How to Shop Smartby Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger 07 May 2009 04:07 AM Sometimes it isn't all about the coupons and sales but where in the store that you shop. Did you know that you can often find two of the exact same things (or at least similar things) in a store such as Target or Walmart and yet pay two different prices, depending on the section in which you find the item? Doing a little creative thinking can often save you some money. Similar use items When shopping for something first think about whether or not it might have other uses. Is it a specialty item? Are there other items that might do the job as well? If you really think about it, you might realize that there is something else that will work for much less. One example is a window squeegee. There are at least three types of squeegees in a standard mart type store. There is one for the car, one for home windows and one for cleaning the shower doors or bathroom tile. If you compare prices, you'll find that the least expensive option is one for home windows, followed by the one for the bathroom and topped by the one for the car. Since they can all work equally well, why not buy the least expensive even if you need it for your car? Other thoughts for similar use items: Cookie scoop verses expensive gourmet mini ice cream scoop and witch hazel in the first aid section instead of pore toner in the skin care section. Same item, different marketing Sometimes you can have the exact same item that is packaged differently, according to how the product is marketed. Take simple ice cream toppings. In a display that is positioned in the freezer section, you'll find all sorts of interesting ice cream toppings, such as sprinkles and chocolate syrup. But head over to the baking aisle for cheaper sprinkles and the drink or condiment section for your chocolate syrup. Other thoughts for same item, different marketing include ethnic foods such as spices, tortillas and sauces, sesame seeds, raisins and canned beans and vegetables. Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, creating a home in the Home Blog, caring for little ones in the Baby Blog and now relationships in the Marriage Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here or subscribe to the blog using the subscription box on the right. Favorite Deal Websites: Related Articles: How to Shop at the Goodwill Outlet Store Your Thrift Store Purchases Can Affect Your Credit Cards A Frugal Secret: Bakery Thrift Stores Thrift Store Bargain Worth $250,000! Common Prices for Yard Sale Items Yard Sale Shopping Myth: Arriving Early Finding the Best Garage Sales 2 Finding the Best Garage Sales 2 Yard Sale Frustration: Has This Happened to You? 12 Ways Staying Home Saves Money Overmyminutes.com: Keep Track of Your Cell Phone Usage Simple Attempts at Money Stewardship Money Saving Steps to Take When You Are Laid Off Learn more about Mary Ann Romans  Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer, wife and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat. Relevantfrugal tags User Comments EvaRose (260) 07 May 2009 07:20 AMSo true. All those little tricks really do add up to be a lot of savings.  thequeenofthecastle (413) 18 Jun 2009 04:14 PMI went to buy a noise machine for my children's room and a friend told me that if you buy them in the children/baby section they cost twice as much as if you find them in the section of the pharmacy that caters to the elderly with things like walkers and first aide supplies. I guess the elderly don't fall for markup as easily as us young parents. :) Discuss this article
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