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33
Basic Smart Shopping Tips Here are thirty-three basic smart
shopping tips that can be used anywhere you shop. Use them to save money,
and as a guide to strengthen your purchasing power.
1. Plan your spending. Avoid impulse
buys.
2. Advertised items are not necessarily
the cheapest.
3. Watch for unadvertised specials.
4. Remember to ask for a "raincheck"
if an item is sold out.
5. To avoid crowds, do not shop after
work, on paydays, or just before holidays.
6. Buy items before you run out of
them. Buy at clearance, or sale price,
instead of regular price when you
must have the item.
7. Know the sales cycle in your area.
8. Just because an item is on sale,
doesn't necessarily mean it is a good deal for your family. If you won't
use it, don't buy it.
9. Due to volume discounts, larger
stores are generally cheaper than smaller ones.
10. Your emotions affect your shopping.
Be careful of the "I deserve it" mentality.
11. Buy at the end of the season.
12. Stock up when prices are low.
13. Try alternative shopping: Shop
salvage stores, thrift stores, consignment shops,
warehouse clubs, yard sales, and
garage sales.
14. Remember that no particular store
has the lowest price on all items.
15. Create a "shopping pool". Agree
with family and friends to shop sales for each other.
16. Shop alone. Other individuals
will only help fill your shopping cart.
17. Check the entire store for specials
and alternatives.
18. Get to know your favorite store's
employees. Don't be afraid to ask questions.
19. Know your prices, keep a price
book.
20. About Prices: Compare, Compare,
Compare. This is how your price book helps you.
21. Larger is not always cheaper.
Smaller is not always cheaper.
22. Look at unit prices.
23. You pay more for fancy packaging.
Beware.
24. Remember the "Rule of Three":
If an item has three different ways
it can be used, you will not be wasting your money.
25. Never pay full price.
26. Shop defensively.
27. Try store and generic brands.
28. Watch as the clerk rings up your
purchases. Check your receipt.
29. Shop for gifts year round.
30. Return purchases that do not
meet your expectations.
31. Complain if it is genuinely warranted.
32. Call before you go to confirm
item is available.
33. If you must, leave the checkbook
and credit cards at home or in the car.
Been saving up for that 'something
special'? Want to know when you will get the best deal? Are you curious
to know when your favorite foods will be going on sale?
Let this seasonal shopping guide
help you make those strategic shopping decisions!
JANUARY
• Post-Holiday Sales
• White Sales
• Sports and Weight Loss Equipment
• Computers
• Winter Apparel and Accessories
FEBRUARY
• Electronics
• Floor Coverings
• Housewares
• Furniture
• Candy and Chocolates
MARCH
• Spring Apparel and Accessories
• Winter Sports Equipment
• Gardening Supplies
• Luggage
• Frozen Food
APRIL
• Spring Apparel and Accessories
• Coats and Hats
• Paint
• Wallpaper
• Jewish Foods and Eggs
MAY
• White Sale - Linens and Towels
• Spring Cleaning Supplies
• Auto Maintenance
• Home Maintenance
• Sodas, Hotdogs, Hamburger Meat,
Condiments
JUNE
• Summer Apparel and Accessories
• Pianos
• Television Sets
• Building Materials and Hardware
• Dairy Products
JULY
• Air Conditioners
• Summer Sports Equipment
• Sportswear
• Craft Supplies
• Sodas, Hotdogs, Hamburger Meat,
Condiments
AUGUST
• White Sale - Linen and Towels
• BBQ and Patio Equipment
• Back to School Supplies
• Bathing Suits
• Fresh Fish and Vegetables
SEPTEMBER
• Back to School Supplies and Apparel
• Gardening Supplies
• Housewares
• Bicycles
• Canned Goods
OCTOBER
• Cars
• Houses
• Fishing Equipment
• Crystal, Silver, and Glassware
• Candy
NOVEMBER
• Winter Apparel and Accessories
• Quilts and Blankets
• Heating Devices
• Turkey, Sweet Potatoes
DECEMBER
• Toys
• Gift Items
• Partyware
• Post-Holiday Sales
• Party Foods, Baking Goods, and
Various Meats
TIP: Be sure to stock up when your
favorites are on sale!
There are many things that I make
instead of buying. One is Pickle Relish. Instead of paying $1.29
for a 10 oz. jar of pickle relish at the store, I buy the 46 oz. jar of
whole pickles on sale for $1.50-$2.00. Then I chop the pickles in my blender
or food processor. I save $3.00-$4.00 by doing this.
I refuse to buy processed cheese
slices. I buy store brand bricks of cheese on sale. The typical price is
$1.20 for an 8 ounce brick. Then I process the cheese in the blender/food
processor and add a little mayonnaise. This makes a great cheese spread
that you can put on sandwiches, and it is much cheaper!
• Shop the discounted bread stores. Did you know that most of the time
the bread stores carry fresh breads? You can get baked goods for a much
lower price. Most bread stores also offer promotions such as "frequent
buyer cards". Our local bread store gives discount cards. For each $5.00
purchase, they will stamp the card one time. When your card has 7 stamps,
you turn in the card and receive a free $5.00 credit. These bread stores
also carry snacks, spices, and mixes.
• Pay your debts Pay them off as soon as you possibly
can, and do not charge anything else until they are paid for. You may want
to cut up your credit cards, but be sure to leave yourself a low interest
card so that you can take advantage of great deals online. You also may
want to keep it for emergencies. However, when you buy online, make sure
that you pay for your purchase as soon as the bill comes. If you let interest
add up on your great deal, it is no longer a great deal.
