SHOPPING-GETTING THE BEST PRICE
Put your bargaining skills to the test. The prices in the ads are not necessarily set in stone, especially when it comes to large ticket items. Dickering is most definitely allowed and often expected in certain stores. This falls in the "it doesn't hurt to try" category. You may walk out of the store with the item you were set on purchasing but at a lower price.
Compare prices. You've got to love the Internet for this one. Site such as Nextag (http://www.nextag.com/) and Bizrate (http://www.bizrate.com/) help you shop for the best price. Ignorance about price is no longer an excuse to spend more than necessary. With a quick online search you can "shop" for the best deal from the comfort of your home.
Use a coupon. Now is not the time to instantly throw your "junk" mail away. What may be junk flyers other months of the year now yield money-saving coupons this month. Can't seem to find a coupon for your purchases? Do a quick search online before you buy. This is especially true with online shopping, although you can also find coupons to print out and take with you to the store. Simply type in the name the store and "coupon" or "discount code" in the search engine. Sites such as Retail Me Not (http://www.retailmenot.com/) and Coupon Mountain (http://www.couponmountain.com/) list coupon codes for percentages off or free shipping. With a quick search you can save a substantial amount of money.
Take the discount yourself. Were you able to buy your mom's $30 sweater on sale for $20 instead? Great! Now take the savings yourself. Too often people use this as an excuse to get more of a gift for the recipient. Unfortunately what happens is in their attempt to find another suitable gift for the extra $10 they end up purchasing a $15 gift instead. Now they have actually gone over budget instead of saving money. If that $30 sweater was actually valued at $30, then reward yourself with your shopping prowess. You be the one to save the $10.
Don't forget to send in rebates. By shopping at one store over another you may get to mail in a rebate which saves you money. Now just remember to actually send in that rebate. Retailers benefit by the busyness of their shoppers schedules. Don't let them pocket this extra money. Send in your rebate and pad your pockets instead.
Know what's a good deal. Just because the sign says it's a sale doesn't mean it's a good deal. Knowing an item's usual retail price as well as competitors' prices is the best way to make sure the sale prices are really a bargain.
Wait until the last minute. Although the selections may not be as good and you may have to run around to a few different stores, shopping last minute does have its perks. Some of the best deals to be had are on Christmas Eve.
Recycle gifts. What is one man's junk is another man's treasure. This is true for new items as well as old. Although proper etiquette may frown on this practice, recycling gifts can be beneficial. You are able to get rid of something you can't use and save money by utilizing it as a gift for someone else. The key to doing this with a clear conscience is making sure the gift is something the other person would enjoy. Just recycling any old gift is not keeping with the holiday spirit. You want to feel a sense of joy and pride when you give a gift to someone else based on their anticipated joy. If you happen to receive something that you can't use but would be just perfect for someone on your list-great, recycle the gift! If not, get something they'll enjoy.
Don't buy the latest and greatest. Has you son been pining for an iPod? Well no one says he has to have the latest model. If a new version just came out chances are you can get the previous version at a great price. If he would have loved that one a few months ago, it'll still fit the bill. By purchasing an older model you may be able to buy an item that would have otherwise been out of the budget.
Consider used. For purchasing most items new is the way to go. But there are circumstances where a used item may be the perfect comprise to granting someone's wishes and sticking to what you can afford. This is especially true with bigger ticket items such as a swing set or furniture. Checking out sites such as eBay (http://www.ebay.com/) or Craigslist (http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites.html) can allow you to truly surprise someone with what typically would have been that "we can't afford it" gift.