Did you know that the average American wastes around $139 per month? That’s a really high figure, and it probably comes as just as much of a surprise to you as it did to us. Why would anyone toss their hard-earned money in the trash?
As it turns out, people simply are unaware that they’re wasting money when they’re wasting it. They buy groceries that they never use. They don’t buy clothes when they’re on sale. They don’t budget their entertainment money as meticulously as they should.
Here, we’re going to talk about how you can be a savvy shopper so that you don’t waste your money. Read on to shop smarter and save!
Table of Contents
Know What You Want
The first step to being a savvy shopper is to know what you’re looking for. If you go into the store with a plan, you are more likely to find something that you like and want to take home with you.
If you prefer online shopping, that is also okay! You can simply browse the website you’re shopping with for a little while before making an informed decision about what you want to purchase.
This is important because you will not be taking home too many items that he did not plan to purchase. Instead, you will only find things that you actually want and will use. This is a great way to ensure that you do not waste money and are able to save it for the things that matter most to you.
Do Some Online Research
Speaking of web surfing, another aspect of savvy shopping is looking for around the internet and learning what the items you want should ideally cost.
If you know exactly what the things you are looking for are worth, you will not find yourself in a situation in which you are overcharged or cheated out of any money. You also will know when something is underpriced and therefore must be a bootleg or knockoff.
Additionally, you will know where to look for more reasonable deals and discounts on items that you want. Some items are best purchased from specialty boutiques while others can be found at chain department stores. You simply need to know where to start searching.
Set a Careful Budget
While you may think of going to the store with a big was of money and wildly spending it when you think of your ideal shopping method, this is exactly the opposite of what you want to do. Instead, you want to meticulously budget what you have to spend.
This doesn’t mean that you can’t buy anything fun! Not at all. Instead, make sure that you set aside money in your budget for entertainment such as going out with friends, seeing movies, and purchasing cool items like clothing and books that you’ve had your eye on lately.
This will make sure that you do not go into other budgets and waste the money that you need for groceries on items that you will not even use.
Look for Coupon Codes
Finding coupons is another way that you can make yourself into a savvier shopper. We are lucky that we live in a time where you can go online and instantly find coupons to all of your favorite stores. Even major chain stores offer online discounts like the Walmart clearance sale!
Many sites offer coupon and discount codes, so make sure that you surf the Web comprehensively and find the best discounts available to you. Some pages even offer coupons where you can receive free items or cash back if you make purchases, so keep an eye out for those. There’s nothing like a good rebate to make your week in the future!
Shop at Specific Times
Generally speaking, there are times of the year when you can get discounts on various products. The holiday season tends to be fairly expensive, but the new year is an awesome time to load up on new outfits, office supplies, makeup, books, or kid’s toys.
Some major retailers also offer a lot of discounts over the summer. These back-to-school sales aren’t just for kids- they can save you a lot of money on household items that you need. Head over to the stores (or the eCommerce shops) that you love around this time to check it out.
Pay With Credit
Paying with a credit card rather than with a debit card or with cash is a great way it to be a savvier shopper. Not only does this allow you to build credit, but it’s much safer and more secure than putting your debit card information into multiple different locations.
You do not need to worry about someone getting your information and cleaning out your account when you use a credit card. Plus, once you build a bit of credit, you will be able to use your card more often since you will get a higher credit limit. You also will reap more benefits including having an easier time getting loans, apartments, and more.
Become a Savvy Shopper Today
Now that you know how to be a savvy shopper and get the best deals on the things you need, it’s time to learn more.
Check out the search function on our home page to find information on the products that you care about the most. Whether you’re looking for deals on groceries or jewelry, they’re only a couple of clicks away.
