Shopping | Quality Life, Low Price

Finding Brand Name Furniture on Sale

Buying furniture is a major purchase for many families. There are several things you should do before spending any money. First evaluate what you need. Do you need a new sofa, new chairs, and new end tables for your living room, or do you have pieces you could already use?

Look at how much space you have. If you need a new bed and your bedroom is small, a four-poster king-sized bed wouldn’t fit in the room. Measure your space, and use that information when you start looking.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

What is your budget? How much can you afford to spend? Do you have any money put aside to help you with your purchase? Once you have determined your budget, you can start looking for good sales.

Many furniture stores have sales around holidays. Use canada 411 to help you locate a store. Ask friends where they shop. The major sale holidays are President’s Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, the day after Thanksgiving, and the Christmas holiday season. If you can wait until one of these holidays, you will get a better price on your furniture.

If you subscribe to a newspaper, watch the sale ads. Many times there will be clearance sales at the end of the year or when a new season starts. You can also search online for sales.

When shopping in a furniture store, ask the salesman if there are any discontinued lines. If so, you can find great bargains there. Also ask if the store has an outlet store or a place that sells scratched or dented items. Many times the scratches and dents are not noticeable.

Filed Under: Home, Shopping Tagged With: Furniture, Labor Day, Memorial Day

Three Ways to Leverage Technology to Save Money while Shopping

Fancy smart phones might cost more than wireless phones without enhanced capabilities, but they can also help you save a lot of money when you go shopping. Today’s smart phones offer a ton of apps that can turn you into a savvier consumer by finding the best deals on the products and services that you buy. These three ways to leverage technology to save money while shopping will help you find ways to afford the nicer things in life:

Use Group Buying Sites

Many group buying sites offer daily deals that can help you save a ton of cash on goods and services from local businesses. Some of the deals offer as much as 90 percent off retail prices. To take advantage of the best deals, though, you need to check the sites daily. A smart phone makes it easy for you to check daily deals on the go.

To save the most money, sign up for group buying deals from these and other companies:

● Parents Deals

● Groupon

● Living Social

● Tippr

● BuyWithMe

Compare Deals With Your Phone

Your smart phone can also help you find the best local deals on products that you want to buy. For instance, if you are shopping one day and you find that a store is selling new televisions at discounted prices, then you can use certain apps to determine whether it is really the best deal in town. By comparing prices before you buy, you could save hundreds of dollars on major purchases.

Find Exclusive Deals by Checking in

Social networking sites such as Foursquare can give you access to exclusive deals when you “check in” to local businesses. For instance, you might qualify for a free cup of coffee if you are one of the first people that day to check in at your neighborhood caf�. You might also get special deals for checking in more often than other people.

Foursquare and similar apps also let you see deals within your vicinity. When you check in at a local lunch spot, you might find that a deli down the road has a better deal that day. This can help you save money on every purchase that you make by finding the best deal near you.

Leveraging technology to save money while shopping has become more popular in recent years. As this trend continues, you might find even more ways to save money. What are some of the best ways that you have used technology to spend less without depriving yourself?

Filed Under: Coupons, Shopping Tagged With: Foursquare, Save (baseball), Smartphone

Having a Good Credit Score

To have a bad credit score is one of the most unpleasant of financial states. You may shrug off the idea of a bad credit but the day you will apply for that emergency loan is when reality will dawn on you. For various reasons, it is important to have a good credit score. To have a good credit score and sound financial history entails you having certain features and characteristics.

These features include discipline, honesty, patience and the ability to delay gratification for the larger benefit. Those that have impressive financial records have been able to do so by forfeiting certain pleasures in the short term and you must be ready to do the same. One of the things that you have to do is to follow the popular saying that states that you should cut your coat according to your cloth. Do not go for expenses that you know you cannot afford. It is unwise to plan or even budget for a fund that is not even sure.

Another way to have a good credit score and the nod of your financial adviser is to inculcate the habit of saving money. With time and discipline, the savings will blossom into something very tangible, which you can use to make further investments. Still on good credit, you can gain some points by ensuring that you pay up your loans as soon as possible. If you can even pay up before the time frame given, that will be excellent. Investing in properties, shares, stocks and skills is also another way of increasing your tangible and intangible assets. Assets are directly proportional to your financial position and help in boosting your credit score, even beyond imagination.

Filed Under: Budgeting, Shopping Tagged With: Credit history, Credit score, Finance

Shopping and Budgeting

One of the most interesting activities that people indulge in is shopping. Most of us love to shop even though some of us end up regretting that afterwards. This is because once we enter the mall or supermarket, we lose all sense of financial inhibition, and what is the result? We end up buying far more than is needed and worse still, piling up debts.

