A frugal shopper is usually described as those who buy only what they need and never what they want. Of course, that’s not true. A frugal shopper buys what he needs but also buys what he wants – albeit he does so less frequently than others. Frugality is not about being an elitist and only getting what you need. Instead, it is prioritizing things that you need over things that you want – all for the purpose of saving a few bucks that will snowball over a couple of years. To be a frugal shopper, you have to do a few things, and they are as follows:
Being an Asker
You know how people are duped by the proverbial car salesman? It’s the fact that they don’t ask enough questions. If you’re not sure if the product you’re looking at is worth your while, ask a ton of questions. Also, you may want to hone that “asking” talent and use it to find the best deals. You know anyone who’s also frugal? Ask how they do it. Knowledge is power.
Being a Teller
Tell as much as you ask. The bottom line is you should talk. If you are looking for something, put the word out. Someone may have trash that you may consider as a treasure. People who need to sell something go to websites and auctions to find a buyer. Do the same and visit forums and whatnot to find a seller.
Little to No Credit Card Usage
Credit cards are the bane of frugal folks. Not only are you always in danger of impulse buying if you have one in your wallet, but you also be paying a lot more every year in interests. Use cash as much as possible, and only use credit cards to purchase something that you need, such as when buying wholesale goods.
Being Creative
If you are frugal, then you should be creative with what you have. If you don’t have pancake mixes but you have potatoes, mash some potatoes and turn them into pancakes. If you need some dessert and you have bananas, freeze them and turn them into banana popsicles.
Knows Alternatives
Being frugal is also about knowing the cheaper alternative without sacrificing quality. For instance, if you are looking for a car, go for a Toyota Prius instead of a Ford truck. Sure, everyone would be laughing at your girly car, but in the end you’re driving your car without spending too much on gas while their Ford trucks become decorative due to the gas prices.
Looks for Discounts Whenever Possible
A frugal person will always look for some sort of marked down item whenever possible. As much as possible, go for thrift stores and rummage sales. Flea markets are also good since you can practice your talking skills as you haggle your way to a cheaper bargain. This is closely tied to the above step, as you can always find a cheaper alternative to what you’re looking for; such as buying brown sugar over white one.
Hands On
Labor always costs a lot, and if you can replicate a product, do so. Doing things by yourself is always cheaper for two reasons. First, you don’t pay for the labor. Second, you can always hunt for cheaper materials and whatnot. A frugal shopper would rather shop for components and turn it into a finished product; whether it is food or otherwise.
These are just a few of the qualities of a frugal shopper. There are a lot more, but you can always use this list as a reference for starting a frugal life or if you have been a frugal shopper but have missed something.
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