We already know how to save on food — especially shopping for groceries & eating out in restaurants. We take food shopping as part of our mandatory expenses, even though we can definitely save some bucks following simple steps while doing that! But what about shopping for other things such as clothes, electronics or small materialistic purchases? How do we determine what is really needed & what is just a “want” keeping you from reaching your budget? How do we walk out of the shopping mall without holding that unnecessary piece of sparkly jewellery we never thought we need?
When you want to decrease your spendings in the Shopping category, make sure you follow these simple 20 tips!
1. Don’t buy impulsively đź§
Similarly to a grocery shopping list, you need to be aware of what kind of things you need. Come up with a plan! Walking through the shopping mall with no intention whatsoever is a very dangerous thing to do. When you have a goal, you’re narrowing your focus to that particular item. And when you have a plan and avoid impulse shopping, you’ll end up being happier with your purchase long term and have no need to change it!
2. Don’t shop when you’re bored 🤷🏼‍♀️
When you’re bored, go for a walk, get better at your hobby, read a book or watch a movie. Shopping mall shouldn’t be one of your stress relieving and fun places, nor being a place to meet your friends or spend a Friday night — choose a park instead. Use shopping malls to your advantage — as places where you can compare products in real life!
3. Bring only what you need âś…
This is quite simple and works all the time — if you know about your tendencies for impulsive shopping, restrict yourself by limiting the money on you. You can’t spend what you don’t have, right? And don’t even think about using that Apple Pay, we’re watching you!
4. Compare, compare & compare đź‘€
There are so many ways you can use comparison before buying that item! If you’re in the mall looking for new shoes, walk through all the shops available and compare the looks with the quality and price tags. Taking pictures helps! If it’s something you can shop online, do you price research on websites made for this purpose. You can also compare substitutes from different brands!
5. Shop contra-seasonal 🌞
Opposite from groceries shopping, plan your shopping contra-seasonal. The biggest sales are usually at the end of the season, so you can save up to 70% just by buying things that are ready for use next year! Can you imagine buying your swimsuit in winter? Now you can!
6. Think about the overall fit 🏡
When buying clothes, home decoration or other visual things — think about how they fit into the bigger picture. It’s amazing that you like those modern high heel shoes, but will you ever wear them with your casual outfits walking everyday to work? Probably not. And what about that home decor you’ve just seen in the shop? Even though you like it as it is — it doesn’t mean you will enjoy it in the middle of your living room.
7. Shop with a (good) friend đź‘
You need that second voice telling you it’s time to stop — and whether it’s your friend who understands your financial needs or it’s the beep of a Spendee budget notification, listen to it. When in doubt about buying new items, you can always ask your friends about their opinion. But be careful about your choice!
8. Discover thrifting ♻️
Shopping second-hand is a great way to save money and help the environment. And it doesn’t only apply to clothes! Whether you need a new battery charger or a table, you can find amazing goods for a bargain online. Once you get used to the second hand prices, it will be hard to buy new overpriced items!
9. Don’t be afraid to negotiate 🙅🏼‍♂️
Especially when shopping second-hand, don’t be afraid to ask for a discount. The person selling the item might be happy that someone is interested in taking it away — and might do anything to sell it. It’s not comfortable, and you have to learn how to do it — but what’s the worst that can happen?
10. Know the costs of maintenance đź›
You need to realise that some of the products don’t only cost what’s on the price tag and they need more money to run. What may seem like a great financial option at first, might not be from an economical point of view. Would you buy a cheaper fridge that needs more electricity & maintenance or a more expensive fridge that has an efficient saving mode? Or what about a printer that needs new ink more often?
11. Know the cost of your time đź•’
Especially when buying more expensive things, calculate the cost of your time. You’ll be surprised to find out that you just worked 3 weeks 3 days and 6 hours to afford that brand new iPhone. Was that worth it? That’s almost a month of your salary.
12. Make a wish list đź“ś
If you need to think about the purchase and determine whether you’re still excited about it a few weeks later, put it on a visual wish list. This way, you will know exactly what you’re saving for. Don’t forget to prioritise your list! There are some things that are nice to have, but that you don’t mind waiting for.
13. Buy older models đź“ž
The most well-known trick in buying electronics from older generations, especially after the release of new ones. Of course, not only does the price drop, but you also realise there’s no need to buy the newest technology.
14. The free -> borrow -> buy circle 🔥
Some of the things that are piling up in our homes were just used for one occasion. Before making a decision to purchase such things, do some research. Can you get it somewhere for free? Is there anyone from your friends who can borrow it? What about secondhand options? It’s financially rational to think about these options before a purchase.
15. Keep a box of old receipts 📦
Taking a receipt when you’re by the counter doesn’t require much effort — as well as storing it in a safe place home. This small act can save you lots of money in case you need to return the item or get a new one.
16. Sign up for newsletters đź“©
Especially when shopping in a store for the first time, you’re bombarded with discount codes and saving opportunities. Be aware of the marketing tricks & use it to your advantage only when you truly need to buy a product! Don’t spend unnecessary money on things you wouldn’t otherwise order.
17. Practice minimalism 🌱
Minimalism isn’t about living in an empty space eating plain rice for dinner — it’s about reducing purchases that will only clutter your house & won’t bring you any long term use. You can practice minimalism with all kinds of purchases — clothes (having few pairs of essential items) to electronics (upgrading only when a product gets broken).
18. Don’t always go for the cheapest option 💰
Hand in hand with minimalism, avoiding the cheapest purchases can (sometimes) save you tons of money. When buying a high quality piece of clothing, it can last you years — compared to the cheap fast fashion goods. The same goes with any other items you might want to purchase! Always consider the quality and question the price.
19. Play the shopping cart game đź›’
If you’re not in a hurry & you’re about to purchase goods online, leave your shopping cart full without proceeding to pay. In most cases, you’ll get a discount email in your inbox! You’re welcome!
20. Buy experiences, not things đźŽ
This isn’t necessarily a money saving tip, but it can be — when you know how to use it right. It can apply to many of your shopping behaviours. It determines how you spend your free time (experiencing new things instead of hanging out in the mall), what kind of gifts you choose for your friends and it makes you realise that you don’t use most of the materialistic things you own.
Next time you want to hang out with your significant other, go for a walk with a dog from shelter. Next time you’re about to gift something, choose an escape room with your friends instead of a T-shirt you’re not sure if your friend even likes.
