Financial Tips
How to Save Money : Shopping Tips and Pifalls
OK, you’ve set up a household budget, you’ve separated your needs from your wants, and you don’t window shop. You’re ready to face the department stores. But there are still a few more pointers from the debt reduction experts at Credit Counselors.
Coupon smarts. “Coupon clipping” is easy to make fun of, but many people don’t realize how much the savings can add up. Coupons are even easier to find these days – some websites even collect them in one place and let you print them out. Set aside a certain time each week to search for your coupons. It takes just a few minutes, and you will be surprised how much money you can save.
Don’t forget the rebates. Some of the best prices, especially on electronics, come with mail-in rebates attached. It’s easy to come home, set the rebate information aside, and forget to mail it in. But it typically takes just a few minutes to gather the required information (usually receipts, UPC codes, etc.) and put it in an envelope. Always keep a copy, too, in case there’s a problem.
Check out “store brands.” Often you won’t be able to tell the difference between store brands and “name brands,” yet they nearly always are cheaper. Still not sure? Try some, or talk to friends and neighbors about what they’ve found. If you’re shopping for staples you’re going to use, you might also consider buying in bulk to get a discount.
Do you need a service plan? Take care when it comes to service plans. Store clerks often pitch them with a major purchase, especially electronics and appliances, because few people use them and the store makes a profit. If you’ve researched your purchase, you should know the item’s reputation for reliability. Think hard about whether you’re likely to need service before you pay for a service plan.
Keep receipts and warranties. Whether you get a service plan or not, you’ll want to keep the warranty information in case something does break. Tuck all your warranty information in one folder, and periodically weed through it to get rid of the expired ones. Even if there’s no warranty involved, before you throw away the receipt, think about whether you might need to return or exchange the item.
Shopping smart is a critical part of making a household budget work. If you think you’ve made too many impulse buys and need debt counseling, the consumer credit counseling services professionals at Credit Counselors are always available to help you set up a debt management plan
