How to save money while shopping

I really like going to thrift and consignment stores for original retro furniture, really!

For me, this is exactly like a treasure hunt… but of course it has “dark sides”.

People often complain about their ‘obsession’ with nearby thrift stores and also that they can’t say no to cheap deals, 100% useless to them.

The end result of this ‘habit’ is often a storage room full of useless (or unsuitable for their homes) retro furniture which they then decide to sell or dispose of in one way or another.

There are a few interesting points about ‘impulsive’ second-hand purchases:

1. All the money spent for 1 year on not so essential objects could have been invested in something much more useful or necessary.

2. All of these purchases require them to redesign their homes all the time to find a place for everything they have. I really feel for them!

So I thought to myself, “You’re as passionate about thrift stores and thrift stores as they are. Then why don’t you share your recommended solutions to this impulse buying habit?”

How I stopped spending money and started saving for the things I really want: a teak sideboard.

First of all, every time I go through a second-hand or second-hand store, I allow myself a budget: 50 euros. It is your choice how much money you intend to spend each time, on average I choose fifty euros and it really works. I learned that the more permissive you are with yourself, the harder it can be to stick to the 4 magical rules below.

The 4 magic guidelines to save money while you save.

1. I go to the end.

This is especially true for flea markets. If you go, say, an hour or so before closing time, you stand a much better chance of getting what you need at the price you want. This is especially true for massive pieces of furniture that the seller might not want to bring back. I call it the ‘Seller’s Critical Hour’.

In the last hour or so, many sellers have to make as many sales as possible, which means that they are even more willing to accept negotiations and reductions than at the beginning of the day; it’s natural… otherwise they wouldn’t have a lucrative day!

two. I avoid using the car.

Yes, I know this may come as a shock to most of you. If you go by public transport or on your motorcycle, or even if you share the car with other people who would like to save with you, you simply will not have much space to carry bad things and you will be forced to choose!

Ok… maybe you are wondering… and suppose I find that wonderful retro furniture that I have been trying to find for a long time, then I can’t buy it! There is no doubt that you can, you could leave a deposit and come back later with your car.

3. I have a ‘walk of thought’ before buying.

If I notice something I love, I go for a walk before asking the price… Spinning around and having time to think about it is comparable to counting to 10 just before saying something.

While I’m having my ‘thought walk’, I always ask myself:

has. I really want it? b. Where would you put it at home?

Taking a walk can also help you understand the frequent value of that type of retro item and make sure the one you’ve seen isn’t too expensive; it happens often!

Four. I never say OK I BUY IT.

If you are absolutely sure that you would really like that item, that you have the right place for it, and that it doesn’t cost too much compared to others on the market: go for it but don’t buy it.

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