Another stimulus check may (or may not) be coming. Stores are reopening and we’re bored in the house. This combination is dangerous because it gives us opportunities to spend money we either don’t have or can’t afford to waste. With the end of the pandemic nowhere in sight, the impact on our finances is really just beginning, yet we want to support the economy. What can we do to be smart shoppers?
Food
- Make a grocery list and stick to it. If the store’s displays are just too tempting, shop the store online and use their pickup or delivery service.
- Download the store’s app and activate their loyalty card.
- Download the store’s coupons, but only for items we regularly use.
- Wait for sales on the items for which we’ve downloaded coupons.
- Eat before grocery shopping. This makes a huge difference for me. Walking through the bakery (or the valley of the shadow of death, as I like to call it) isn’t nearly as tempting on a full stomach as it is on an empty one.
- Recognize some food manufacturers are playing sleight of hand with us. For example, the brand of chicken wings we buy used to put a dozen hot wings in a bag. Now, the price is the same, but there are nine wings in the bag.
Clothing
- Shop Goodwill, Salvation Army, and local thrift stores.
- Opt for classic pieces instead of trendy. I found this suit and loved it in cobalt blue, but it was also available in black. Guess which color I purchased. Yep. I’m more confident a black suit will still be in style next year than I am about a cobalt blue one.
- Wait to purchase until the end of a season. Swimsuits are cheaper at the end of July; winter coats are cheaper in March.
- Leave items in our online carts for 24 hours. This cooling off period allows us to contemplate whether we really need the merchandise. When I do this, some retailers email me a reminder I still have items in my cart and offer a discount to entice me to finish the transaction.
Shelter
- Borrow maintenance equipment we need for one-time only use; think a ladder or steam cleaner.
- For items we’ll use more often, check a price comparison app before purchasing.
- Think about how often we use something. For example, when it’s time to replace my coffee pot, I go for quality because we use it every day, then, I look at the price. It’s cheaper to invest in a well-made product than frequently replace an ill-made one. Since I don’t drink tea every day, I purchased a cheap electric kettle.
When in doubt, we shouldn’t spend money right now. If we can live without the items, let’s do. There will always be fun stuff to spend money on. Self care: yes, Treat yo self: not right now.
How do you practice shopping smart these days? Please share your tips in the comments section.