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money by Michea Burt


SMARTS LIVING


Do you feel that no matter how much money


you make, it’s never enough? Well, you’re not alone. It seems after buying groceries, paying bills, and maybe eating out a few times, there’s never enough money left for the good stuff. It’s like my paycheck is gone almost before I deposit it. So how can you afford the things you really want without emptying your bank account? My secret: I try not to pay full price for any-


thing. And as time consuming as it may sound, it’s actually really simple. It doesn’t require clipping coupons or spending hours searching for the best deals; it’s all about being smart with how you spend your money. *Know the best time to shop. A simple online


search will tell you the best time to buy every- thing. If jewelry is your thing, take advantage of Valentine’s Day deals in February. Do you need luggage for that upcoming Spring Break trip? You’re likely to find sales in March. October is a great time to buy jeans, if you want them brand new.


*Shop resale and liquidation stores. This will


save you tons of cash! I’ve bought designer jeans, with the tags still on them, for less than $10. And I’ve paid as little as $1 for jewelry at places like Plato’s Closet and Clothes Mentor. And the best part about resale stores, besides the money savings, is you’re less likely to see every- one else wearing your outfit. And I’ve really hit the lottery at liquidation stores like Thrifty Lots and Desert Liquidators on everything from pots


16 www.pristeenmagazine.com


and pans, to make up, bikes, bedding, and even furniture. *Know good deals when you see them. Don’t assume because it’s at a resale store or because you see a sale sign that you’re actually getting a bargain. Retailers really know how to entice you, so do your homework. Go online and type in the item you’re thinking of buying to see what everyone else is selling it for before you take out your wallet.


*Use coupon codes. Sites like retailmenot.com and couponcabin.com give you online codes and coupons that you can use in-store. All you have to do is type in your favorite store, and if there’s a savings, you’ll find it. It only takes a couple of seconds, so do it before every purchase. *Give yourself a budget and stick to it. If you


don’t have much discipline, only carry around the amount of cash that you plan to spend for a week. For example, if your weekly budget is $40, that’s all you should have in your wallet. And no matter what, unless it’s an emergency of course, don’t go over that amount. And no, an outfit that is on sale for a phenomenal price does not count as an emergency. If you do have discipline, then put all of your


purchases on a credit card and pay it off every single month. This way you can take advantage of points for airlines and other shopping. But the key is you MUST pay it off every month. Otherwise, you’re defeating the purpose because you’re pay- ing interest on the balance, killing your savings.


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