Namita A Shrivastav tells you ways that really work!
1 Kill the impulse shopping. Before you set out shopping, make a list of things you need. On getting there, your list may grow longer. But if you want to save, stick to the original list — however hard it may be.

2 Wear those mental blinkers as soon you enter the mall. Pull them right across, so that you see no evil. Walk straight to the counter you need to pick your stuff up from and get back home. It takes a lot to work against the gravitational pull, but do it.

3 Leave the credit card at home when you know you are entering a danger zone. The card, I tell you, is a big seductress. Never give in unless you’ve cracked the code of card usage. Mortgaging your future makes no sense.

4 Use the debit card — if you must use plastic. Or just carry a stipulated amount for things you need to buy. The downside of using debit cards — you run out of money sooner than anticipated. The upside — you’re still not in debt, paying those obscene rates of interest.

5 Keep your eyes peeled for the right opportunities to buy the things you want. Wait for discounts, sales and deals, especially if you’re purchasing consumer durables such as ACs, refrigerators, TVs, microwaves, etc. They come cheaper when they’re on some promotional scheme. Look out for exchange offers as well. You save plus get rid of the junk.

6 Window shop. Yes, half the fun of shopping is in browsing. Going from one shop to another, seeing this and that; and buying nothing. So, leave all the currency and cards at home and go have a good time.
Believe me, it’s more fun. You’ve come out without spending a penny!

7 Resist temptation. Okay, what do you do if you’ve fallen for that white peasant top or those sea-shelled Roman sandals, which will never qualify as essentials? What? Walk away. Get all your jobs done and maybe even sleep over it. If it still haunts you, get it!. And promise to save somewhere else. But do try telling yourself first that there are a million things out there, which you will like but can’t buy. You CAN survive without the sandals.

8 Don’t be too hung on brands. Labels come at an obnoxious price. Buy what’s good and looks good on you. Your wardrobe can be a happy mix of branded and unbranded stuff. Smart dressers go for the overall look. You should get noticed and not the label on your bag.

9 Shop online and save money as well as time. Click your mouse and glide through the malls, throwing things in the cart as you go along. While shopping online, you’re usually not paying for overheads. (Watch out, you might be for shipping and courier though!) Also, be cyber smart before you shop online. Go to secure servers only.

10 Create mental images. Look at the obscenely priced spaghetti top and imagine yourself looking at a rich cream soaked black forest pastry. Chances are you’ll put down the top and move. (Doesn’t work for those who have effortless pencil thin figures.)

11 Pay by card. This is for those who can be tough with themselves. Here’s something that works. Volte-face? No! The advantage is that cards give you a transaction record and that gives you a fair indication of how much money has gone (or is going) and where. And the trick lies in settling the bill before each month end. Then, you are beating the card at its own game.

12 Compare prices before you buy. All wise shoppers do that. Check out two or three outlets before you buy anything. This gives you a fair idea of market rates and you make a more informed choice.

13 Think twice before getting seduced by the buy-one-get-one- free deals. I mean, if you don’t need the darn thing, what’s the point in bringing home two of them!

14 Bargain. When you are buying electronic goods, mattresses (and even blinds!), dealers are usually more than willing to drop the price and match it with their competitor’s. You will be surprised at the places where bargaining works. That posh shop in the upmarket area... especially if you are buying clothes, shoes or a consumer durable. Try it!

15 Take the bait out of rebate. When you’re shopping at a sale, buy only what you require and not because it’s at 60 per cent rebate. Bringing home an ironing board doesn’t make sense if you’re not going to iron, ever.

16 Set goals to make saving easier. Set priorities and bring a perspective to the whole shopping scene. All saving strategies fall into place when you have a target in mind. It’s easier to say ‘no’ to yourself than to suffer serious budget lapses.

17 Use the discount coupons you’ve collected on something you need. Collect points on all your shopping. They usually convert to a gift or can be encashed.

18 Don’t shop when you’re hungry. You shop silly. I just know it.

19 Shop at wholesalers rather than at convenience stores. This goes particularly for bulk shopping or when making large purchases.

20 Spend more. Sometimes, it’s better to spend a little more on a one-time investment and get quality rather than be stingy. You save in the long run.

21 Take a companion - an impatient friend, a child or your husband with you when you go shopping. They never disappoint!