Clearance shopping -there's nothing like finding a deal that is 70% or more off the original price. It feels even better when it's an item you've been watching and waiting for it to go on sale. Clearance shopping helped me out so much as a stay-at-home mother raising three daughters. Since I learned the best times to shop the clearance deals, I’ve been having fun and saving money all at once. As fun as clearance shopping can be, there are a few things you should be mindful of when deal hunting. Recently, I received a message from one of you guys asking about my process for shopping clearance sales. While I have several things I take into consideration while shopping, I thought I’d share three tips to help you make the most of your shopping experience, so you don’t waste your time, and most of all, your money.
1. Have a plan- Now, don't get rattled here when I say have a plan. It simply means to have an idea of what it is you are looking for or need. For example, if I have a particular trend I've been wanting to try but haven’t been willing to pay the top price for it, I keep my eyes open for when stores start to clearance items to make a purchase. The regularly priced $88 wide leg jeans I purchased for $20 in February was a perfect example of this. I also used this method when shopping for my daughters while they were growing up. At the end of the season, I took inventory of what they needed, and if jeans and tops were a necessity then I would go shopping knowing exactly what I was looking for. Having a plan saved me time as well as money.
2. Have a budget- Speaking of money, you must have a budget. This way things don't get out of hand. A sale is nice, but if it doesn't fit into my budget, then it's not a good deal for me. Typically, I would prepare ahead of time and set aside a specific amount of money I could spend to get what I needed. So, when shopping for my daughters, I might set aside $200, and during the clearance season I would go to multiple stores and shop until I had spent my allotted funds. For myself, nowadays I'm just aware of my specific needs/wants, and usually have a number that I won't go beyond while shopping.
3. Check for extra savings- Finally, even though an item may be on clearance, you should always check to see if there are additional savings like coupons available. Stores like Kohl's and Old Navy allow you to use their coupons or savings certificates on top of their clearance prices. I love this, and that's one of the reasons I still shop at these stores. Now, if you are rewards member, you can also use your points and money earned in addition to the clearance price and coupons. Can you say winning!
There are so many great deals to be had, but they don't have to cost a lot of money. If you start with a plan, set a budget, and remember to check for extra savings, your clearance shopping experience can leave you looking and feeling like a million bucks!
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