Smart Savings

What if I told you there was a simple way to save thousands of dollars over time, without much time and effort? Well, there is. It's what I call being a smart consumer. By taking just a few easy steps when purchasing any product from toothpaste to a new car, you can save lots of time, energy and replacement costs down the road.

Here's some tips on being a smart consumer. If you have tips of your own, post them on the message board and help us all be even smarter consumers.

1) Research and comparison shop. Through trial and error, I have found one grocery store to have the lowest overall prices. If I only have time to go to one store, that's it. When I need to make a major purchase, on the other hand, I may peruse the Sunday ads or call a list of stores to find the lowest price on the item I need.

2) Take your time on major purchases. Rarely do you NEED a large item right away, even if the old one's broken. There are laundromats, libraries, and even rental places to tide you over while you consider your options. Sometimes you might even find a way to live without the item. If not, you at least have time to make sure your purchase will meet your needs and that you're getting the best price.

3) File important papers. As soon as you get that purchase home, set up a file for the receipt, warranty agreement, proof of purchase, and other important papers. It's impossible to take advantage of the warranty or return a defective product without the proper paperwork.

4) Speak up about price discrepancies. Whether you are at the grocery store or Best Buy, ask about the price if it changes during your transaction. I can't count the times I've had items rung up incorrectly at the grocery store. Taking a minute or two to get an adjustment not only saves you a little extra, but also shows the store that its customers are paying attention. Also, if the store makes a mistake, you often get the item for free.

I was recently called "courageous" for asking about a lower price at a chain office supply store. My "courage" saved the non-profit group for which I was purchasing 40%, or about $40. I used to be timid about these things, but I soon figured out that it doesn't hurt to ask. The retailer can (and sometimes does) say no. In the above instance, the store offered a lower price for quantity photocopying if the store handled it, but we had done the copying on their in-store machines (which were not discounted for quantity). When I asked, the clerk got his manager's approval to give us the lower price anyway.

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