Reevaluate Your Shopping Techniques

When things get a little tight and you realize that you have to curb your spending, it helps to learn a few new shopping techniques.

• It used to be that brand names meant quality.  Lately many of the brand names come from the same places that cheaper products do.  Take a good look at what you are buying and where it was made.  Is it lead free?  What type of guarantee does it have?  You might decide that there isn’t as much difference between the brand name and the ‘knock-off’ as there used to be.
• Always shop with a list.  Taking time to make a list and sticking to it will help to keep you from impulse buying.  The same holds true for purchases made on the internet.  Just because something is on sale doesn’t mean you need it.
• Never buy a new car.  All new car purchases depreciate the moment you drive them off the lot.  Why give up that value?  You can look for one that was previously leased out and know that it has been taken care of.  It will still be new to you and have been checked out by the dealer before you buy it.
• The same holds true for new computers and software.  Being the first in line to buy the newest gadget may seem cool but you will have to deal with any bugs that crop up.  It is always easier to wait a while and let someone else make sure it works the way it should.
• Going green doesn’t mean you have to throw out the things you already have.  As with most things in life, you can make your transition to the green lifestyle gradually.  Make wise new purchases.  Don’t let trends dictate what you buy.  Find what is well made and makes you feel good when you wear it.  Those are the things that you will enjoy wearing from year to year.
• Beware of special sales and limited time offers.  Most of these are geared to put you under pressure and force a purchase before you have fully considered if this is the product for you.  Plan your major purchases.  Research prices and when you are ready, if a salesperson won’t make a deal with you, politely talk to the manager.  Because of the economy you can often get unadvertised deals if you know your facts ahead of time.  Remember those little signs at grocery store checkout lanes, “We honor our competitors coupons?”  Needing sales, more businesses are ready to negotiate purchases than ever before.

These are difficult financial times and buyers have more power than they used to have.  When you are ready to buy something, take a deep breath and  really consider what you are doing.  You might be surprised at how much you can save.

Tags: budget, buying, green, Impulse purchase, shopping, wise purchases