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Calling all Shopaholics – Metro US

Calling all Shopaholics

This past weekend, women everywhere flocked to theatres to check out the highly anticipated Confessions of a Shopaholic.

If, while watching this movie, you felt like you had missed your casting call, it might be time to look at your own spending.

Now, as self-reformed shopaholics, we know that there are some things that you simply can’t live without. But we think that it is all about finding a way to get the must-haves for less.

• Before hitting the malls, begin at home. Clean out your closet and give away (or donate) anything that does not make you feel your absolute best. Better yet, get some honest girlfriends to weigh in on the decision. Next, make a list of the absolute must-haves and when you hit the mall, stick to the list. This will avoid any of those impulse purchases, which shopaholics are known for.

• Make friends with the salespeople — they will tell you when the steals and deals are happening, and sometimes even offer you the discount before the actual sale. Also, check to see if the same stores have a VIP emailing list. If it’s an item you must-have, you might as well get it on sale.

• Put your money into long lasting pieces like coats, shoes and handbags. Items like basic T’s and skinny jeans can be purchased on the cheap. Ask yourself how much use you will really get from an item, and invest in the things that will last the longest.

• Instead of shopping at the mall for your beauty products, check out the drugstore. Some of the most popular products can be found at your local drugstore for a lot less — from Maybelline’s Great Lash to Oil of Olay’s Regenerist, you can literally save hundreds of dollars a year, just by making this simple change.

• Don’t buy anything that you don’t completely love. Many of us fall into the trap of buying something with the intention of returning it in a few days if we change our mind. Let’s be honest, how often does that item ever really get returned? Instead, walk away and think about it. If you are still daydreaming about that dress in a week, you can reassess.

• Lastly, find a friend or family member who wants to be your “in case of (a spending) emergency” buddy. During those moments of weakness when you are tempted to spend on something you know you shouldn’t, call your friend and they will remind you of what you’d rather have that money for.

For more money saving tips, tune into season two of the Smart Cookies on the W Network, Monday nights at 10:30 p.m. PST/EST.

If you have comments or questions, email us at smartcookies@metronews.ca.

– Tune in Monday nights at 10:30 p.m. EST/PST on the W Network and be sure to visit
smartcookies.com for more tips.