I’m sharing all my shopping steals and deals today. Don’t forget to comment and leave your favorite tips for saving money when shopping.
I still have the tags from a pair of classic white Bermuda shorts (by one of my favorite designers) I purchased last summer. The original price (not suggested) was $120.00. Score!
I snagged those shorts for $32.99. They are classic and will never go out of style. And the fit is fabulous. (Tip: Higher quality fabrics feel and fit divine!) I should have bought an extra pair! I love those shorts!
All of my family and friends know that I rarely ever pay full price for anything. Over the years I’ve perfected the craft of smart shopping. I’m going to share my personal tips on how to get the best shopping steals and deals. You can thank me later!
Shopping Steals and Deals
Dress Your Body Shape
When it comes to clothing, learn what styles look best on your shape and avoid having to try on everything in the store.
Because of my years of experience, I can pretty much look at a garment and know if it will flatter my shape or look hideous on me.
For instance, I can’t wear A-line dresses because I’m not pear-shaped. They add 20 lbs. to my hips. That is not the area I need to camouflage.
Pencil skirts instantly erase those 20 lbs. and sometimes, they subtract 5 more! Tip: Just because a garment looks shapeless on a hanger, does not mean it will look shapeless on you! But remember, it’s not a deal or a steal if you’re never going to wear it!
Stick to Classics
Stick to the classics and just grab a few trendy pieces. Trends come and go. Classy is forever.
When I’m shopping, the big mega malls are the last place I visit. Why? I don’t like helping them pay their mega monthly rent!
Do you want an example? Early last spring I was looking for a dress to wear to church on Easter Sunday. While shopping, I saw a beautiful designer dress at T.J. Maxx priced at $80.00. It was way too revealing for me, but it was so beautiful I had to stop and look.
I didn’t find “the” dress at a few of my regular haunts, so I headed to the mall as a last resort. I saw the exact dress in a department store for $160.00! The exact dress! And you thought T.J. Maxx only carried last season things? Think again!
Places I Shop for Clothing
The first places I shop are discount stores like T.J. Maxx, Stein Mart, and Ross. For years I snubbed my nose at Ross. I thought it would be a store filled with cheap clothing, riddled with holes.
I admit they have their fair share of junk. And a lot of times, it’s hit or miss! But, sometimes I hit the jackpot in the clothing and shoe department (I confess: Shoes are my weakness)!
Extra Tip: I only buy things I love, not like! At outlet type stores, if you love it and it’s a good price, buy it. It will not be there tomorrow! Trust me on this one. I know from experience!
Know Your Demographics
Did you know that stores (even outlet type stores like Ross) carry different brands according to their demographics? Stores in ritzy neighborhoods carry better brands – even mega mall department stores!
On the flip side, sometimes the better the area, the higher the cost, even on the same items at different locations, even at stores like Walmart.
Shop Online for When Shopping For Steals
A few years ago I bought a beautiful evening gown to wear to my daughter’s wedding at Nordstrom Rack – online! It was such a beautiful (big-name designer, not that it mattered, just giving you the facts) dress at such an awesome price, I just couldn’t pass it by.
A relative thought I had paid at least $1,200.00 for it! As if! It was less than 200.00! And it was a major score. The original price was almost $1,000.00. And most online retailers have free return shipping in case you don’t like it or it doesn’t fit.
I’ve even found clothing at Amazon! You have to really research and read the reviews. I’ve had a few misses on Amazon as well.
When it comes to buying clothes from Amazon, I tend to stick to brands I know and trust.
Online closets or Subscription Boxes
I have a couple of friends that have joined online closets. You “borrow or rent” clothing for a low monthly price and the return shipping is free. I’ve never tried it, but I’ve seen my friends in some of the clothing and they looked awesome! One such site is gwynniebee.com.
Update: I joined Stitch Fix (online styling service – brand new clothing) a couple of years ago and I’ve received lots of my-style clothing. It’s a subscription box. You keep the clothes you want and return (free postage and shipping bag) what you don’t want. Again, there have been hits and misses. You can use my link to check it out.
Clothing consignment shops are not my thing, but I have friends who score big in that area! I guess I need to come clean here: I have this thing about wearing shoes that someone else’s feet have worn for extended periods of time. The same with clothing. There is probably a medical name for that, but I don’t want to know what it is.
What About Purchasing Furniture?
