Get more than you need

KEEPING RECEIPTS

If you are working on something where measurements are required or a certain amount of items are required to finish the job, buying from larger stores can definitely be the better option. 

There's nothing more annoying than returning home after a trip to the shops to buy some bits for finishing a job like the one I'm on now - home improvements, only to discover you need a few more centimetres of wallpaper or an extra 1-2 of the fittings more than those you estimated were the correct amount allowed for. Having to return back to the store wastes precious time that could be better spent finishing the job in hand, so it always pays to purchase more than we need. 

If it's a large and well known store, they will have a great returns policy for unused items. Taking back items at the end of a job also gives us a bit of a feel-good factor, because we get a bit of money back at the finish. A bit like finding a £10 note in old pair of trousers. This is especially good when we're working for others rather than on our own projects, as this small extra cost for returned items would have been on the client's bill, and having this bit of extra cash back in our pocket, however small, makes up for any losses incurred on those unaccounted for extra hours that've we've put on the job and should be taken as a small bonus in the form of a well earned drink for all the hard work.

Charity Bargains

GIVE AND RECEIVE

Buying clothes from the second hand shop has completely lost the stigma it had from when I was at school. The stick we'd get from the bullies once they suspected we had on a hand-me-down, was enough to get a reputation for being somewhat of a lower classed citizen. Kids can be so cruel.

Through the college years it became a right of passage to wear charity shop attire. It was expected that everything worn had to be quirky cool clothing from a charity shop. But then a decent wage packet came along and suddenly second hand clothing was eradicated from the wardrobe.

With all the cheap clothing now clogging up the high street stores, likely produced unethically in poorer countries, it seems we're already making more stuff than we actually need. Adding to the fact that I'm bringing in very little money at the moment, I've made a pact to only buy from charity shops.

I like the idea that I'm giving to charity at the same time as treating myself. Today I bought four items that will serve me well. I was just looking for a pair of shorts, but in my search, found a hoody, vest, bag and shorts - all for just £22! There was a really nice shirt and a jacket which would have added another £14.50 to the total, but unfortunately, they were both a bit too small. Still, this shop Fara has so much great stuff that looks as new, for under a fiver, why go anywhere else?!

Second Hand Goods

GOOD AS NEW

Every day, someone, somewhere is packing off something to be taken to the second hand shop or sold on eBay. These are goods that have had some use but are still good for more. The reasons for throwing them out may just be that there's no room for them or that they don't get used enough t warrant keeping them.

We're all conditioned consumers in this day and age - and retail for some, truly is a form of therapy. We're simply a couple of clicks away on Amazon, from what may just be another impulse buy...

The economics of purchasing
My brother has gotten really good at sniffing out bargains on eBay. He'll always choose to look for a used item before buying new - especially when it comes to kids games and toys. The kids are usually involved in this process. What this means, is that he is teaching his kids about the value of money and economics when it comes to purchasing. Understanding monetary value, knowing how to negotiate and when/why to purchase is not something we are taught in school. Using kids toys as a model - buying at a fraction of the original price, using and playing with it - then selling on again, quite often making money at the end, will stand these youngsters in good stead for when they grow up and buy their own house etc.

Grabbing a Bargain
Many people are oblivious to how they spend their money. They live to and beyond their means and without controlling their desires, they buy stuff that ends up in the cupboard or in a storage unit gathering dust. Quite often, they'll want bigger, better, newer versions of the same thing and the 'old' one will just be in the way. There's bargains to be found. Hence, when I decided on buying an Omega VRT352 Juicer (normally around £300+), I had to look for a second hand one to justify not spending more money than I spent on a one week all inclusive holiday to the Canary Islands! Here I found one on a really great website called Preloved. And everything I've purchased on here is just that - loved and looked after. So for a very easy purchase at £165, I'm really happy to have found something that is guaranteed for 10 years and potentially will boost health and vitality at a bargain price.