Clearance Shopping Tip #6:
I’ve given a lot of tips so far on how to shop clearance sales. But one of the best tips I could ever give you is if you don’t need it, don’t buy it! Just don’t do it.
It doesn’t really matter how amazing the price is if you don’t need it, or won’t use it somehow. Spending money just because “it’s a crazy deal” doesn’t make sense when you are trying to be better with your money. Only purchase clearance deals you know you will use or can gift in the upcoming year for Birthday, Wedding or Holiday.
What is your helpful clearance tip?? Leave a comment below and get another entry into our #F2D15DayChallenge. 30 People will be winning Target Gift Cards!
Don’t forget that you can also snap a pic of a clearance deal you have found in store and share it on YOUR Instagram page tagging @Freebies2Deals with the hashtags #F2D15DayChallenge and #Clearance. If you do that, you will get another entry into the Giveaway!
**More details over here, if you missed the first announcement.
Kim
This makes me think of when I was first married and clipping coupons. I was buying stuff I didn’t need but because I was saving money I thought it was a “deal”. My husband finally said to me, “Just because you have a coupon doesn’t mean you HAVE to use it”. After that I was WAY better with my spending and saving!
Beth
I shop the after Christmas deals at stores like CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid. I get toys for 75% off. I then store them for upcoming holidays: Valentines day,Easter, birthdays and Christmas next year
Kallie
Don’t just look in stores for clearance, check online
Melanie
Every time I go to Target, I walk down the back end caps to quickly look at clearance just in case there is something I need or could use later. It only takes a few extra minutes and every time I look there is something different. For example, I have always been able to stock up on my favorite, more expensive toothpaste for cheap by buying a lot on clearance and by the time I need more, I find it on clearance again.
Annie P
plan ahead for things you will need in a few months. i buy birthday presents or other gifts weeks in advance, or more.
Karen
It is easy to get caught up in the moment and the thrill of how much you are saving and what a great deal you found. Always take inventory of your cart one last time before you check out. Look at each item and have a clear sense of who or what you are going to use it for. If you do not have a clear sense of who or what you will use it for, put it back.
Cristal
I agree, I check inventory constantly and see what I need for the upcoming year.
Meghan Harding
If you buy something at Target and you notice the price changes you can bring it back for a price adjustment. I ended up getting the full Elf on the Shelf set regularly priced at $30 for $5 at Target after Christmas!
Natalie Darger
Also if you buy clearance sometimes you can turn around and sell it for more on ebay or on meighborhoof facebook for sale sites. check first on your phone to see what price it is going for though.
Shellie
I am really bad at buying things because they are on a good clearance. I do try to get toys for birthday presents but need to watch myself.
Mireya
I buy coats and clothes from clearance section as the season is ending for future season.
Krysyan Durrett
Such a great tip, something that sadly i’ve had to learn the hard way. My husband is a really great advocate of this saying. So now if i occasionally slip I hold it in my treasure box for birthday parties we attend throughout the year.
Shari
to help me decide if it’s something I really want or not I ask myself how would I feel if I come back tomorrow and this is gone? If I would be upset, I’ll grab it. If not, it wasn’t something I really wanted.
amanda
Great reminder but I think sometimes if it is a really good deal and you will use the item you should get it! Thanks for the entry
Erin
I really *love* this tip. I think a lot of people fall into the clearance trap, either buying without checking to see if it is a worthwhile deal or buying without a clear need/use for an item, especially the after-holiday clearance.
My tip: Know yourself. If you know you tend to buy things you don’t need/can’t afford, shop with a list only and/or stay away from the clearance.
Natalie
I always love to buy snacks after the holidays when they are on clearance. I can get holiday Oreos for example for up to 90% off and they taste the same as regular Oreos!
Jennifer Morris
There are practical things that can be on clearance like food, hygiene and other stuff we use daily. I just have to make sure I don’t let myself get carried away and get more items than I really need at that time. I put more thought now into deciding if it is more important to save that money for something we need now or spend the money so we save on those things later.
Amanda Tullis
I have been sucked into buying a great deal I don’t need more than once haha. Truth is, if you don’t need it, it isn’t even worth paying the sales tax for! My storage has several items from 10 years ago that were “great deals”. Not so much…be careful of the trap haha!
Amber
Clearance items can be a great time to stock up for occasions to come or for sizes to come. The advice today is awesome, if you are just buying it because it is clearance, it may be more hurtful than helpful. I also love combining coupons or gift cards with clearance for even more of a deal.
Julie
Definitely a trap. Deals too good to pass up. Self control. Thanks for the reminder!