How to Shop Smart

Planning Your Trip

Decide upon your needs. Learn to live with less. Layer your summer clothes during the winter for a different look. Learn to use a small purse. Limit makeup and accessories. Going without can be a real adventure.

Calculate your approximate total price before you go shopping. Before going to the shops, make a list of all of the items that you want to buy. Calculate roughly how much this will cost, then subtract that total from how much money you will be taking. You can decide on what you will be able to afford to buy.

Make sure your parents or anyone else who will know about your shopping trip won't complain about it, because once you buy something they think you shouldn't have, they will question your every shopping trip.

Determine how many times you'll use/wear it. If the answer is not a lot, then don't bother.

Make a plan. Determine what you need to complete an outfit. Something that doesn't match or fit well may never be worn.

Making Smart Decisions While Shopping

Don't blow all your money on just one thing, unless it's something you have been saving up for for ages. Remember, buy just one thing with a lot of money and you may regret it.

Make sure to look in a wide range of shops before buying an item. You never know if something will be cheaper at the next shop you look at.

Make your own style. Start an inexpensive, unconventional trend. Ignore advertising. Why follow the crowd?

Have style. Choose your outfits carefully. Look for the most accentuating outfits worn by others with the same figure, skin tone or hair color. Wearing different shades of the same color is slimming and easy to put together.

Extend your wardrobe. Take the time to coordinate your clothes into a month's worth of outfits. Make a list of all possible combinations and refer to it frequently.

Be sure it's exceptional. Be patient. Check for quality, color, fit and a long-lasting style. You'll want to wear a garment for a few seasons, then recycle the fabric into another garment or accessory.

Compare clearance prices online. Have a rough idea of what you're willing to pay. Review the current styles. Keep a list of reasonable prices in your purse.

Try the flea market. You'll find a variety of unique imported and second-hand items. You can bargain for a better price.

Try the dollar store. Their selection may be limited, but they have cute clothes and accessories. This is a great place to buy pajamas and slippers.

Try thrift stores. Vintage is always in fashion. Brand names can be found. Worn clothing is very comfortable. Look for fabrics to make something new.

Try Walmart. Search both the men's and women's departments. If you're petite, search the children's department as well. This is a great place for the basics.

Try Target. They have a stylish clothing line of good quality and reasonable prices.

Watch for sales. Use coupons during the holiday sales, either online or in stores. Try things on prior to a sale. Take time to think things over to avoid impulse shopping.

Bring a limited amount of cash. Stay within your budget. Leave credit cards at home.

Check a lot of shops before buying anything. Usually a lot of shops have the same things, so you should check before buying. You'll probably find clothes that look alike for cheaper than in other stores.

Choose quality over quantity. Rather than buying 10 cheap shirts, go for one good quality shirt. Don't be careless while buying cosmetics. While buying new products buy the smallest packet or get a free sample for a trial run; if it suits you then go ahead.

Monitoring Spending

Watch your expenses at the end of your shopping day. At the end of the day, you still have some money, don't spend it for the sake of it, keep it for next time, that way you can save up for something else.

Do not remove the tags. Wait a week to think it over. Remove the tags once you're sure you'll enjoy your new item.