From gas to grocery items, everything is costly these days. We can blame it all on oil price hikes. But what does this mean? It means you need to look for smart and efficient ways to save. The amount you spend on products depends on where you shop and how you shop.
There’s always the best time to buy everything at a lower price, but oftentimes you can not wait for the sale season. But this does not mean you have to go all out. You do not have to be an expert shopper to save money and be able to compare prices like a pro.
Stay focused on saving money every time you make a purchase. This will teach you to spend less. Here are some easy tips on how to save money when making purchases:
Compare Prices
Thanks to the accessible online world, it is much easier to compare prices both in-store and online. There are websites where we can find Amazon secret deals.
Use the price comparison app to check for real-time prices for most products, both in-store and online. You can ask a store manager for a price match based on these findings you got from a price comparison app. They will likely match the lower price!
You can use a savings tool app like InvisibleHand when you do online shopping. This savings tool will let you know if a product has a lower price available at the other site compared to the product on the site you are browsing on.
Buy Second Hand, Reconditioned, or Older Models
If you are eyeing a product in a shopping mall, consider checking it online to see if you can find the same or similar product secondhand, so you do not have to pay the regular retail price but at least a fraction of it.
You can always check marketplaces online, such as Facebook Marketplace, as well as Etsy, Poshmark, and eBay. Buying second-hand items will always offer a great deal while enjoying the same function and features of a new one.
You can also save hundreds of dollars from buying reconditioned products—like a laptop; and they look almost brand new, with user manuals and warranties. Although you just have to make sure that these refurbished items you are considering buying come with a warranty just in case these items have issues.
It also saves you more to buy old models of certain products—like shoes, watches, and bags. They may be old, yet they still offer the same function, and some may even have almost the same features as the new ones.
Use Coupons
Coupons remain the most compelling in today’s retail world. The fundamental truth behind this is that: Consumers want to save money. Even if it is only a dollar or two, they are saving from using the coupon, that’s still value, a value that did not exist before availing of the coupon. The small amount that you save from every coupon will accumulate gradually.
Shop smart when buying online. Always make it a habit to look for a coupon code to use. Run a quick Google search, websites that store coupon info for different brands, or download coupon apps. They are always out there! You just have to know where to hunt for these coupons. Look for online shops that offer free shipping to maximize your savings even more. A lot of online stores offer free shipping on minimum order amounts.
Scout for coupons in your daily newspaper and save them for your next purchase. Speed up the search for coupons by asking branded retailers to send coupons, promos, and discount alerts directly to your inbox. Subscribe to newsletters of your favorite stores; that way, you will receive notifications with discount info and other promotional offers. There are also a lot of online shopping websites that offer coupon codes for different brands.
Sign up for the loyalty and rewards program
Most stores, especially grocery stores and supermarkets, offer loyalty programs that are free to join, while some stores ask for a membership fee. Even if you paid a membership fee, you could get that cash back in no time, especially if you shop there frequently, so it is still a win-win. Once signed up, you can avail of member-only discounts at every checkout. If you have coupons left in your wallet, use them for additional discounts!
Buy generic brands
If you can notice, groceries and supermarkets put the pricey, branded products from the top to eye level, consequently tempting you to spend more money on costly products. But if you look at the bottom of the shelves, you will frequently find generic brands—like the brand of the store, which are cheaper and tastes just as good as the branded ones. Buying generic brands can save you a lot.
Interesting Related Article: “A beginner’s guide to personal finance“