How To Save Ten Grand A Year While Shopping

The only one who will ever truly put your financialnwell-being first is you. When you arm yourself with facts,nand you develop your money-making strategies, you'll seenthat it is much less of a chore (and much more fun) to takencontrol of your finances than you might think. You can makenyourself a better shopper and that's what it's all about.

1. Be persistent, but cordial. When you aren't getting thenattention, service, or value you think you deserve, letnsomeone in charge know about it. Don't give up easily.
Continue calling, writing, or showing up in person untilnyou receive satisfaction.

2. Learn the return policies of the stores you shop. Makensure you retain the documents that will allow you a fullnrefund or exchange if you need it.

3. Watch for "after-the-fact" sales on items you purchase.
Some stores will refund the difference in price.

4. Shop outlet malls cautiously. You may live too far awaynto return an item you purchased there. So be sure of fitnand quality before leaving an outlet store.

5. Make certain an outlet is really an outlet. A truenoutlet is a store that sells a manufacturer's merchandisendirect to the public. In other words, there's no retaile
to take its profits. So you can, for instance, buy Searsnpower tools at that company's outlet at prices that are
20-percent less than you could buy those same tools at angeneral merchandise retail store.

6. It's the price, not the markdown ("reduced 30%) thatnyou're interested in. Even after a markdown, an item may benhigher in price than a similar item at another store.

7. Shop early in the day. If you're there when the storenopens in the morning, you'll usually get better service,nwhich can translate into bigger savings.

8. Make friends with salespersons. They can alert you tonupcoming sales, or they can hold items on sale until younget there.

9. If you're offered a refund or store credit for anretu
ed item, take the refund. With a credit, you arenletting the store hold your money for an indefinite periodn- and maybe forever.

10. For apparel, shop off-season when possible. By doingnso, you can save 30 percent or more on coats, up to 50npercent on suits (both men's and women's), more than 40npercent on sweaters, and about30 percent on pants.

11. For fruits and vegetables, shop in-season. Plan you
meals to take advantage of plentiful supplies of freshnfoods (including meats).

12. Before you buy a refrigerator, television set, or othe
big ticket item, check stores with an"price-that-can't-be-beat" guarantee. Then comparison shopnat other stores. With proper documentation (tags ornadvertisements), you're always assured of the lowest price.

13. Avoid so called "bells and whistles" on electronicnequipment and appliances. Most will be rarely used, andnthey'll add to the cost when purchased and when repairs arenneeded.

14. You can save more than $100 a year in fees be selectingna checking account with minimum balance requirement thatnyou can, and do, meet. Compare banks by learning the feesnthey charge and the fees they could charge (for annoverdraft, for example), then go with the bank where youncan save the most. If all things are about equal, go withnthe bank that's most convenient to your home or work-place.

15. Take advantage of loss leaders, but be careful thatnwhile shopping for the loss leader products you don't buynsomething else you really don't need.

16. Never pay full price unless you are sure you have nonother option. It never hurts to ask for a discount.

17. If you need an item urgently - especially one that younmay use only once or twice - consider borrowing it insteadnof rushing out to buying it.

18. Rental car companies offer various insurance and waive
options. Check with your insurance agent and credit-cardncompany in advance to avoid duplicating any coverage younmay already have.

19. A home energy audit can identify ways to save hundredsnof dollars a year on home heating and air conditioning. Asknyour electric or gas utility to conduct this audit (whichnshould be free or cost only a reasonable amount). If notnsatisfied with such an audit, find a qualified professional.

20. Workplace savings: Bring your lunch to work. Join a carnpool or take public transportation. Cut back on eatingnlunch out.

Only you can decide which type of investment, or whichnmixture, is right for you. For most, all these savingsnideas, if implemented, can amount to nearly $10,000 a yearnin savings.