When purchasing furniture, I never pay full price! Furniture has such a huge markup! The go-to places I always check first are second-hand stores (I love a good makeover project), Overstock.com, and Wayfair.
One year I was doing a major renovation and I ordered so much from Overstock that they sent me a beautiful floral arrangement for Christmas!
I found an awesome deal on a stainless steel under-mount kitchen sink and faucet from Overstock once. My plumber said it was the finest sink he had ever installed.
The stainless steel gauge (the lower, the thicker, the better) is what you look for. Overstock (at the time) had the best price and the lowest gauge. Which brings me to my next point!
Research, research, research!
Do your homework. Read reviews. Know that you are comparing apples to apples. Make sure you know what the fabric is and what the furniture is made of. Just because it’s cheaper (particleboard, MDF) does not mean it will last like all-wood furniture.
Bonus Tip: Children’s clothing is not an investment!
I wish I had known this fact when I was twenty-something and thought that all of my kid’s clothing had to come from this one little boutique that I adored! Children grow so fast and go through so many clothes.
Special Occasions
Special occasions do call for a splurge. Instead of spending a pile of money on clothing that kids will wear for a few months, invest it in their college fund, and buy their everyday clothing from somewhere like Target.
Target has the cutest kids’ clothing! If you monogram every single piece of clothing your child wears (this is a southern thing), once they grow out of that clothing, no one else can wear it unless they have the same name or initials).
Extra Bonus Tip: You may think this is silly, but I always pray for good deals before I go shopping!
My husband (jokingly, I think) tells me the best way to save is to not go shopping. He’s got a point!
It’s your turn! What’re your best-kept secrets for shopping steals and deals? Inquiring minds want to know!
84 comments
These are really great tips! I am a frugal shopper as my budget demands it. But even if I could afford to pay more, I don’t know that I would except for special occasions. I love the thrill of the hunt. This is a great collection of tips. I appreciate the furniture tips! I need some new soon and I had never considered shopping at those places.
Because I’m such a cheapskate, but love to wear nice things, I’ve perfected the art of finding deals and steals.
I love your tips! If any one wants to try it, here’s a link to Gwynnie bee
http://goo.gl/bxe82P Gwynnie bee free 30 day trial of 3 out at time has super cute dresses & I haven’t pd anything yet for all my cute dresses bc 2x they got behind n shipping so extends my trial 2 more wks!
Thanks for supplying the link, Ashley! And thanks for taking the time out of your busy day to comment!
You are a woman after my own heart! Are you my long lost sister? We shop in all of the same places! The Stein Mart store in Macon,Ga. may not have all of the same things as the Stein Mart store in Hilton Head S.C.! We simply must go to both! If you live in a town with Goodwill stores, the smaller stores in nice neighborhoods will carry better merchandise so it will move faster also. All good tips, Alli! Thanks! Now, I’d like to go shopping 🙂
Let’s go! I’m ready! When I was in my early 20’s I only shopped in mega malls. That was before I learned all the secrets on how to save money! 🙂 I thought it was great that you posted on how to save money at the grocery store the same day I posted on how to save when shopping for clothing and furniture. Great minds!
Great tips. Researching and online shopping are big for me too.
I don’t know how I lived before online shopping!
Great tips, thank you! Number 2 is my way to go. That way I do not have to go shopping every season. I also find that the same brand store in a small town has better chances to get what you want, big city stores sell out quicker.
That’s crazy about their rent – you can definitely find better deals by staying out of the malls. Great advice here – thank you!
I too am a thrifty shopper. Lol I always find great deals. My greatest finds usually come around Christmas. I research online and find the best deals. I buy most of my kids clothes from Target, The Children’s Place and Kohls. I buy when the clothes are on clearance and use coupons.
Thanks for the great tips Allie! I am thrifty but I always need to be reminded of how to shop smartly!
Love those tips. I am always looking for the sales, too. I spend much time reviewing items online before I buy them. And I do buy a lot from online now, too. The only downfall, sometimes when the items arrive, they are look different that online. Thanks!
