subject: Discount Shopping: Quick Tips for Bargain Hunters [print this page] Being fresh out of school, I know a thing or two about bargain hunting. The thrill of the hunt is something that all bargain hunters get a kick out of. Despite where my financial road leads after joining the real world where people, you know, work instead of study all of the time, you will still find my checking out sweet shopping deals with fellow bargainistas.
Here are my top three tips for finding what you need (yes, I know that this term is highly subjective) without burning a hole through your pocket lining.
1. Take the high-low approach.
Some of my friends have a weakness for fancy little shoes and horrendously overpriced jeans. One sashay down the sidewalk or one run through the wash and these fashion investments are sunk costs. Hope is not lost, however, for fleshing out your wardrobe. A visit to TJMaxx, Goodwill, or Value Village can salvage your abused bank account and provide some sweet finds, like a $10 sweater originally from Nordstrom, or a funky cropped jacket for $15.
2. Get creative.
I recently moved and was considered myself very lucky to get a dining table from my grandma that she didn't want anymore. But, a table isn't very useful without chairs, so my aunt and I checked out TJMaxx. Instantly, we spotted some retro modern metal chairs with badly matched paint and hideous plaid seat covers. No problem, we agreed. For $8 per chair, we snapped up four of them before buying some fabric and spray paint to change the color of the chair as well as the ugly seat cushion.
Take this approach with clothing too. Find an amazing jacket bargain with cheap looking buttons? Transform it with new buttons. What if you score the perfect pair of jeans, but they're too long? Hem them. You get the idea.
3. Mix up online and in-store shopping.
Do your research online. Compare prices at different stores before making the trek to the stores. Also, don't rely on the internet alone. You can't sit on a couch that's displayed on target's online store, nor can you try on a tee shirt to see how it fits. Definitely scope out these types of items online first, but test them out at the store.
However, there are some items that you don't need to touch or feel, like a book. Plus, purchases like these are often much better bargains online than in brick-and-mortar locations. Sometimes it makes sense to stick to online shopping for a true shopping find.
Bottom line, keep an open mind and the creativity flowing.
