Frugal Friday: 10 Time Saving Shopping Tips
December 7, 2007 by Karen Weideman
Filed under Top 10 lists, frugal friday, shopping, time management, time saving
Here we are with just a few weeks left until Christmas and I thought you all could use some tips to help you save time while shopping.
1. Ask for gift suggestions. If you don’t feel comfortable asking the person, the try asking their friends or family members.
2. Go shopping with a list. Have each person’s name on the list and some gift ideas.
3. Avoid shopping during mealtimes. This will only cost you more time and money, plus the wait time in the restaurants from all the extra business.
4. Delegate. If possible, give some of the responsibilities to someone else. Have your husband be in charge of buying for his parents or have him go pick up the Nintendo game system your child has been wanting. There’s no reason that you have to do it all yourself.
5. Shop during off-peak hours. Right now it seems like there are no off-peak hours, but you know the stores are going to be busier on the weekends.
6. Get a sitter. I know that I can get a whole lot more shopping done when I don’t have my kids with me. It takes time to get them in and out of their carseats and bring all the extra things to help keep them entertained. There’s the extra time of taking them to the bathroom, watching after them, worrying about inappropriate behavior from a child that needs a nap . . . you get the idea. If you can’t get a sitter, then talk to your kids before you go into the store. Tell them your expectations and why it’s important.
7. Consider gift cards. These are an easy, time saving gift to buy. Some grocery stores are even selling other stores’ gift cards. Our Lowe’s Foods grocery store has gift cards for at least 25 other stores.
8. Pack a lunch box. I try to pack a lunch box with water, crackers, or any other snacks that will be quick and easy. Sometimes I will carry a granola bar in my purse to get me by until I can get to the car and my lunch box. This avoids the insanely long lines in the food courts, plus the extra calories and fat.
9. Shop online. Right now is the perfect time to shop online. Stores want your business and many of them are offering free shipping.
10. Use gift bags. This will definitely save you time since you won’t have to find a box or wrap anything. I try to get my gift bags after Christmas when they’re on clearance.
Do you have any tips to share?
Comments
One Response to “Frugal Friday: 10 Time Saving Shopping Tips”Trackbacks
Check out what others are saying about this post...[...] 10 Time Saving Shopping Tips [...]