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Twelve Easy Steps to Money Saving Shopping
TWELVE EASY STEPS To Money Saving Shopping Bill Dunigan
Learn how you can economize and start saving money now.
Be able to save on the things you really need on a daily basis.
Follow the steps laid out here and watch your savings increase.
Enjoy shopping with a new informed perspective while you save.
Most of us have, at one time or another felt the need to
economize. I'm sure this statement comes as no surprise to
anyone. However, we do still need to make those purchases of
items that are needed on a daily basis. These include, but are
not limited to, such things as: food, clothing, cosmetics,
school supplies, laundry detergent, and far too many other items
to list here. It always seems to be a never-ending list, which
continually keeps growing and growing no matter how much we try
to scale it down.
The best thing to do after reading through this article is to
use it on a regular basis as a reference guide. It can help you
decide where and when to look for the specific items you need to
purchase. After a short while you will gain enough experience to
be able to decide for yourself, just where and when you can find
the best deals.
This idea for this grew from the knowledge that there are many
others who, like me, have found themselves in a different income
situation from time to time. At times like this it is absolutely
necessary to cut back on expenses. There are times when we find
ourselves out of work, or living on a fixed income, or perhaps
changing to a single income. The reason isn't the important
thing, how we handle it is. We must, as the expression says,
take the bull by the horns. It is up to us to make those changes
that will enable us to survive day to day and still have those
things we really need. The interesting thing is that after
learning and putting into practice the tips suggested here, they
become an ongoing practice in continuing to economize even when
there may not be a pressing financial need. I suppose that once
you learn a good thing it sticks with you. Remember, read,
learn, practice, and you will reap the benefits.
STEP # 1 Make a List
· This is probably the most important thing you con do to
positively affect your spending. Don't underestimate the power
of that list. · Your list is your best friend when shopping.
Never go shopping without it. This is one of the best an easiest
ways to exert control over your spending habits.
· Remember, your best results will be when you are shopping only
for those items you really need. This is how you start
developing good shopping habits.
· Forming good shopping habits is the key to your success. With
these two tools (your list and good shopping habits) you can be
assured of achieving your goal.
STEP # 2 Coupons
· Coupons can be a wonderful opportunity to save. However if it
is for a product more expensive than you normally would
purchase, be sure that the price after the discount isn't higher
than you would normally spend or it won't be a savings to you.
· Take advantage of every sale opportunity possible. Examine the
fine print so you can make an informed decision. They are truly
a savings only if they are for items you would normally
purchase.
· Arm yourself with this fact; a retailer's goal is always to
increase sales. Your goal is to always economize by forming good
shopping habits.
STEP # 3 COMPARE PRICES
· One of the smartest things you can do is pay attention to the
prices of those items for which you would normally have a need.
This way you will have something solid to base you decisions on.
· The whole idea is to know exactly what you purchase on a
regular basis and who has those items at the lowest price. With
this information you have a head start on attaining your goal.
· Now you can chose those stores that have more of what you need
at the best prices. These re the places you will frequent when
shopping. STEP # 4 GROUP ITEMS
· The next step towards success is to begin grouping your items
together by store. Since you already know about making a list,
this step should be a breeze.
· Now you can start saving before you even get to the stores. By
just eliminating unnecessary trips to several different stores
you save on your fuel expenses.
· Saving on expenses in any way you can contributes to the
overall achievement of your goal. The less traveling around you
have to do the better it is for your budget.
STEP # 5 TRAVEL WISELY
· Another easy and to economize is when there are several stores
in your area that carry the articles you frequently purchase,
try to stop at them during your normal driving route. This
requires nothing extra from you and saves you both time and
money.
· This is effective time management. Now you are really starting
to form some good shopping habits.
· With the steps we have discussed thus far you have already
started saving and you haven't even made a purchase yet. It's
amazing how much you can save just by being organized.
STEP # 6 KNOW YOUR SPLURGE
· Now it's time to reward yourself. We all have certain items
that we really don't want to change or economize on. If you have
done your homework and been able to economize the way you want
to, then there is no reason why you can't allow yourself that
splurge. · Set a goal that is realistic and when you achieve it
reward yourself. No one is going to be happy and persevere at
any task if they feel deprived all the time. · Make your splurge
something you really want. However, don't have a splurge that
wipes out what you have saved.
STEP # 7 BUY AT THE END OF SEASONS · When purchasing clothing,
the best time to buy is at the end of the season. At the
beginning of the season prices are the highest they will be on
those items.
