I love a good bargain. If I can get something I use for very inexpensive, I get excited. I love to brag about my findings.
People ask me how I save money... While I'm not the best at budgeting on a spreadsheet, I am pretty good about making sure to get more for my money. (Working on the whole spreadsheet thing. More to come on that!) I think that everyone can work towards having a better and healthier purchasing lifestyle by applying some of my top principles in bargain hunting.
My main principles in life about bargains:
1) Avoid paying full price for something unless it is very much needed. If your kids need a specific school uniform, then you might have to spend full price because it isn't available in a discount.
2) When shopping for clothing, you never want to look like you've been shopping discount. Thrift shops sometimes get donations because the clothing is very much not in style. You don't want you, nor your kids, to look insane. Watch for clearance items especially at the beginning and end of seasons when stores get rid of their old merchandise.
3) When shopping for food, make sure to KNOW THE PRICES and also know the ROCK BOTTOM PRICE. How much does a can of green beans cost typically? If you have no idea, you won't know what is a bargain when you find it on sale. Sometimes sales promote it like a huge difference. If a can of beans is typically $1 and there is a buy 4, get one free... that basically means you're spending 75 cents a can. While it is a good deal, there might be a case-lot sale where the green beans are 50 cents a can. Also, you could shop at discount grocery stores and get them for 25 cents a can. Know the very cheapest price you've ever found them and how you got them at that price.
4) When you find an item at the rock-bottom price, its okay to get more than is needed. Right now, I have like 20 packages of juice powder mix in my pantry. I do not use it very often, usually just for parties. However, I got them 3 or 4 for a dollar (depending on the flavor) and they're normally a dollar each. After buying $5-6 worth, I have had enough for the last year or more with plenty more left over. It is just sugar and flavorings, so it won't go bad quickly if kept dry. I should have enough for when it is NOT on sale so I can avoid overspending.
5) Only buy what you actually will use. Even if that lime green sweater is only $2, do you really like Lime Green? I have known people who will buy foods they don't typically eat because of a sale. I DO buy things I don't typically buy sometimes, but in very small amounts. For example: I hate mayonnaise. Hate it. I think its gross. I use it for making fry sauce on occasion, but even that is rare. I found some on sale for $1 and I had a 50 cent coupon. So I bought one jar. I used it for a party I hosted. I didn't buy 10 jars since that would be way beyond what I'd need or even want. I also will occasionally buy inexpensive salad dressing (I dislike it on salads) for marinades but usually just 1-2 bottles in my pantry is MORE than enough. Even at the rock bottom prices, I just don't use salad dressing!
People ask me how I save money... While I'm not the best at budgeting on a spreadsheet, I am pretty good about making sure to get more for my money. (Working on the whole spreadsheet thing. More to come on that!) I think that everyone can work towards having a better and healthier purchasing lifestyle by applying some of my top principles in bargain hunting.
My main principles in life about bargains:
1) Avoid paying full price for something unless it is very much needed. If your kids need a specific school uniform, then you might have to spend full price because it isn't available in a discount.
2) When shopping for clothing, you never want to look like you've been shopping discount. Thrift shops sometimes get donations because the clothing is very much not in style. You don't want you, nor your kids, to look insane. Watch for clearance items especially at the beginning and end of seasons when stores get rid of their old merchandise.
3) When shopping for food, make sure to KNOW THE PRICES and also know the ROCK BOTTOM PRICE. How much does a can of green beans cost typically? If you have no idea, you won't know what is a bargain when you find it on sale. Sometimes sales promote it like a huge difference. If a can of beans is typically $1 and there is a buy 4, get one free... that basically means you're spending 75 cents a can. While it is a good deal, there might be a case-lot sale where the green beans are 50 cents a can. Also, you could shop at discount grocery stores and get them for 25 cents a can. Know the very cheapest price you've ever found them and how you got them at that price.
4) When you find an item at the rock-bottom price, its okay to get more than is needed. Right now, I have like 20 packages of juice powder mix in my pantry. I do not use it very often, usually just for parties. However, I got them 3 or 4 for a dollar (depending on the flavor) and they're normally a dollar each. After buying $5-6 worth, I have had enough for the last year or more with plenty more left over. It is just sugar and flavorings, so it won't go bad quickly if kept dry. I should have enough for when it is NOT on sale so I can avoid overspending.
5) Only buy what you actually will use. Even if that lime green sweater is only $2, do you really like Lime Green? I have known people who will buy foods they don't typically eat because of a sale. I DO buy things I don't typically buy sometimes, but in very small amounts. For example: I hate mayonnaise. Hate it. I think its gross. I use it for making fry sauce on occasion, but even that is rare. I found some on sale for $1 and I had a 50 cent coupon. So I bought one jar. I used it for a party I hosted. I didn't buy 10 jars since that would be way beyond what I'd need or even want. I also will occasionally buy inexpensive salad dressing (I dislike it on salads) for marinades but usually just 1-2 bottles in my pantry is MORE than enough. Even at the rock bottom prices, I just don't use salad dressing!