Tips on how to make you a better shopper!
Ok so i've been spending a lot of time shopping recently. & I have been shopping a lot in my life & I have learned some things. So let me give you some tips on how to become a better shopper!
1. Compare prices before buying something.
Are you dying to get that new Michael Kors bag but it is just way too much money? Well did you try and check Macy's or other online retailers? Often times Michaelkors.com may not be the best place to look to find a bag that you want. There are several other online retailers that may offer the same bag for a lower price! Try checking sites like Macy's, Nordstrom, Nordstrom rack & Zappos.com. Why spend more when you can get it for less? One of the great things about the internet is that you can have 10 tabs open at once to compare prices on your favorite pair of heels that you want but can't afford! It's kind of like kayak or priceline but for shopping!
2. Outlets, discount retailers, sales & clearance!
If you live anywhere near an outlet mall, these are a MUST. Stop by there before you head into the actual store before buying something! I almost bought a $200 bag from Michael Kors that I really wanted until I went to the outlet mall & everything in the store was 40% off! I left the store with a new purse, a wallet & a crossbody bag for $273! That's 3 things for the original price of the one bag. Crazy good deals are in outlet malls so don't pass them up! Spend your money while also saving your money!! Also don't forget discount retailers like TJ Maxx, Marshall's & even the goodwill. Sometimes stores like these will have hidden treasures & for a lot less than the original retail price tag!
3. Pay attention to Holidays & change of season.
Holidays are fun & we love when seasons change. Not only because we get to spend time with friends & family & the weather changes but also because of the great SALES!!! That's right, the period between the end of summer and the beginning of fall, the end of fall & the beginning of winter, Presidents day, the day after thanksgiving, you name it, there are SALES EVERYWHERE!!! So walk into the mall & have a look around. Sales come with the seasons. So don't forget that. I can't think of anything better to cure seasonal depression (; am i right? We can always use a little retail therapy when we're feeling blue.
4. Coupons, coupons, & more coupons!!!
YAY coupons!! Don't you love them?! They get you all kinds of great deals & discounts as long as you can remember to cut them out & use them before the expiration date. With the technology we have these days, you don't even need the actual coupon you can just download an app on your phone & all of your coupons will be on there. It's as easy as choosing your favorite stores & the app will add coupons that you may like and use. There are a ton of coupon apps out there just go to the app store & search 'coupons'. Some of the most popular ones are Retailmenot, Cartwheel by Target, Shopular coupons, & Ebates. If you weren't an extreme couponer before, now's the time to become one!! These apps can really get you some good deals! & they're free (: & sometimes stores will allow you to use multiple coupons on purchases. (Did you know that DSW will let you use coupons on clearance items?) That's a lot of new pairs of shoes for a lot less!!!
5. When stores ask for your email: give it to them!
Lots of times stores will ask for your email so they can send you updates & their newsletters or things like that. It's always a good idea to sign up for that because then they will send you coupons & updates about sales & things that are coming up. Also when you get on an email list sometimes you will get sent special offers for your birthday!! who doesn't love getting free stuff on their birthday? that leads me to number 6..
6. Freebies, yes please!
So like i said, birthday gifts. Give the store your email. & if it's a store you shop at often, it may not be a bad idea to get a store card. Just be sure to check if they charge you to have the card, nobody likes hidden fees. so yeah birthday gifts! here are a couple places that offer free stuff on your birthday:
Starbucks, Ulta, Sephora, Zoomtan
those are all of the places i can think of from the top of my head.
7. Online shopping: things to lookout for.
Always be sure that you know your size when shopping online. I don't buy a lot of things online but when I do shop online, it's usually for accessories or shoes. Sometimes it can be hard though because different shoe brands can have their sizes run differently. So be sure to try on the brand that you want to get in store before ordering online. No one wants to deal with the hassle of sending back an order or having to go in and return it. If you don't mind doing that, then that is an option. Just be sure to check their return policy on their website. Sometimes things are not returnable so you have to be careful of that.
8. Receipts: don't throw them out!!
Sometimes stores will offer a survey that you can take online & in exchange for you taking the time to take the survey they may offer something to you like $5 off your next purchase or something like that. Take advantage of this!! These surveys don't take more than a couple minutes & there's an incentive for you! Might as well take advantage or you could spend $5 more than you should on your next shopping trip. Also it's a good idea to keep receipts for things in case you want to return them or if it's an expensive item like a watch because the store may have a warranty so if something happens to the item you can come back to the store with the receipt and tell them what happened.
9. The customer's always right.
Ok i know i'm not the only one that has bought a bra from Victoria's secret & the wire has popped out & nearly cut my boob open. Seriously though, what a rip off! Their bras can be $40 and $50 and some are even more. When something like that happens, don't throw the bra away. Either try and fix it yourself, or take it into the store & explain what happened. Often times the manager will let you grab a new one or give you money off a new bra. the customer is always right.
10. Bring a shopping buddy.
Ok i'll admit it. I'm a shopping addict. It's not a bad idea sometimes to bring someone with you to the mall. That way you know that you can't spend too much time in your favorite store & he or she can keep you level headed when you're about to max out your credit card so you can finally get that new pair of pumps that you've always wanted. Some things are just not worth it. Like being in debt for the next 3 months. Think before you spend. Do you really need a 7th pair of jeans? A 10th pair of heels? probably not. Bringing someone with you should help with buying things impulsively. & I know that's something that I'm guilty of doing.
11. The obvious, but make sure before heading on a shopping trip.
go through a checklist before you head out. Make sure you have what you plan on using to shop with. Cash? Credit? store card? coupons? receipt if returning an item? the actual ITEM you're returning? If you plan on shopping for a couple hours, are you wearing comfortable shoes? don't bring a bag that's too heavy because it can ware down your arm. Not to mention you will be carrying shopping bags, also! & if you're planning on trying on some clothes, try & wear something that's easy to change in & out of. I always hate trying things on but if you wear something simple, like a sundress & flip flops it makes the whole process a lot simpler & faster! Dress for the occasion. & don't look like a hobo. Nobody wants to look homeless when they're in a house of fashion. (:
& lastly... HAPPY SHOPPING! I think you have all the tools you need for a successful shopping trip now! good luck getting all of the good deals!
