Six Shopping Tips to Stay in Your Budget

When you are out shopping, especially hitting up an entire mall or a single store that you absolutely love, it can be really hard to stick to your personal budget. Whether your budget is $15 or $150, it’s important to learn to stick to it. Below are six tips that I use to keep myself within my budget.

1. Don’t impulse buy. One of the biggest tricks to retail is getting people trapped into impulse buys. Items are strategically placed around stores in key places where you are more likely to make impulse buys. That’s why all stores, no matter what kind, have small items around the register for you to look at while you are waiting in line to purchase your items. On the same note, resist buying items just because they are on sale. Yeah, you might save a few bucks now but, if it’s not something that you would buy at full price, odds are you won’t actually wear it. Another trick that retailers use is labeling things that aren’t actually on sale as being on “Special” or “Promotion”. This makes customers think that the items are on sale when they actually are not. But, it does increase sales.

2. Ask yourself if you really need it. If it’s something that you aren’t sure what you would wear it with or already own similar items, ask yourself if you really need it. If you have nothing to wear it with, it’s going to sit in your closet until you spend more money on other items to wear it with. Odds are, you will forget that you bought it before you get around to buying something to wear it with. If you already have similar items, make sure that you really need multiples before buying. I buy multiples of items that I wear frequently and know that I will get my moneys worth from. For example, I have two sets of two different sweaters in different colors that I wear multiple times a week year round. One set I have in brown and dark grey, the other in off-white and light grey. Completley worth my money since I wear them constantly. But, unless that’s the case, ask yourself if you really need more than what’s already in your closet. Odds are that, on most items, the answer is no.

3. Shop around. Unless it’s an item specific to that store, check others first. You may be able to find it elsewhere for less. Also, don’t be afraid to check out discount stores. There seems to be a social stigma against discount retailers like TJ Maxx, Ross, Nordstrom Rack and other stores but you can often find great items at a fraction of the original cost. I once knew someone that bought an authentic pair of Antik jeans at TJ Maxx for only $15! For those not familiar with the brand, Antik jeans average around $150 – $200 per pair at full price.

4. Listen to yourself. If you have any doubts about the item at all, put it back on the rack and walk away. Only purchase items that you feel you look good in, are comfortable wearing, and are excited to buy. If there’s any hesitation about the item when you are in the store, odds are you won’t wear it once you get home. If I am unsure about an item, usually I place it back on the rack and give myself a day or two to think. If the item is still on my mind a day or two later, then it will probably be a worthwhile purchase. I then go back to the store and, if the item is there, buy it. If it’s gone, then it simply wasn’t meant to be.

5. Shop with a friend. Shopping with a friend or relative that you trust can come in very handy. It should be someone that knows you, your budget, and your style. They’ll be honest with you about how an item you might be unsure of really looks on you. And help you decide if you can afford it or not. This is often the easiest if you go with someone that is not only aware of, but also understand of, your budget. When you can be honest with the person about what your limit is and why, they are more likely to help you stick to it.

6. Pay with cash. To really ensure that you stick to your budget, bring only cash with you. That way you have no way that you could over spend.