7 Shopping Secrets You Must Know

By: Riche Goldmann

It should be quite clear to all that the economy is not in the greatest shape right now. Unemployment is on the rise and having a major impact on many from state to state. As a result, the number of smart and thrift shoppers has increased, leaving others wondering about their shopping secrets. Be smart like them and read the following secrets that will help keep more money in your pocket the next time you go shopping.

Prepare a List It may seem like an old way of doing things but there is power in the shopping list. When you take stock of what you need around the house before you go shopping, you cut out the danger of impulse buys. Impulse buys are those things you do not really need but you get anyway because they look cute, handy or convenient. Most of the time they will be placed at the checkout counter or on end caps. If you ever wonder where all the money is going just open your junk drawer and look at last week's must-have-impulse purchase. Make a concise list of everything you need or staple goods you are low on. Then make a pact with yourself to stick to the list like glue.

Comparison Shopping Were you aware that many stores will honor comparison ads from their competitors? Wal-Mart agrees to honor comp ads from any store within a 30-mile radius of their store. The only restrictions on this are buy one get one free and percentage off sales. Everything else is fair game. Therefore, while you are making your list you might want to look at the grocery ads from your local paper and get the best deal available. You will probably want to take the ad with you to the store in case the associate needs to verify pricing.

Look for Coupons Many people look down on the use of coupons, but even the rich use them; nevertheless, using coupons can help you save hundreds of dollars on your grocery bill. No one would refuse a twenty dollar bill if offered it, so don't refuse to use coupons.

Buying in Bulk Buying in bulk, or family sized items, can be beneficial and help you save money. However, in some instances, it isn't necessary. For example, buying 4 loaves of bread at a time may not be a good idea if you are single. Also, you should always compare the price of the family size to the price of the regular size. You may need to use a calculator to compare the price per ounce or pound.

ShopNBC.com Some of the best-kept secrets of thrifty shoppers are the deals you can find online at ShopNBC.com. The site offers great deals on all sorts of products that you can't find anywhere else. You can find special offers and prices on things like jewelry, women's fashion, and electronics. They are even competitive with Wal-Mart in terms of prices.

Auctions The online auction craze swept the country a few years ago and made the creators of eBay quite wealthy. The buzz has died down somewhat but that does not mean it is a bad choice for shopping deals. You can even find household goods like bulk toilet paper on sale for much less than your local retailer, however watch shipping charges they can quickly add up and negate any savings.

Major Purchases Take your time when making major purchases. Do not be in a rush to buy them. Save your money and keep a list of those items you really want like a new piece of furniture or a new television. Cut out pictures from magazines of what you want and really take the time to comparison shop. However, let a few months pass before buying these items; either you will realize that you really don't need it or it will be on sale.

Article Source: http://yourfinance.co.za

About The Author
Riche Goldmann is an expert on consumer spending and has written many reports on the importance of smart shopping and recommends online stores like ShopNBC as a way to improve financial well-being. He is also a ShopNBC customer.