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Bargain Hunting Strategies
by Cyndi Roberts
Whether you do your shopping mostly in retail stores, thrift stores, or
at garage and yard sales, there are some strategies that will work for
you and help you to find a bargain every time!
If you have a child who is hard to fit for whatever reason, you may find
that you must shop at retail stores, even though you'd rather not. Two
things to remember: buy in the off-season (this requires a little
planning ahead) and always head to the clearance racks first.
Wherever you shop, be sure to carry a list of sizes for everyone you're
shopping for. It's helpful to also jot down measurements—waist sizes,
inseam and sleeve length, for instance. All sizes may not be the same,
plus garments that have been laundered may not be the same size they
were when new.
For shoes, make a cardboard cutout of feet and slip it into shoes to see
if it fits.
Keep a tape measure in your purse or at least in your vehicle all the
time.
Carry a file of fabric samples from items you already have that you
might like to match. You can often snip a bit of fabric from a seam
allowance or some other spot that won't show. Just staple to a file card
and carry in an envelope in your wallet.
Always keep your receipts. It might help to jot a note on the back to
make it plain just what the receipt is for!
Here's a benefit to taking children shopping at thrift or resale shops
instead of retail stores: Sizes are grouped together instead of styles
being grouped together. For instance, my granddaughter, Ashley, is a
size 7 and when she goes to a resale shop, she can see all the tops in
size 7 and pick out what she likes. In a retail store, she might pick
out something she likes, only to have Mom say it's not available in her
size or in that particular color. As a result, Ashley would much rather
shop at the resale shop than at the mall! And that has to be a good
thing!
Find out when your local thrift store has its "clearance" sales. Just
like retail stores, resale shops try to clear out merchandise
periodically, typically when seasons change and really good buys can be
found.
Garage and yard sales are great sources for baby and children's clothing
especially.
Instead of buying a newspaper just for the garage sale ads, see if there
is an online copy.
Keep in mind that multiple family garage sales (garage sales put on by
several families in one block) may have already been picked over by one
another.
While the selection may be best early in the day at garage sales,
sometimes by afternoon or by the second day, everything will be marked
down substantially.
Develop the habit of "making an offer" at garage sales. If a price is
more than you want to pay, offer less. All they can say is no. However,
it's been my experience that people will usually accept what you offer.
One last strategy: If your child objects to previously worn clothing,
simply point out that a garment is only new for one wearing. After being
worn and laundered, everything is "previously worn"!
About the author
Cyndi Roberts is the editor of the "1 Frugal Friend 2 Another" bi-weekly
newsletter, featuring creative ideas and tips to help you "live the good
life...on a budget!"
Visit www.cynroberts.com to
download a free "Recipe Sampler". Subscribe to the newsletter and
receive the free e-course "Taming the Monster Grocery Bill".
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