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You wouldn't think that there were social skills involved when you are shopping. No, we arn't neccessarily talking about you hanging out with friends at the mall. We're talking about how to be a smart spender when you are on the look out for a sale, or just some shopping fun!

I know the site looks childish, but I've found the info to be relevant even for adults. I know adults who are not making decent wages but spend money with no real thought involved. It is easy to be impulsive but it can hurt you financially. http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/money/spendingsmarts/article8.html

A most basic rule of thumb that's helped me is to practice caution while shopping.

Here's my take on their advice at the website.

1 ) Be skeptical: I want to add that if an item labeled as "clearence" or "sale" isn't AT LEAST 40% off its price tag, it is not really much of a "deal". For example, an item that claims you're getting it on sale for 10 percent off, it barely "Saves" the amount you'd spend on tax money. KNOW that there are sales strategies DESIGNED to pull on your strings.

Places such as Wal-Mart, which claim to be stores based on being cheap and saving money rely on your complicity to sell you junk at higher prices over your eyes. Watch your price tags.

2 ) be choosy: I can't emphasize this enough. Look at several stores, and the internet, etc, before you buy. Unless you are pressed for time, you can afford to "shop around".

3 ) Be patient: If you see something that you like, wait at least one day before you decide to buy it. If it's an item that is not unique (a designer purse, etc) or in a unique situation (like a clearence item), however, you can afford to wait longer and think about whether it is wise to buy it.

4 ) be firm: You need to get gutsy if a sales person tries to guilt trip you. Don't reveal too much personal information about your needs and goals to them if you are only curious about their product (as opposed to sincerely interested in buying) as they will use your info against you and guilt trip you to buy. Politely excuse yourself and leave if they try to pressure you into a purchase that you did not anticipate.

More on that:

Think about what Miss Manners would do if she was approached by an overbearing sales person.

"Thank you, I appriciate taking your time to demonstrate your product to me, and/but (fill in the blanks)

- I'd like time to think it over
- I must talk it over with my significant other/parents
- I will be back later (but don't follow through.. just keep walking)
- I'm not interested at this time
- Do you by any chance have a website? Get the website url, thank them, and leave. This tip really works, believe it or not.

and just firmly, politely, and quickly cease eye contact and start walking.

Kiosks at the mall are notorious for tricky sales tactics such as guilt tripping you, tricky "deals" which rip you off, etc. When walking through the mall, you may exercise not giving them ANY eye contact or any other acknowledgement of their presence as you are walking in order to avoid potential harassment.

5 ) Be informed: Your sales person is not going to tell you everything about the product. It's your job to do that. Even talking to your friends will not help you be the most informed consumer. Read, read, read. Know what hidden costs are involved.

6 ) Be Yourself: It's not very sustainable to want all the high-tech toys and latest fashions, nor creative. Instead of basing your identity on buying things, why not build it up with hobbies, activities, and interests?

7 ) Be realistic: Be practical. It's better to live a little simpler and not be chased around with credit card debt. It's not healthy to attach your mood and well being to buying a new thing.

8 ) Be resourceful: use the internet, the public library, try to find ways to cut costs, try to look out for free and fun events, coupons, borrow items from loved ones, etc.

9 ) Be in control: learn to say no. Try to find ways NOT to spend money as opposed to spending the cash in your pocket.


Typically, walk around the store hesitant to buy a thing, second-guessing items when you think it is attractive. When something strikes you for any reason, keep the item in your memory. Take the time to reflect on it. Do not succumb to sales tactics, go home, and do research on the internet or library. Then if you feel like this item is a good buy and that you need it or can use it often, purchase it.

I'm sure many others have other shopping tricks and tips to indulge in.

One easily-forgotten aspect of interaction with sales people is your courtesy with them. Their job is already taxing. Many of them have to stand up in one place in uncomfortable shoes and possibly weird uniforms. They don't even get paid decently. But many other customers treat them like they are dumb and lower than themselves, which is totally unfair. It's no wonder retail jobs have a high turnover.

Here's how to help make their day more pleasent. They will thank you for it.

Faeyas suggested this: "The sales people, unless on commission are just as happy as you for the pressure of the sale. Further more, rarely are they 'bored' down time is a luxury, and they don't need people going "Out of their way" to leave a mess so that they can remain busy. If you mess something up, or take it out of its container/packaging, put it back in, don't leave it there. If you can't figure out HOW to put it back, bring it to a sales person's attention, rather than leaving it for them to find. Shop neatly, don't throw things about because you can without breaking them (clothing ect) often this "Extra" mess isn't planned for by corporate, and it leaves alot of sales workers working hours after their shift just so that the store is neat in the morning."

Here's a couple I'll throw in as well...

- Sales people deserve to be treated with decently and nicely. It's not fair to take out your moods on them. Taking out your bad moods on them will accomplish little because they are usually not in a position of authority to address many of your concerns. That is what the "Customer Service" center, or calling in a manager or other higher-up is there for.

- If they walk around without a name tag, it is their break. Please respect that because they may only get a measly break during their shift.

