How to shop in the sales so you really get a bargain

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Mention the word ‘sales’ and the temptation is to head to the shops and spend, spend, spend. The reality is that something in the sale is only a real bargain if it is something you need, something you are going to wear or use and something that fits.

With discounts out there on the High Street and online, we are going to have a look at how you can be a winning shopper when it comes to the sales.

Do your research
OK, this might take out a little bit of the spontaneity of sales shopping, but before you part with your credit card, just check you are getting the best deal possible. Those trainers with 20% off in one shop, might have a whopping 50% off somewhere else, so look around and you might be surprised at what you will find and where the real savings are to be made.

Buy for now
Yes, that black dress is amazing but if you are a size 12 and it is a size 8, don’t buy it ‘just incase’. Go for items that actually fit you now and you are going to wear, rather than something that will stare at you from the wardrobe and remind you of those extra pounds you keep meaning to lose, but don’t.

Go for classics
A wool coat, a black shift dress, fitted trousers and leather brogues are all classic staples that will stand the test of time. You really will make a saving if you go for items that you can mix and match as the trends change.

Check your diary
The sales are a great time to find something for a forthcoming wedding, birthday party or work do. See what’s in the diary and you never know, you might save stacks on a knock out dress and killer heels which would normally be way out of your budget.

Take a closer look
Let’s face it, shop floors in the sales can get busy and messy, so just check what you are buying. Look for dirt and dust, check for holes and snags, and look at the neck and ensure it isn’t plastered in foundation that might not even come off in a hot wash.

What are the terms?
Yes, you have consumer rights, but we would just suggest you check these before you buy. See whether you can get a refund or if it is exchange only and always put the receipt somewhere safe. Also ask when these changes have to be made, so you don’t end up taking that cute jumper to the charity shop because it’s just too small but can’t be returned.

Check your shoes
Now, you might see those perfect heels as the shop is closing and want to just take them then and there, but before you hand over the cash, make sure they fit and also check they are the same size. Nothing worse than getting ready to party and finding you have one size 5 shoe and one size 6!

Take a break
Shopping is fun, but while you are out make sure you stop and refuel and take stock of what you have already bought. If you are tired and hungry, you may well make purchases you regret which will mean a return visit so you won’t have saved any time, or money at all.

If doubt, don’t do it
What we would say is that if you are in doubt, then don’t buy it, move on and save your money for something you really love.

Happy shopping.

Team Pure Beauty

Take the financial squeeze away from Christmas

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ads, ‘buy one get one free’ offers, bank account, bank accounts, bank balances, boost, cash flow, celebration, Christmas, cupboards, deals, digital age, discounts, dog sitting, dress, dust, eBay, extra money, Facebook, family, flatmates, global marketplace, heels, insurance, Internet, joy, keyboard, local groups, loft, mobile phone, overdraft, party, photography, red, samples, Secret Santa, sell, shopping lists, side hustles, social media management, stress levels, Sunday Times bestseller, tax, The Money Saving Expert, The Multi-Hyphen Method, town, TV, utilities, work colleagues, writing, X-Box

The ads are on TV, the lights are up in town, and those shopping lists are getting longer by the day. While Christmas is meant to be a time of celebration and joy, the reality is that all those presents, splashing out on a new dress for the Christmas party and having to buy another Secret Santa, means that our bank balances, and stress levels, can go into the red.

We have had a look at some easy ways to boost your cash flow at a time when you most need it, and take off some of the pressure that can take the fun out of Christmas.

Sell what you don’t need
Have a look in your loft and cupboards and we bet there are loads of things gathering dust that you don’t need, but that someone else would snap up! You don’t have to head out to a cold, rainy car boot sale to flog your stuff these days as there are lots of selling sites out there, as well as great local groups on Facebook that work really well. Whether it’s a mobile phone that you no longer use, a keyboard you never play, or a pair of heels that are just too high, the internet means you have a global marketplace to sell what you don’t need, but other people do!

Make the most of your skills
The Sunday Times bestseller, The Multi-Hyphen Method, looks at how you don’t need to have one main job anymore. From writing and photography, to social media management and dog sitting, there are lots of side hustles out there you can get involved with to make some extra money. Make sure you get things sorted out first, like your tax and insurance, and then rather than watching TV or playing on the X-Box, you could use that time to clear your overdraft and get together some much-needed extra cash.

