Control over-consumption

If you are trying to cut back on excessive shopping, just ask yourself if you are going to use the item within the next few days before you buy it. When the answer is “NO”, you definitely do not need that immediately (maybe ever!), so do not make the purchase. You will be surprised by how often your mind can change when you use this “questioning yourself” trick.

Buying flight tickets

When looking for online tickets, just in case, first delete your browsing history, and then use the flight search tool as a guest (without signing in). It is possible for an airline company or travel agency to change deals to a higher price by tracking your browsing cookies.

Easily split a check

When splitting the check at a restaurant, make servers’ lives (yours as well) easier by writing the last 4 digits of everyone’s credit card, and how much to charge each one, on the back of the bill.

Shipping delicate items

As a substitute for expensive packing materials, use some air popped popcorn to stuff boxes and protect all items that need to be shipped.

Online impulse buys

When shopping online, before checking out, stop to drink a glass of water or to make a phone call. Researches show that a briefly interruption in the shopping process causes the brain's focus to move from "I cannot miss this deal!" to "How will this affect my finances?". When you return to the computer, you will be able to judge your virtual cart better.

Avoid impulse online purchase

Do not save your personal information in a web store, instead, reenter your billing and shipping info every time you place an order. This extra effort can prevent an impulse purchase, since storing the data makes transactions so quick that you do not have enough time to think twice about your action.

The best time to shop

Go shopping in the morning to guarantee you will make smart purchasing decisions! Judgment and processing skills are at their sharpest in the AM. Besides buying what is really right for you, you will have the best selection to choose from since you will be among the first customers of the day.

Outlet shopping

Outlet discounts average only about 30% off the full price. To get really good deals, buy only out-of-season items and pay close attention to tags. An item categorized "first quality" is equivalent to one you would find in a regular store; otherwise, the garment was manufactured specifically for the outlet and most likely is of inferior quality. Practicing this behavior, you avoid surprises, such as finding the same item on sale at the mall for a price cheaper than what you have paid at the outlet.

Improvise a measuring tool

Anytime you are shopping and find an item that you want to buy but the measurements in the package are missing, use a dollar bill to figure out its dimensions. The bill is 6 1/8” long and about 2 1/5” wide. Write down these numbers on the bill and keep it in your wallet forever. You will have a handy measuring device to help you size up anything you need.

Do not be fooled by sales

Stores with huge markdowns can make impulse purchases very tempting. Buy only things under the category “I really want” and do not fall for things that you just think you could use. You will always save more money if you avoid a product on sale at all.

Compulsive buyers

If you consider yourself a shopaholic, always buy items that you can return, and from stores with good return policies. Impulse spenders need a cooling-off period to make sure if they really needed what they bought, and then decide if they will return it or not.

“I really want” shopping

Try to avoid shopping in physical stores as much as you can. Shopping online is a good option since it is much easier to ignore unnecessary items. You put what you need in the cart and check out. When shopping in a store, you are much more likely to grab merchandise “you suddenly really want”.

Shopping for produce

Take some time to inspect what you are buying before you arrive home with regrets. Do not purchase an apple with a discoloration or damage on it, or bread and berries with fuzz growing on them. Save returning time and avoid wasting money.

Buying fresh meat

At the meat counter, always ask the butcher for the freshest cuts. The meat behind the counter may look good but you do not know how long it is been there. Trust your eyes and nose and if beef looks dark or pork looks a little gray or you can sense any strong smell, do not buy it.

Expiration dates on products

It may sound like a no-brainer, but you should always check expiration dates on products when shopping. Often you will find varying expiration dates on identical items. Stores usually move the newer products to the back of the shelf placing the older ones within grabbing distance.

Buying eggs

Buy the package that is about a week old. Older eggs firm up more smoothly and peel easier.

Dealing with customer service

Next time you are calling to complain about a product or service and are not getting the answer you expect from the representative, request to talk with a supervisor, manager or someone on the "executive resolution team". Many organizations have these groups in place to settle customer issues that remain unresolved even after a manager steps in.

Bypass automated phone systems

After you dial an 800 number, answer the first prompt (usually requesting your account or order number) to identify yourself as a customer. If the next round of options does not offer "speak to a representative", push 0 then *, # or 9 (one at a time) until you get connected. This increases your chance of being directed to a live operator by at least 50%.

Gifting at your office holiday party

The general etiquette is to only gift people who work for you (assistants, interns etc.), not those who rank higher than you. Consider giving a bank gift card or a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant. For co-workers, if there is no office tradition, it is fine to skip gifts. If you feel like spreading some holiday cheer, you can always leave out holiday candies or snacks on your desk.

Buying presents to be handled far away

Shop for gifts online to avoid baggage fees (you can easily get free shipping during the holiday season). Request the online store to deliver your packages directly to the location where you will be going to spend your holidays and give presents away.