My TEN Commandments of Online Shopping…..Pt. 2

 

 

6. Know HOW to shop the Outlets: I love a good outlet mall just as much as the next shopaholic, but you have to know when you have a deal and when you don’t. I think for many of us, we just scoop up everything we like, assuming that it’s a great deal. However, did you know that many of those items were manufactured solely for outlet stores? And typically the discounts are not that significant unless you go to the “sale” section or there is an additional discount added to the items. Often you can go into the Coach outlet, for example, and many of the bags are $250 and up. But go to the sections that are labeled “additional 20%, 30%, 40% off, and so on, and those are really where the deals are.  Also, before you visit, go to the Mall’s website to see if they offer any additional coupons. Often there is a voucher you can print and redeem at Customer Service for a whole book of coupons!

My fave outlet malls : Premium Outlets

 

 

 

7. USE TECHNOLOGY! Clipping and organizing coupons (much less remembering to use them!) is something that, c’mon be honest, we aren’t great at doing most of the time. But having them handy on your phone has made saving money easy peasy! Although it’s not fashion-related, I love my grocery store app that allows me to lad coupons on my phone and even sends me special ones for the items I buy most!

There are two ways that I most often save money right with my  iphone. One is by using the store app that offers digital coupons. The other is through email. If you followed my previous advice and got registered for emails from your fave stores, they will send you coupons. OFTEN.

Just the other night I went to the Gap and found the MOST AMAZING JEANS. What is it about great jeans that make you feel as if you could conquer the world? Anyway, apparently the beautifully aged wash I chose was NOT included on the 40% sale they were having. Good thing I had my trusty email they had sent me that morning offering lil’ ol’ me 40% the ENTIRE store! POW! See????

The key to the email coupons is this: stay ORGANIZED. When I receive a great email coupon, I always star it so I can find it quickly and easily when I am shopping. Also, many stores have terrible reception, so I often open the email and load the coupon before I enter so I’m not frantically scrambling to get it to work with a long line behind me.

 

 

 

8. CARTWHEEL. My favorite shopping app. (At the very least, my most frequently used shopping app!) The Target app offers great discounts on everything from clothing to food to toys. And, you can use it on top of Target coupons and your 5% Target card discount! Inside the app, you are able to search under category, and also newest coupons, largest discount, and most popular offers. The one caveat is this: they give you a certain number of “slots” which you can fill with offers. So the more you use it, the more slots you earn! So get shopping! And remember to also look in your Target app under “Mobile Coupons”, many times I have used both those and Cartwheel on the same item!

 

 

9. RENTALS: If you have taste for diamonds and a budget for rhinestones, you need to check out some rental sites. Sites such as Rent the Runway and Bag, Borrow or Steal allow you to rent, or borrow items for a fraction of the price to buy it, then mail it back when you are finished! I love this idea, particularly when it relates to gowns/special occasion items. Sometimes I want to wear something fabulous, and I want to wear it only ONCE!

 

 

 

10. RESALE: Buffalo Exchange, and other resale shops not only offer you a place to find great items, but to sell things you no longer wear for either trade or cash. Clean out your closet often. If you haven’t worn it in over a year, be honest with yourself! I make it a point to always have a crate with things for Buffalo in it. It also helps when you can call them before you go to see what kinds of items they might currently be looking for. Here are the essentials to being successful at a resale shop:

 

• Appearance: Make sure your items are folded neatly, and I recommend a plastic bin or nice shopping bag to carry them in. Think about it: If you grab something out of a garbage bag vs. a nice pile in a bin, what is your perception of it’s quality?? Sounds superficial and silly, but it is how the human brain works-go with it. If things have stains in them, try to clean them before you go, I have actually had things they refused because of a stain or missing button, took it home, fixed the issue and brought it back to sell it!

 

• Seasons: Ideally, I keep a bin of warm-weather items and a bin of cooler weather items at all times. Things they don’t take the first time, keep in your bin and try again.

 

• Don’t Pre-judge: I am VERY OFTEN surprised by what they take and what they don’t. Just put it in, and see how it goes, don’t leave things out! And don’t get discouraged if you don’t do well sometimes with selling. Often just a different person at the selling counter can mean a whole different experience, keep trying!