How to Be a Frugal Shopaholic

If you want to be frugal and indulgent, you must learn proper shopping techniques. The things you buy, as well as the things you pass up, broadcast to the world who you are. Fluency in shopping, is like language, accomplish it by practice. You must get out there and shop!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Regard an ad for a sale as an invitation. Sort through your junk mail, pursue the newspaper and flip through magazines. Clip ads for sales and note them on your calendar.

2. Sign up for catalogs. You'll receive coupons, advance notices of sales, special offers and access to online outlets. Retailers sell your name and address to similar merchants, thus increasing the receipt of catalogs exponentially!

3. Apply for credit at every store possible. This puts you on the store mailing list for sales and special offers. Retailers may offer 10% off the first purchase made with the card.

4. Shop at every opportunity. Get out there! Even if you have no money, you can window shop, browse and increase your Shopping Intellect Score!

5. Buy only a few things at a time. Avoid binges and sprees. Spread what wealth you have around.

6. Wear it. Use it. Wear that gorgeous sweater! Use the elegant candlesticks! Indulgence is all about "now."

Tips & Warnings

• Pay with credit. You may get a discount and many credit cards offer cash-back and perks like frequent flyer credits.
• To shop wisely you must budget wisely.
• Don't indulge in beautiful china and then store it in its box in the closet.

Resources

• Tips on frugal shopping