A Guide to Smart Shopping

For those of you who know me you probably know that I rarely pay full price for anything I buy and take pride in my smart-shopping skills (what can I say, it's practically in my blood!) so I thought I'd take the opportunity to pass along some of my pearls of wisdom to help the rest of you get the biggest bang for your buck! Because if you're like me and also a student with a no job, a part-time job or an internship (which loosely translated means working for free) then I'm sure you're always looking for ways to stretch the dollar! So here are a few of mine:

1. Scope out the sales
Many of you I'm sure already know this one, but it is tried and true. I know that sifting through messy sale racks is a pain, but sometimes you can find some awesome things for great prices! In that messy pile is usually always a hidden gem.

2. Always keep the receipts
Sometimes you buy something and then the next time you're out shopping you see that the same thing you just bought went on sale, and you paid full price for it! Since this is obviously unacceptable, bring it back to the store with the receipt and more often than not you can return it and rebuy it for less, or get a price adjustment.

3. Sign up for mailing lists
It usually only takes a few seconds and while most of the e-mails may just be trash, stores will often let you know about upcoming sales, promotions and sometimes they will even send you coupons!

4. Keep your eyes open
Sometimes you can find coupons in places like magazines or newspapers (school newspapers too!)

5. Buy it used
You can save a ton of money by buying almost anything pre-loved but still in great condition. Thrift stores are awesome for finding cheap and unique fashions, and many electronics stores sell everything from used movies, games, CD's etc. for great prices! You would also be surprised at the sweet deals you can find on websites like Craigslist and Ebay, and as an added bonus you're being eco-friendly and reducing waste by reusing old things instead of buying new ones. Three cheers for being smart AND environmentally friendly!

6. Wait it out
We all fall victim to impulse buys at some point or other and then later regret it (yes even me), so a good way to avoid this is if it's not an urgent need, just leave it. Let a day or two go by, and if you're still thinking about that item go back to the store, and if you're still just as much in love with it then buy it. If you don't remember it after some time goes by then chances are you're better off without having bought it.

7. Think hard
Ask yourself, do I need this? Will I wear this? Is it different from the things I already have? If the answer to any of these questions is no, then maybe consider putting it back.

8. When in doubt, ask!
Some stores like Club Monaco offer a 20% discount off regular-priced AND sale items to university and college students with a valid student ID. Score!

So there you have it, the secret's out! Maybe one day you'll be bragging to ME about all the good deals YOU get!

Here's a recent steal of a deal of my own- chunky gold faceted ring from Club Monaco, regularly $39, and I paid just $7.20! (And yes I am wearing it with OPI's black shatter!)