There is a way for you to enjoy Tampa shopping and not fall under a pile of debt. If you are not smart about your shopping choices and the way you shop, you will tend to spend your savings or max out your credit cards.
Both scenarios are unacceptable. You need to be smart with your money or you’ll end up paying loans and mortgages and credit card debts until your old and gray.
Here are some tips on how you can become a smart shopper:
Sign up for newsletters
While you may be annoyed with the many newsletters you receive in your email, these are actually a treasure trove of information about the latest promotions the stores have. Create a separate email address exclusively for these newsletters so you don’t have to wade through it along with your important work emails.
Check these newsletters regularly, especially if you need to buy something, because they include promo codes exclusively for those who signed up to the stores’ newsletters.
Put important holidays on your calendar
Memorial Day, Labor Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, Veterans Day… whatever holidays there are, trust that malls and retail stores will have a promotion attached and referring to that celebration and occasion.
Mark these dates on your calendar and make sure to schedule your shopping around these days because most stores offer great discounts and promotions to celebrate these occasions.
Collect coupons
If you don’t already know, coupons are a great way to save money when you want to buy something, especially from the grocery stores. There are actually times when we were able to save $50 by using a single coupon.
Collect as many coupons as you need from the stores you usually frequent (there’s no use in saving coupons from stores that are not available in your area or that you don’t plan on visiting). Coupons can be found in the product’s packaging or the in-house newsletter of grocery stores or in magazines and newspapers or around the web.
The good thing about these coupons is that they are now available in digital form so you don’t have to print them or cut them out from magazines anymore. You can just save the codes in your phone and show them to the cashier when you’re ready to pay.
Check your credit card points regularly
If you are not aware of your credit card points, you are missing out on a great opportunity to shop and save money. If you are regularly using your credit card, you are racking up points that you can use to get gift certificates or even travel miles. Make sure to check your points and see what you can get from them.