When making big or even small purchase decisions you should always use a “should you buy it” flowchart. Right now, Get Rich Slowly has an excellent version of the should you buy it flowchart (seen below) posted with all sorts of tips about how to use said flowchart and ideas that can help you be a more savvy shopper.

I have my own version of the should you buy it flowchart, but I use a basic list of questions to help me decide about purchases. Because I’m big time into green living, my flowchart actually covers some green issue too.My list …read more

Reward clubs come in many forms from warehouse shopping clubs, to store rewards, to roadside assistance, to movie rental rewards and more. BUT they’re not always worth it. Most cost a fee, sometimes monthly, sometimes annually, and once in a while a flat join rate fee.

To work out whether a reward club is worth it to you, consider the following.
Are you compulsive when shopping or do you carefully consider each purchase? If you’re compulsive (be honest) warehouse shopping clubs like Costco may not be the best deal. These stores are set up to get you to buy more AND to …read more

A 2007 study from the Stanford Graduate School of Business notes that shoppers who are forced to pay separately for each item purchased spend less that shoppers who buy a lot all at once. The study states that people who spend more may be doing so because they’ve built a “shopping momentum” with an initial purchase. Researchers found that for most people buying a first item leads to a “purchasing floodgate.”

In one of the field tests, students were given the opportunity to buy discounted items from the researchers as compensation for their participation. Some students initially were offered a light …read more

One of the best websites that a budget minded individual can visit this holiday season is Free Shipping. At Free Shipping you can quickly browse through hundreds of current free and low-cost shipping deals. Tons of popular shopping sites are listed at Free Shipping (over 1,500) including Victoria’s Secret, Target, Bloomingdale’s, Kohl’s, Sears, Best Buy, Old Navy, Nordstrom and Macy’s and the site is updated frequently.

When you click on a retailer’s section at Free Shipping you’ll get back info on each deal, purchase requirements, expiration dates and free shipping codes. In more ways to save news, Free Shipping has also …read more

Last week I posted about dollar stores not being such an amazing deal. Which I’m standing by, but it would appear than topics come at me in droves because I just saw a Consumer Reports video about the dangers (and sometimes deals) of dollar stores. If you frequent dollar stores this two minute video is worth a quick watch.

Some common dollar store dangers they pointed out were toys that children could easily choke on and lighters that look like toys. My biggest danger gripes at dollar stores are the beauty and bath care products – most are chock full of …read more

CBC TV has a long running show on air called Marketplace, a show that aims to, “Weed out wrongdoing against consumers, and puts pressure on people in power to set things right.” The show is usually pretty darn good offering advice on everything from how not to buy a puppy to how sweepstakes can cost you to new home nightmares and more. However, one episode not to miss is how not to fall prey to the seven sins of the marketplace.

7. Sin of Addition – companies adding on “must haves” when you just need or want to buy one item.
…read more

The 80/20 rule is a great rule that can be applied to all sorts of purchases in order to save you cash each and every day. The 80/20 rule means you spend 80% of your money (or budget) on necessities and 20% on other items that you simply really want or that you don’t need but want to indulge in. Once you start using and thinking about the 80/20 rule as you shop, it’ll start to come more naturally too.

You can use the 80/20 rule on…
Groceries – 80% of your groceries should always be staples like bread, milk, produce, rice, …read more

I had become used to purchasing large eggs from the grocery store.  This came from months of seeing that large eggs were the best bargain on the shelves.  I had compared the sizes of the large eggs with the extra large eggs and decided to change my normal purchasing routine.  Large eggs it was.

Little did I realize that I had become patterned in my buying again and was no longer conscientious of egg prices.  Finally, this week when the price of large eggs went up once again, I looked around the shelves.  To my surprise, I noticed that extra large eggs were …read more

There are tons of thrifty tips in the world, but when it gets down to it, the number one way to save is to buy less stuff; followed closely, I think, by save money on the stuff you actually need. Here are five good tips for buying less.

Grab a basket: If you know you only need a few items grab a basket not a cart. You’ll be less likely to fill it up.
Shop late: Again, for those few item shopping trips, go to the store about 20 minutes before closing. You won’t have time to impulse shop.
Make a list then …read more

I honestly hate warehouse club type stores. I’ve never been a member of one, but I do have family and friends who have been members and love them.
Why I don’t like them:
I think they encourage over consumption. I have never, not even once, seen a friend or family member walk into a club store and not come out with something not on their shopping list. Maybe it’s the people I know? I don’t know, but people like a perceived deal, whether or not they need it. If you’re into shopping to shop, it’s better to avoid warehouse clubs.
Bulk is …read more