50 POSH Shopping Tips

We’ve got the scoop on shopping POSH on a Budget.

Here are 50 great tips to make you a Posh on a Budget Shopper!

1. Start with doing your research online.

We recommend using a search engine. Use the most relevant key words for best results. For example, if you are searching for a red ball to play in the yard with, search for “red “ball”. Use ” ” around the words which MUST appear in your results.

Custom Search

2. Get price quotes from comparison sites. Take into consideration shipping and handling fees.

3. ALWAYS, ALWAYS,ALWAYS, look for a coupon code or coupon for your item We have a nifty database and coupon codes to get you started.

4.Always consider these factors in your research:
Same exact item, item reviews, return policies, shipping, handling, other fees.

5. Couponing? Only get coupons for items you normally buy- unless it’s for an item that you really want to try.

Coupons are a great way to get to know something new, which is why grocers and companies love to offer them

6. Organize your coupons

It will make your life easier in a pinch. Simply place them in a file with the closest to expiration date closest to you when you view them.

7. Experts say that everything that you really need in a grocery store is located around the perimeter of the store.

Very few items that you actually will purchase will be down the aisles.

8. Check out the end-caps for deals and compare them to what’s in the aisle.

If there are two deals going on and one is significantly differently from the other, grocery stores do not want you to compare prices.

9. What to stockpile on…

Canned items, large quantities that you purchase in bulk of items such as toilet paper (you’ll use it), and other non-perishables. Never stockpile anything that can expire within 6 months, unless you have a large family or group. If you find that you have stockpiled too much of an item such as soap, you can donate it.

10. When to not stockpile

When it interferes with your life and your family. When you are stockpiling items you have never purchased before. Have common sense about it.

11. Looking for freebies?

This goes for giveaways too. If you are not wanting to be bombarded with emails, set up a separate email account. Also, make sure that anything you sign up for is indeed 100% free. Never share your personal information either.

12.Shopping for something big?

Check out  Consumer Reports for unbiased ratings about the products.

13. It’s not always about the price

Don’t forget about the type of customer service that the manufacturer or retailer provides. You can contact the Better Business Bureau or your local consumer affairs department to ask if any other consumers have filed a complaint against the companies you may possibly work with on your purchase.

14. Thinking about an extended warranty?

Find out:

• who manages the warranty (the manufacturer, the seller, or a third party)
• how is this coverage different from the manufacturer’s product warranty
• how are claims handled

15. Know more about warranties.

The FTC suggests:

• How long does the warranty last? Check the warranty to see when it begins and when it expires, as well as any conditions that may void coverage.

• Who do you contact to get warranty service? It may be the seller or the manufacturer who provides you with service.

• What will the company do if the product fails? Read to see whether the company will repair the item, replace it, or refund your money.

• What parts and repair problems are covered? Check to see if any parts of the product or types of repair problems are excluded from coverage.

• Does the warranty cover “consequential damages?” Many warranties do not cover damages caused by the product, or your time and expense in getting the damage repaired.

• Are there any conditions or limitations on the warranty?

16. How to file a complaint.

17. Has your item been recalled?

You can find out more at recalls.gov

18. Looks too good to be true?

It could be a scam!

19. Credit card debt?

Use cash when you can unless, there is a warranty associated with using your credit card first. Then pay it off asap.  Check this out – Credit Repair: How to Help Yourself

20. Looking for a new Credit Card?

Things to consider-

Fees. Issuers use a variety of names for these fees, including “annual,” “activation,” “acceptance,” “participation” and “monthly maintenance.” These fees may appear monthly, periodically, or as one-time charges: they can range from $6 to $150.These fees can have an immediate effect on the credit that’s available to you.
Transaction Fees and Other Charges. Includes cash advances, make a late payments, or if you go beyond your credit limit. Also take note of  Annual Percentage Rates, Grace Periods and Balance Transfer Offers.

21. Need to check out a business?

That’s why there is the Better Business Bureau- it’s a great place to start.

22. Are you familiar with the new credit card rules?

In January 2010, the Federal Reserve Board issued a final rule for credit card companies that provide new protections for consumers.

