Do you love shopping? You’re not
alone.
According to the latest
figures, Americans spent over $209 billion on shopping for home
improvement items, fashion, food, and other essentials to get them through the
dark days of 2020.
Although time is an abundant
resource these days, cash flow’s not a certainty anymore, so if you want to
indulge in your enjoyment for everything retail, you’ll need to take
bargain-hunting to the next level.
Check out these shopping hacks to
help you get the most bang for your buck, both online and off.
Online
Shopping Life Hacks
Online shopping is the lifeblood of
those in search of retail therapy nowadays, with most stores offering this
option for stay-at-home shoppers. Here are some tried and tested ways to save
at checkout when you’re shopping online:
Know
When to Shop
Those in the know indicate that
Sundays are the most expensive online shopping day. November’s the cheapest
time of year to shop thanks to the holiday sales, followed by January.
If you can’t wait that long, login
from Tuesday to Thursday to pick up the best deals.
You
Can Haggle With the Internet
It’s true that online stores rely on
automation, but they’re also intuitive.
When you leave an item in your cart
for a while, the website senses your hesitancy, so it’s likely to offer you a
discount when you back out of your shopping cart. So, hang in there if you want
to save.
You can also ask for discounts using
the live chat function, just like you would from a living, breathing shop owner.
Ecommerce stores are facing a lot of competition right now, so it’s in their
best interests to offer you savings.
How
to Save Money at the Mall
If you’re craving a trip to the
bright lights and buzz of the mall, there are a few things you need to know.
Firstly, follow all the recommended safety regulations, and second, read these
hacks about how to shop at the mall.
- Check your prices at the checkout – everyone makes
mistakes - Shop early for special occasions – you’ll overspend in
the last-minute rush - Avoid overspending by ditching the shopping cart or
basket - Don’t fall for impulse items while waiting in line –
distract yourself - Always ask about price-matching initiatives
- Avoid buying things simply because they’re on sale
As a final tip, before you buy something
expensive, think it over overnight. It’s easy to get carried away while you’re
in the moment and overspend on something you don’t really need.
Tech-Savvy
Shopping Hacks
If you’re like most of us, you spend
a lot of time on your smartphone, right? You can use this to your advantage
when bargain hunting. Sign up for loyalty cards, newsletters, shopping apps,
and email marketing from your favorite stores.
That way, you’ll receive
up-to-the-minute notifications about upcoming and current discounts wherever
you are. You can learn more about how shopping apps work here.
Get
More of Your Favorite Things
While shopping hacks and tips are
great for indulging your retail cravings, there’s a lot more to life than
shopping. If you’re a little tight when it comes to finances right now, rather
find something else to enjoy.
Browse our website for some ideas on
how to spend your time as well as more life hacks for saving
money.