Make a switch
Simply switching bank accounts you could make yourself a tidy pile of cash – check The Money Saving Expert to find out how. You can also look at switching your utilities if you want to save more money and make a tidy pile of cash. It might be a little bit of a hassle, but there are some good deals out there if you do your research.

Secret Santa
If you are really smart, don’t buy everyone a present this Christmas, instead think about doing a Secret Santa. Whether it is for extended family, work colleagues or flatmates, set a budget, pick something you know your chosen recipient will love and you won’t only save money, you’ll have less things to sell to on eBay next Christmas too!

Go for deals
When it does coming to shopping, look out for the deals, there are many to be had. From discounts, ‘buy one get one free’ offers, samples and three for two deals, you will find a lot of ways to make your cash go further.

The great thing about all of these ideas, is that while they can help you around Christmas, if you put them into play all the time, your bank account should be healthy 12 months of the year.

Team Pure Beauty

Be a smarter food shopper

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appetites, bags, bargain items, basics, Batch cook soups, beauties, bill, bin, BOGF deals, bolognaise, Buy in bulk, buying food, car parking, casseroles, cereal, checkout, deals, deals and offers, discounts, environment, everyday staples, flyers, food, food shopper, free products, freezer, hard earned cash, hefty price tag, home, hot meal, ketchup, magazines, money saving idea, newspapers, once a month, pasta, petrol, pint of milk, pounds, prices, purse, reward schemes, rewards, rice, run out, savings, sense, Shop online, smarter, stews, supermarket, supermarkets, time and money, tins, use by date, waistline, washing powder, water, websites

With prices going up all the time and appetites getting bigger, a trip to the supermarket can be an expensive experience.

We have had a look at how you can be a smarter shopper when it comes to buying food and how to ensure it doesn’t go to waste, along with your hard-earned cash.

Make a list
Sounds so simple but how many times have you gone to the shops for a pint of milk and come home with five bags full of food you didn’t know you needed? Special offers and BOGF deals can be tempting but if you don’t actually need what is on the shelves, you aren’t saving anything at all. Make a list either on a piece of paper or your phone, and stick to it.

Take a bag
Yes, we know it is only a few pennies but taking your own bags when you go shopping doesn’t only help your purse but it also protects the environment.

Shop online
With many supermarkets offering free delivery (over a certain spend), shopping online can work out cheaper as you also save on petrol and car parking as well as your time. Do a comparison of who offers what, when the best delivery slots are for you and where there are offers and savings to be had and you might find ordering from your comfort of you own home makes sense on many levels.

Buy in bulk
Whether you are in store or online, buying in bulk is the way to go if you are looking at making savings. Tins, pasta, rice, ketchup, water, cereal and washing powder are all everyday staples and ones that can come with a hefty price tag at the corner shop. Do some research, look for deals and where you can, buy in bulk once a month and not only will soon see savings but you’ll never run out of the basics.

Get your rewards
Most major outlets from supermarkets to chemists and coffee shops offer reward schemes, so sign up for them. As well as getting great deals and offers, you can also get extra discounts, free products and vouchers, so don’t miss out.

Use your freezer
Tonnes of food goes to waste each year, so if you are aren’t going to eat something before the use by date, put in the freezer rather than leaving it until it needs to go in the bin. You can also pick up bargain items at the end of the day and freeze them for later. Batch cook soups, casseroles, stews and bolognaise then freeze them and save yourself time and money and will also have a hot meal ready to go.

Eat before you shop
Sounds daft but if you go shopping when you are hungry, you are more likely to spend more money and eat as you shop. Having lunch before you go out will save you pounds on your bill, and your waistline.

Look for vouchers
We have all been stuck in front of someone at the checkout who has a purse full of vouchers and while it might hold you up, these beauties do save you money. Newspapers, magazines, flyers and websites all carry money off vouchers, so keep them and use them the next time you are shopping to save some pennies.

Got a money-saving idea? Why not share the discount love with us?

Team Pure-Beauty