How much fun was this?!! Love your tips. I love Stein Mart but have never been a TJ Maxx fan…I know! My friends think I’m nuts but I just do not like the store. I still go occasionally since The Sweetheart and I travel so much with our ministry. I have found a couple of things but never anything I am crazy about. True, I am not a size 6 either 🙁 lol, so that might make a difference! Following you for more good “stuff”! ♥
T.J. Maxx can be a hit or miss kind of thing, but I love their home department. I have bought lamps, curtains and even imported extra virgin olive oil that has been amazing and great deals. My daughter finds more things in the clothing section than I do.
ak! i always forget about tj maxx! these are great tips! i’ve also gotten to know my figure pretty well, and will know right away if something will look decent. sometimes i still have some hope, though. 🙂
I know! Sometimes I will try something on knowing good and well that it will not flatter me at all. We can wish, can’t we?
I need to go shopping with you! 🙂
Come on, let’s go! We have a Valentine Banquet to attend Friday night because it was postponed due to the snowstorm last week. I got my formal dress for $40.00. I sure do love deals and steals!
Great Tips! Number 6 is my favorite 🙂 Shopping in my pj’s, a nice warm cup of coffee, AND saving money… LOVE!!
Have a beautiful week,
Amber
I’m with you! Shopping in my pj’s is where it’s at. I do most of my Christmas shopping online – no long lines, no crowds, no hassles. 🙂
We love Target too. Also, all of us including my husband and I have a lot of hand-me downs. I mean if our friends and relatives want to spend a lot of money on clothes and then get rid of them when they are still in good condition why should we get the benefit of that?
I always handed my kids clothing down to my sister. It just so happened that her son was a couple years younger than mine and her daughter was a couple of years younger than my daughter. It worked out perfectly. A few months ago she sent me a dress that she had saved from when my now 25 year old daughter was a year old. It was still in perfect shape after being worn by 4 cousins!
I love shopping online and getting what works for my shape. Thus why i have a few different kinds of 50s dresses lol. It has become quite the thing with me 😀
Online shopping is the best! My daughter loves 50 style dresses.
Wow! I can at times be a disaster to shop with. It doesn’t help that my sewing background gives me more insight than I sometimes care to have into the outfit (that seam won’t last, that material is super cheap, etc). But, these are some fantastic tips! Especially since I have my first little one on the way, I am learning to love hand-me-downs from friends.
I wish I could sew! I did get a sewing machine for Christmas. Now, if I can just figure out how to thread that bobbin, I may be in business! 🙂
Great read! I am a huge fan of shopping….who isn’t?! 😉 but I am also a huge fan of coupons.
I love how you say you buy what you love..not just like. I have a bad habit of doing that so I love that tip!
I like coupons, too. I tend to use more of them when I can use my phone to scan them when I’m checking out instead of clipping. I’m lazy that way. 🙂
Great tips on shopping. LOL. I totally agree that children clothes are not INVESTMENT. They grow so FAST!
Yes, they grow too fast. I remember when my now-grown children were babies and how they skipped right over some of those darling little outfits I had bought them because they were growing so fast.
Thank you! I sometimes hate shopping because of the $$$$. But, I have found T.J. Maxx and Burlington Coat Factory can be great places for deals! If I go, I try to go without the kiddos, because it is too exhausting, and I am more likely to leave something I love or buy something I don’t need because I am in a hurry!
That’s a great tip. All of my kids are grown so I love shopping with my daughters. I totally agree – it’s exhausting for the mom and the young kids.
Alli! Great to see you in Group C. I love your blog; content is fresh and cleanly displayed! But now lets talk about your post . . . simply put . . . FANTASTIC! Just the tips I needed to kick off spring cleaning my worn out wardrobe. And I’m with you on wearing someone else’s shoes – guess it goes back to school days when we were forbidden to wear anyone else’s hats – and shoes? – eeuw yuk gross. Just sayin’. Love the tips – all of them.
I’m glad I’m not all alone in the shoe wearing department, Kathleen. Maybe it does go back to our school days. Group C is filled with awesome bloggers!
From the time I was 16 until I was 26 I worked for a retail clothing outlet similar to TJMaxx. I started in the warehouse while in high school and worked my way through Asst. Manager until I received my associates. I then ventured into the world of accounting, until a few years ago when I pushed myself through a BA and MBA in 5 years while writing about accounting. I’m glad I learned to be frugal at such a young age because I wouldn’t know what to do if I had to shop retail while trying to start a freelance business career and work through school. While I do shop at discount outlets like TJ Maxx, Ross, and Marshalls, I am not afraid of clearance racks at Kmart or Walmart. Our local Targets donate their clearance to Goodwill so I can shop brand new, with tag items for pennies on the dollar. I live by an outlet mall, but there prices are far from outlet style these days.