• Don't buy it unless you need
it. Notice I said, NEED it -
not WANT it. There is a big difference. Curb your desires, and learn
to discipline your spending habits. Trust me, it can be done.
• Before you buy something, ask
yourself the following questions: Is this something I can live without?
Do I already have something that
I can use instead?
Can I borrow it from a friend or
family member?
How long will I have to work to
pay for this?
Do I really need this, or do I only
want it?
• Always use the Five R's: Repair, Restore, Reduce, Reuse,
Recycle - these alone will save you a bundle.
-----------------------
If you will incorporate these tips
into your daily life, you will save money - guaranteed.
Price Books: You have probably heard
about them, or read about them in budgeting articles. But what exactly
is a Price Book?
A Price Book is a powerful tool used
by smart shoppers to help them save money. It is a practical technique
used to record prices of frequently purchased items.
Consumers armed with a current Price
Book will know if an advertised "special" is truly a bargain or not. Costly
mistakes can be avoided, and much money can be saved by knowing how much
to pay for items used most often.
A Price Book is a personal item
created by each individual shopper. There are various formats and suggestions
one can follow, but the effectiveness of a Price Book is determined by
the way it is prepared, and if it represents the typical purchases of the
individual who created it.
A Price Book can be simple or complex;
there is no set way to manage one. A person should try a few different
ways to determine which method is best for their personal use. Here are
a few methods to choose from when starting a Price Book:
Large notebook
Small, pocket size notebook
Spreadsheet
Index cards
Address book
My personal preference is a small
notebook that I can carry along with my coupons. I use a simple format.
I list the products that I buy most often in alphabetical order, with the
lowest price I have found next to each item. I have realized that with
whatever method used, it is best to list or file alphabetically.
I started my Price Book by carrying
an 8x11 notebook with me to the store. Each item that I purchased was written
at the top of a page in the notebook. I listed the price for that particular
store, the date, and a few other brand comparisons. Then each time I shopped
at another store, I would add the prices for that store.
After visiting each store in my area,
I was able to see which ones consistently had the lowest prices on the
products I purchased. However, I also found that no one store had the lowest
prices on everything. In order to buy at the lowest prices, I have to shop
at several stores, and be willing to use many brand names. Unfortunately,
I cannot save money by being brand loyal.
Once I had been keeping my Price
Book for several months, I knew the lowest price that I could pay for my
regular purchases, and how to avoid paying over that amount. I see advertisements
everyday claiming to offer the lowest prices on products for sale. Since
I began investing my time and efforts into my own price book, I am no longer
deceived by false advertising claims.
Keeping a Price Book is one easy
way consumers can be smart shoppers. Start your own Price Book today, and
you too will see the patterns that the stores and manufacturers follow.
But don't just start one; be sure to use it regularly once you have the
prices listed. It is a practical tool to help you save. Happy Shopping!
What is a budget?
It is simply a written plan for
spending your money. You will spend your money; a budget just helps you
to spend it wisely.
Managing your budget
Step One Prepare a budget worksheet. You
can make one yourself, or use a pre-made form. To make your own, just write
down your income in one column and your expenses in another column, then
compare the two.
You will learn a great deal about
your financial situation by taking this first step. If you are like most
people, you will find that your income is less than your expenses. You
are now informed about it though, and can take the necessary action to
change your situation.
Step Two Start tracking your incidental expenses.
You know where the bulk of your money is going, but what about all those
little extras? This is a very important step if you are serious about finding
ways to stretch your money. Find a small notebook, and jot down all money
spent each day on meals, snacks, gas, impulse purchases, and entertainment.
After you have done this for a few days, you will start noticing how the
small things really add up, and where you can start cutting back.
Step Three Learn all you can about budgeting,
spending, and saving your money. The library offers many free resources
to help you with this. Talk to your friends, parents, and teachers about
what they have learned about budgeting and saving their money.
Step Five Live a frugal lifestyle. Shop Smart
and Spend Less.
Try these frugal living suggestions:
• Define your wants verses your needs.
Concentrate on spending money only on your needs.
• Don't drink, smoke, or do drugs.
They are bad for you, addictive, and cost money. You don't need them.
• If at all possible, keep a savings
account. Pay yourself first.
• Use everything to its full potential.
Don't waste anything.
• Recycle and reuse study materials
such as pencils, pens, and paper.
• Don't spend money around the plans
you make. Make plans around the money you have after all your responsibilities
are met.
• Don't be tempted by your friends'
spending habits.
• Make the most of the college's
meal plan, and any college events where there is free food.
• Use your tuition money wisely.
Always take the maximum number of credits allowed.
• Get an on-campus job.
• Make things yourself instead of
buying them whenever possible.
• Shop smart when buying groceries
and household items. Use coupons. Shop the sales. Stock up on discounted
non-perishable items. Foods like milk, butter, and cheese can be frozen.
Don't buy soft drinks, unless they are on sale, or store brand. Drink water.
Do not spend money on snack machines.
• Shop smart when buying clothes.
Do not pay retail prices. Shop thrift stores, consignment shops, yard sales,
clearance racks, and buy during off seasons. Don't buy any item that requires
dry cleaning. Consider consigning your own clothes to earn some money.
• Email or write instead of calling
home.
These are just a few ideas that you
can use to start living a more frugal life, and to successfully manage
your budget. Learning how to manage your budget in college will help you
immensely. The decisions you make early on will effect you later in life.
Use your time and money wisely.
JANUARY