5 WAYS TO SAVE BIG BUCKS

Shopping. One of life’s greatest pleasures. The mesmerizing colors of those sexy strappy sandals or smelling the leather of that stylish clutch can be quite intoxicating. The stores and websites are master’s at presentation making the display look like a little piece of heaven.

There a few rules one should keep in mind to avoid wasting your money especially since sales seem to be happening more and more to entice consumers to spend the mighty dollar:

1. AVOID IMPULSE SPENDING. When shopping if you are finding great deals, you get in the zone or a “Shopper’s High”. This is bad! Your judgment becomes impaired and your more suseptible to overspend. Ultimately, wasting your money or time because you get home and the effects wear off and you wonder what you were thinking when your purchased the item(s). Hopefully, depending on the store you are able to return the item.

2. SALE ME, SALE ME NOT. If you have to talk yourself into purchasing an item by telling yourself: “I can lose weight and fit this”, “I am sure I will be able to find somewhere to wear this” or “I am sure this will come back into style.” leave the item in the store. If you have to do a pep talk the item is not meant for you. Sales happen ALL THE TIME, if they don’t have exactly what you want don’t settle regardless of the price.

3. NO BULK NECESSARY. As Americans, we are used to making bulk purchases, but this mentality is not necessary when shopping for style. Keep in mind when building a wardrobe you may find one piece at a time. Each piece should add cohesion to your wardrobe and not cause you to have to buy four more pieces. Be careful about investing in trends and faddish pieces. Also, holiday and end-of-season sales are designed to make you want to spend your money.

4. PAY CASH ONLY. In efforts to become a more cash oriented society and decrease credit card debt, only buy with cash. It will cut back your impulse spending as well as bulk buying. If you want to use a credit card, make sure you only spend what you can pay off before the end of the billing cycle. You may be getting your clothes, bags and shoes for reasonable prices but once you tack on how much you pay in interest rates through your credit card you are paying much more. For example, you purchase a top for $50 and put it in your credit card. After one month billing cycle with a credit card interest rate of 25% you have paid an additional $12.50 for your shirt on sale.

5. TREND IN ACCESSORIES. Fashion is forever changing. There are some trends that catch on and end up never leaving, but for the most part new trends happen every season and trying to stay current can be an expensive task. Especially, if you are purchasing expensive trendy pieces. The safest and most economical way to incorporate trends into your wardrobe is through accessories. Also, make sure the current trend fits your sense of style.

Follow these five simple rules and be amazed how much you save from impulse spending, accrued interest and wasted purchases.

Happy shopping!