Smart shopping tips

The Hilton Girls sure enjoying their shopping. *SIGH*

Sure, everybody lurveeessss shopping. Shopping can be a real pleasure or a chore (if yours turn to be a bad one). Shopping can be extremely fun, and more importantly, with good planning, you can guard yourself against the temptation of goods that you don't need.

Of course, again, if you know the trick ;) here's a little help:

- Shop with a plan. Always make a list. ALWAYS. Know exactly what you need and how much you can spend. Write it down and create a budget.

- Discounts offered by stores are generally very tempting. Try to avoid impulse buys. That's why you need a list. Except if it's in your budget. Beware not to buy more than you need it. Although you're may thinking SALE, the stores thinking BENEFITS TRAPS.

- Make sure, advertised items are not necessarily the cheapest.YES, that's true, you should mingle and browse to see if there are any good products that more suitable for your need. You can buy a more expensive one you need, rather than the cheaper one that only fulfill half of your need requirement. Think INVESTMENT.

- To avoid crowds, do not shop on payday or just before holidays.Usually, on Tuesday, stores and malls are not so crowded.

- Buy items before you run out of them.

- Although an item is on sale, this does not necessarily mean it is a good deal for you. If you don't need it, don't buy it. Except, if you want to stack lots of junk in your house.

- Emotions often affect your shopping: Be careful of the "I deserve it mentality". Actually, there are more mentality rules, like: "don't go shopping when you're hungry"-well, you can have more energy and you mind will be more synchronize will your stomach, in a way-, "don't buy things for eye-candy only","don't shop with more than 2 peoples"-it gives more focus, plus avoids the temptation to shop more & more-.

- Buy at the end of the season. They usually give a good price because the new one is coming (but not to soon).

- Stock up when prices are low.

- Check the entire store for specials and alternatives. Store own brands, local made and economic package is a savvy choice for tight budget.

- Keep in mind that larger is not always more expensive, nor is smaller always cheaper.

- Watch as the clerk rings up your purchases. Check your receipt.

- If possible, return purchases that do not meet your expectations.