- If you must interupt a retail worker while they are stocking items or walking around in the store, be courteous in approaching them, honoring their work if they have an immediate need to attend to. And DON'T forget to profusely thank them for their times and troubles.

- You can never say "Thank you" enough.

- Small conversation at a cash register is welcome, however, be considerate of the other customers waiting in line and do not hog the line.

Anyone is as always, welcome to contribute to any of my topics.

I would like to add that if you are interested in a product that comes in a package, and you would like to see and touch it outside the packaging, please ask someone in the store if there is a demo unit or if you can open the package. A lot of packaging gets destroyed thus making the product unsellable (or at least not at full price) just because someone was curious about the product inside.

It is also very bad form to call one store for assistance with another store. I've had a surprising number of people call the store I work at and ask a question, only to follow up with "because I'm at {competitor's store} and I can't find anyone to help me." At least have the decency not to admit that you're doing that.

Some tips for shopping in smaller stores:

I personally shop in a lot of 'small' stores, by that I mean that if a clerk is harassing me, I cannot simply walk away unless I'm willing to leave behind possible items. Just last week I had two annoying clerks follow me around in small shops.

1.) The clerk is talking to you sincerly about a/the product(s) and is taking them down and handing them to you or pointing at them from the shelf.
Most often they will ask you something like "have you tried, what about, etc." politely answer that you have already tried/are not interested in/do not like. After a few products they will go away.

2.) A clerk is following you around the store watching the items you pick up, then when you try to put them back on the shelf (this happened in a book store) they start asking questions and trying to MAKE you buy it. If worst comes to worst, pick up the item, walk away, and drop it a few shelves over. The clerk will get the hint.

(Funny story: I did this, and it was the only copy of the book, I was just about to leave and clerk comes up to me and asks if I bought it, I said no and he says "i can't find it on the shelf?" im like... O.O you think im stealing!! but anyway, I just showed him where I'd put and simply yet nicely said "I do not enjoy being pressured into buying something I do not want, and if I was more than just visiting I would report you to your manager." and walked away.)

Here's a shopping tip that I've discovered:

When buying cheese, it's sometimes cheaper to go up to the deli counter and ask them to slice something for you than to just go grab something that's already packaged. I discovered this once when I was picking up cheese for a recipe. The same exact cheese was $4 for a half pound already packaged, but if I walked ten extra feet to the deli counter, then I could get a full pound for the same price.

Investigate ALL your options before making a purchase.

Also, if you drink bottled water, buy it by the gallon, not in bottles. You can fill your own bottles and it'll save you quite a bit. Where I'm at, a 24 pack of half liter bottles (about one pint) can cost about $5. Since a pint is one-eighth of a gallon, that makes three gallons of water for $5. Gallon jugs of water can be bought for about fifty to sixty cents though which means that your three gallons is only about $2.

When shopping, look for something with less packaging (like the bottles vs. the gallon jug bit above). Manufactors save money when they use less packaging so you can get the items for cheaper.


RoseRose's hint about checking unit price is an awesome hint, but make sure that you ALWAYS check it and don't get into the habit of just buying the bigger item. I've run into an instance a few times in which the unit price on the larger item was actually higher than that of the smaller item.

Also, if you're in a home that has the available space, consider investing in a freezer (if your family is large enough to warrant the purchase). If you have adequate freezer space, you can afford to get your meats in bulk and then stash away what you know you won't use during the week. This allows you to be on the lookout for sales and to take advantage of them whenever they occur. Having a freezer also lets you make big batches of chili, soups, and other dishes that can then be tucked away in the freezer and taken out whenever needed. They make for quick meals and also mean less frequent cooking for you.

Look for sales, especially on pricey items, such as meat. Safeway has random sales, when they'll stick 30 and 50% off stickers on meat. I got enough lamb for a meal for 3 for $5 that way. Also, containers for leftovers, so you can keep them, is WELL worth the cost.

If you know how to tell quality, Dollar Stores are useful, but be careful. I got an amazing knife out of a dollar store, that my dad got for a lot more at a fair demo (one of the few demo items worthwhile, and it is worth what my dad paid for it... but I did even better). But, be careful of getting ripped off.

Be flexible, so as to take advantage of sales. Cook from scratch, but dried herbs are usually cheaper than fresh, unless you grow your own. Spices last a LONG time, my dad has some older than I am that are still good.

Figure out what is cheaper to buy and what is cheaper to make from scratch. Cheaper can also include time, depending. Then go and look for that item on sale.


As for clothes, keep an eye out for sales, and cruise that clearance rack. I once got brand new t-shirts for not a heck of a lot more than what I'd pay at Goodwill, for a good brand- and not being worn out. Also, go for classic styles. Yes, you may want to be stylish, but you can wear that classic a-line business skirt for the next 20 years, or more, as long as you fit into it.

Start shopping for your professional wardrobe early and slowly as you can afford it.

Be wary of credit cards, but also know their offers. I saved money the last two times I shopped by signing up for no annual fee store credit cards- and paying them off, right then and there.

Just because something is a good price and good quality doesn't make it a value. Yeah, that shirt may be cheap and high quality- but will you wear it? If the answer is no, don't buy it.