Everywhere you go in the stores these days you see clearance and sales signs everywhere. It is unavoidable and often people get dragged into these sales (I am definitely one of those people)!
But if you are one of those people that get sucked into all of the sales and deals, consider some of these things first…
1.) Do You Own Something Similar? – Yes, you mind find some incredible deals, but if you own something similar, then you probably won’t end up using this new item once you purchase it. It is easy to see something for really cheap and want to buy it, but even saving a $5 is sometimes a great thing to put towards something else you may want more.
2.) Can You Return It? – Sometimes we get so caught up in the moment and shopping the deals that once we get home, we realize that something we bought really wasn’t worth the money (no matter how inexpensive it seemed at the time). Make sure you check with the store you are making the purchase at to see if clearance and sales items can be returned of if the purchase you are making is final sale. If it is final sale, you won’t be able to return it no matter how much you try, so make sure it is something you really want to keep!
3.) What Did You Get Over the Holiday Season? – It is hard for us to always remember all the gifts we bought and received, but you don’t want to end up spending money on something that someone already gave you. This would be
4.) Shop Now for Next Year – It isn’t easy to buy everything right now for next Christmas, but often times stocking stuffers such as socks or little accessories might be a real great buy now and nobody will know that they were from “last season.†This is a great way to save on some small things that can add up really quickly at full prices. Also, look for holiday decorations now if you tend to buy some new things every year. When the holiday items first come out in November, they are never going to be on sale. Buying them after the holidays when everything is on clearance can save you a great deal on some good finds.
5.) Do You Really Need it? – Everyone keeps saying that now is the time to buy, right? Wrong! If you don’t need anything or if you really don’t have the money…put it towards something that you do need. Regardless of how great the deals may be, if you are struggling for money for food, gas, bills, and other necessities, don’t blow your money on clothes and other items unless you need them. Wear old outfits but buy a cheap accessory to change it up a little bit. Another thing is, don’t get caught up in the things that are full price if you could really buy things for much less on sale. Often people forget that they were at the store looking for great finds and they end up spending more money than they intended to.
Shopping the deals and finding something great can be a lot of fun, but in the end your bill may end up adding up quickly so make sure the items are something you really want or need to get buy. Don’t blow your money on things just because they are a great deal right now, in the end you might regret it later on when you need the money for something else.
Check out our Geezeo Shopaholics Group in order to get more insight on shopping from some of our other users.
$6,000 could go a long way toward reducing your debt. Win this or other great prizes in the Great Geezeo Bailout! Collect points every day.
Photo: J P Kollhoj
