I am what you would call an uber shopper. If I can shop I will. I am NOT a browser really. Even if I don’t have a shopping list, I’ll march into a store, grab a basket and briskly walk around and pick out things that catch my eye. This can be a problem at the till when I find I have chosen a bajillion things but I have always been the same. If I can have a list when I go shopping then I prefer it because I can go to areas of shops directly. I love a good bargain but Sales are the bain of my life because I simply cannot be bothered to sort through the absolute bomb site that is sale rails let alone get elbowed and pushed out the way for the last size 8 neon crop top – don’t worry love, I’d have needed one for each boob! However, liking  a bargain and needing to save money are important to me because the reduce the risk of me getting buyers remorse as soon as I get home, though this only ever happens when I buy something for myself. Therefore, I thought I’d share with you a couple of my top tips for saving money when shopping…
Do It Online!
I am all about supporting the High Street and do want them to stay as they are a huge part of our English culture and once a month my mum and I will go to town and peruse the shops and have a coffee and it’s a nice trip out. However, if you want to save money then online is where it’s at. YES, you can wait for the sales in the shops like I do and then hit them hard BUT if there are no sales on then Google is your friend.
Price Comparisons
Now, whatever you are buying be it groceries, a car, clothes etc. 99% of the time there is a price comparison site out there that will help you. For example, if you’re looking for a new mobile phone, then it’s a good idea to check somewhere like Mobile Phone Checker, where you can check out all the prices on models out there. I know that when I do online food shopping, I always put my list into My Supermarket and check which shop is going to deliver it to me cheaper.
Vouchers
Most people think that vouchers and coupons are a thing that belong to America – well people I am here to tell you that’s NOT true. I wrote all about my obsession with Extreme Couponing ages ago and whilst we cannot go to the extremes that the American’s do, you’d  be surprised how many there are out there for us Brits. You can visit sites like Super Savvy Me and Caring Everyday that give some really great coupons to help save you money. You should also keep an eye out in magazines and newspapers and on the back of food packets as so many brands pop a coupon on their packaging to say thank you. If you find one, for goodness sake pop it in your purse or handbag so you have it with you the next time you go shopping!
Bloggers
You’d be surprised how many blogs there are out there dedicated to saving people money. My friend Laura co-runs the awesome Savings 4 Savvy Mums which I myself have gotten quite a few great tips from especially when it comes to cooking on a budget and making meals go further. You should definitely check out her blog which has featured suggested deals for you and then over on their Facebook page they are regularly sharing really useful tips that would help everyone be a little better off!
Competitions
Now this technically isn’t shopping but it kind of is because you can go window shopping at the prizes. You would be so surprised how much you can win. I spent 3 months entering a few competitions a day, honestly not very many and I actually on average won something at least once a  week. There are literally hundreds of competitions a day/week you can enter and they are so easy and simple to enter that sometimes one click and you’re in! There are loads of places you can find competitions to enter such as mine and Rachel Bustin’s Competition page which has new weekly competitions on it as well as websites like PrizeFinder too. Good luck and I hope you all win!
So those are my top tips for ways you can enjoy shopping without being worried that you’re going to break the bank each month. Don’t forget you can also use websites like Facebook For Sale and eBay to sell old stuff to help build your money pot for buying new stuff. Alyssa has some really lovely clothes but she is growing so fast so we always just pop them on one or the other and build up a little Alyssa’s new wardrobe fund and then enjoy going to the actual shops and having a little spree.
Hope they help and do let me know if you manage to grab any bargains. Do you have any super tips?
This is a collaborative post.
15 Comments
Love these tips! Always good to find ways to save money! X
I particularly check out online prices before visiting the local stores. All of these are great tips to save money while shopping.
I’m guilty of not using price comparison sites and just kind of buying things at whatever shop I end up at – I need to get savvier. I’m really awful at saving money – you’d think that means I have a lot of it, but that’s so not the case. #ablogginggoodtime
This is right up my alley!! I love saving money when I can, and these are great ideas!!
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
#ablogginggoodtime
These are all great tips! As an American yes, there are a lot of coupon books out there and some great apps as well that I use on my phone. Though I will say that I’ve been bad at this lately and need to get back to it. #ablogginggoodtime
Great tips! I love shopping online for finding the best deals and often find what I want in the shops and then go home and buy it online cheaper. I’m quite reserved when I am buying for myself, unfortunately I don’t have the same restraint when it comes to buying for the kids!! #ablogginggoodtime
Great tips and they are always welcome as we all love to try to save money shopping. #ablogginggoodtime
Yes I am a huge fan of coupon-ing and finding deals online! I also use cashback sites to save money/get money back on my purchases. #Ablogginggoodtime
I am obsessed with Poshmark- it’s a retail site that sells used designer items. OBSESSED.
#ablogginggoodtime
I have always wanted to be a couponer I used to watch the American program I have just not had a go myself. Competitions are a good one I have won loads of stuff over the last few years #ablogginggoodtime
Great tips. I always shop online when I can and Love voucher sites. I also use Quidco to earn cash back. The amount we have got back over the last few years is incredible!
#ablogginggoodtime
These are great tips, we are always looking to save a little bit of money here and there. #ablogginggoodtime x
Great tips! I always research online before heading to the shops. Love vouchers/coupons! #ablogginggoodtime
We have a set of shops here called, $5 Below. Everything in the store is either $5 or below. It’s Brilliant. It is filled with the same things that stock the shelves of Target and Best Buy… yet doable. Birthday party gifts and supplies are a must here! #ablogginggoodtime xoxo
I think on the whole I’m a pretty savvy shopper, and I always work hard to find the best deal… But I’m also a bit of a Jekyll & Hyde case because I’m also an uber shopper just like you! I have LOTS of glass jars strewn around my house for that exact reason… and empty photo frames strangely, seeing as all I ever do is take photographs haha!! #ablogginggoodtime