There can be a real temptation to go crazy with buying the pretty things when you see them on sale, simply because the price seems irresistible. Homewares are a weakness of mine and it can be tempting to justify to myself that the pretty pie dish will come in handy one day. But in reality, I don’t make pies, so I don’t really need it right now (even if it is 70% off). Here are my tips for making the most of a bargain price without buying what you don’t need.
Make a list.
The first place to start is to get a notebook you can keep in your handbag, where you write down the things that need replacing, but there isn’t an urgent need for them. You could also have a checklist in your Evernote on your phone, if you prefer to go digital.
Things to add to this list:
- Sheet Sets and Duvet Covers
- Pillows and Duvets/Comforters
- Gift Ideas
- Homewares – cutlery, crockery, baking dishes, serving ware, etc
- Towels, Bath mats, Facewashers
- Sporting Equipment (for next year/season)
Do your research.
Before you’re ready to buy, do some research and learn which brands are good quality and which ones will break the moment you wash/use them for the first time. (It’s not really a bargain if you have to constantly replace it). You can find this information with a quick search and you can also use the catalogues of big department stores to see what the popular higher end brands are. Write the names in your notebook if you have a preference for them so you can keep an eye out.
Know where and when to shop.
Some stores have sale times at particular times of the year where you can get great products at 60% or more off the price. If you don’t mind “past season” goods (that are still new just priced to move), then this is a great way to save some money whilst sticking to your list of what needs replacing.
Classic sales times (in Australia) include: Boxing Day and Post-Christmas sales; Stocktake Sales (June/July); Post Stocktake Sales (August – this is a great one for early Christmas gifts) and End of Season Sales (end of Winter and end of Summer particularly). Many stores will now email you about their sales, if you don’t mind getting all the sales emails throughout the year.
Other places to shop are stores that only stock past season or “ready to move” stock, where the prices start at 50% off and often more than that. These are particularly dangerous without your handy list, so be sure to take it with you. We have one locally called Trade Secret and it’s similar to the US’s TJ Maxx. You can shop these places year round, but often have limited stock that won’t be replenished once it’s sold out. They stock the big name brands, and sometimes you can find current season stock in there too.
Sheet sets and Duvet Covers and Sporting equipment and sport specific clothing are best purchased at end of season sales for a fraction of the full price, so if you don’t mind stocking up for the next year, you can often get a good bargain.
Have a clean out once you’ve replaced.
The final step is to have a clean out once you’ve replaced what you needed to purchase. With the exception of gifts, there are probably things that you can either donate or remove from your home once you’ve got your replacement items. Some will need to be recycled or put in the rubbish, but others that are being replaced because your tastes have changed could make great donations to charities.
This is my favourite way to really take advantage of getting quality products that I need without going overboard because it’s a bargain price. It takes some patience, but it can be so worth the wait!
Do you like to wait for a bargain of your favourite brands? What’s the best one you’ve picked up?