5 Smart Ways to Save Money While Shopping!
A New World Department Store located at New World Centre Shopping Mall (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Shopping…ah, one of the greatest pleasures in life for many a shopping fanatic. But when it becomes a guilty pleasure, that is when the problems begin. For those who love to hit the stores, the activity of shopping can be therapeutic, enjoyable and gives you a high entirely of its own. But the flip side definitely makes you feel the pinch with emptying wallets and overworked credit cards. Whether you are shopping for something luxe like diamonds and precious gem jewellery or something more down to earth while combing the racks of your favourite discount department store, we could all do with a little more savings, so we can spend with a happier conscience!
Whether you are off to indulge in some fun retail therapy or setting out with a purpose for something on your list, we have rounded up a few smart money-saving tricks for you –
1.Step out of the store and take it online – Yes there’s definitely a different kind of joy in browsing through racks of garments and accessories, touching them and trying them on at will, but often time, effort and money is something we all sorely rack. Most big name and chain department stores now have comprehensive websites and online retail presences that very often offer shoppers much better prices and bigger discounts than the same products in-store! If you have already seen something in a store and want the same or something similar , it is always a good idea to do a comparable price check online since it can save you a pretty penny.
2.Time you’re shopping trip – Not all purchases are must-haves at that very moment. If there is no urgency it will help you save big if you can wait a while till the item goes on sale. A good tip is to befriend sales staff especially in smaller stores who will keep an eye out and inform you when the items tend to go on sale.
Another aspect is where timing makes all the difference is when purchasing seasonal items. Seasonal clothing in particular is often found on attractive discounts in their off-season. For example, you can stock up for winter clothing in post winter or spring seasons and even later when they are languishing on sales and clearance racks.
3. Look for coupon and discount codes – Whether it is a jewellery store selling glistening pink diamonds or a sporting goods outlet with the latest running shows, so many retailers today come out with various coupons and discount codes that offer buyers various deals. Combining them with sales can lead to even better savings on your shopping spree. Sign up for mailers and online newsletters from your favourite retailers to get the best coupons mailed to you soon as the promotion begins.
4. Go in the right mood – Few things lead to unwanted purchases that shopping in a bad mood or to kill the blues. Avoid emotional shopping when you don’t want to spend more than you can afford. Research also says that shopping when hungry or tired can lead to unwanted spending.
5. Consider wholesale stores – Yes, we all have our favourite stores, but there are many products that could be just as good in their unbranded form like household items, cleaning supplies and food for example. Wholesale stores and big box retailers often afford shoppers with a better rate due to the purchase in a bulk quantity. It is a good idea for items you need on a regular basis like creams, toilet paper and cereal etc.
So pay heed to these tips, take your list and off you go..happy shopping!
Bio – Gayle Wright is a free-lance writer for blogs and websites related to lifestyle and money saving tips. She believes that you can become a savvy shopper and save big on everything from cars to diamonds with a little planning. When not at work, you will find her combing through local flea markets.
Category: Saving Money, Shopping
Hey Gayle, Nice article. Some of these points are really helpful. I am quite the spendthrift and these tips certainly are for people like me p.
I avoid going out for shopping in malls these days as I got to have it all and end up spending most of my salary in the first half of the month.I even end up maxing out my credit cards too asI love shopping for clothes, bags, Jewellery, diamonds of all types, pink diamonds, blue diamonds, yellow diamonds. Though they are very expensive i always manage to save enough to buy these beautiful colorful stones. I hope I can manage to use some of these to save myself a little money.
A quick question Gayle – Do you feel I need to see someone if I cannot stop myself from shopping?
Wow, Very helpful tips indeed. See i was at dubai for a month for business and was living in with a friend there. I am used to cooking for myself and love to shop. So i asked my friend to take me for some daily supply shopping. We went to this beautiful place called Mall of Emirates and entered a shopping market Carre Four. Now you got to see this place – It has everything, electronics, Cheese, Meat, Restaurants, Patticeries, Soaps, Oil, well name it and they have it. My friend told me to not look for branded stuff in the food section and buy fair trade products as not only do they help one save on money but also the end product is much better then some of the branded stuff. You also get a store discount on the number of items you have purchased and surprise gifts like phones, cameras, home theatre systems when you purchase selected products via lucky draw. Now dont go looking for discounts on diamonds but on the rest you certainly will get a great deal.
Great tips, thanks Gayle. I can relate to your first point. I love shopping but usually end up buying an item at cost price from a mall only to know from a friend that i could have purchased the same at a better rate online. So i started to register with websites like Jabong, Flipkart, and a few others which sold jewellry and diamonds too. Believe me i was able to get discounts on watches i saw at the mall at atleast 20% to 30% below the cost of the watch. So I decided to purchase all my stuff from the internet and go to malls for a snack or a movie(Well that a a bit of shopping too)
Shopping = Therapy ! Amen to that!
Lovely article Gayle. I am quite a emotional shopper and yes i totally buy stuff i dont need, atleast not immediately. I am also a emotional eater, well haha just finished my tub of coffee walnut ice cream from Hagen Dans. I recently broke off with my boyfriend and was very depressed. So my friend sugested to go for shopping. Guess what i got myself a beautiful pair or earrings with pink diamonds and also a few beautiful dresses. II felt awesome afterwords and this session once a week is better than going to see a phychotherapist for depression issues. I have tried this a couple of times and am completely over my X. But yes I agree i do feel a bit empty in the pocket after. I guess thats ok as far as i am happy;-)
Shopping can be a form of self medicating. But food does the trick for me everytime.