The Bargainistas' Manifesto

By Tenisha Mercer
www.BargainistasATL.Blogspot.com

I'm a big bargain shopper ... always have been. And that's largely the purpose for this blog. See, it wasn't until I found myself constantly telling people how to save money that I realized that not everyone knows how to do this thang richere.

Not everyone knows how to save a buck. Now, I don't think you need to be cheap or miserly (a closed fist can't receive) but you can use what you save to buy the things you really want, like that Caribbean vacation, splurge on a pair of shoes you've been dying for, or whatever you like.

Bargainistas live by these mottos:

1. Why pay retail? That's right, why? I hardly ever pay retail, especially for clothing -- unless it's something I absolutely need and I don't have the time or ability to get it anywhere else. It's a huge shift in the way you think about buying retail.

Source: StraightMarketing.co.uk

So many people are just used to going to the mall and buying something because they want it. Not me. For me, it's a game, a sport if you will. I don't now boo about basketball or football, but I do know how to make a dolla holla! I rarely buy ANYTHING off the rack; it's discounted or go home!

My goal is to look like I spent a million bucks, not the pricetag!

2. Get over the fact that it's clearance. First things first, though, lose the stigma. There is NO shame at shopping in the clearance or sales racks. None whatsoever. It's like an airplane ticket: No one knows how much you paid; you only know how much you saved. Seriously, this is the biggest way that you can save, so head to the clearance racks FIRST (they are usually in the back of the store). It goes without saying that you'll need to have the time and patience to actually look through it. If you don't like combing through racks, the clearance rack is not your friend.


3. Know your favorite discount stores. I'm a Ross, TJ Maxx and Marshalls addict, but I know other folks who love Kohl's, especially when they combine sales and promotions that reward you with $10 for every $50 spent. That's like FREE money that you prob going to spend there anyway.

I LOVE finding bargains at places like Ross and TJ Maxx. Honey, price tags do not lie. I know that the very same name brands at upscale departement stores like Macy's, Dillard's, Von Maur, Saks and Neiman Marcus can be found right there for less you just have to look. I'll pay much less than you would if you buy at department stores. You can find Michael Kors, Vince Camuto, Ann Klein, Ralph Lauren, Polo and other top name brands. Warning, though: Try everything on, because sizing can be irregular. If it adds money to my pocket, I'll just size up or down.

 

4. Don't buy just because it's on sale. A sale isn't a sale if you aren't going to use the item; it's a waste of money! Only buy items that you love and that you actually need. If you're "so-so" about something, that means that you probably won't use it. Do yourself a favor and leave that "gift" for someone who can appreciate it.

5. Pick your ways to save. Sure, saving money is like a sport for me, but pick your battles. I'm hesitant to do ANY and EVERYTHING to save oney. Some folks use coupons to save (I do, but not usually on food) while others use thrift stores/consignment stores (Yaaasss!) I find many items there with the tags still ON! There are only so many hours in a day, and I want to make my shopping experience as enjoyable as possible while still saving.

I always Google items to price check them, and I use places like eBay to save on most retail items. The Internet  makes it so much easier to save (many items are made in China and if you know certain sites where many trendy womens' clothes are sold, for example, you can save on store markup (usually 50-70 percent).

There are always ways to save, but pick the ones you love and stick to them; they add up!