Smart Ways to Shop
Resist the Urge to Buy Right Away
It's no secret- saving money is important. In today's rough economy it seems everywhere one looks, they hear of another company shutting down and in turn, more people losing their jobs.
Not even ten years ago, people who used coupons or who scrounged for deals were looked upon as "cheap" but that's not the case anymore. In today's world, it's the people who DON'T save money who are the outsiders. So just how does one know where to get the best deal?
Go Flyer Frenzy
Stores usually put out their weekly flyers a couple of days early so shoppers can get a head start on where the deals will be. Check the local newspaper for the flyers, or, if no subscription is available, go online. Visit the individual store's website and they'll have their deals listed there, or if doing multiple stores at once, do an online search for flyerland.ca, a website that lists flyers by store, and even better, by location (city).
Clip Coupons
The use of coupons can really cut down on the overall bill, especially when using more than one at a time, so make sure to keep an eye out for them when browsing in the stores.
Often the coupon needed can be found right beside the item on the shelf - if this is the case, grab more than one at a time. Coupons usually don't expire for a couple of months at the least, and chances are the item in question is a product that will be used again, so it doesn't hurt to grab a handful.
Next time a trip to the grocery store is made, don't just walk by the sample table without giving it a second glance. Usually they'll have a coupon for the product too, which means the coupon can be picked up for use at a later date even if the sample is not tasted at that moment.
Don't limit the savings to only the coupons being handed out in the store. Check online, and check often, because sometimes coupons or special deals can be found there. Great websites to check out include: save.ca, smartcanucks.ca, bargainmoose.ca and redflagdeals.com.
Compare Costs
Once the item in question is found in the store, resist the urge to purchase it right away. The same item can often be found at other stores for a range of prices. Even if the item is only a couple of bucks cheaper at one store versus another, it will make all the difference when it comes time to pay.
One thing to keep in mind is when a good price finally comes available, approach a rival store and tell the manager that the same item is listed for a lower price somewhere else. Often the manager, as an incentive to shop there, will allow a shopper to purchase their item for that price. It doesn't always work, but it's worth a shot.
Spending a lot of money when buying the basics can always be avoided. Just remember that even if someone can save $0.50, it might not seem like a lot, but it's better than nothing...and every little bit helps.
Cut Coupons Where Possible for Better Savings
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