I Wanted a Good Deal on a Stapler

This last week I did some shopping at Staples. I was struck with this thought: You have to study the way a store markets things to know how to get the best deals there. I was shopping for general office supplies. When I went to look for staplers, I went to a section where they had about 25 different ones to choose from. The cheapest one was $7.99. Since I wanted three, that seemed quite expensive to me. However, when pushing my cart through the aisles, I found a "dump bin" of staplers that included a normal size stapler, staple remover and box of staples for $3 by the packing materials. I don't know if it was a special purchase or what, but I liked the price! If I never had ventured away from the stapler section, I wouldn't have found the deal. Staples also has "dump bins" near the front with special purchase office supplies that they are selling at a good deal. I got many of the things I was looking for in that section for a dollar or two. My theory is that if you want a stapler, they want to sell you one at full price. However, they place the "dump bins" in places that you will impulse buy since it is such a good deal. So, I have come to the conclusion that if I am going to shop at Staples, I should plan time to quickly walk through the aisles before making my purchase. You will have to study each store to find where the deals are to be found. Each store is run differently. If you make friends with the clerks at the stores, you may be able to find out when things are typically marked down or put on clearance. So, take a few minutes next time you are out shopping to consider how the store you are shopping at markets it's goods to you.

You never know when you might find a bargain

You never know when you might find a bargain! Today I was Lowe's with my husband. We were browsing because we have quite a few home fix-up projects that we will need to tackle soon. As we were walking through the store, there was a rack of clearance items. There was a container of weed and grass killer for 10 cents. It was regularly $4.47. It wasn't something that I need today, but it is certainly something I will use this summer. So, when you are going through stores, pay attention and check out those clearance aisles or bins. You may be able to pick up something for a really great deal and save big in the long run!

Do I really need that?

It's January and there are bargains to be had. The question to consider...is that item I am looking at buying going to improve my life? I have been checking out http://www.slickdeals.net/ most days. They have a list of great deals that is constantly updated. However, I almost never need any of those things...they don't sell groceries! So if I buy things I don't need, just because I can save a lot off the list price, is it a good deal? Obviously not. It's no bargain to have to manage stuff you don't use or need! However, if I happen to see items on there that I have been watching for and can get a really good deal...now that is bargain shopping.