Ways to Be a Smart Shopper

 

What makes a person a smart shopper?  Smart shoppers are people who know how to stretch a dollar and how to find the best deal.  They use coupons, discounts, and store deals in order to save money.  They are not swayed by fashion or economic trends.  So, how do you become a smart shopper?  Simple.  Use the following strategies and watch your savings add up.

• Have a budget and stick to it

One of the main things that a smart shopper knows is to construct a shopping budget and then stick to it.  A budget will let you know how much money you can afford to spend during your shopping trip. Having a budget will also help prevent any impulse spending.  By being able to look at actual figures, you will be able to stay more focused on your goal of saving money while getting the things that you really need.

• Plan a menu

A smart shopper also knows that menu planning can help them save money and prevent food from spoiling.  Check your pantry and refrigerator. Then, plan your menu around the foods you already have.

• Have a list

How many times have you headed off to the store with a product in mind that you needed to buy only to realize that you forgot what it was once you got there? Before heading out to the stores, a smart shopper will have a detailed shopping list and know where it is at all times during their shopping trip. They will also use that shopping list religiously.

• Check sales papers

An important rule of money saving is to check sales papers.  Never, never go shopping without checking the sales papers first.  There is nothing more heartbreaking than to purchase an item at one store only to find out after you get home that the item is on sale at a store only a few blocks away.  Be sure that you have a plan when you go into the store. 

• Shop according to the seasons

Shopping according to the seasons will save you tons of money.  The first of fall is the time to purchase all of your summer clothes, patio furniture, and barbeque grills. The first of spring is the time to stock up on coats, sweaters, and other winter gear.  Stores drop the prices on these out of season items in order to make room for the new season’s stock.

Food items also follow a seasonal trend. January is diet month and all cereals and other healthy living items go on sale. Vegetables like broccoli and cabbage are also at their lowest prices. The end of June and the first of July are the best times to stock up on items like barbeque sauce, ketchup, mustard, hot dogs, and other Fourth of July items.  Strawberries, tomatoes, and watermelons are at their lowest price. Learn which foods are in season and center your meals around them because they are at their cheapest.

• Buy nonperishable items in bulk

Buy nonperishable items like toothpaste, dish detergent, bathroom tissue, and paper towel in bulk when they go on sale. Evaluate your storage space and try to purchase as much as your budget will allow.  Try to get enough to last for several months. This way, you will not have to purchase the item again until it goes back on sell.

A smart shopper also knows that he or she can purchase large quantities of milk, cheese, and bread.  Each of these items can be frozen.  When purchasing large quantities of milk, remember to remove about a cup and a half from the container.  Slim and low fat milk freeze best.  It is also advised that frozen milk be used for cooking and not for drinking because the components may separate when the milk is frozen.

• Eat before you shop

A smart shopper knows not to go shopping while hungry.  When you are hungry, you are more prone to give in to impulse buying.  Your hunger will drive you to purchase food items that you don’t need.  A smart shopper knows to eat or grab a simple snack before hitting the stores.

• Use discounts

Strategic shoppers will grab any discount that they can.  There are tons of discounts available like senior citizen discounts, frequent shopper discounts, military discounts, and student discounts. Always take advantage of these shopping discounts.

• Use loyalty cards

Store loyalty cards are a must for the smart shopper. The savings may not be much in the beginning, but they do add up. You can receive discounts on prescriptions, groceries, and gas. The money you save by using loyalty cards can be used for other purchases. 

• Shop alone

Make it a point to shop alone.  Shopping with children or friends can interfere with your money saving strategies. Children can cause you to make unnecessary purchase, and friends can be a distraction unless your friends have the save money-saving goals that you do.

• Shop later in the day or very early in the morning

Smart shoppers know that things are cheaper at certain times of the day. The best times to shop are early in the morning or at night.  The meat department will mark down meat that is nearing its expiration date late in the evening.  A smart shopper will grab these mark downs and head for the freezer. They also know to cook the meat as soon as possible.  The bakery will also mark down baked goods that did not sell that day.

• Use coupons

For a smart shopper, coupon use is not just a fad, but a way of life.  Coupons can be used to purchase groceries or other items at a lower price, and if used strategically, they can even make some products free. 

Coupons can be found in the newspaper and on social networks.  Some companies offer coupons and promotions on their products, and all you have to do is visit the companies' websites, sign up, and check for valuable coupons. There are also coupon clipping services.  These services will locate and clip coupons for you. Many new products often have high value coupons on them called peelies or right next to the product.

Smart shoppers know how to find a deal.  They study store sale circulars, use coupons, and shop seasonally.