Shopping on instinct with little or no planning is a very bad habit and one that has caused different kinds of commotions. Marriages have split because of the spouse that cannot walk past a pair of shoes in the show glass and some have become bankrupt because they end overfilling the cart even when they have bad credit.

To prevent occurrences like these and many more from happening, it is important that you plan ahead before going for shopping in the market or mall. To do this, you draw up a list of what you need and not what you want. Having a list minimizes the likelihood of picking off the jar of apple-flavored jam from the shelf even though you bought the strawberry variant just last week. It is important that you stick to the list. Having a list drawn up is a sign of organization and discipline as well.

Another thing is to go for the shopping with exactly the amount you need for the shopping –or just a little more. Cash is preferable and that implies that the credit card has no place here. It has been discovered that those who shop with the card have the tendency to buy more than they need. The thinking is that after all, I have the card here with me.

Filed Under: Budgeting, Shopping Tagged With: Credit card, Credit history, Shopping

Between Quality and Price

When you carry out a random survey asking people to choose between quality and price, you will surely come up with an interesting result. You will discover that some people are sticklers for nothing but quality, high-end, luxurious and designer products. People in this category want the very best of products and will go to any length to acquire high-quality products.

Some advocates of high-quality products do so for recognition in the society while some others do so simply because of the durability of high-quality products. They argue that on the long run, you will spend little or even next to nothing for maintenance when you purchase the products of good quality since they last longer and are more rugged. So, the investment is worth every dime.

Meanwhile on the other spectrum, there are those that believe that price is the main thing to consider when buying any commodity. In this category, it is also amazing to know that there are two sub-classes. There are those who believe that high prices automatically command respect and attention. These class of buyers are more interested in the price tags rather than the designer label. They assume that the higher the price, the better rating for the product, irrespective of the quality. Those in these category usually have enough cash to throw around.

The other class strongly believe that the lower the price, the better for them. Therefore, you will never see them in luxury stores or expensive boutiques. They go to places like thrift stores and the like. Some do this out of frugality while some others are forced by necessity but the important thing is to strike a balance between the two –price and quality.

Filed Under: Budgeting, Shopping Tagged With: Luxury good, Price, Product (business)

Shop Online and Save Time

I don’t know about you, but I’m not real fond of standing in lines at stores. In fact, I’m not real fond of stores. Maybe there’s something missing in my makeup, or maybe it’s just because I’m a man, but the idea of taking time out from what I’m doing, just to run to the store and buy something can be a little annoying. Of course, living out in the country makes that quick run to the store into a somewhat longer run to the store.

Okay, okay, I know that women like to shop. Apparently, us guys aren’t born with the “shopping gene;” it must be included in the “X” chromosome that women have and men don’t. Even then, I’ve heard women talk about not enjoying shopping for necessities, like food and disposable diapers; no, what women like is shopping for clothes, shoes, and you know, fun stuff.

Personally, I’ve been thrilled by the invention of the Web, and especially by the amount of businesses who have jumped into the Internet with both feet. For a lot of necessities, I can do a quick search, and come up with a number of sources for whatever it is I’m looking for. Not only that, but I can find a better selection, cheaper prices and it’s delivered right to my door. How can you beat a system like that?

Granted, there will always be a place for the local store. I can’t really imagine an online grocery store being all that effective or competitive. Nor can I imagine buying all my clothes online. While it may look great on the model that’s showing it off, my body doesn’t look like that, so it’s probably not going to look like that on me. No, I’d much rather buy my clothes someplace where I can try it on and see how it’s really going to look.

Filed Under: Budgeting, Shopping Tagged With: Grocery store, Online shopping, Shopping

Online Office Supplies at a Bargain

Like many people, I have an office in my home. It’s more or less complete, with three computers, a couple of printers, a copying machine, and even filing cabinets. Just like anyone else who has a home-based business, I have to pay for all this out of my pocket. Since I can’t count on “the company” to pay for it, I’ve gotten to be a bit of a tightwad on my office spending.

That doesn’t mean that I don’t like to have good stuff in my office, or that I won’t buy the fancy labels and pre-printed papers, or print things in color. It just means that I’m always looking for ways to shave a little off of the cost of those items.

I’ve found that buying locally at any of the big office supply stores isn’t always my best option. First of all, it costs time to go there, look over their selection, and stand in line to pay for it. That time is time I’m not productive, not making money; in fact it’s just lost time. Not only that, but the store price may not be the best price I can get on the item. This is especially important for items I use a lot of.

Take CD and labels for example. Now, I realize that you probably don’t use a lot of those, but I go through a couple hundred of each every month. I can buy them locally, and spend about $5.00 for a box of 50 envelopes and $40.00 for a box of 2,000 CD labels. Or, I can go online, and buy the same items (packaged a little differently). That way, I only pay $20.00 for 2,000 CD labels, and $15.00 for 2,000 CD envelopes. That’s a savings of over 1300 percent on the CD envelopes!

