I love shopping, I just can’t deny it. I’ve been shopping on a budget since my college years, and the habit sort of stuck with me. I’m also very active on social media like Instagram, so looking good is absolutely essential.
Maintaining a fine balance between good spending and good clothing can be difficult for someone not used to shopping on a budget. But learning how to can really help you and your savings in the long run. You can check ready to wear sale, which does not necessarily have to cost you hundreds of dollars.
Shopping Hacks with Limited Money
Preferably, you have a limited amount of money to spend, but you can’t help but buy some new clothes or accessories. What do you do? The biggest mistake made by people is they pull out a new outfit every time they receive their monthly paycheck. This causes the situation where two or three weeks later you’re trying to survive on packaged noodles and yogurts 3 meals a day. Though at least your physical appearance is nice isn’t it? Wrong! Well, let me share you something you hardly ever thought of when you want to shop. These 5 hacks can help you understand what I’m talking about, especially when you are watching your budget:
- Ask For Discounts
- Check Out Pre-Loved Clothing
- Never Waste a Coupon
- Members Only Amazon Prime Deals
- Look into Ebates
Read more about these hacks below for a better understanding on how to shop at a lower budget.
Ask for Discounts
Perhaps one of the worst things about being a millennial is this irrepressible need to avoid anything that might seem like an awkward conversation. For many of us, that includes asking for discounts when we go shopping. We are so used to brands telling us what to do and what to wear, that we feel shy in trying to haggle for a better price. But think of it this way.
The best-case scenario is you get something you love for a significantly cheaper price than originally asked. The worst-case scenario is you end up shopping it at the same price you were willing to pay. So you really have nothing to lose, and several valuable dollars to gain (or save!) if you try asking for discounts at stores.
Check out Pre-Loved Clothing
You can’t have a literal beggar’s budget and be a high-roller about your clothes at the same time. Come on now, most of us girls will spend more than a week’s wages on a pair of shades from Tom Ford or a leather jacket from Gucci. Well, is it impossible then? No! That means there is no reasons why you cannot go through the website of eBay or ThredUp shopping second-hand clothes. Some of these online clothing stores such as ThredUp have a very tight list of acceptable conditions of clothes they have in their stock. You can probably get your hands on a stylish, magnificent looking elegant piece which can also be expensive at cheap price.
Never Waste a Coupon
Don’t ever underestimate the usefulness of a coupon. You can easily get some if you sign up for a reward program at the stores you frequent. Most stores offer free reward memberships and you usually get several useful coupons. Of course, you may not always get a store coupon for Zara, but it is still worth the effort. Even if you get a discount coupon for groceries, you can allocate the money you save to go towards the next outfit you purchase.
Exclusive Amazon Prime Promotions
This may not sound like much of a tip since it’s Amazon thus you go there to spend your money and not necessarily save it. But Amazon Prime in fact contains several special promotions as well as two-day delivery to your home. More importantly, for every friend you refer to Amazon Prime, you get $10 off of your subscription. College students using their .edu email can get Amazon Prime for free for six months and after the grace period, get half off subscription fee. I’ve not even mentioned additional bonuses like videos, movies, and television shows are available on-demand.
Look into Ebates
Haven’t heard of Ebates? Still, it always astonishes me that people know little to nothing about what Ebate is or can do for you when you’re running on a shoe-string. Ebate is a company and affiliated with many affiliated store running into thousands. When you purchase at these affiliated stores through Ebates.com, you get special deals and cashback on your order too. This might sound like some get-quick-rich-rick-bogus-scam but believe it for real! I have ordered a nice collection of Pakistani clothes online USA through the affiliated stores that were much cheaper than the shown price.
Always use the stores which are associated with the Ebate. Still, you will come across some clothing stores that you may love!
