Savvy Shopping

1. Be Prepared to Haggle – In today’s economy, a certain amount of haggling is expected, so don’t be reluctant to ask for a better price. For better results, try asking if there is any flexibility in the price, instead of demanding a discount. Getting a better price can often be as simple as asking if the product is going on sale anytime soon, and if so, can they match that price. 2. Wait on Purchases – To avoid wasting money on impulse purchases and experiencing buyer’s remorse, wait a couple of days before buying any non-essential item. If you still think it’s a good idea after sleeping on it for a couple of nights, chances are it is! 3. Beware Pressure Sales Tactics – Don’t fall for high-pressure sales tactics. When a sales representative tells you that the deal is only available if you buy it right now, you probably should probably walk away or ask to speak to a manger to hold the price. If they believe in their product – they should want you to feel good about your purchase and not buy it out of fear of losing a special price. 4. Know Store Policies – You should make sure you understand the policies of stores where you shop to avoid over-spending. Some stores only allow returns for store credit or exchange. Other stores have generous price matching policies if you find an identical product for less within a certain amount of time. Knowing these types of policies can prevent you from spending more than you need. 5. Research – You don’t have to spend hours visiting different stores trying to find the best deal, but it’s important to know what a fair price is. Spend a few minutes searching on the internet or visit a price comparison search engine such as Price Grabber or Next Tag before making a purchase.

Following are five ways to drive a hard bargain: 1) Don’t be embarrassed. You won’t know if you can get a better price unless you ask. The worst that can happen is the seller says “no.” 2) Mention the competition. Research what other companies are charging. You’ll have more haggling power if the seller knows you know you can get it somewhere else for less. 3) Check the store’s policies. These days, many stores will honor another store’s lower price on a product, as long as you provide proof. Many stores will also offer a refund on the difference if the item you purchased goes on sale within a certain time frame. 4) Don’t be overeager. If the seller knows how much you want something, he’ll have the upper hand. 5) Give up. Be ready to shrug and walk away. If the seller sees you’re serious about not paying the asking price, he may panic and call you back with a better deal.

Many retailers will offer a discount on a product if just the packaging is damaged. When shelling out money for high ticket items, most people don't want the box to have a tear in it. Speak up and ask the store manager for a discount when a package is damaged, the worst they can say is "no."

When purchasing a product from a big name retailer, take advantage of the "Best Price Gurantee" by searching online and in the papers for a better price on the product you purchased. If you find a better price within two to four weeks, bring in the proof and the retailer will refund the difference. Check out cairo.com, or salescircular.com to track advertised prices in your area.

Consider recycling items that you no longer need by listing them on freecycle.org. Freecycle.org is a network of individual groups all over the globe that recycle items amongst themselves by allowing members to post listings for these items within the community. Then, if someone is interested in your item, they will respond and make arrangements to pick it up. And remember, you can also find items you need by searching for them on this site.

Swapping goods and services with friends and neighbors is a great alternative to purchasing a new item. If you have a quality item that you no longer use, trade it with a friend for something they don't really need anymore.It's a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Instead of purchasing a greeting card for $3 or $4 for every occasion (plus postage), consider sending a free online e-card. There are several free online sites with a large selection of cards for every occasion. Two of the more popular sites are bluemountain.com, and 123greetings.com, but there are many others, as well.

If you are looking for a specific electronic device, but aren't set on the model or brand, visit woot.com to see if you can find a bargain. Woot.com is an online store that handles manufacturer's overstocks and test products. They sell one item per day, usually electronics, until it is sold out or until 11:59pm central time when it is replaced with a new product. Since they only offer 1 item per day, they aim to be the cheapest place on the web to get that item on that particular day.

Don't always assume that prices are fixed. Sometimes getting a better price on something is as simple as asking "Is that the best you can do?" It also helps if you are dealing with a manager, or someone else who has the authority to be flexible on pricing.

Instead of purchasing a greeting card to mark a special occasion, consider sending a heartfelt note on personalized stationary. Greeting cards can be very expensive, especially if you have multiple to purchase for certain holidays and events. It's much more cost-effective to buy a box of personalized stationary that can be used on any occasion.

Whether you're in need of an item, or would like to donate to those in need, visit The Freecycle Network at www.freecycle.org. Membership is free and you can give or receive free gifts from people across the world.

When buying or selling items online, eBay is not the only place to look. Go to craigslist.com to get bargains on used items that people are selling (or giving away) in your area. A lot of times you can find great deals on items that are too bulky to ship, but can be picked up in person. You can sort by city closest to you when searching for items. And, you can pick up some extra cash by selling items that you no longer want or need.

If you know you will be shopping at a particular store, look online for a discounted gift card or coupon to save money. Sometimes you can get a gift card for 25% off the face value on online auction sites like eBay. Just remember to check the seller's feedback to make sure they have a good transaction history.

Whenever you join an organization, make sure you check all the benefits offered to you. Some automobile clubs offer discounts on car rentals and hotels. Students and seniors often get discounts by showing an ID card. A new employer might have arrangements with the local gym to offer discounted memberships.