Month: December 2018

Smart Shopping Tactics

Smart Shopping Tactics
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Developing smart shopping tactics help you to keep a well balanced budget when times are good, and they keep you afloat when times are tough. In short, it is never a bad time to pick up a few new tricks or to remind yourself of the value of those well known ones that you may have shelved for some time.

The following tips will turn you in to a savvy shopper in no time.

1. Make a budget. Preparing a budget saves both time and money. A written plan of your personal finances including your income and expenses for the month ahead can highlight potential savings immediately or may simply aid in keeping you on track.

2. Make a list. Carrying a list of the items you intend to purchase saves you from impulse buying. It may be difficult at first to stick to the list but over time you will become more disciplined at planning in advance and simply following through with the intended course of action. Impulse buys are also often not the best decisions in retrospect either, and most times end up not suiting the purpose or being of inferior quality.

3. Shop around. It is always best to bargain hunt. You should research your purchases to see if you can get a better price or maybe more features for the same price. This is especially important for major purchases such as appliances or anything that costs a substantial amount of money.

4. Check consumer reports. You should check consumer reports in journals, online or at the very least consult the opinion of friends and family. Getting reviews from others that have actually used the product or service can save you a lot of heartache and money.

5. Shop the sales. You can really get …

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Save Cash By Mastering Smart Shopping Skills

Did you know that if you master some smart shopping skills, you can actually save cash? Some people think that there’s really nothing much you can get from practicing a little restraint in the groceries or the mall, but actually, there’s a lot! If you wish to learn about these smart shopping tips, read on and learn about them.

Save Cash By Mastering Smart Shopping Skills
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The very first thing you have to do is plan your shopping and keep away from impulsive buying. You can do this by first listing everything you need to buy. Again, list the things you NEED to buy, not want. While already in the store and you feel the urge to buy something not on the list, look somewhere else. Remind yourself that you are saving up and buying that item is not going to help you achieve the goal.

You should also grab the opportunity to buy items during clearance, or sale price, even if you still have some left at home but know would eventually need them. Again, only buy those which you’d eventually need. Don’t buy any thing just because it’s on sale and it’s cheap. If you don’t and won’t need it, don’t buy it. Having said this, you should know the sales cycle in your area.

You should also prefer to buy in larger stores. This is because they offer lower prices than smaller ones due to the volume discounts. Another way you can cut back on shopping expenses is by checking out thrift stores, salvage stores, warehouse clubs, garage sales, and consignment shops. Get rid of the mentality that buying from these places is unfashionable and a bit shameful. With the economy as it is today, no one should forego any opportunity to save up.

When you are in a store, it is …

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