Article: 33 Basic Smart Shopping Tips - Free Reprintable Article

Here are thirty-three basic smart shopping tips that can be used anywhere you shop. Use them to save money, and as a guide to strengthen your purchasing power.

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33 Basic Smart Shopping Tips

by Sandy Shields
Here are thirty-three basic smart shopping tips that can be used anywhere you shop. Use them to save money, and as a guide to strengthen your purchasing power.

1. Plan your spending. Avoid impulse buys.

2. Advertised items are not necessarily the cheapest.

3. Watch for unadvertised specials.

4. Remember to ask for a "raincheck" if an item is sold out.

5. To avoid crowds, do not shop after work, on paydays, or just before holidays.

6. Buy items before you run out of them. Buy at clearance, or sale price, instead of regular price when you must have the item.

7. Know the sales cycle in your area.

8. Just because an item is on sale, doesn't necessarily mean it is a good deal for your family. If you won't use it, don't buy it.

9. Due to volume discounts, larger stores are generally cheaper than smaller ones.

10. Your emotions affect your shopping. Be careful of the "I deserve it" mentality.

11. Buy at the end of the season.

12. Stock up when prices are low.

13. Try alternative shopping: Shop salvage stores, thrift stores, consignment shops, warehouse clubs, yard sales, and garage sales.

14. Remember that no particular store has the lowest price on all items.

15. Create a "shopping pool". Agree with family and friends to shop sales for each other.

16. Shop alone. Other individuals will only help fill your shopping cart.

17. Check the entire store for specials and alternatives.

18. Get to know your favorite store's employees. Don't be afraid to ask questions.

19. Know your prices, keep a price book.

20. About Prices: Compare, Compare, Compare. This is how your price book helps you.

21. Larger is not always cheaper. Smaller is not always cheaper.

22. Look at unit prices.

23. You pay more for fancy packaging. Beware.

24. Remember the "Rule of Three": If an item has three different ways it can be used, you will not be wasting your money.

25. Never pay full price.

26. Shop defensively.

27. Try store and generic brands.

28. Watch as the clerk rings up your purchases. Check your receipt.

29. Shop for gifts year round.

30. Return purchases that do not meet your expectations.

31. Complain if it is genuinely warranted.

32. Call before you go to confirm item is available.

33. If you must, leave the checkbook and credit cards at home or in the car.

-----------------------------------
Sandy is a freelance writer and webmaster of TheFrugalShopper.com. She enjoys living the frugal life, saving money, and helping others to do the same. Subscribe to her newsletter to receive more money-saving ideas and frugal tips. Reprint permission granted with this footer included. Copyright © TheFrugalShopper.com 1999-2003.

Note: This article may be freely distrubuted and reprinted as long as the author's information and web link are included at the bottom of the article. The web link should be active when the article is reprinted on a web site or in an email. Minor edits and alterations are acceptable so long as they do not distort or change the content of the article. For more information on reprint rights email:

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350 Words

33 Basic Smart Shopping Tips
by Sandy Shields

Here are thirty-three basic smart shopping tips that can be
used anywhere you shop. Use them to save money, and as a
guide to strengthen your purchasing power.

1. Plan your spending. Avoid impulse buys.

2. Advertised items are not necessarily the cheapest.

3. Watch for unadvertised specials.

4. Remember to ask for a "raincheck" if an item is sold out.

5. To avoid crowds, do not shop after work, on paydays, or
just before holidays.

6. Buy items before you run out of them. Buy at clearance,
or sale price, instead of regular price when you must have
the item.

7. Know the sales cycle in your area.

8. Just because an item is on sale, doesn't necessarily mean
it is a good deal for your family. If you won't use it,
don't buy it.

9. Due to volume discounts, larger stores are generally
cheaper than smaller ones.

10. Your emotions affect your shopping. Be careful of the "I
deserve it" mentality.

11. Buy at the end of the season.

12. Stock up when prices are low.

13. Try alternative shopping: Shop salvage stores, thrift
stores, consignment shops, warehouse clubs, yard sales, and
garage sales.

14. Remember that no particular store has the lowest price
on all items.

15. Create a "shopping pool". Agree with family and friends
to shop sales for each other.

16. Shop alone. Other individuals will only help fill your
shopping cart.

17. Check the entire store for specials and alternatives.

18. Get to know your favorite store's employees. Don't be
afraid to ask questions.

19. Know your prices, keep a price book.

20. About Prices: Compare, Compare, Compare. This is how
your price book helps you.

21. Larger is not always cheaper. Smaller is not always
cheaper.

22. Look at unit prices.

23. You pay more for fancy packaging. Beware.

24. Remember the "Rule of Three": If an item has three
different ways it can be used, you will not be wasting your
money.

25. Never pay full price.

26. Shop defensively.

27. Try store and generic brands.

28. Watch as the clerk rings up your purchases. Check your
receipt.

29. Shop for gifts year round.

30. Return purchases that do not meet your expectations.

31. Complain if it is genuinely warranted.

32. Call before you go to confirm item is available.

33. If you must, leave the checkbook and credit cards at
home or in the car.

-----------------------------------
Sandy is a freelance writer and webmaster of <a
href="http://www.thefrugalshopper.com">
TheFrugalShopper.com</a>.
She enjoys living the frugal life, saving money, and helping
others to do the same. <a
href="http://www.thefrugalshopper.com/news.html">Subscribe
to her newsletter</a> to receive more money-saving ideas and
frugal tips. Reprint permission granted with this footer
included. Copyright © <a
href="http://www.thefrugalshopper.com">
TheFrugalShopper.com</a> 1999-2003.

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Page Title:	Article: 33 Basic Smart Shopping Tips
Keywords:	saving money 33 smart shopping tips save cash reduce expenses lower costs, free reprintable article
Summary:	Here are thirty-three basic smart shopping tips that can be used anywhere you shop. Use them to save money, and as a guide to strengthen your purchasing power.