Real Life Deals – Saving money “Shopping”
Advocate Messenger Article – August 7, 2011
Everyone has to spend money; the key is knowing how to shop smart. By following these basic tips you will be a smarter shopper. Maybe you will even find a way to get some money back while shopping.
Tips for making smart shopping decisions:
Take 24 hours. Before you make a big purchase, walk away from the salesperson and the store. Give yourself some personal time to think about your decision.
Don’t fall for the line “This is the only item left in stock.” Even if it really is the last item in stock, most stores can reorder.
Never feel pressured when a sales person tells you this deal is only good today. Sometimes this is true. Sometimes you may miss a deal because you walk away. But often there will be a new sale starting the next week. This is a great pressure tactic to get you to buy immediately – before you have time to make an informed purchase.
Do your research. When shopping for large purchases, write down the model number of the item you like. Then go home and do the research. Is it cheaper online? Can you get a rebate on the item through an online rebate site like Mr. Rebates? Do other customers like it? Do they have any problems with the model?
***If you are shopping online, you can start at a rebate site like Mr. Rebates, My Points or Ebates. Sign up for a free account, then start your shopping trip there; most of the time you get a $5 bonus just for signing up. All these sites give referral credit to people for signing up their friends. Check around and find a friend who already uses the rebate program and give them credit. If you can’t find one, check with Real Life Deals and I’ll get you started.
Don’t assume you need an extra warranty. Most products come with an automatic one year manufacturer warranty. Just keep your receipt and if you have a need, contact the manufacturer. Consider how much the item costs and whether you could afford to replace it in a year. If you are buying a computer for $600 and the warranty cost $299, you could put that $299 in a savings account toward your next computer purchase. If you don’t need to repair it, you already have $299 saved toward your next purchase – plus it would be growing interest.
***Some items are worth the warranty. Just take some time to evaluate before you automatically lay down the extra money.
There are sales ads everywhere telling you that now is a good time to buy a product because it’s on sale. Plus you may be able to save $10 if you spend $50. It doesn’t make sense to spend money on an item just so you can save $10. If you plan to buy a product, then definitely try to get a percentage off and use the coupons. But if you don’t have the money or don’t plan to buy the product, don’t get suckered by the ads.
When you walk into a store or shop online, be prepared with your list and don’t ‘accidently’ spend more than you plan. One 4 year old told me that he knew commercials and advertisements were trying to trick him into buying something. If a 4 year old can figure it out, maybe we should follow his lead and shop smart – making informed decisions.
When you shop…… shop smart!
For more tips for smart ways to save money in real life, go to www.reallifedeals.com I’d love to hear your thoughts!
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