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Everybody needs to buy stuff; the good news is, you can go shopping and save money at the same time. With the best frugality tips, you are assured of getting more value for your money when you shop for various goods and services.

1. Set a budget- Conduct a credit score check to review your finances so you can set a budget for each area of your expenses. The next thing to do, although not the easiest, is to stick to your budget. Before heading out to the store, make sure that you create a list of the items you need and want to buy. Prioritize the items you need to buy and if you have some money left, then you can go on and buy an item from your wants.

2. Watch out for sales- Buying things when they are on sale is probably one of the easiest ways to get the things you need and want for less. Always browse through newspapers and magazines so you can watch out for items on your shopping list which you frequently use and stock up on them. Be aware of big sales that occur during the holidays. These may be the best time to shop for clothes, appliances, food, etc. There are even some states which host tax-free shopping days when consumers can shop for the items they want without paying the sales tax. Keep in mind though, that it is never a good idea to buy something just because it seems to be a bargain. A bargain, no matter how cheap it is, will never be a bargain if it turns out useless.

3. Buy out of season- This tip should be applied less to food because out of season fruits or vegetables may taste differently. Thus, make use of this tip to buy retail items such as clothes, furniture or decorative items. Seasonal items will always cost less at the end of the season when the retailer is trying to sell all of his or her stock. Therefore, it would be best if you buy Christmas items at the start of the year or swimsuits during winter season so that you can take advantage of the big sale retailers are going to offer.

4. Buy used items- This most definitely should not be applied to food. If you are not stringent when it comes to items, then you can greatly benefit from buying used items. If you need big items such as lawn mowers or vacuums but find new ones expensive, look for other resources out there that sell second-hand items. You may be surprised to find something better but at a fraction of the cost of the new one.

5. Bring cash only- Yes credit cards may be convenient but if you are trying to save money, you better leave the cards at home and only bring cash with you instead. If you bring your cards with you on a shopping trip, chances are high that you will spend more than what you intended to. But if you have cash, then you will be motivated to stick with the amount of money you have.

6. Make use of coupons- A lot of people are becoming more and more addicted to couponing because of the big, big discount. Look for coupons you could actually use in magazines and newspapers. As mentioned earlier though, do not use the coupon just for the sake of availing of the good deal. Make sure that if you use one, it is for items that you frequently use.

7. Compare prices- Aside from setting a budget for your money, it is also important that you set a budget for your time to compare different prices. At your local grocery store, if you have grown accustomed to a certain brand, try to find out if the store has its own version of the item. A lot of stores are making their own versions of mayonnaise, peanut butter, etc. which are of comparable quality to those renowned ones but are definitely much cheaper. When clothes shopping, before you buy an item at a certain establishment, try to see if they have the same product on their website. Sometimes, stores offer special discounts to online shoppers and you just might be lucky enough to avail of their good deals.

8. Buy in bulk- Buying in bulk is a great way to buy huge quantities of products at very good prices. Although it usually applies to dry goods and toiletries, you can also apply this to food. You can plan your meals weeks ahead, so you can buy vegetables and meat in bulk.

9. Never impulse buy- Always do your research and find other resources before you purchase items so you are sure that you are making the most out of your money. If you are going out shopping, make sure that you have a list of the things you need to buy and focus on that list. It would help if you directly go to the aisles or sections where the items are located, grab the items, pay for them then leave. Take your time when creating your list and your budget though, because if you do this hurriedly, then chances are high that you will overspend and spend more than what you intended.

10. Avoid dry clean only clothes- Always be a smart consumer and think about how your purchases will affect you financially in the long run. You may get a good deal from buying a piece of clothing which is on sale but if it isn’t machine washable, then paying for its dry cleaning every time you use it will take a toll on your budget.

11. Visit online classified sites- There are a lot of online classified sites which you can visit. Everything on those sites is usually being sold at very low prices. Some are even given away for free. Go to those sites, browse through the items and zero in on those which are part of your list. If they aren’t in your list, just skip it. If the items aren’t exactly what you need then it will only add to your clutter.

Being frugal does not mean depriving yourself and trying your best to avoid spending. Just simple be patient, be a smart consumer and take your time to find new resources so you can avail of the best deals and cheapest prices. Shopping for groceries, clothes and other items is something everyone needs to do and by simply following the best frugality tips and strategies listed above, you can go shopping while saving money at the same time.