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You may be one of those people who always thought that they cannot save money while shopping. Well, here is some good news: you can. Shopping on a budget is the best way to save money. Some of you may be cringing at the thought of budgeting but think of it this way: you are still shopping and getting the retail therapy that you need, you are just simply setting boundaries. Listed below are the tips to saving money in shopping which will also help you become a smart shopper.

1. Set a budget- What you need to do is to set a budget. Go through all of your finances, including reviewing your credit report, conducting a credit check, etc. If you check your credit score and review your report before you set a budget, you will be able to make smarter decisions and you will not be worried about how your shopping will negatively impact your financial standing. That being said, figure out how much money you have coming in, pay all of your necessities first, then your debts and mortgages if you have any, and finally decide on how much money you can allot for your shopping. Aside from budgeting your money, it is also important that you take your time in creating your budget so you can carefully decide on the items that you really want to buy. Never go shopping without a budget as shopping hurriedly will make you spend more than what you can actually afford.

2. Stick to your budget- Once you have set a budget, the next important thing to do to make sure that you do not overspend and wallow in debt is to stick to it. Sticking to a budget might be hard but tracking down your expenses down to the last penny will help. Every time you spend, list the item down. Simple side trips to the coffee store and purchases of candy during shopping might seem small but they do add up in the long run and can affect your budget. If you list down all of your purchases, you will get a good idea of where you spend your money on and help you decide on areas where you can cut back on.

3. Find other resources- The key thing to saving money while shopping is to be smart. Do not hurriedly make a purchase even if it is an item that you truly like. List the item down first and search for it on the store’s online website as online shoppers are sometimes given special sales and discounts.

4. Be creative- Shoppers tend to easily fixate on a certain size or style and because they are more drawn to what they really like, they tend to spend more than their allotted budget. What you should do is to be open and creative to other styles and sizes and fixate on the price tags instead. When you let the price tags guide you in your decision, you are constantly reminded of your budget. Therefore, browse online stores, outlet stores and flea markets and you may be surprised to find out something that is not only better than what you expected but is something more affordable as well. Furthermore, it is also suggested that you be creative with the time of the year in which you shop. Always watch out for clearance holiday items that occur all year round. It avoids you of the stress during the holidays, gives you enough time to buy gifts for everyone and decorative pieces for your home and saves a great deal of money.

5. Separate your needs and wants- Another helpful tip that will help you stick to your budget is to separate your necessities from your wants. When you go out shopping and think of something to buy, always ask yourself whether you need it or not. If not, just leave it. If you are tempted to buy because of its cheap price tag, just keep in mind that no matter how cheap an item is, if it is useless, then you will just end up wasting your money. Always be honest when creating your list of needs and wants. If you are not honest, the purpose will be defeated and you will end up overspending.

A lot of people find it extremely hard to shop on a budget. The key thing to making these tips work for you is to be focused on your goal. When you are constantly reminded of your goal to budget because of your need to save money, you will be more motivated and determined to do so. Do not treat your financial constraints negatively and focus on how they make you become a smart shopper instead. Just follow the tips mentioned above and you will soon find that shopping on a budget is easy and effortless.