It is actually not too hard to save money by never paying full price for anything. This doesn’t mean you have to haggle in every shop you go in but it does mean you need to plan ahead and search for discounts.
How Much Can You Save?
£100 or more per month
Making It Work:
Maintaining this simple, money-saving philosophy can save you all kinds of cash. Imagine going an entire month with the goal of not paying full price for anything. It might not be entirely possible, but you’re sure to find tons of great deals if you always try to find a discounted price.
Consider these ideas:
At the beginning of the month, make a list of all the items you need to purchase. It’s much easier to find a great deal if you have 3 weeks rather than 1 day to find it. You’ll also find that your life is more organized and peaceful if your purchases are planned in
advance.
Regularly look for sales before you go shopping. If you need a new pair of jeans, check out the sales online or in the paper. With a quick look each day, you’ll avoid missing the best sales. If you can’t find what you want on sale, negotiate for a discount and you might get it, especially if you’re buying several items.
Cut coupons. In the old days, coupons were primarily only available in the newspaper or in magazines. Today, coupons can be found online or with phone apps. Many stores have their own apps or free magazines that provide information about discounts. Remember that some stores are willing to match competitors’ coupons.
Consider buying used. In many cases, it’s possible to find a used item at the fraction of the cost of a new item. Charity shops, pound shops, markets, car boot sales, eBay, and classified ad sites like Facebook marketplace, Gumtree and Preloved can yield exceptional values.
Contact your bank, credit card lenders, and providers of your phone, cable, and other services. You can often negotiate a better deal than you currently have with them.
Spend the next month attempting to pay less than full price as often as possible. Learn the most opportune times to purchase certain items, like linens in the January white sales or cars at the end of the year. You’ll be surprised at the great savings you can realize with a little effort when you decide to never pay full price again.
