Loading ...General Budget Buying
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The option to save money and buy good quality is out there and there are a few steps that will help you find it and use it wisely
Thrift Stores:
☼Smell the fabric for smoke and body odors, that way you are prepared when you clean it
☼Look for stains under the arms of shirts and for missing buttons
☼Be friendly to the staff and be patient as they price and mark things.
☼Don’t forget to donate what you don’t want
☼Check between the legs for tears and organic stains (blood, body fluids)
☼Make sure that the zipper works
Find out if you are buying in the right season for the best deal (just a few starters):
January - Bedding, TV sets, Winter clothing, Toys
February - Furniture, Workout equipment, Small electronics
March - Winter Coats, Humidifiers, Space heaters
April - Computer gear, Spring Clothing, Luggage
May - Athletic apparel and shoes, Barbecue and picnic foods
June - Hardware and home fix-it tools and materials, Summer clothing and swimwear
July -Air conditioners (through September), Major appliances, Outdoor Furniture
August - Bedding, School supplies, Camping Equipment, Dehumidifiers
September - Scooters and bikes, Gardening supplies, BBQ gear
October - Candy, Outdoor Sports gear and equipment
November -Autos, Bikes, Computers, Blankets/Comforters
December - Autos, Toys, TV sets, Thanksgiving food (to be frozen)
Additional reading:
EIGHT TIPS FOR SAVVY SHOPPING (just disregard it says holiday, these tips are good all year around!)
Second Hand Shopping Tips
Shopping is as Shoppers do
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January 7th, 2008 at 1:44 pmPeace,
Stefan
Why would I buy clothes that someone already wore and rubbed their dirty body all over them?
Dawn’s Note: The power of the washer is a wonderful thing!
January 11th, 2008 at 8:26 pmThe power of the washer is a wonderful thing!
Heh.
I’m absolutely IN LOVE with my local thrift store. I would never have made enough money to pay full price for the clothes I’ve bought there and it was particularly thrifty when I decided I wanted to drop some weight I’d gained using HRT. Might have spent two years getting to where I wanted to be, and I could go down one size at a time, recycling the clothes I bought last year for this year’s size. Seems like LOTS of people give away barely worn clothing, because I’ve been able to get like-new clothes in each year’s styles! I don’t think I can ever go back to the hassle of mall shopping.
January 13th, 2008 at 1:19 amI’m also a believer in thrift store clothes. I started shopping for costumes for my kids’ theatricals, then kept seeing things I liked. Down scaled my body size (successfully!) as part of a research study at a local university and depended on the thrift store as I went down 6 sizes in 18 months. Imagine trying to clothe yourself thru that many sizes via full price or even sale price retail! I buy new underwear, everything else is pre-owned, not necessarily pre-worn, many things have the original store tag (and price) still on them.
January 13th, 2008 at 6:55 ami absolutely love my thrift store. as for the comment “Why would I buy clothes that someone already wore and rubbed their dirty body all over them?” what makes your own dirty body so much better. DO you not trust your washer and dryer?
January 14th, 2008 at 2:02 ami look at clothing, i decided if it is possible for that item to have been in my wardrobe for months? if so, i buy it, i dont get rid of clothing that i have worn past brand new status, so why only buy brand new clothing? i do buy underwear and socks new, but i am perticular about them, underwear have to be perfect fitting, and all my socks, (every last one of them) match all the others, i dont have to match socks that way.
i love that i am not causing further waste in the world.
I am also support buying second hand. It is not only economically a better choice but is enviromentally a better choice. I to would like to say in response to Lawrences comment. How many hotels have you stayed at where you used their towels and bedding. I`m pretty sure they were used by many other people before they were washed.
January 14th, 2008 at 11:45 amI too support the idea of shopping thrift stores. However, when I was younger and didn’t concern myself with managing a household and providing for others, I didn’t feel warm to the idea and maybe that is where Lawerence is now. You may surprise yourself some day Lawerence. Also, one point that must be mentioned…you have no idea how many people try on clothing in a store before it is actually purchased. So how much worse is shopping at a thrift store? I have purchased clothing from a thrift store that still had all the tags on them the only difference is I paid the 1.99 not the suggested retail…That savings makes me smile and I feel that I am being responsible with what I have.
January 14th, 2008 at 12:55 pmActually, I find that it is cheapest to buy swimsuits in the Fall/Winter and winter clothes in the Spring/Summer.
Just thought I would share.
January 14th, 2008 at 7:20 pm