Looking for plus size clothing or even vintage clothing? You most likely won’t find these items in stores such as Kohls, JCPenny, or Macys. When it comes to Mod/Retro clothing, you’ll have better luck at online stores like Modcloth.com. Basically, if you’re looking for something unique without any hassle, buying clothes online is the best option for you.

Since eCommerce mostly sprouted during the last decade, many people are still unfamiliar with buying online. Fortunately, buying clothing online is fairly easy once you master the basics. Here are some tips that will prevent you from making possibly pricy mistakes.

Measure Yourself

Obviously, when it comes to buying online, you won’t be able to try on clothes to see if they fit or if they look good on you. A big mistake that many people make when purchasing clothes online is not being aware of their size. Wouldn’t it be horrible to buy a whole wardrobe of clothes, wait two weeks for the clothing to come, only to find out that nothing fits?

Fortunately, you can prevent this by getting measured regularly. Even if you do know your size, you may buy clothing that doesn’t fit sometimes (nothing beats trying clothes on), but it definitely won’t be an every day thing.

If you don’t want to waste your money or go through the hassle of returning clothing, you should always have the measurements of your waist, chest, hips, inseam, and arm length handy at all times.

Be an Informed Shopper

Being an informed shopper goes for shopping offline too. Before purchasing clothing from an online retailer, you should read their FAQ and their fine print. If they don’t have both of these things, you probably shouldn’t buy from them.

Their fine print and FAQ should answer queries and concerns dealing with shipping, return policies, payment security, and any guarantees. You should never buy clothing online from a company that doesn’t have a method in place to protect your credit card information, even if their products are cheaper.

Shipping Rates

One of the reasons why Amazon is so popular is because of the shipping rates. Most of their products are eligible for free 3 to 5 day shipping, which is a really good deal, considering how expensive shipping can get. Take advantage of retailers who offer discounts and bulk rates.

Be Realistic

Many people end up buying clothes online that they would never buy in brick and mortar stores. Although yellow may look fabulous on the model in the picture, don’t assume it will definitely look good on you. Don’t let pictures fool you, only buy clothes that you know will look good on you.

The offers came from a couple of companies that specialize in tuangou, or group buying. When this method of bargain shopping began in Mainland China, it worked very simply: A group of buyers would approach a seller and offer to buy a certain number of items — if they got a large discount. The seller often agreed, at the prospect  of moving so much merchandise and maybe hooking some new customers.

In the past year or so, tuangou has gone online. After all, the Internet provides a quick and easy way to gather a group of people interested in the same product or service — even if it’s limited to one city. Companies like Groupon and SwarmJam see a chance to make money bringing together businesses and bargain hunters.

Typically, membership in an online tuangou group is free, and there’s no minimum purchase. Each day, you’re notified of a possible discount, usually from a business in your area. The discount will be offered only if enough people sign up for it. (In some groups, the more people who sign up, the larger the discount.) If this happens by the deadline, the deal is on. If you’re signed up, your credit card is charged, and you can print out your discount coupon.

This is probably the best way yet to find out about possible bargains and unadvertised specials in your town.

The restaurant discount I mentioned “tipped” before 7:30 this morning. The fitness offer still needs three more buyers, for some reason.

Deals like these can come your way, too.

1-Find Your Acurate Shoe Size

The first and most important step when it comes to selecting pumps (or any pair of shoes for that matter) is finding your correct size. Go to a shoe shop or department store to have your feet measured.  Remember that most European designers sell their shoes in European sizes, so check with a shoe size conversion chart to find your correct number. Most shoe stores and websites can assist you with this.

2- Don’t Go Too High

No matter your height, you should try to steer clear from stilettos that measure more than 4 inches. The higher you go, the higher your risk for injury or podiatry problems in the future.

3- Consider Platforms

Pumps or stilettos with a platform design tend to add more leverage and thus are more comfortable.

4- Try On The Shoes

If you’re shopping for shoes at a store, try them on right away. Stand up and take a few minutes to see how they fit. Walk around in them a little bit to get a feel for them. If they hurt your feet or feel too tight, leave the shoes at the store. If you’re buying the shoes through a website, check the return policy and try them on as soon as you get them. Follow the steps above and if they don’t fit, return them or exchange them for another size.

Maybe it was disloyal of me, but recently I decided to see if I could get a better deal online. Here’s what I found out:

– Contacts plus shipping don’t really cost less than the ones I order at the neighborhood optician’s.
–They don’t get to me any faster, either. Both ways take about five business days.
– However, unlike the optician, the online contact sellers I used offer free glasses with every purchase over $199. Stocking up on something I’ll eventually buy anyway, and in return getting something I badly needed free, is a good deal if I’ve got the money to do it.
– The cheaper brands of daily lenses don’t come in my prescription. (The technical term is -5.75. In plain English, I can’t see across the street.)
– If you order glasses online, you’ll need to know not only your prescription, which is not the same as your contact prescription, but the exact distance between your pupils, in milimetres.
– You can measure this carefully in the mirror, several times, and still end up with glasses that sit too high up on your nose.
– You’ll get used to that, though, especially if you wear the glasses only at the beginning and maybe the end of the day.

