Smart Shopping Reduces Expenses

Whoever said money can't buy happiness simply didn't know where to go shopping.  ~ Bo Derek

Beware of little expenses; a small leak will sink a great ship ~ Benjamin Franklin

Grocery shopping is fun in the cool comfort of the mall. You can make shopping more pleasurable by adopting the following strategies to get what you want and worth every cent of your money.    

1. Shopping list: The most effective way to go shopping is to get a list ready. The key is to stick to the list and not buying anything else. The other advantage is to get what you need in one go and avoid going back to the mall again and again for items you have forgotten to purchase. 

2. House brand: Go for house brand instead of the popular brand for common items such as toilet rolls and tissues. House brand items are cheaper and they are just as good if not better.

3. Discount accord to specific credit card holders: Shop at those malls which offer credit cardholders with discount.  You don’t get a discount when you shop with cash. The most important thing is to be disciplined and not to shop for something you don’t need just because you can charge it to your card.

4. Promotional items: Watch out for items you need with special offers. Check out items you can purchase with further purchase at a discount.

5. Coupons: Take advantage of coupons to cut costs for items listed in your shopping list.  Don’t use a coupon to buy something you don’t need just because it is a bargain.

6. Prepare a list in advance: In the course of a week jot down items to be purchased so that you will remember to get them when you go shopping.

7. Do it once a week: It is not a good thing to go shopping often. For me, I do it once a week. The whole idea is to avoid buying things we don’t need and also to avoid wasting petrol and time going shopping.        

8. Avoid junk food: The right way is to shop for food with nutritional values and things that offer durability. Avoid processed or preserved food. Don’t buy sugary beverages or fried items.    

      A bargain ain't a bargain unless it's something you need.  ~Sidney Carroll

 He who will not economize will have to agonize. ~ Confucius