Don't Just Shop, Be Smart at It!

With the economy fluctuating like a roller-coaster ride over the past few years, the inflation rates are huge and the prices for everything are going up by the day. That holds true for the stuff we use on a daily basis like groceries, toiletries, baby products, stationery, medicines, etc. Even when it comes to travelling or taking loans, things have become a bit on the steeper side for the average earner. In such a scenario, how can one help himself and his pocket? Does he stop buying the stuff that he needs? Does he stop stepping out of the house for an occasional vacation?

The answer to that has to be a definitive NO! Especially when there’s a solution.

Smart shopping is what we should be aiming for. It’s a technique through which we can buy everything we need (and more) while staying within our budget limit.

No that’s not a practical joke; just hear me out. There are actually a few simple steps to ensure that you aren’t paying too much for the things that you need every day.

1. Plan and purchase in bulk.

I personally have found this tip quite helpful. Instead of buying kitchen and daily use products every week or as needed, I plan ahead and make a list of items that I use in my routine. Then, I step out at the beginning or end of every month and make a bulk purchase.

That, of course, applies to stuff that doesn’t rot or spoil. So anything apart from vegetables, meat, and dairy should fit the bill; typically, bathroom items, packaged eatables, laundry products and even clothes. If you use this technique, you don’t need to shop too often and you might end up buying some things before their prices go up.

2. Whenever you can, shop online.

Online shopping has its advantages. When the stocks for a particular item have finished at the physical store, you can always count on the online store to have them. Also, online stores are more likely to host frequent deals and offers on purchases.

And of course, they have the benefit of being accessible from home. So you don’t have to step out to shop for small things. Now, who wouldn’t love that!

3. Try alternative brands.

We all have a few brands that we prefer, but sometimes, preference can get a little too hard on our pockets. So try to let go. Whenever you shop for groceries or items of daily use, avoid sticking to your selected brands and make an attempt to try out some new ones.

I’m in no way advocating that you lower your standards of acceptance in terms of quality, just try to look for other equally good products that are offered for a lesser price. In recent times, a number of small players (vendors) have cropped up in the markets who offer great quality products at affordable prices. Do keep your eyes open for such items.

4. Stay informed about sales and special offers.

One of the smartest ways to save is to buy the items you need when they are being sold at reduced rates. Keep yourself updated with exchange offers and discount sales that brands and supermarkets host. Subscribe to be informed about saver deals on your desired products; that way, you won’t miss a chance to make a smart purchase.

For example, if you need to buy some heavy household equipment, inquire around to find out if any dealer of the item is planning to host an exchange offer so that you can get rid of the old equipment for new one and also save on the deal.

5. Scout coupon websites.

Recently, a lot of websites have come up that are solely dedicated to hosting deals and discounts on popular products. These websites keep hosting sales all around the year through which you can take the maximum benefit of your online purchases. And they have a list of most popular brands in various industries like food, clothing, travel, etc. The websites give you coupon codes which you can supply to the brand website at the time you pay and save on your deal. With such websites, you don’t have to wait for sales; you can save on every purchase you make.

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The above content has been ghost-written by me for a marketing client. I am a professional technical and content writer who regularly churns out content like this for various clients. You can reach me through LinkedIn to discuss opportunities.