Unless you have been living under a rock or in a cave for the past few years, you are probably sick of hearing stories about the recession. There are anecdotes about how the recession is affecting the American people and the trickledown effect of the credit crunch. Countless news stories and online articles offer tips for how to “recession-proof” your life. Unfortunately, most of their advice is not geared towards the younger generation. My suggestions apply to everyone, young and old. I propose that everyone takes control of their expenses and become a savvy shopper. A savvy shopper is a person who can find a great deal the average shopper overlooks. A savvy shopper can be wealthy or living below the poverty line. They are charming enough to get what they want and smart enough to know how to ask for it. A savvy shopper never pays full price for anything and they never stop looking for good bargains. If you are not already shopping savvy, it is time for a change. Here are 4 tips you may find helpful:
1. Use your resources. You can your mission to become a savvy shopper by using the resources you already have. If you are a member of an organization, ask if they offer any discounts to dining, entertainment, or restaurants. Take advantage of the discounts and participate in the promotions to ensure your organization remains valuable to the company.
2. Ask for discounts. Wherever you shop, ask if they offer any discount programs or frequent shopper incentives. You can find such programs almost everywhere including greeting card stores and specialty shops. These incentives will allow you to participate in events and the savings will add up. I have saved over $150 in eight months at my local grocery store just by signing up for their free customer reward card. Additionally, I have saved hundreds more at local stores which offer family and friends discounts if you sign up for their e-mail list. I realize some of you may cringe at the thought of junk e-mail, but strategically subscribing to the companies where you spend most of your money can prove to be beneficial. You may save money on shipping costs, receive special discounts/coupons, participate in member-only clearance events, receive free merchandise and many others.
3. Be forthright. Sometimes the employees may forget to mention promotions, do not be afraid to ask. Their failure to mention potential discounts should not discourage you. Case in point, the employee at my favorite sports store failed to mention their discount program at checkout. I asked the manager if they had a frequent buyer program and they did. For every $200 that I spend, I receive a $20 coupon.Other companies offer a dollar to point reward system that allows you to earn points for every dollar you spend. The points can be redeemed for different prizes. Most of the reward programs do not require you to submit substantial personal information (name, phone number, address, and age) and you could save hundreds of dollars just for signing up. Sometimes, you can receive discounts just my showing and ID card. The important thing is to ask. Everything we purchase is an investment and investing without a return has never made sense.
4. Shop around. Comparison shopping involves looking at the prices of several products to evaluate which one is the best value. The best value does not always mean the cheapest product. The best value is unique to each person and requires that you decide what is important to you.
The skills of a savvy shopper can be used all the time. I suggest comparing restaurant prices, hotel rates, apartment rental rates, gas prices, textbook prices, shipping rates, computer programs, movie rental fees, vehicle maintenance services, and the list goes on. The internet makes this easier and cheaper than ever. You can shop around in the comfort of your own home, or during breaks at work. Once you determine what you are looking for, shopping around is just a matter of asking for it. If you can find the time, I recommend shopping around for all of your big purchases (i.e. apparel, household items, items for your vehicle, vacation deals, etc.). There are several websites dedicated to online comparison shopping, use them. Peruse the company websites for special deals, mail in rebates, etc. If you do not find the best value at your favorite company/store, ask for a manager and alert them to your findings. Some companies have price match guarantees which encourage shoppers to compare competitor prices. In such instances, if you find a comparable product at a lower price, the company will honor the lower price.
Note: I do not claim ownership of the above photos. I found them on google...where else?
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