And that’s exactly why I generally stay away from the big outlet malls – their prices ARE usually far from outlet style. Clearance racks (where ever they may be) are a good thing.
I am totally guilty of buying something that doesn’t really flatter me or isn’t really my style just because it’s a “steal.” And then, not surprisingly, it hangs in my closet for who knows how long until I end up getting rid of it. I’m vowing not to purchase anything unless I can name at least 5 places/ways I will definitely wear it.
That’s a great tip about naming at least five places/way to wear it. I’ll have to remember that one! It’s not a steal if it just hangs in the closet (been there, done that).
and if you can use coupons – even better!! 😀
Amen to that!
Great tips! I have been losing weight for some time (off and on). As I lose weight I give all of my previous sizes to charity. This makes for a very small amount of clothing in my closet. I refuse to add very many articles to the closet because I don’t want to waste money on something that isn’t going to fit for very long. I am really looking forward to reaching my goal so that I can renew my wardrobe. I will use your tips when I do.
Thanks for sharing.
Congrats on your weight loss! I did the same thing when I lost weight a couple of years ago. I gave all the clothing to charity and my closet looked pitiful for a while.
I have bought/found so many great things at both Marshalls and TJ… but you DO have to go often to find the deals! Unfortunately, where I live now it’s a good 30 min. drive to either one, and not a route I often take. I’ve noticed my good deal clothes and accessories have gone down radically!
I agree. You have to go often and grab that deal when you find it.
So true that children’s clothing is not an investment. That’s why we stick to hand me downs!
Excellent tips! I also love deals and discounts. Truth be told I also don’t buy my clothing at full price. For myself I always seek sales and discounts. I also haunt bazaars and thrift shops. I’ve been overweight since giving birth to my 3 year old but hopefully my Zumba classes will help me lose this weight so that i can finally shop online. There are so many affordable and wonderfully priced clothing online. It’s difficult to shop though when you’re not sure if it’ll fit!
I’ve always wished that clothing sizes were universal. But the same size by different designers can be so different. I took a Zumba class a few months ago and had a blast! It took me several years to lose my baby weight, too. I was not one of those girls that fit back into their clothing after 2 weeks (sigh).
I’m not from the States but sine moving here 4 years ago I’ve learned a lot about smart shopping! A couple of things that help me is always know your prices so you can identify a good deal, always shop the clearance rack first, sometimes you find brand new stuff at second hand stores for a fraction of the price it’s worth looking, Ann’s last but not least used is NOT always cheaper if your know where to look! Thank you for your tips!
That’s a great tip, Paulina! Knowing prices is a valuable tip! Thanks so much for sharing!
These are really great tips on shopping on a budget. I felt the same way about shopping at discount stores like Ross and TJ MAXX until the birth of my two children. I had bad experiences as a child when we would shop at outlet stores. I remember in Middle School I bought a pair of acid washed jeans and the jeans were so defective that I could not wear them to school the next day. I vowed that I would only shop at major stores and boutiques after that day, and to only shop downtown with my mother in those days. However, moving to Atlanta and starting my family I have changed my shopping habits in so many ways and I like to give to other mothers that have done the same for me. I enjoy finding good deals at Marshall’s, TJ MAxx, Target, and sometimes Ross.
I refuse to shop at some discount stores because of the condition of their clothing. If it’s not great quality, I pass right over it. And a lot of times it is hit and miss and sometimes, right before I’m walking into Ross, I think “Why am I shopping at this place?” Then I score a pair of Michael Kors or Donna Karen pants in perfect condition for a fraction of the retail price and I realize why I keep going back. 🙂
I scored a great Steve Madden handbag and Steve Madden nude flats and it made me feel so happy on the inside LOL!
I love the thrill of the hunt and I’m like you, I get all happy inside when I score big!
A woman after my own heart. 🙂 I am a discount shopper. I have to admit I’m getting better about only buying things that fit me now, not when I lose 20 lbs. They have to fit and look good now. 🙂
My biggest tip is buying offseason. A friend was laughing because I bought next year’s Valentine’s cards this week. I know my son will still be in school and 90% is just fine for pieces of paper he’ll give his friends.
Buying off season is a great tip! Our Valentine Banquet was postponed until tomorrow night because of the snowstorm we had last week. I couldn’t get out in the snowstorm (all of the south closes down) before the banquet. I was secretly delighted because it meant at least half off of all the decor.