There are a lot of generic office supply items available online for really incredible savings; not just these examples, but many, many more. Take a moment to do a quick search on froogle.com or even on e-Bay.com and your eyes will light up with the savings.

Filed Under: Budgeting, Shopping Tagged With: Compact Disc, Filing cabinet, Office supplies

Budget Clothes Shopping

Fashion can be important for both adults and teens alike. Although clothes are both a necessity and a way to express yourself, it is easy to over spend when shopping for clothes. Instead of giving your credit cards a work out, afford the clothing items you need paying cash by changing the way that you shop.

Plato’s Closet

Plato’s Closet and other similar chain stores are second hand stores that buy back hip teen clothing. Once your child or teen out grows something they can trade it in at Plato’s closet for money or new clothing items. Plato’s Closet screens for items that are popular among today’s youth. You will be able to find some great designer outfits for your kids at the fraction of retail price. If you’re a petite adult you may even find some clothes that you can fit into.

Outlets

Outlets carry name brand items for a fraction of the price. Outlets are filled with overstock, items from last season and items that may have a slight defect such a zipper that is black when the original batch was meant to be silver. They also carry outlet only items. Outlets are a great way to get a designer look for both you and your kids with out having to pay designer prices.

Look for Sales and then Buy Multiples

Many reasonable priced stores have great sales a few times a year. JcPenney will have hip juniors t-shirts for buy one get one for a dollar. This is a great time to let your daughter get a new wardrobe. Old Navy has a famous stuff and save sale where you can get a large percentage off anything your kids can fit into a shopping bag. Take advantage of these sales to fill your children’s wardrobes with key pieces.

Filed Under: Budgeting, Shopping Tagged With: Clothing, Plato

Tips for Living a Frugal Life

In a world where almost everyone is trying to save money living a frugal lifestyle can be easier said than done. If you once were a spend-a-holic, converting to a frugal lifestyle may seem daunting at first, but with a few simple changes you can be on the path to saving money.

Bring Your Lunch

Pack your lunch for work. Many full-time office workers can spend up to $50 a week on buying lunch. Keep more money in your pocket by bringing your lunch from home. Make sandwiches or for even bigger savings bring leftovers from the night before. Keep extra snacks in your desk to avoid trips to the vending machine. 75 cents a day on a snack can add up quickly.

Downsize Your Social Outings

Going out for dinner can make a big dent in your bank account. Suggest hanging out with friends for just a cup of coffee or a cocktail instead. You can also make plans to meet for dessert. During the nice weather, get creative and set up free outings like jogging in the park or going for a hike.

Don’t Always Buy Brand New

You can find many items at huge discounts on Ebay or Craig’s list. Even if you are weary of getting an item that another person has used, you can buy factory refurbished TV sets, vacuums and more. The product will work just as well as a new item and your bank account will be thanking you later.

Sell What You Don’t Need

Find items that are just laying around or are in storage that you never use. Have a garage sale or set up shop on Ebay. You can bring in some extra cash to add to your savings account and get rid of the clutter in your home at the same time. Many people tend to hoard and hold on to unnecessary items. Once you start parting with a few things, you will realize how easy it can be to live with less.

Filed Under: Shopping Tagged With: EBay, Frugality

Get Everything You Need for Christmas for Less

The holidays can put a lot of pressure on people to spend money. By the time you buy for your children, relatives, friends and the office party, you could have a huge credit card bill to help you remember the holidays for several months. Don’t go into debt over Christmas. Use these tips to have a wonderful holiday and save.

Start Shopping Early

When it gets close to the holidays, your children may have a few specific requests from Santa. But there are many other items and stocking stuffers that you can buy in advance. Start looking as early as July for good deals on games, clothes and other items you know your children may be interested in. You will save money by getting a good sale price and also will avoid charging items on your credit card since you are shopping over a longer period of time, leaving you more available cash.

Tell the Adults to Grow Up

If you have a large extended family, there is no reason that every single adult should feel the pressure to buy personal gifts for all the other adults in the group. Have a grab bag or other game where each adult is only required to contribute one grown-up gift.

Look Like a Big Spender without Being One

Use websites such as restaurants.com. They allow you to buy gift certificates to restaurants at low prices. For example, you can give someone a $100 gift card to their favorite dining spot and only spend $50. They even run specials from time to time where you can get a $50 card for as low as $3.

Make Gifts

If you are a good baker, you can make delicious homemade cookies, cake, candy and more. Wrap your items in a cute tin or holiday plastic wrap which can be purchased from the dollar store. Place a bow on top (also from the dollar store) and you will be good to go. You can knock out a few gifts this way with out spending a lot of cash.

Filed Under: Shopping Tagged With: Christmas, Credit card