SIM's Shopping Smart Tips

Shopping Pros
1.A good diversion or pastime for controlled buyers or rich folks.
2.Shopping during the holidays has an exciting dimension of celebration for people who take time to browse the mall decorations. Make it an event. Shop for a couple of hours, stop to have a leisurely dining experience, or at least a fresh cup of coffee at the food court and watch people go by, then stroll the mall and enjoy the artful deco, do another couple hours of shopping and be done. Shop all year for the holidays. Find a place in your closet to store gifts. Buy ON SALE! This helps to decrease your spending and increase your pleasurable holiday shopping experience. 
3.Whether shopping for pleasure, necessities, food or for gifts shopping can be an enjoyable way to get your mind off problems a few hours. Be sure the problems are not financial! If they are, shopping is NOT the way to solve them. You are better off staying home and playing a game on the computer!
4.Shopping requires walking. Smarter shoppers learn to speed walk from one shop to the next, thus getting in a good amount of exercising.
5.When shoppers make smart purchased that are worth the amount paid, they go away with an increased self-esteem.
6.Deals and sales on quality items are the way most smart shoppers shop.
7. Many shoppers have found that flea markets and thrift stores are places you can find quality, brand name clothes for a fraction of the price. This type of shopping is a time investment because you have to go through so many items to find something "new" looking and good quality. Is it worth it? Well to those who just like the diversion of a day of shopping, this works out to give them the diversion and some new "quality" clothes without hurting their budget.
8. When you cannot find what you want at the mall, try the nearest thrift store. They have all the colors and styles you may want, some older, but many from just last year. American's sadly believe that wearing the latest style is a must so when their closets are bulging, they just throw out things they don't wear and buy new. This mentality is not necessarily good for them, but it is good for the careful, smart shopper. And since most thrift stores are charitable organizations, buying there helps the less fortunate.

Shopping Cons
1.Browsing with a list avoids the negative regret that results from impulse buying.
2.If he mentality of the shoppers is that price equals value the shopping spree can become a lifestyle debilitating experience.
3.Trying to stay within a budget often leads to the habit of buying "cheap", but buying "cheap" often means buying a less quality item which then wears out or breaks down. If you have to buy something over and over, it actually costs more in the end. By smart, not cheap. Buy at sales, outlets, dollar stores, garage sales, flea markets and thrift shops, but buy quality.
4. Our shoppers have found that buying electronics from a reputable electronics store is better than buying used. Anything with a motor is too chancy to buy used.

SMART Shopping Tips
1. KNOW YOUR BUDGET! Know how much you have to spend and stick to it. Control your spending and you'll be able to continue to enjoy your shopping experience.
2. Mix & Match is a very cool way to have a fantastic wardrobe. Have a certain color range. Know what you need before you go out. Buy tops to match pants. Having several tops with one pair of slacks or a skirt gives you a nice variety without having to buy outfit after outfit.
3.Shop at the places that have sales or discounts. In the store go directly to the sale racks first. Don't snub your nose at that thought of a flea market, garage sale or thrift store. These are excellent sources of savings - especially garage sales!
4.Many duplicate designer fashions at dramatically reduced prices can be found by shopping the internet.
5. Keep you receipts in a monthly file folder. Once you get it home, if you don't like it for some reason, take it back!
6.Buy the right size and style for you. Scan the internet or fashion magazines to find out what styles you really like BEFORE going shopping. See SIM's fashion forecast links.
7. Shopping can be addictive. KNOW YOUR BUDGET. If you cannot trust yourself with your credit card do not take it to the store with you. Instead stop by the bank, withdraw the amount you intend to spend, and that's it. DO NOT allow yourself to become one of those shopping addicts who has to go through rehabilitation because they have lost all self control. Stuff isn't going to make you happy for very long. If you are not happy, shopping is not a long term remedy. Get help for depression or find ways to make yourself happy, besides shopping. Here are some ideas to find lasting happiness.