7 Things You Should Never Pay Full Price for ...

1. Clothes

Getting a piece of clothing you’ve been eyeing on sale is one of the best feelings in the world and it's also one of the things you should never pay full price for. On many occasions you can get most of the clothes you want at a discount. You can always get a steep discount at thrift stores, but if you want new clothes, try discount clothing stores and even eBay. Also, don’t forget to check online for special sales and promo codes. Another thing smart shoppers can’t be without is using sites like ShopAtHome.com, RetailMeNot.com or Ebates.com to get cash back on purchases.

2. Books

As a bookworm, I appreciate being able to read books at a lower price than retail. I don’t mind reading used books, in fact I prefer it. I like knowing that the book I’m reading isn’t just sitting on a shelf collecting dust and that after I read it, it’ll go on and light up someone else’s life. If there’s a title that you’ve been wanting to read, don’t hesitate to get a used copy, borrow it from the library or read the e-book version. If you have an e-reader, try searching for free books, you should be able to find a variety of new and classic books for free. All of these options are cheaper than buying a new book and you’ll still get your reading fix!

3. Magazines

It never fails, I’ll be waiting in line at the grocery store and a beauty or entertainment news magazine catches my eye. While I love a good magazine, I hate paying upwards of $4-5 for a bunch of ads and a few articles here and there. Cut costs by getting a subscription which is priced at a discount or even better, sign up for rewards programs like RewardsGold and RewardsSurvey.com to earn points towards free subscriptions. Free is always better!

4. Groceries

Do you feel like you spend the majority of your money at the grocery store but still feel like you have nothing good to eat? There are a few ways to save at the grocery store where you get your groceries at a discount. The first shopping tip is to sign up for any loyalty programs through the store. By doing so you’ll usually get emails on sales and promotions and you’ll be notified of any special deals. The second shopping tip is to use coupons. Depending on your store’s coupon policy, you might be able to stack a manufacture’s coupon with a store coupon and a store sale. Don’t forget to check out the store’s clearance section, also. You never know what you can find there and items are often heavily marked down.

5. Eating out

Thanks to daily deal sites like Living Social and Groupon, we no longer have to pay full price for our meals out anymore. This is a great way to try out a new eatery in your hood or if you’re lucky, one of your favorite restaurants will be offering a promo. Other ways to save are to buy gift certificates through Restaurant.com and Costco often sells gift cards to restaurants at a discount, also. If you’re going the fast food route, don’t forget to check for coupons in mailers and online.

6. Health and Beauty Products

Don’t ever pay full price for health and beauty products if you don’t absolutely have to. I’m sure you’re aware that most drugstores have sales, but you can also sign up for store loyalty cards to get even more savings. At CVS, you can get coupons at the store at their coupon machine, which you can use with manufacturer’s coupons, and with some purchases you get Extra Care Bucks, which you can use like real money at their stores. At Walgreens, you can also earn points towards dollars off so you can get a lot of your favorite beauty products at a reduced price. If you buy at Walmart or other big box stores, check to see if they price match for additional savings.

7. Workout Equipment

If you prefer working out at home to going to a gym or rec center, read this before you go out to buy new equipment! Rather than buying a brand new treadmill, which can be pretty expensive, look for a used one on Craigslist or stores that resell workout machines like Play It Again Sports. Many people purchase weights, stair climbers and other products that just end up gathering dust in the garage and they’re more than happy to sell it at a heavily discounted price. If you like yoga, Pilates or other cardio workouts, check out the free videos on YouTube.

I hope these shopping tips help you to avoid paying full price for these products. There are lots of ways to get discounts on a number of things, it just takes a little creativity and research. Are there some other items that you always get on sale? Do you have any shopping tips you want to share?