Before you go out to spend you hard earned cash, consider the following suggestions.It might help you


1.      Check both online and local area deals for a product or service before you pay for it. While online stores are known to offer really low prices because of low overhead, local stores are willing to drop their price to the bone just to have you come in.  Smaller mom and pop stores can not keep inventory for too long, they must sell in order to stay in business. While experts say comparism search engines online provide some really cool deals, don’t assume the price you find on a price–comparism search engine is the best deal.  Local stores, outlets and liquidators mark down significantly just to keep you coming. In some cases, local stores reduce their prices up to 70%.

Many stores mark down popular brands with the hope that you come in and buy other items.  When you consider the amount of savings in a year, one is better to look out for deals.  Last year various companies offered $372 billion in savings through coupons and other promotions according to CouponInfoNow with a redemption rate of less than 1 percent.  I prefer using the word promotion instead of coupon. And let me tell those of you who like to brag about how much we pay for items, you are not better than your neighbor just because you have over paid for an item. There is no status in overpaying.

2.      Many products and retailers turn inventory at a particular time of the year. Infact many items are better purchased in one season than another. This is more a timing issue. It pays to buy when retailers are  looking to dump inventory. For example I bought a brand new watch with 2 years warranty that retails for $1600 from a retailer looking to off load inventory for $81 plus $21 in shipping cost to give way for new merchandise. Automotive industry experts and the media tell us that the best time of the year to purchase a car is December. In the month of December dealers are looking for ways to avoid paying taxes on inventory that will be carried over into the next year. Also, September is the time of the year when most new cars are introduced, dealers need to make room to display the newer cars with newer bells and whistles.

3.      Be flexible with brands. The more flexible you are the cheaper the price without sacrificing quality. There are several mp3 players out there apart from an Ipod.  Many pretty much play music. Now that Microsoft Zune is out, maybe Apple will reduce their prices on Ipod quantum.  As we all know, Microsoft always put muscle behind their product launch. I am sure Ipod will see some competition very soon.  While I am not rooting for any specific company, competition does bring the price of items down which is good for me and you.  Microsoft does know how to play the market share game.  Instead of a Sony Play station, try an Xbox instead and buy it when retailers are offering special deals and promotions. That way you save some cash off.