As a follow up to yesterday’s post on how to get by without expensive things you see on blogs, here’s some of my don’t-go-broke strategies:
Have the patience of an angel. Wait it out. The price will go down or it’ll go on sale.
Don’t fear individualism. Do you really have to have something just because everyone else does? Go ahead, be different.
Be a coupon-o-holic. Chances are there’s a coupon or discount code out there somewhere. Coupons don’t just come in newspapers anymore- Google whatever you’re looking for plus the word ‘coupon’, or try sites like retailmenot.com or groupon.com.
Exploit your neighbors. Know somebody that works somewhere? Ask if they can help you out. (Don’t be crass about it though.) Maybe they can tell you the best time of year to buy a certain product. Perhaps they’re allowed to share their employee discount, or hand out coupons to friends.
Be a store-whore. Just because you saw it at Place A doesn’t mean it’s not cheaper at Place B, C, or Z. Shop around. Ask about price matching. Some online stores don’t charge tax in certain states- that can add up! (And there’s often free shipping deals.) Try sites like amazon.com, tigerdirect.com, etc.
Get creative. See if there’s something else you can use or do instead. Maybe there’s something you can compromise with while you wait for something to go on sale. (Like putting new tires on a hybrid bike & pretending it’s a road bike.)
Be selective. Some things just don’t go on sale, and maybe you can’t wait. Pick one or two things you absolutely can’t live without and buy them. Save money somewhere else.
I don’t splurge on everything I see. When I do get nice things, you can bet I haven’t paid full price. I stalk sales, coupons, & deals like it’s my job. (Immediate gratification it is not.)
So if you see a dSLR pop up on my blog one day, don’t call me a hypocrite. 
Have any strategies to add?
{ 14 comments… read them below or chime in }
Hehe…I loved the “be a store whore”…haha!!! Awesome.
I don’t think buying expensive things is bad, but I always save up for those special things. If I really want a camera I’ll just save up however long it takes till I can afford it without going broke. I might not get it for five years, but if it’s something I love, it’s worth the wait.
I do the same thing. Then I REALLY appreciate it when I buy it
I really enjoyed your post yesterday and this one! I would give anything for a DSLR but know that it’s just not the time to be spending that money. Anyway, thanks for sharing these tips!
Great post! This is exactly the reason why I wrote my budgeting mini-series a couple months ago; people have no idea how to manage their money and it’s really important that we learn these kinds of strategies. Creating a budget is also essential. And writing down everything that you spend does WONDERS.
Great tips! I really need to work on the patience part…I find if I wait I may not even want it as badly tomorrow!
Buy online, or at least comparison shop online. And if you do buy online ALWAYS google the store name and the word “coupon” I have saved mega bucks this way and you can almost always find a free shipping code!
I love this post! I don’t know if this applies, but when I’m shopping, I ask myself if I really NEED what I have in my hand. If I still can’t decide, I put it back where I found it. If I really want it that badly, I’ll go back for it. And most of the time, I forget all about it!
I love this post
I google coupon & promo code ALL THE TIME, and it works probably 85 % of the time… even if that’s just free shipping – but many times I get percentages off order – some BIG.
…and I LOVE groupon and living social. both give you $ when referring friends, and I have had a couple groupon deals FREE because of that. I recently paid $5 for a deal that was $25 for $50 in delivered groceries, because I had credits from referrals. it’s pretty crazy fun
love these types of posts. everything just keeps getting more and more expensive these days!
This is great. I don’t have a lot of debt (besides student loans) but I really live paycheck to paycheck. I do have a bit of a savings which I am so proud of, but I’m scared some kind of emergency will come up and drain me completely.
Thanks for these tips. I have got to get a little cushion back in place so I don’t have to live paycheck to paycheck.
I am a total “store whore!” Love that phrase! I actually find lots of specialty items, like nut butters, at stores like Marshall’s or TJ Maxx for much cheaper! I also limit myself to one fancy food item at a time. No loading up the cart with fancy stuff. I must pick one!
great tips!! i think i follow them all – though i’d never heard of those coupon sites before so i will have to check them out. i find a lot on company’s websites, but that gets to be a pain going to twenty different sites to print out a coupon for 50 cents off :\
i mentioned it yesterday too, but making your own lunches and coffee, etc. even if it’s not possible to do it everyday – if you eat out for every lunch, pick one day where you’ll bring from home. be surprised how much you save in a month
oh and i totally follow the wait it out plan! not to wait for the price to drop – but I know i’m one of those people that, the second i get an idea in my head, i HAVE to have it. usually by the time i give myself a couple days i either realize i don’t need it, or can find it cheaper “eventually.”
These are great tips. When I’ve saved up for something(for my dSLR) and waited it out it(which felt like forever) just makes finally getting it that much sweeter.