Savvy shopper secrets

April 8, 2014

My dad taught me early, a penny saved is more than a penny earned because you don’t have to pay taxes on it. I didn’t really understand taxes then, but the rest of it made perfect sense to me. We had very little money and talked often about how to get more for less.

A lot of what I’ve learned was from reading this list of books here at the library! Here are some neat tricks to save money while shopping:

Buy what you need. Enjoy browsing discount sites and sales flyers, but only get something if it’s on your list. Speaking of which…
Make a list and stick to it. And…
Save for spending. Budget in a set amount just for deals so when they come along you can stock up. If you don’t use it all, save it for next week’s sales.
Use coupons and combine them with sales. Learn the sale cycles (usually three months) of your regular purchases. I’ll never forget the time I hit a 40% off sale with a $2 off per item coupon. At 90% total savings, I bought two years’ worth of product!
Stack coupons whenever possible. Stacking means combining manufacturer and store coupons together on the same product and it’s totally legal. Some stores will double manufacturer coupons too! And some offer money off your next purchase when you spend a set amount.
Look for coupons you can print online or save to your loyalty card (that fob on your keys, usually) to use in the store. Always search for a promo code before you check out from an online retail site. Utilize digital coupon apps like the local Chinook Book and RetailmeNot. That $300 designer handbag I’m carrying? Goodwill Glitter Sale + 20% off purchase Chinook Book digital coupon = $55. No. Joke.
Buy discounted gift cards online for places you regularly shop.
Buy in bulk, especially nonperishables.
Avoid paying retail. Plan for what you need beforehand and wait for sales. Buy secondhand where you can.
Use your savings to fund fun stuff like a mini vacation or some new electronic item. This way your treats will be guilt-free!