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.
