Advice On Shopping

by molohi46

posted on 10/16/2009

I must say that this may be a difficult article to write, as I really hate to shop, but I do have a few tips I can share that may help others who are looking for bargains. In the first place, I RARELY pay full price for anything. In the second place, I go to the store once or twice a month or less, if I can get out of it.

First, let me explain a little more why I don't like to shop and maybe you can relate. One, I am of a size that NOTHING fits. My body size and proportion makes it very difficult to find clothes that actually fit. Manufacturers seem to base their sizes on the beautiful, slim models on the front pages of the magazines and fail to realize the majority of the world does not fit into that category. Second, I don't like to fight my way around the store, especially when it is crowded and I don't like having to wait in line to pay for my items. Retailers need to realize that my time is valuable and when there are 3 check outs open, but a line of 15 checkouts, then they are wasting my time. I take time to stop at their store to spend my money only to find the one item I went into the store for is out of stock. So frustrating. Third, I think EVERYTHING is WAY OVERPRICED and I have bills to pay instead of paying an outrageous price for something the store sees as valuable. So, now that you understand a little about why, now let me share with you how.

1. I rarely pay full price for anything. I don't go to the store as soon as the product hits the market. I wait until the end of the season and purchase essential items, such as clothes, shoes, etc. once the stores offer it at deep discounts. Clearance racks are my favorite places to shop, when I must go to the store, but the downfall to this is the limited selection of size and color. If you simply must have an item before it goes on sale, use coupons and/or store discounts to get as much off as possible. Some stores also offer discounts if using a store credit card BUT BEWARE!! Using credit cards of any kind can cost a lot of money in interest and fees if the balance is not paid off monthly.

2. Use any type of coupon or store discount that is available. Clipping coupons and signing up for store discounts take time, but it is worth it in the end. I have an amount in my mind for what I think an item is worth and use coupons and store discounts every time I shop to make sure I average the price or value I think, not the store. For instance, if I feel a sweater is worth $10, but pay $7 for one sweater and $13 for antoher sweater, that is OK as I am still within my $10 range, give or take.

3. I like to buy things in bulk, as that way I don't have to run to the store every other day because I am out of an item. I also like to take advantage of shoppers clubs, even though I may or may not get a better bargain. Depending on where you live, joining a shoppers club may or may not be beneficial. The closest shoppers club to my location is over 60 miles away so by the time I pay for gas, dinner and groceries (or whatever else I want to buy) along with the annual membership fee, I'm not really saving all that much money but I am saving time because I can buy in bulk and they normally have top-rated items.

4. Use your grocery stores Web site to find bargains. I use Kroger.com to veiw the weekly ads (on the rare occassion I go to the store) to find the best prices on what I want to buy. I don't have to actually BUY from Kroger to get the best price, but I can use their list to COMPARE at another store if I wish. I can also use the list to compare with lists from other stores, if I don't wish to travel. Once I have gathered all the information, I can choose a day/time the store is not normally croweded and get out in record time. Most store sites also offer coupons so you don't have to clip from the newspaper. NOTE: Running in between the stores to get the best bargains MAY NOT be a bargain at all.You are spending what you save in gas and time so it is sometimes cheaper to pay a little more for a couple of items than drive all the way across town because another store has it cheaper. NOTE: Price and size are a direct relation to cost when at the grocery store. Although the larger item may cost a little more, it still may be cheaper. Use your cell phone to determine the cost of an item (or check the sticker) and choose the cheapest item you can afford. Most stores have stickers on the shelves so you can compare cost vs size.

5. Shop online, if you are comfortable with this. I did most of the Christmas shopping last year by shopping online. I did not have to go out of my house, where I was nice and warm and I was able to shop the clearance page of an entire store, not just the store in my area. Sometimes, paying taxes can be avoided by shopping online, as each state's tax rates are different. The downfall? Shipping and handling. Try to find free shipping offers or site to store free shipping (but this means you have to go out!). Or, you can bite the bullet and ship to your house although this totally eliminates any savings you may get by shopping the clearance page!

Comment on this article

You must be logged in to post comments.

Previous Comments