So, though it was worth it at least once for the free glasses, I don’t think I’ll start buying all my contacts online. At least not till I need more glasses.

Barnes & Noble
A chain of specialty book shops, you might expect high prices, but if you look a little closer you can find some real deals on bargain books! You’ll find paperback fiction for just $5.00 and under, children’s storybooks and novels under $10, and a good selection of reads marked down 50% off. Even better, Barnes & Noble offers free ebooks! Just download them onto your computer and read, or you can sync them to your Nook reader.

AbeBooks
You may have never heard of this website, but AbeBooks is a lot like the eBay of books (both new and used), allowing you to access millions of books sold by book sellers across the nation.  You can browse for fun, or you can search for a specific title or author by using their search box. The nice thing about AbeBooks is that you actually can find rare or hard to find books that most book shops won’t sell.

Paperback Swap
The most economical and environmentally smart way to get new books is to trade the books you don’t read anymore for “new” books. You simply register for free, post up a list of books you want to trade, and you’ll receive a few starter credits that you can use for books. The more books you trade the more credits you’ll receive for books. It’s relatively simple, and the only money you pay for the books are shipping and handling, which makes this relatively free.

Regularly check out local department stores’ sales racks. There are periods when department stores make markdowns on a lot of items including  jewelry. This usually happens when the next season’s shipments just have arrived or are about to arrive; they have to dispose of the old stock quickly and the only way to do it is by putting it on sale. You should be there at the right time.

It is also good to check out pawnshops. You cannot really tell what you will find in pawnshops, but you may chance upon a very good but inexpensive item. You also can visit thrift stores, but, of course, thrift stores rarely have really good jewelry. However, if you visit thrift stores regularly, your chance of coming upon a “rare” lucky find would be higher.

Always be on the lookout for yard sales. Like with pawnshops, you never can tell what you may find in yard sales, but you can get lucky and come upon a good item. What is good about yard sales is that you can use your bargaining skills to get a good deal.

You also can look for cheap jewelry online. There are good places to bid for jewelry online like eBay, Bidz.com, and JustBeads.com, these are just some of the sites where you can get good deals on jewelry. If you like handmade jewelry, you can visit online stores 0n Etsy. It is easy to find cheap but quality handmade jewelry there.

Inexpensive but quality jewelry can be found anywhere if you know how and where to look. A basic knowledge of jewelry is also a plus, so that you will know if the deal you got is really a good deal.

Do not save your credit card information on the hard drive of your computer. If your computer gets stolen or hacked into, where will that leave you? In a bad place for sure! Instead, save the information on a memory stick and/or on CDs. Always store these items in a secure and safe place that no one else knows about.

If you cannot get away with not saving personal information on the hard drive of your desktop or laptop, install a program that will keep it as secure as possible. One such program is Password Agent. There is a free version to this program as well as a paid version. To learn more about this program visit their website.

When you buy something over the Internet always review the charges that show up on your credit card bill. Verify every charge that you are being billed for. If you find a discrepancy somewhere, such as something you did not purchase, then get in touch with the credit card company immediately and report it to them. Not all online criminals do things on a large scale. Some are able to steal sensitive personal information and then use it to make small purchases over time. They do this because they think it will not be noticed by the consumer. Don’t be fooled!

A credit monitoring service is available from many of the major credit bureaus. This is a smart option for those who shop online on a regular basis. TransUnion runs an Identity Fraud Watch service that sends out e-mails to concerned consumers on a weekly basis to let them know if any alterations have been made to their profile or their credit reports. This service costs around $45 to $50 annually but is worth the money. Equifax and Experian are two other credit bureaus that have similar systems that are looking out for the rights of consumers. The more you do to protect yourself when shopping online the less you have to worry about!

How then can you go about protecting your identity when you choose to shop online?

If unsolicited e-mail arrives from a company that you have shopped with in the past, do not click on any links or images that appear in the message. Instead open a new browser window and type in the web address of the company and then from there find out what the offer is all about or login to your shopping account for more information or further instructions. You might want to put in a telephone call to the company if the e-mail seems suspicious to you. At the same time consider installing a state of the art spam filter in order to make sure that phishing e-mail messages do not find their way to your inbox at all.

Why is this so important to do? It is because criminals often send e-mails that look like letters from legitimate businesses for the express purpose of finding unsuspecting customers who will provide them with personal information.

Do everything you can to keep your Social Security number (SSN) as private as possible. It is for your eyes only! When you decide to open an account at a shopping website that you trust it is essential that no part of your SSN is used as a part of the account number that is created for you and/or as part of your ID number. This is very important for the sake of your online safety.

