For the weekend, I’ve rounded up a set of 20 tips to help you make the most of your shopping.  Enjoy!

1. Manage Your “Needs” Versus “Wants” – This is probably the most important tip I can offer.  It’s important to look at every purchase and ask yourself the question “Do I need this, or do I want this?”  Necessities:  food, housing, and the like need to come first.  Only after you have insured that all needs are being met should you begin to purchase items you want, but don’t necessarily need.
2. Make A List And Stick To It – A basic tip for grocery shopping, but it can also be applied elsewhere.  In my day to day life, I keep a running list of items I need to buy in order to keep the household running.  This can be anything from basics like milk and bread, to a new computer because the old one is no longer viable.  With this “need” list in mind, I monitor sales and pick up goods when the price is right.
3. Leverage Loyalty Programs – Many stores and credit cards offer loyalty programs that provide discounts, cash-back, or points that you can redeem for merchandise or services.  Take advantage of them in order to stretch your spending.
4. Buy In Bulk When On Sale – When goods that you use on a routine basis go on sale, take advantage of the savings by stocking up. 
5. Consider Refurbished Goods – In many cases, refurbished goods are warranted and tested to original factory specifications; so in effect, they’re as good as new, but available at a lower price.  Some merchandise: MP3 players and computers, for example, can be purchased at steep discounts to new.
6. Hit Resale Shops – Looking for some decent clothing at great prices?  Check out your local resale shops for gently used clothing at lower than retail prices.
7. Avoid Trendy Items – Remember those baggy-bottom jeans that were all the range recently?  Well, they’re going to be dated and out of fashion soon…just like bell bottoms, knit ties, and cowboy boots.  To make the most of your clothing dollar, stick with classic looks that don’t go out of style.
8. Browse Brick and Mortar Stores, But Buy Online – It’s no secret that the best prices on merchandise can frequently be found online.  Chains like CompUSA have discovered the hard way that it’s difficult to compete with goods sold from the likes of Amazon and Newegg.  When shopping, check prices online before you buy…you may just find that you can save a few dollars by doing so.
9. Snag Relevant Coupons – Before you go shopping, do a quick “Google” and look for coupons or promo codes that you can use to save a few dollars on your purchase. 
10. Say “No Thanks!” To Extended Warranties – Extended warranties are a huge profit center for businesses…But they are terrible values for customers.  Frequently, you are better off passing on them.
11. Borrow, Reuse, Recycle – If you need something that you’ll only use on an infrequent basis, check around and see if you can borrow it from a friend or family member.  Likewise, if you have items that you no longer need, but cannot sell for a reasonable price, then consider donating them to charity or making them available to others through freecycle.
12. Repair, When Possible – In many ways, we have become a “disposable society”.  Items that might have been repairable in the past:  TVs, VCRs, and kitchen appliances, are now considered to be too cheap to repair.  However, check before you toss and replace…You might find that you can repair an item for a lot less than it would cost to replace it.
13. Decorate on The Cheap – Is your place looking a bit dated, or does your furniture look a bit worn?  If so, consider options to update them inexpensively.  A room can be jazzed up with a simple coat of paint.  Likewise, sofas and chairs can be covered with slipcovers.
14. Consider Store Brands – Generics and store brands used to have a reputation as being inferior to name brand products.  However, quality has improved; and in some cases, the goods are made in the same location as the name brand ones.
15. Buy Clothing At The End Of The Season – Need a new jacket?  Wait until the end of the winter season when stores need to move remaining merchandise and offer steep discounts. 
16. Avoid Clothes That Require Dry Cleaning – Weekly dry cleaning gets expensive.  ‘nuff said.
17. Re-Gift When Appropriate – Sometimes we receive gifts that simply aren’t needed, but are still nice.  Keep a stash of these gifts and pass them on to others; but keep a list, so you don’t accidentally give a gift back to someone who gave it to you.
18. Make Your Own Gifts, Cards, and Wrapping Paper – Sometimes the best, most valuable gifts are those we make ourselves.  Likewise, handmade cards and wrapping paper can mean a lot because the recipient understands the time and talent that went into creating them.
19. Buy Used Books – If you want a book that you will keep, then consider buying it used through sites such as Amazon or half.com.
20. Use Your Local Library – Your local library can be a great resource for free access to books, magazines, newspapers, and even DVDs. 

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