Shopping With Power

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SHOPPING WITH POWER
From food to clothing, from household supplies to houses themselves, most of us spend a substantial amount of time shopping - whether we like it or not. Here are a few pointers for making it easier and more effective.

Plan Your Trips

Coordinate shopping trips so that you make several purchases at once. Keep lists of what you need, and plan your route to save on parking, gas, and time. Try to avoid making trips for just one item.

Be a Loner

If others encourage you to buy more than you need, leave them behind. Kids are notorious for grabbing items off supermarket shelves and throwing them into the cart. Best friends have a way of talking you into that pair of earrings you don't need or that jacket that's too expensive. It's especially easy to acquire discount frenzy, so be cautious in outlets and off-price stores.

Make Friends with the Sales Clerk

If you shop in a certain store often, it pays to get to know a salesperson there. Once a salesperson becomes familiar with your taste - and budget - he or she can save you time and money by calling you when something you would like comes into the store, and by alerting you to upcoming sales.

Warranty Care

When you buy appliances, send in the warranty cards. That way you'll find out about defects or recalls. But if you want to cut down on the number of mailings you receive, don't fill out the questions about life-style, age, income, and so forth - they're used by manufacturers to create mailing lists.

Pre- and Post-Christmas Bargains

Catalog prices are fixed about six to nine months before Christmas. So if there is a sudden increase in prices preceding the holidays, shop from catalogs. Conversely, if there is a downturn in the economy and retailers are discounting, you'll find better bargains at the stores.

Take advantage of big after-holiday savings and get a jump on next year. Shop for wrapping paper, holiday cards and decorations, and other seasonal items at this time.

Spell It Out

When ordering furniture, major appliances, or other large items, find out what is included in the shipping costs before you agree to the purchase. Some firms charge extra for interior delivery, uncrating, and assembly. Try to negotiate free delivery.

Shopping Overseas

Rather than running out to cash a traveler's check when you're shopping abroad, use your credit or charge card. Most banks and charge-card companies use a wholesale market rate to convert overseas purchases, saving you more than the 1% conversion fee they charge.

Excerpted from The Penny Pincher's Almanac Handbook for Modern Frugality by Dean King, published by Simon & Schuster, Inc.

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