I encourage everyone to shop local when you can. It supports our friends and family members who are employed by local stores. Keeping the sales tax locally also helps support our schools.
Tip #1
Know your prices! Stores compete to have the best prices on electronic, toys and clothes. Prices can fluctuate greatly between stores. An easy way to compare prices at local stores is to go online towww.freepricealerts.com . This free tool allows you to search for the item you are looking for and compare it to all of the stores in the area. You do not have to complete the purchase online, simply shop locally at the store that has the best price.
Tip #2
Price Match! Wal-Mart and Target will match a competitors ad and so will many electronic and office supply stores. There are different reasons for price matching. Maybe the store is out of the item. In that case, simply price match that ad at another store. Another time when you may want to price match is if you have a coupon for a different store. Example Store A has a TV on sale for $1,000; Store B has the TV on sale for $800. You have a coupon for $20 off a $100.00 purchase for store A. Price matches the ad for Store B at Store A, and use the coupon.
Tip #3
Save Receipts! This is very important. If you have purchased an item and it has gone on sale w/in 30-60 days many stores will refund you the difference. Wal-Mart has announced that they will reimburse the difference in the form of Wal-Mart gift cards. To keep up with the changing prices you can use the website www.pricewatch.com. Another reason to save the receipt is you may need to return the item. Without the receipt the store will calculate the price based on the lowest price the item sold for. Without the receipt, you may lose money.
Tip #4
Think Outside of the Box! You found the perfect jeans but they only have a size 0. The sale ends today…. Go ahead and buy the size 0…. And exchange it for your size later. This allows you to take advantage of the sale price, just make sure you save the receipt.
Tip #5
Midweek Sales – Stores place sales ad in the weekly paper too. Be sure to check the paper daily for sales ads, retail coupons etc.
Tip #6
Watch for Coupons! Sign up for your favorite stores mailing list. Many stores will e-mail you sales ads, coupons, etc. JC Penny’s & Belk both send some awesome coupons via snail mail. You can also find printable coupons and online coupon codes for retail stores at www.retailmenot.com andwww.couponmountain.com
Tip #7
Facebook! Never shop at a store without checking their Facebook page for special offers, coupons and sales! To locate the stores Facebook page just type the name of the store in the search field on facebook or try typing the stores name after the /. Example: www.facebook.com/maybelline. Be sure to watch the Savvy Shopper Facebook for coupons etc. www.facebook.com/savannahsavvyshopper
Tip #8
Use Your Phone! If you have a smart phone use the aps on the phone to locate the best deals. “Check In” at various places and they will send coupons to your phone. The cashier simply scans your phone at the register. Shop Kick is a cool app that rewards you with points just for walking in the store. You can cash those points in for prizes. Shop Savvy allows you to scan a bar code to see which stores sell the item in the area, and it even gives you the prices at those stores.
Tip #9
Use the Gift Guide! Be sure to check out the gift guide at www.savannahgiftguide.com. You will find ideas for many people on your shopping list, and the stores are all local.
Tip #10
Daily Deals! Instead of giving “stuff” why not give gift certificates to your loved ones. You can find many great gifts to give on the daily deal site dailydeals.savannahnow.com. You will also find some great deals to snag for lunch or dinner while you are doing your holiday shopping.
Tip #11
Gift Cards: Purchase gift cards instead of clothing for your older children. This is a win/win. Your children will be able to pick out the clothes that they want, and prices drop significantly after Christmas, allowing them to get even more than they would have before.
Tip #12
Shop the After Christmas Sales! Start shopping right after Christmas for next year. The day after Christmas many things will be marked down. You will find all sorts of novelty items that will make good gifts for next year. Some of my favorites are the spa items…these would make great Valentines gifts too.
Make Memories this year…. not empty bank accounts. Years from now your children will not remember all of the toys they received at Christmas, but they will remember baking cookies, playing games etc. Please remember those who are less fortunate, perhaps you can snag a deal for them too.
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