· If you need summer clothing, the premium time for bargains is
the end of summer during August or early September at the
latest. Now that you understand this fact, it only makes sense
to wait until later to make those purchases.
· This is one of the best ways to save and still have new
clothing in your wardrobe. The selection may not be as varied as
in the beginning of the season, but the savings more than make
the waiting worthwhile.
STEP # 8 DON'T BE STUCK ON Logos
· There are many articles of clothing without a logo and they
usually cost much less. Why should you pay the premium to
advertise anyone's business, and not be compensated for it?
· Contribute to the successful achievement of your goals rather
that those of the manufacturers and retailers. When you insist
on those logos you are paying to be a walking billboard.
· Again here is an easy way to economize without any extra
effort. Instead of putting that extra money in the cash
register, you can put it in your pocket.
STEP # 9 DOLLAR STORES
· These stores are probably some of the best places you can find
for acquiring new items at a real bargain price. The quality may
not be top of the line, but it is new merchandise not used.
Remember you are economizing so be careful because they can
become addictive. · You will definitely find great prices here.
While some of them actually sell most items for a dollar others
will vary. Remember, we are trying to cut cost so don't get all
hung up on top names and brands because you won't find many of
them here.
· Frequent names used are: Dollar General, Dollar Tree, Dollar
Store, Dollar King, Family Dollar, etc.
STEP # 10 THRIFT STORES
· You will defiantly find many bargains here. Remember, most of
the articles are used, so look them over first. Don't be
surprised when you come across name brands or new items. You
never know what you'll find and sometimes it's a genuine treat.
· Some of the bargains you will find are clothing, household
goods, furniture, luggage, shoes, etc. If you do a little
research you may find one that tends to have more furniture than
others or more clothing or household goods.
· Most areas have several of these stores. They are usually
independent from each other and thus the difference in the types
of merchandise.
STEP # 11 DISCOUNT STORES
· This is the place to go if it's new merchandise that you
crave. The things here change with the seasons just as in the
full price stores, so remember what you learned about buying at
the end of seasons.
· Prices at these retailers will be well discounted when
compared to other retailers but can never compete with the
Dollar or Thrift stores. Most of them are located in large
shopping areas that charge high rents, and also have a large
number of employees to pay.
· Discount stores can represent a great savings. However, just
as with the coupons, if it's an item that will cost more than
what you would normally spend for it, pass it by.
STEP # 12 HOLIDAY SHOPPING
· Here we have an abundance of wonderful merchandise. The
problem is that it is the most dangerous time of year for anyone
trying to economize.
· Keep your goals in mind and remain focused. Retailers will
pull out all the stops for this season. This is when they make
the majority of their annual sales. If they don't make it here
they can never recoup it during the rest of the year.
· If you have worked hard to this point than don't go overboard
and destroy what you have accomplished. You are up against the
best that the marketing world has to offer during this time of
year. Stick to your plan and be persistent.
· You don't have to pay full price in order for a gift to be a
nice one. Some of the best gifts are not the most expensive. If
it's not something that the person needs or appreciates than why
bother. An item that is really needed, regardless of cost, is
always more valued by the recipient than a more expensive one
they have no use for.
· This is the time to put all of the other tips together. If you
have learned and succeeded it will be easy and pay off. All of
the money saving tips laid out here will work for you and enable
you to make a dramatic difference in your shopping habits and as
a result have a positive effect on your spending and thus result
in real savings.
Conclusion
If you really put into practice all of these tips, you should
see positive results right away. This isn't something you need
to wait for. It starts working as soon as you start to work it.
Set your goals and go for it. Everything is within your control
so don't delay. Remember the old saying "time is money". That
was never more true than now. It's your time and your money. You
have the choice to spend it or save it. The difference now is
that you have the tools to make the right choices that will
ultimately result in the accomplishment of your goals. Now it
really is in your hands. Good luck.
If you would be interested in developing additional income on a
part time basis visit and contact me through my website:
tni.com/riderbill
You have permission to copy and reuse this article provided
there are no changes made to the article and credit is given to
the author and the link to his website remains in place. Please
notify him by email if you are going to use this article. You
may contact Bill Dunigan through his website:
http://www.tni.com/riderbill
About the author:
Most of my adult life I have been self-employed. I have never
come across anything else that would allow an individual to
develop a good income with little investment and not have the
expenses, stress, boss, time constraints, and worries that go
along with most other businesses or jobs. Who needs a job when
you can work for yourself? If you are seriously interested
contact me through my website at: www.tni.com/riderbill
Written by: Bill Dunigan
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