Shopping on a Budget

Shopping for clothing, accessories, shoes and more can be tight on a family's budget no matter what the national economic situation is. Even when times are great, it’s a good idea to get more for your money. I used to just go shop right off of the racks, whatever was available that I liked. After being chided by friends repeatedly, I finally started to understand what they meant. Let's say I had $60-$70 to spend. We all know that isn't going to buy very much. Depending on where I choose to spend it, I may get an outfit out of that. Sometimes that won't buy just a pair of jeans or a skirt Let’s imagine I spend that same $60-$70 with a plan in mind, and don't mind bargain hunting to get the best deal. In that case, I honestly could get two or three outfits for that. Once, on a bargain hunt, I got a nice dress, two blouses, and a pair of shorts for $25. That's right, I said $25! So how did I do it?

I think everyone is pretty aware of clearance racks at stores, but how much attention do you pay to them? I found an end of season clearance sale at a major department store and practically the entire store was on clearance. The great thing is, I live in an area where it stays warm longer than the official end of summer, so I was able to wear those great finds for several months before the actual end of the season. So, yes, the clearance rack is a great way to save on shopping. But, what if you don't live in an area where it stays warm longer than the season? You can still take advantage of these deals, it just takes some planning ahead. Seriously, if you can get all of that for $25, grab it for next season and just wait. That's a great way to save on Halloween costumes as well. Shop the clearance when the season is over, and you've got next year's outfit. Just don't forget to buy it in a size bigger, because obviously your child will have grown by the next year.

There are some other ways besides clearance racks that a shopper can find a bargain. One is to realize that shops try to create urgency to get you to buy now. They make those sales end at a certain time on purpose! They want you to feel like you're going to miss it. So the best way to combat that is planning ahead, and not being in a hurry. Be willing to walk away from a sale if need be. Chances are, that sale will end and that item will end up on the clearance rack marked down further than the sale. Of course, this is a risky strategy if you fall in love with a certain item. There is also the chance that someone else will grab up the deal or beat you to the clearance and you won't get the item. So try not to get too attached to one thing. Pick out several items you'd like to have and don't freak out if one of them isn't there when it finally gets marked down. But think of the benefits. In one case, I saw a great dress on the clearance rack, but I had already picked out other items that used up my $25 budget for the day. So, even though I tried it on and it looked fabulous, I left it on the rack. Not to mention it was $22 and would have been my only purchase for the day. Anyway, a week or two later, I was back in the same store and the dress was still there, only this time it was $7! At that point I was glad I had walked away. I still got the dress and for $15 less!

Thrift stores are another way a bargain shopper can make their money stretch further. A lot of people find it embarrassing to shop at a thrift store, but there's no need to. You have to be willing to look through the racks, but you can find things that people obviously bought and wore once (or not at all) before they donated. If you live in an area where the donations are not as nice, maybe thrift stores are not right for you, but you should at least check it out. If there's not a thrift store near you, or the donations are not as nice, look for outlets. They can be a money saver too. It is still brand new items, they just never sold off of the original rack and had to be moved out.

Don't forget shopping online. If you've never tried it, shopping online can be a great way to find the best bargains. You can find items that aren't available in stores, and possibly even get free shipping. Look for online coupon codes to your favorite stores, and try to combine offers when possible. For instance, if there is a minimum purchase requirement for free shipping, and that same store has a coupon code, and has sale items, you could shop the sale items, use the coupon code, and get free shipping. If you are having trouble meeting the minimum order requirement you could get together with a friend and make a purchase together and both reap the benefits. Often times online coupon codes last longer than regular ones, so find out when it expires and don't worry about waiting to use it at a more convenient time if necessary.

Whatever you do, have a game plan before you shop. Set a limit of spending and stick to it, even if that means walking away (or clicking away in the case of internet shopping). This can make shopping a fund experience rather than a stressful one. You're on a treasure hunt! So, enjoy yourself and reap the rewards.

About The Author: Laura Taff is a stay at home mom and the owner of http://www.simplychicshopper.com