Smart Shopping — Shop 'till You Drop!

That has been the motto of our modern era. Spending money is an inevitable part of living. Before you hit the stores, take stock of what you already have and how much you can afford to buy. Look for items in your price range and always ask about the return policy. (Some states do not require that the policy be posted.) Evaluate quality as well as price. A dress "on sale" that needs dry cleaning may be too expensive to maintain. Read what is on the tags and labels of your purchases; know how to care for what you buy. Some words to live by: Maintain what you have before you expand.

The Shopping Test

Should you buy it? Take this test and find out!

  • Do you really need this item?
  • Is the price reasonable?
  • Is this the best time to buy it?
  • If this is a bargain, is it a current model?
  • If "on sale," is the price a true sale price?
  • Can a less expensive item be substituted?
  • Are you sure that there are no major disadvantages?
  • Will it truly satisfy an inner need?
  • Have you checked and researched the item?
  • Do you know the retailers reputation?
  • Does this retailer offer any special services with the item?

Check your score by counting up the "yes" answers.

9-11 Buy It!
6-8 Think Again.
Less than 6 Forget It!

Are You An Overspender?
  • Do you buy things you don't need?
  • Do you use one credit card to pay another?
  • Is it getting harder and harder to pay your debts on time?
  • Are your payments late or less than the amount due?
  • Do you postdate checks so your payments won't bounce?
  • Do you charge daily expenses like groceries and gasoline?
  • Do you shop when you are depressed?
  • Is your closet stuffed with purchases you never use?
  • Do you borrow from savings to pay bills?
  • Do you hide your purchases so that your spouse/family won't find them?
  • Do you avoid talking to your spouse about money?

Compulsive shopping can be a serious problem. If you have answered yes to one or more of these questions, your spending habits may be out of control. Consider joining a self-help group for people who want to control their spending, improve their money management skills and learn from others with similar problems and concerns.

Are You A Savvy Shopper?

Take this quiz and find out how smart you are at the grocery store! (Answers Below)

1. Which would cost more, a bunch of carrots, or sliced carrots in a bag?
2. What is a "generic" brand of food? Does it cost more or
less than a "name brand?"
3. Are the items on display at the end of an aisle MORE or LESS expensive
than the same kinds of items elsewhere in the store?
4. Would you pay more for 6 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese,
or a 6-ounce block of cheddar cheese?
5. Is laundry detergent cheaper to use if you buy larger sizes?

Answers to Savvy Shopping Quiz

1. Sliced carrots in a bag may be more convenient, but prepared foods almost always cost more. Ask yourself if saving money is worth the extra time it takes to cut them up yourself.
2. A generic brand of food does not have a trademark, but imitates a regular brand. Generic foods usually cost less and often taste just as good.
3. The items on display at the end of the aisle are not necessarily on sale. Watch out for words like "Special" or "New." They don't always mean "Sale."
4. You would pay more for 6 ounces of shredded cheddar cheese than for a block. Again — there is a price to pay for convenience.
5. Laundry detergent is cheaper to use if you buy larger sizes. If you have room, try to buy bulk amounts of any items you know you will use.

Do you know why the grocery stores are planned the way they are? For instance...
  1. Why is the produce section one of the first that you see after you enter the store?
  1. Why are items like flour and sugar on the bottom shelves?
  1. Why is the dairy section at the far end of the store?
  1. What items are located across from the breakfast cereals?
  1. What items are located at the check-out counter?
  1. Where are the most expensive items on the shelves- on the top, in the middle, or at the bottom?

Grocery stores are arranged to tempt you to buy more! Use your new knowledge and stick to your agenda.
1. People tend to buy items impulsively in the produce section. That is why it is usually the first section you see when you enter the store.
2. Staple items like flour and sugar are on the bottom shelves because marketers know you will look for them there. They place more expensive items at eye level.
3. The dairy section is at the far end of the store because shoppers buy milk and eggs regularly. If you have to walk through the entire store to reach them, you will be more likely to pick up something that is not on
your list.
4. Toys are usually located right across from the breakfast cereals. Children will undoubtedly point that out to parents after picking out their favorite cereal.
5. Magazines, candy, gum and other impulse buying items that boost up your bill are always located at the check-out counter.
6. The most expensive items are usually in the middle, at eye level.

For more great money-saving advice about food, check out "Cutting Food Costs," another brochure in the "back to basics" series from Momentive™ Consumer Credit Counseling Service®.

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