With Spring Break rapidly approaching, students are saving up every last penny to splurge on an entirely new wardrobe for their vacation. But if you would like to save money AND get more than you initially desired, use a few of these bargain shopping tips and you’ll be saving pounds of cash.
TIPS:
STEP ONE: Before you shop, go through your closet. Not only will this free up room for more clothes, but you can give your older clothes away. Look for clothes that you haven’t worn in the past year or so and set them aside for GoodWill or to hand down to a younger sibling/small friend of yours. Once you’ve done this, step two is much easier.
STEP TWO: Make a list of items that you are lacking or don’t have at all. You’re more likely to avoid impulse purchases if you write a list ahead of time and take it with you while you’re shopping.
STEP THREE: Once you have come up with a decent list, do your research online before heading off to the overwhelmingly full-of-sunshine-and-rainbows mall. Or, if you know ahead of time that you really liked an item at a store, wait until it goes on sale. Also take into consideration buying items when they’re out of season. Not only will they most likely be cheaper, but the store will more than likely be stocked up on your size.
STEP FOUR: When you enter the store, instead of starting at the front where the typically overpriced items are located, head straight to the back. Odds are the clearance section is stacked, but only bargain shoppers like yourself will be hanging out here. If you find items in the clearance section you like and are on the list, make sure you try them on and then purchase. Odds are you won’t find a much better deal anywhere else.
STEP FIVE: After scavenging through clearance rack after clearance rack, make your way toward the front of the store. The items will most likely begin to get a bit pricier, but if you spot something that you need, definitely bee line toward it before some snotty seventh grader with their Daddy’s credit card snatches it. When purchasing more expensive items, it’s always a good idea to consider how often it will be worn. Items like jeans and shoes are worn more often than that glitzy, sequined top that you’re saving for the huge Sweet 16 bash for Barbara. When purchasing other items like shirts and colored pants, consider how many different things this will coordinate with in your closet. If you can’t wear a pair of pants with anything in your closet and you’re getting persuaded to buy another top to match it, your best bet is to book it out of there before you get conned into buying more unnecessary stuff.
Hopefully these tips have provided you with some basic bargain shopping tips. Now get out there and shop your little heart away!