Today’s guest post comes to us from Kathryn of Become.com’s shopping blog Pocketchange!
Trying to save money is always a challenge. It takes work, patience and strategy to live both comfortably and frugally, however there are a few things that make this much easier. In honor of the upcoming holiday season and the Thanksgiving spirit, here are five things I am thankful for that help us spend wisely but live richly!
- Online Shopping – Sales are at our fingertips! We no longer have to spend a day at the mall searching for the best sales and lowest prices, which takes a lot of energy and persistence. Whether we follow a news feed of deals, search for products or use comparison shopping engines, we are able to quickly discover where we should make our next purchase and how little we can get away with spending.
- Discount Stores – Stores that sell items in bulk, such as grocery warehouses, and stores that sell the surplus products from more expensive department stores are treasure chests for good deals. If you have the patience to look around, you can get great quality items at huge discounts. This is the easiest way to purchase nice brands without spending a fortune, and personally they are my favorite shopping destinations!
- Coupons – Why wouldn’t you want to save money on everyday items? Although the savings might be fifty cents here, a dollar there, coupons can add up quickly and will result in a great percentage of monthly savings! I never overlook mailing inserts or grocery store ads because they have great deals on items I will be purchasing anyway, so it is a great bonus to save a few dollars.
- Holiday Sales – Holiday season means shopping season, as we are giving gifts to family, friends, coworkers and neighbors. Luckily, if you start shopping early you can find some great holiday deals. Whether it is a free shipping offer for an online purchase or a special gift set product in the stores, now is a great time to save a little on the items we purchase for our loved ones. Knowing you scored a great deal can add to the joy of watching someone open a gift that they love!
- Friends – The “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” idea couldn’t be truer for a bargain shopper! Borrowing, sharing and trading items that you and your friends no longer use can be a great way to get some new items without even opening your wallet. I love handing over a sweater that I don’t wear anymore in exchange for a purse my friend put back in her closet.
Living on a budget does not have to mean living with little, and for this I am quite thankful!
This guest blog was written by Kathryn Ek, holiday season enthusiast, experienced bargain shopper, and writer for Become.com’s shopping blog Pocketchange. Visit Pocketchange for more great shopping advice, and visit Become.com for all of your comparison shopping needs. Happy Holiday Savings!
