I know what you are thinking- shopping tips? really? don't you just see what you like and buy it? Well believe it or not, just like everything else in life there is a strategy for shopping. If you are not careful you may walk out out of the mall with a few unnecessary purchases that you will leave you full of regret or completely broke! My mom not only passed on to me her good taste and style, she also thought me how to shop and get my moneys worth. And I am here today to pass along some very helpful tips to help you become a smarter shopper.
- Make a Budget: To prevent overspending make a budget for yourself. Determine how much you are willing to spend on clothes and how much you will spend on food. If you have a card with you and you have reached your shopping limit give your card to a friend so that way you wont spend more money.
- Look Around Before Committing: Unless you are already absolutely sure of what you will be getting I suggest to first look around the mall or stores you are interested in before buying something. So that way you will be sure of what you want to buy.
- Look at Sales: The best way to save more money and make your budget last longer is to check out the sales rack. I am constantly going to the sales rack and search for pieces that will make great additions to my wardrobe.
- Research: The day before you go shopping do some research on which of your favorite stores are having sales so that way you will know if they have something you are looking for.
- Don't Have Your Size? Buy It Online: If you see something you like but they don't have it on stock, don't be afraid to buy it online. Try on another item that is your size to make sure that stores size fits you ( sizes vary in stores) and once you find your size go online and buy the item you want.
- Not Sure If You Want Something? Leave It and Then Come Back: Like something but not sure if it is for you, leave it and go on to other stores. If by the end of your shopping trip you are still thinking about that item then you should go back and buy it. If when you get home and discovered you did not need it after all then don't be afraid to return it.
- Do Not Buy Anything Unless You Have At Least 3 Outfits That Will Go With It: To prevent buying something that you will only use once, make sure you can make at least 3 outfits with your item.
- Shoe Shop Till The End: The best time to shoe shop is at the end of your shopping trip. The reason for this is because your feet are swollen from all the walking you have done, this way you will have an idea how the shoe will fit and feel after you have walked for a while.
Our strategy has always been to go thrifing/shopping in the morning...then go to lunch and talk about what we've seen. Do we really need that? Do we have somewhere to put it? Will we wear/use it?
ReplyDeleteMany times the item in question is gone by the time we go back..in which case it was not meant to be.
That is a good strategy! If it isn't there it just means something better will come your way.
DeleteGreat tips, i've started doing the tip about if i'm not sure about a product putting it back. If I feel bad for leaving it I know I could go back for it tomorrow. But more often then not its something I never really needed. I always swear by writing shopping lists especially for food, then you're not walking up and down the aisles thinking about what you need. You can do straight to the goods you require and hopefully not get too tempted by everything else!
ReplyDeleteWriting down what you need is really a good idea! That way you just buy what you need.
ReplyDelete