I have recently discovered the joy of shopping online. It’s amazing. These are great tips all around. Thank you for sharing.
Yes, online shopping is awesome. I don’t have to get dressed up or put on makeup! 🙂
These are such good tips! Especially the clothes-shopping ones! I need to pay better attention to Ross! It’s definitely worth the try!!! I always forget to go there!
I don’t know my shapes well enough to be able to look at something and know if it would be good or bad on me, but I would love to be at that point someday!
I’m doing a guest post in a few days about knowing your shape. Ross is a real hit and miss, but I’ve scored some of my best deals there.
Thanks for the tips. I rarely pay retail, always look for sales and Goodwill is my best friend. Although sometimes hard, I also know that second hand stores typically knock down the price, often by 25% each week it’s in their store. I’m waiting patiently for this dining room table and server to go on sale! Thanks for the tips. I’ve never heard of homedecorators.com
I always make sure I click on the outlet tab at homedecorators.com. From what I’ve observed, when there’s only a few of the items left, the price goes way down.
Great tips! One purchase we made was at Marshall’s. We found an entire bed set for about $60.00 in great condition, and super soft, too!
I never thought about different stores having different items based on the demographic. I’ll have to remember to try different places when I go looking for something.
I learned about the demographics from a saleslady at Dillard’s years ago. Then when I had grand kids and was trying to find a ride on toy for one of them and my local Walmart was sold out, I found it at a different Walmart for a much higher price. I figured they would match my (lower) local Walmart’s price. Wrong! They don’t do that. Live and learn, right?
Let’s go! 🙂
I completely agree about your thoughts on children’s clothing. All of my kids’ clothes are either hand me downs or come from consignment sales. They don’t know any different at their ages and it saves our budget!
Exactly! And they grow so fast.
Oh I love these tips!!! I also don’t think I would ever try the online closets or consignment… Too much of a germaphobe but love the rest!! I am on a budget and here we have a store I just found called Plato’s Closet!! Brand new clothes for a used price!! Lol! I love it! Other than that, I go to Goodwill!! Thanks!!
We must have a kindred spirit! 🙂
I have to start shopping for spring clothing, too. And I will certainly be looking for steals and deals.
OMG – My husband does the same thing!!! And he always gets the best parking space.
Great tips. I love to go to TJMax and I hate the crowded overpriced malls so we have that in common. 🙂 I didn’t know about the demographics tip but I will keep that in mind.
You’ve got that right! I go to a mall as a last resort and it has to be on sale (and with a coupon, if possible). 😉
Me, too! Flash sales are awesome. Great tip!
Thanks for the great tips Alli! I haven’t heard about online closets. Now I’m intrigued… going to check the site you suggested, thanks!
Fantastic ideas! I like what you said about knowing what the cut of an article of clothing will look on you. I’m this way about color and fabric. I know what I find “itchy” and it doesn’t matter how gorgeous it is, I won’t wear it.
I also pray for deals 🙂
I can’t wear anything itchy or beige. Beige washes me out to the point that you can’t tell where the beige top ends and my face begins!
I never pay full price either. My fiance says when I see sale sign i go crazy which is true. You have a wealth of knowledge in the shopping arena. I’m jotting down your tips!
Thanks! I just scored a Michael Kors top for $40 yesterday. It was regular $110. I love a good deal!! 🙂
My daughter just joined one of the closets and she is very happy so far.
Ok, I guess I am too much of the typical male. I just don’t do shopping for clothes much. Each year at Christmas I get something to replace that item I wore out during the year. However, as a Pastor I have to have suits that I cannot afford to buy at one of the suit places. I have been able to piece together a good suit at multiple Goodwill stores. Thank for sharing such a thorough and efficient post. Blessings.
My husband never goes shopping! I shop for him and it’s a good thing he likes my taste in clothing. 🙂
I just love the thrill of the hunt when it comes to bargain shopping! Glad I gave you some good ideas. Usually when I go to department stores, it’s an end of the season sale or I have coupons. 🙂
Thanks for the tips. I am on a mission to finding more girl friends that like to go shopping for deals and love to talk. I have been so consumed with raising my kids and fishing with my hubby that I didn’t realize that I had neglected my friends so bad that they disappeared….. anyway love the tips and your blog!!