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6 Secrets to Bargain Hunting

Emily Co — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 09:00:04 PST

This past weekend, a friend and I spent a glorious Saturday afternoon being shown around by a frugal fashionista who gave us a crash course in bargain hunting. I think I must have squealed a few times over the amazing finds I spotted in consignment stores and little neighborhood shops. I found a BCBG dress for just $25 when it originally price was over $200, and to top it all off, it was in great condition. I didn't buy much this time, but I did pick up some valuable tips from my shopping trip. Here they are:

High and Low: There is a mix of high- and low- end consignment stores so remember to check out both. On my little bargain excursion, I saw pieces from Marc Jacobs and Diane von Furstenberg at about 80 to 90 percent off at a higher-end store and found some great basic pieces at the low-end store. Mix and match it up, just like you would with your outfit!
Check the Tags: If you're super iffy about wearing something that's used, check the tags to see if it's new. Some stores get their clothes from wholesalers who have some clothes left over or from shops that need to get rid of some stock to make space for the new arrivals.

Read on for more tips.

That's Hot: 8 Celebs Who Don't Shy Away From Frugality

Emily Co — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 03:05:24 PDT

These celebrities are raking in million-dollar paychecks, but that doesn't mean that they have to go all out and spend big bucks 24/7. It's actually kind of refreshing to see them do ordinary things and hunt for bargains like you and I. Of course, this doesn't mean that they're completely giving up their glamorous lifestyles to live like the average person, but it's nice to see them showing some thriftiness.

Are You Willing to Experience Chaos For Sales?

FabSugar — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 00:22:22 PST

Black Friday is almost here!

Source

Fab Site: Steals & Deals on iVillage

FabSugar — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 08:00:22 PST

Anyone who says they don't love a good deal is lying. With that notion in mind, iVillage has started Steals & Deals, a shopping blog that dishes about sample sales, in-store sales, and designer discounts. They also provide coupon codes for fashion and accessories. What's the latest? A Rachel Roy NYC sample sale!

Fab Shopping Tip!

FabSugar — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 07:00:22 PST

I recently purchased this Arden B. Silk Trapeze Dress for $64 (originally $130) to wear to a friend's upcoming nuptials. Two days later, I revisited the site and found it had gone on sale for $30. What?!
First I was thrilled, but then I was mad I had paid the higher price. I pondered whether or not I should call customer service for a price adjustment. Despite my initial hesitancy, I sucked it up, dialed, and waited a good eight minutes to get an operator on the line. I calmly explained my situation and firmly ended with, "I'm calling to get a price adjustment." Without giving me trouble, Arden B. rewarded me my difference of $34.

Notice I didn't ask for a price adjustment; I told. I'm slightly changing the saying "ask and you shall receive" to "demand nicely and you shall receive." Moral of the story? The next time something you bought goes on sale so quickly after, don't shy away; instead, demand nicely and you'll get your deserved deal.

Fab Site: StyleNotes.com

FabSugar — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 08:00:22 PST

Face it - when it comes to bargains, you're lazy. You'd rather have someone present you with deals rather than scrounging the Internet yourself. Laziness may not take you far in other parts of your life, but in the online shopping world, it'll get you ahead.

StyleNotes.com reports the best deals, coupons, and sales from all the reputable stores out there. You can browse by category or shops. It's simple so stop being lazy and start saving some bucks.

Have You Ever Purchased Something You Didn't Love Just Because It Was on Sale?

FabSugar — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:34:33 PST

Guilty as charged.

Source

A Doctor Dishes: Which "Superfoods" Are Worth the Cost?

LearnVest — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:15:00 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart LearnVest story here on Savvy!

Most people you speak to these days are trying to stretch every dollar as far as possible - even the ones they spend buying apples and oranges.

Food prices are expected to increase yet again this year, and food manufacturers are making portions smaller without reducing prices. Not surprisingly, a recent Rasmussen poll found that 93 percent of adults report paying more for groceries now than they did a year ago.

So how can we supercharge our grocery dollars and get them to do overtime for us?

Yes, some foods are obviously a better nutritional deal than others (think apples vs. potato chips), but there’s another class of foods that blows the rest of the field away in terms of nutrients and health-protecting qualities: superfoods.

Superfoods can help prevent diabetes and heart disease, repair damage to your body’s cells, and more. But before you go piling them into your cart, know that some superfoods are better nutritional bargains than others. As a doctor and a mom, I’ve sleuthed out which ones are worth the extra cost in terms of their long-term health benefits. Below is the scoop on which ones may help you age better, ward off cancer, and more.

What to Know Before Buying Superfoods

Before we dive into what to buy, there are a few important things to remember about consuming these foods:

Eating foods fresh and in their natural state, especially fruits and vegetables (rather than in pill or powder supplement form), usually allows us to absorb the greatest amount of their nutrients. The way a superfood is processed or cooked can significantly lower its antioxidant content.
If the superfood can’t be eaten fresh, look for easy and appetizing recipes containing it. No matter how “super” a superfood may be, if you don’t know how to cook it, you’ll probably let it go to waste.

Are Superfoods "Good Buys" If I’m Shopping on a Budget?

Read on to find out.

7 Money Tips For Couples Starting a Family

Business Insider — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:15:00 PST

We're thrilled to present this smart Business Insider story here on Savvy!

Middle-income parents will spend nearly $227,000 in 17 years for children born in 2010, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

But don't let that scare you - saving for a family can actually be fun if you know what you're doing.

"The most important thing to understand is that your priorities are going to change and your spending habits need to change to reflect those changes," says Stuart Ritter, a financial planner at T. Rowe Price.

With Ritter and other financial experts' help, we'll help you prepare.

Invest in a 529 savings plan

Saving for your child's education is crucial to his or her success, and 529 plans are tax-advantaged college savings accounts that are available in all 50 states.

Most are free to set up, while some states require a minimum of $25 to open an account, says Adam Koos, a certified financial planner with Libertas Wealth Management. Anyone can contribute and take advantage of the tax benefits.

Open the plan before your child is born, says Ritter, and name yourself the beneficiary. You can change the name on the account once your child is born.

Read on for more.

Kind Acts That Won't Cost Much and Other Savvy Hits of the Week!

Emily Co — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 03:05:36 PST

Kind acts that won't cost much
How to divide and conquer expenses as a couple
Eighteen ways to save $1 a day
Tips to save money on your morning coffee
Six secrets to bargain shopping
Colorful and cute passport covers for every personality
Ways to annoy your boss
Handy tips for packing work lunches
How long does a job listing stay open?