8 Frugal Habits That Every Expert Shopper Swears By
Written by
Karen Doyle
Edited by
Susan Kim
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Shopping is fun, but saving money and knowing you have the best possible deal is even better. Some shoppers turn frugality into an art form, employing these tactics to ensure they always get the most for their hard-earned dollars.
Here are eight frugal habits that every expert shopper swears by.
Use a List
Make sure you know exactly what you’re buying — and where — before you set out on your frugal shopping excursion.
Shopping online makes this easier than ever, but even if you’re going shopping in person, do some reconnaissance on the website first so you’ll know what you’re buying and how much it should cost.
Make a Budget
Knowing how much the things you buy should cost and sticking to that amount goes a long way toward making the best purchase decisions. The more detailed your budget is, the more frugal you can be.
So, rather than listing toiletries as a line item, detail the costs of toothpaste, shampoo and so on. Doing so lets you see when it may be time to switch brands to maximize savings.
Use Coupons and Promo Codes
Retailers and manufacturers provide discounts to entice you to buy, but they hope you won’t actually use them. Be sure to bring your coupons if you’re shopping in person or use discounts or promo codes when shopping online.
When you buy from a website you haven’t shopped at before, you can often get a discount for signing up for emails and/or text messages. Go ahead and sign up for the discount — you can always unsubscribe later if you want.
Buy in Bulk
There are some items expert shoppers won’t buy unless they’re on sale. These are often things like paper goods, health and beauty aids and other non-perishable items. When they see a sale, they stock up to have enough to last until the next sale.
Avoid Impulse Purchases
If you have a list and stick to your budget, it should be fairly easy to avoid impulse purchases — but it still takes some willpower. Shopping online can be helpful because you’re less likely to be tempted by unnecessary items in front of you.
Use Cash Back
Understanding the intricacies of your credit cards’ cash-back offers can help you save. If you have cards that make you choose savings categories, make sure you stay on top of them.
Likewise, try to schedule purchases at those establishments when the maximum cash-back is available. Also ensure you’re not paying an annual fee for your credit card, as it could wipe out any cash-back advantage pretty quickly.
Buy Off-Season
Buying clothing, home décor and other seasonal items just as the season ends can result in clearance sale prices. Plus, it can be nice to know your home or wardrobe is all ready to go for next year.
Don’t Buy New
Buying items secondhand, or repairing what you already have, is a time-honored habit of the truly frugal. Consider whether you can give a little glow-up to what you already have, or benefit from someone else’s decision to discard an item that still has some useful life in it.
Employing these eight frugal habits will have you shopping like an expert in no time.
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