
3. Price-Match and Compare
A price tag is just a starting point. If you want to buy something expensive, don’t buy it right away.
Call around other shops, check wholesale shops and go online. By comparing the prices, you can find a better deal. A deal that might save you hundreds of dollars at a time.
Not to mention, most stores accept price-matching. So if you can prove a certain price at another retailer, they will provide the same price for your purchase at their store.
4. Limit Your Finances
When it comes to in-store purchases, you can only spend what you have. So if you’re going in-store, take only the cash that you need. Just enough to cover your current purchasing plan.
The moment your cash runs out is the moment shopping stops. So by only buying the necessities, you will no longer have the ability to impulse shop around the store.
5. Don’t Shop When Bored
Many people are addicted to shopping, it’s their dirty vice.
If you’re bored and have nothing to do, try to avoid going to the mall or online retailers. By doing so, you put your vulnerable state of boredom away from the hyperactive state of consumerism.
Discover the power and fun in free activities – you don’t need to spend money to enjoy life.
6. Can’t Decide = Leave The Store
If you’re stuck in a conundrum of deciding, whether to buy that sweater or not. That’s probably a good sign of having some sort of financial barrier.
Just leave the store. Think about it at home, if you still want it – come back the next day. In most cases, you’ll be grateful that you didn’t spend the money and won’t go back.
7. If Shopping With Others, Choose Wisely
All of your friends have a certain character to them. Many a time people go with a group of friends to a mall, and then they all leave with a bunch of bags. Even though they went in to use the cafeteria.
People need other people to make themselves feel better about their purchases. Don’t let peer pressure get in your head. If you want to shop with friends, call somebody who will be transparent.
8. Find Deals Online
Most of the good deals nowadays are online. Many brands create special shopping deals for online retailers.
Not to mention, you can get a bunch of coupons and discounts, if you sign-up for newsletters and participate in various reward programs. Want to save money? – check online first.
9. Season = Don’t Shop
Try to reverse your purchasing in terms of seasons. If you want to buy winter clothes, buy them in the summer. Want to buy a swimsuit, buy it in the winter.
Most likely these items have lower demand and stock, making their price cheaper – in order to improve company cash flow. This is your opportunity to get products at a deep discount.
10. Buy The Basics
Buying clothes? It’s always appealing to buy the next best thing. The most modern and in-style clothing. However, that is not affordable.
Chances are, you’re better off buying basic clothing pieces from trusted brands, like UNIQLO or other traditional firms of high-quality products. Ask yourself how often you’ll wear anything. If you are going to wear it often, why not get something that you won’t regret ruining one day?
11. Thrift Shop
Depending on the type of product, used might be the right way to go. Not only is it cheaper, but it can also be easier to maintain.
If you’re buying a motorcycle, used is always a better option, if you have a limited budget. Lower insurance, maintenance costs, and initial capital – these are the potential benefits.
However, you can purchase clothing for dirt-cheap, and be in luck with a $200 jacket – without even knowing it. Go on eBay, Etsy – both have a variety of used products for a wide range of prices.
What about dollar general? Here’s a penny list dollar general.
You never know you might find what you wanted for half-off.
12. If You Can Make It, Don’t Buy It
By doing things yourself, you can save money quite a bit.
Want jean shorts? Cut your old jeans. Want to decorate your room? Draw some art, print some posters, etc. Anniversary with your partner? Make something that will be of great worth to them, rather than a lifeless product.
If you can make, don’t buy it. Nonetheless, some things are still best bought – for the sake and safety of quality.
13. Be Scrupulous
Try not to remove clothing tags, and throw away your boxes with receipts. Be scrupulous. Premature excitement can leave you with well-spent money, and an item you won’t be using.
Provide yourself with the opportunities to determine if you’ve made the right purchase. You can always return it (if the store allows it).
Save Money Without Issue
Now that you’ve discovered the 13 incredible shopping tips, you are well on your way to saving money during your next shopping session.
For more shopping advice, keep reading our daily-updated blog.
Stay safe and best of luck in your purchases.
Tamila McDonald is a U.S. Army veteran with 20 years of service, including five years as a military financial advisor. After retiring from the Army, she spent eight years as an AFCPE-certified personal financial advisor for wounded warriors and their families. Now she writes about personal finance and benefits programs for numerous financial websites.
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