When I shop for clothes for my family, I always look for the sales. I could count on my fingers the amount of times I have paid full price for a clothing item. I love to shop at upscale department stores but cannot afford the prices unless they have a sale. The whole experience of shopping at the department store has taught me lessons that have built my character. The three main attributes I have learned are patience, punctuality, and money management. Recently, I saved $658 dollars on two coats and twelve outfits for my daughters at the department store.
Patience is a Money Saver
Browsing through the children’s clothes at the department store is a big hobby of mine. I love to walk through the department store and see the girls excitedly running to the different racks of colorful dresses. Inevitably they ask if we can purchase an outfit or a dress. This is the part I don’t like, telling them wait. I don’t say no, but only that we have to wait to purchase it until it is on sale. This serves two purposes; one, they don’t throw a fit because I said no; two, I am teaching us patience. Patience has saved me hundreds off department store prices.
Shop when they have an extra 40% off reduced prices
Not only do I wait for a sale, I wait for the 40% off reduced prices sale. Department sales often have 25% off sales to help move their clothing. That sale works if you absolutely have to have something for an upcoming event like a wedding or party. If you wait for the extra 40% off reduced prices, you will find the real deals. When I shop the 40% off sale, I really know that I am getting the clothes at the best prices possible. I am paying the same prices or better for new brand name clothing at the department store that I would pay at a consignment store for used clothing.
Be on the e-mail list
For years I would go to the department store and find that they had ended the sale yesterday. Or, there was currently a sale but it had started two days ago. The pickings would be slim and I would be filled with disappointment. I have added myself to the department store e-mail list and now I receive e-mails that allowed me to adjust my schedule and reap the savings at the department store. Most department stores also offer department store credit card holders discounts a day earlier than the general public. I applied for the department store credit card so I am notified even earlier and can start shopping the 40% off sale a day sooner.
Arrive Early
They say the early bird gets the worm and this is definitely true when shopping a sale. The early bird gets the most savings. This time I arrived early at the department store and stood outside until the sales clerk arrived and bid us early birds, “Happy savings!”. My arms were already laden with clothing by the time the others arrived. The late shoppers looked longingly at my deals. I had stripped a whole rack of clothing where I had found $49 name brand outfits for $8.99. I also scored the last two coats on the rack. Two long, black beatiful coats with faux fur that were originally priced at $99 each;I purchased for $22 each.
Shopping at the 40% off reduced prices at the department store saved us $658 this trip. The girls learned that if you’re patient, you can get what you want. I have worked on my punctuality which should come in handy for church on Sundays. The best part is our budget and bank account have survived my department store shopping trip. My daughters are going to look adorable and my husband will be thrilled with the money we have saved at the department store.
“More From This Contributor.”
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/first-person-coupon-trap-165800683.html
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/first-person-party-fit-princess-without-emptying-her-161500518.html
http://voices.yahoo.com/for-cure-susan-g-komen-continues-funding-breast-10925890.html?cat=48