• Prohibit increases in a rate during the first year after an account is opened and increases in a rate that applies to an existing credit card balance;

• Prohibit creditors from issuing a credit card to a consumer under age 21, unless the consumer has the proven ability to make the required payments or obtains the signature of a parent or other cosigner;

• Require creditors to obtain a consumer’s consent before charging fees for transactions that exceed the credit limit;

• Limit the high fees associated with subprime credit cards;

• Ban creditors from using the “two-cycle” billing method to impose interest charges; and,

• Prohibit creditors from allocating payments in ways that maximize interest charges.

• After the first year of the account, the card issuer can raise a consumer’s interest rate, but the higher rate can only apply to new transactions and it cannot exceed the potential interest rate increase previously disclosed to the cardholder.

• Monthly statements must be mailed or delivered at least 21 days before the payment due date, an increase from 14 days.

23. Going grocery shopping? Eat before you leave.

Research tells us that you are more inspired to spend money when you are hungry.

24. Reconsider the lesser priced store brands if you are not already using them.

A lot of the time these products come from the same planet or manufacturer. The only difference is in the label itself. Dry pasta is a good example.

25. It’s okay to reward yourself.

Just set limits on the reward. For instance, some people will purchase a candy bar as a reward.

26. Know the difference between deals at the end of the aisle and special promotions that have been paid for.

You’ll know when you compare prices. Read the signs as well.

27. Read the labels.

Especially when you are purchasing pharmacy related items. Sometimes, you’ll do much better with the generic but, be sure to compare on a dose by dose basis.

28. Get to know your local dollar store.

You can save on items such as rubbing alcohol and hydra-cortisone. Items for cleaning may be a bit watered down.

29. At the checkout- watch the scanner and try not to distract the person ringing you up.

It’s so much easier to correct a mistake at this point than have to stand in line at the credit counter.

30. It’s okay to not work off a weekly menu.

Sometimes, the rigidity interferes with real life. However, planning a few days a week can help you with your budget.

31. Make lists, keep lists, bring lists.

Organizing the items on your list according to placement in the store is a good way to go.

32. Shop early in the day or late at night.

There will be less people to deal with in the aisles and the shelves will be better stocked.

33. Do you freeze items?

Freezing prepared meals and vegetables works for a lot of people. Just be sure to watch your dates. There are few items that need to remain in your freezer for longer a year.

34. Sometimes you are just better off without something.

Everyone at one time or another has purchased an item that just sat there. Take it as a lesson learned and get rid of it. You need that space and the fresh breath of air.

35. Are you using reusable bags?

Keep them in your car so you have them when you go shopping. There are really good ones for frozen items that will keep for up to an hour.

36. If you can do it, shop alone.

Shopping with others, especially kids, will take your longer and cost you more.

37. Get to know the markdown days.

For grocery stores, it’s usually midweek or Sunday.

38. Friday is the best day to mall shop.

Stores prepare for the weekend which includes marking things down and stocking the racks on Thursday. Percents off and specials will usually go into effect for the weekend starting on Friday.

39. Are outlet malls the guaranteed lowest priced places to shop?

Not necessarily. Sometimes they can just be a retail store at an outlet mall. Also, stores like TJMaxx can sometimes get items cheaper than outlets can sell them for just because of how they do business.

40. Remember, larger containers don’t always mean more product.

Read the package details.

41. Stay way from convenience food.

They will usually cost your more and be loaded with salt.

42. Before you buy in bulk, do some thinking.

Do you have a place to store the items? Will the items be used? Do you need that many items?

43. Consider splitting bulk item quantities with someone else.

44. Shop seasons.

Especially with items such as produce. Not only will you get a better product, but you’ll get a better price.

45. Don’t purchase with a “what if” in mind.

What if I lose 10 pounds? What if I suck my stomach in? What if someone else looked good in this.

46. Know when to shop off-season.

Off seasons work well if you find a swimsuit in November or winter coat in March.

47. The day after Christmas use to be the busiest shopping day of the year.

That’s because retailers would make drastic reductions on items such as cards and paper.
Thanks to a retailing -revolution and the internet we have days like Black Friday to save.

48. The very best clearance sales happen in late January and June.

49. The worst deals are in April, May, August and September.

Especially when you are purchasing for a season- wait for the season to start. The item will most likely be on sale by then and you’ll know what you want.

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