Smart Shopping

Shopping is something I love to do. It almost doesn't matter what I'm shopping for. Getting an amazing deal is such a rush for me too. My grandma was a great shopper. She could score a deal like no body's business. I learned a lot shopping with her (which was a frequent activity of ours).

Summer is almost over and soon school will be back in. Back to school shopping is a great time to find some good deals. Shopping during tax free week will get you started on savings right away. One of the best ways to find the amazing deals is shopping in off seasons. So as the stores start to bring in all their jeans, long sleeves and jackets for Fall, this is the best time to start browsing the clearance racks for shorts, swim wear and sundresses. If you are patient, you can find those coveted items and wait until they get marked down to their lowest price (usually the second or third mark down). However if you often have trouble finding your size in the clearance section, it's a good idea to grab those items as soon as you see them go on sale.

Signing up for email or text message coupons is also another great way to save money while shopping. Some companies still have coupon mailers. If you have a store credit card, you usually will receive additional promotions as well.

When browsing through your favorite store's clearance section, there are a couple things to keep in mind. If you tend not to keep up with the trends, and you feel comfortable rocking last years hot items, then go for it. If however you are more current in your fashion, then I would recommend keeping to the classic and basic items. So for intense when Spring rolls around and you know you will need a new pair of jeans, or black slacks, or maybe a crisp white button up, then buy those items at that point and wait until the new line of the current season comes out to choose your more trending items.

Lastly, be wise about your shopping. If you find a cute top on sale for $5 but you don't absolutely love it, or it doesn't fit quite right but you are sure you could "make it work"...put it back. It may seem like a steal, but that is $5 that you might wear once or twice but otherwise will end up taking up space in your closet. If you don't absolutely love an item in the dressing room, then don't buy. That brings me to another point. Try things on. Everyone's body is different. Just because it looks good in the advertisement, or on the mannequin doesn't mean it will compliment your figure or that you will be comfortable in it. If you are not comfortable in your clothes, you won't wear them, or if you do wear them you won't feel confident in them and that shows. So those extra five or ten minutes in the dressing room will save you money and time in the long run.

I hope these tips are helpful and that they enable you to to really rock that deal.
Happy shopping!