Save money on the basics: Learn to bargain shop for food, drugstore items, toiletries and clothing and other basics
As humans, we all have needs…. Many of those needs, from food and medication to clothing and school or office supplies are all basic necessities we rely on our income and money supply for. We’ve accumulated some of the best tips, tricks and ideas around to save money when it comes to shopping, no matter what you’re looking for,
Groceries and Drugstore items
Go generic- Next time you’re at the grocery store, look for the generic, or store brand of an item,(Usually next to whatever name brand product you’d normally buy. Generic brands, whether it be breakfast cereals,cotton balls, OTC cold and cough medicines,, orange juice or basic staples like sugar and flour, and even some home cleaning products and toiletries, the quality is every bit as good as the leading national brand, and you’ll notice price differences that save you big bucks when its time to check out. Skeptic? Look on the packaging of the store-brand product in question, more than likely there is a “Money back guarantee” or a “Quality guarantee” that promises your satisfaction? One more thing, many generic brands are manufactured at the same plant as the name brands, just put into different labels in the end.
Get a “card” for the store- Most grocery and drugstore chains have store cards you scan every time upon checkout that give you things like discounts, and some even give you “In Store Bucks”, usually in denominations of $5 or $10. We’ve noticed the national drug store chain, CVS has one of the best member card programs around.
Coupons- Clipping coupons, especially when combined with a sale the store has going on can keep more cash in your wallet. You can find coupons in your Sunday newspaper, and also in the “junk mail” pamphlets you get in your mail. Beyond that, there are several dozen coupon clipping sites filled with printable coupons, and more tips on using them. Try some of the websites out for yourself, Redplum and SmartSource are two of the greatest available.
Clothing
When at the mall- Avoid, avoid, avoid impulse purchases. Yes, the mall is a good idea for shoppers in the sense that they can come to one place, and have an abundance of stores, some even think of shopping at the mall as a form of recreation. Keep your eye out for sale racks, and remember that something you just love could be on the clearance rack next week. A good rule is to wait a week, and if it’s still fresh in your mind then you can go back and get it. Not all stores at the mall have great return policies (especially on clearance items), So ask an employee the policy before your purchase.
2nd Hand Shop- Some people can’t stand the idea of buying clothing from a thrift store, but you’ll be surprised when you start looking through the racks. You can find unique and vintage items for unbelievable prices. This would also be a good place to pick up children clothing, as they grow so fast. For the more picky consumer, try a consignment shop or a more upscale 2nd hand retail shop might be just for you. These differ because they don’t rely on donations for their clothing, but rather buy it from people for a few bucks, then pass the savings on to you. They also are particular about what they buy, it must be in excellent condition, currently in style and in season, and they keep an eye open for name brands. So these kind of stores resemble any other up-to-the-moment, fashionable store. There are countless stores like this around the country, but check out some of the stores we found, Plato’s Closet and Buffalo Exchange, as well as a few local stores in our city, but we’re sure your city or town has a few of its own 2nd hand treasure shops.
Final Thoughts
So, what citizen doesn’t want to save money when they are out shopping? Try some of the basic tips, and you might be surprised at the amount of money you managed to keep in your bank account, without feeling like you’ve missed anything. And of course, Billeater has tons of money-saving articles your free to browse.