Being a Savvy Shopper

In January we all feel the pinch of the festive season. But if you make one of your New Year’s resolutions to be more of a savvy shopper then you could find yourself saving money throughout the coming year.

Being a savvy shopper doesn’t mean you are boring and never buy anything. It basically means you think it through first and only buy what you need.

Make lists. A list for groceries needed so that you don’t impulse buy when your grocery shopping. The worse time to buy your grocers is when you’re hungry. You will find you will buy everything and most won’t be what you need.  A list for other things you need for the house. Things like curtains with their sizes.  A list is a good way to work out if you really need it or just want it. The longer it stays on your list the more you are wanting it and not needing it.

Bulk buying when grocery buying is good if you will use the products before the end of their shelf life. Check best before dates and work out of you will actually use it all before that date and also if you can actually store the product too. No point buying a gigantic box of washing detergent if it won’t fit in your cupboard. You could try doing your grocery shopping online. This has several benefits but two are you are more likely to only purchase what you need and secondly you have a running total of your basket. There is nothing like seeing it add up to stop you spending.

For bigger more considered purchases compare prices and shop around. Research the product you want so you know you’re are getting the very best for your money. Use places like VoucherBin to use coupons and save more money.

Before you purchase something think if you really need it. Or will the purchase end up as clutter in your home in a few weeks. Do you need it right now? If no then odds are you probably don’t need it at all.

If your purchasing something you know you are going to use a lot then try and get the best you ca afford. It is better to buy quality once then having to buy lots of times something that is poorly made. You can buy quality at reduced prices at places like Spartoo.Co.Uk.

Try using just cash when in store. The actually act of handing over your cash can be daunting enough to really make you think about if you need or just want the item.

Keep your eyes and ears out for the ‘sales pitch’. It can be a banners or salesmen or women. They are both there to get you to buy. Everything about being in store is geared to making you purchase something. Stores spend a lot of money on working out shoppers thinking. From the way we prefer to walk around a shop to what colours make us buy and which ones make us walk on buy.