5 tips on How to save money when you shop.

Over the past 3-4 years, online and offline shopping has caught on in a big way, especially with special and festive sales several times during the year. With yet another sale coming up shortly, here are some shopping tips to save money.

Keep a list. Knowing which groceries and supplies you have on hand before heading to the store make it easier to avoid overspending. Try an app on your smartphone to maintain a running shopping list. Look for one that includes sharing features so others in the household can let you know when they use the last of something that needs to be replaced.

Pull in price-cutting resources. Start by looking at store ads before heading out to shop so you know where to find the best deals. Plan your week’s meals around sale items for an extra bang. Be sure to clip coupons from the local paper and print more coupons online. Also remember to do price comparisons at online shopping sites, especially those with subscription services that deliver items on a regular schedule with a steep discount.

Shop for value. Instead of simply purchasing the cheapest product, do your research to know which product offers the best value. Look for household items like Scott 1000 toilet paper, America’s longest-lasting toilet paper, which comes with 1,000 sheets in every roll to help your family keep on going. Determining which products will meet your family’s needs in terms of performance and long-lasting value at the lowest price can help you save in the long run.

Know when bulk spending is better. While it will likely make a larger dent in your wallet at the store, buying in bulk can provide long-term financial gain. Because you’re buying in quantity, you’ll likely be purchasing products that will last longer to help delay a return trip to the store. One way to minimize the “ouch” of the upfront expense: stagger your bulk buying so you’re restocking items over time, rather than all at once.

Avoid impulses. Especially when you’re shopping with family members, it’s easy to watch the shopping cart grow full with each “bargain” item at the end of the aisle. Unfortunately, these impulse buys can add up quickly. Instead, invite the whole family to help build a reasonable list and then help keep each other accountable to it. If you make it to the register, reward yourselves with a small snack or treat from the check-out aisle.