But do not stop there- ensure that every password you have to your bank accounts, e-mail accounts and any other online accounts are kept private. This is the case for both the online world as well as the offline one. There should be no sensitive or private information lying around on your desk at work or at home that prying eyes can discover.

1- Frequent Your Favorite Web sites

Many big name companies and stores often use freebies as a way of promoting a new product or service. Why not? It works! Favoritize your favorite links, and check them about every week or so, as they often change their promotions and offers on a regular basis.  Most often, you’ll find free shipping offers or free gifts with purchase promotions. There are even a few web sites (particularly beauty stores) that offer free samples with every order!

2- Search For Freebie Web sites and Blogs

Let me just start with there are a ton of these types of websites out there! One notable web site is mysavings.com, which essentially is an online directory listing a wide range of current freebies to choose from. While I advise Googling “freebie web sites” to find more like-minded sites, it’s important to know that many web sites will try to get you to sign up for a free daily or weekly newsletter to be sent to your inbox. While it may seem wise at first, it’s better just to favoritize the web site than to get extra spam.

3- Final Word of Caution

Many web sites and links will claim to give you a “free” designer handbag or high-end electronic item for nothing but shipping and handling. But in order to obtain such expensive item, you have to complete a series of offers that range from free offers to credit cards to expensive memberships. Essentially you’re purchasing from their third party sponsers to get the item, then have your friends do the same. Cut out the middleman, and just purchase the item yourself.

1. Bargain Hunters

To all the bargain hunters out there, be sure to drop by blogs like Good Deal Gal for information on good deals, coupons, free shipping info, etc. Don’t forget to take advantage of store coupons like Old Navy to get information on their latest sales and coupons.

2. Camera Enthusiasts

For camera enthusiasts, hobbyists and professionals, why not give them something they’ll appreciate without breaking the bank for you? Try Borrow Lenses, a website where you can borrow, rent or buy camera equipment you cannot afford to buy otherwise.Purchase a one-year membership for them (where they can get discounts every time they rent equipment) or purchase gift certificates (amount ranging from $10 to $500), so they can choose what to rent. If you’re in or near the San Francisco or San Mateo area, you can choose to pick up equipments at the store. Otherwise, you can choose to have the items shipped to your home.

3. Food Lovers – Coupon Mom

Use Coupon Mom to purchase restaurant gift certificates for 80% off. Give it as a gift or use it to treat other people out for lunch or dinner.

4. Low Deals – eBay

Never underestimate the power of eBay to give you the best choices for the best deals. Remember to be extra patient at this time, as a lot of people will be doing the same thing. And make sure to read all conditions. Sometimes, deals are too good to be true because you’ll be spending too much on shipping. So, be sure to read all the fine print.

5. Cheap Deals

Scour your area for the best deals on events, travel deals or attractions. In San Francisco, try Bay Area On The Cheap for discounts on museum and concert tickets, suggestions on cheap dates, happy hour sightings and farmers market locations.

If you’re resourceful enough, you’ll be able to find last minute ideas and deals for your Christmas gifts. Never give up.

1- Take A Second Look
Perhaps you already have holiday dishes or décor that you forgot about. Discover your hidden treasures in the basement and find a way to make them new again.  Maybe you were given a set of old Christmas plates, as a family heirloom, that you would rather not use for dinner. Why not showcase them in your china hutch instead? Get creative with your options! Don’t forget to look at secondhand stores for more options.

2- Browse Close-out Retail
Places like Big Lots are a great way to discover décor options without breaking the bank. The close-out stores buy merchandise from local merchants who are either going out of business or selling extra merchandise that they can’t sell. Make sure to go shopping at least once a week, as they are always selling new items for less!

3- Shop For Handmade
Online retail websites are a great place to find a variety of  low-cost handmade gifts and décor. Here you will find a wide array of gifts, decorations, and so much more. Check out Etsy.com.

4- Learn A New Art or Craft
Now is the perfect time to take that pottery class or ornament making workshop. You will not only learn something that’s fun and make new friends, you also will save some money by making your own décor.

5- Wait For Clearance Sales
The best way to find great deals on holiday décor? Wait until after Christmas and take advantage of their winter/holiday clearance sales. You can save the new stuff for next year!

Rest assured that you are not the only person in the world who does not possess a credit card. Whether you do not qualify for a credit card or simply do not want to shop online with one, you have other options. Read on to find what they are.

Before you order anything online look over the site to find out what payment options are available. Plenty of companies are coming to realize that they will attract more business if they offer a variety of flexible payment options, as opposed to just payment by credit card. For example, some online merchants offer a “Bill Me Later” option and will allow you to mail a check for a purchase. Always check before you begin your shopping spree, though!

Check in your local drug stores and other retail stores for disposable MasterCard or Visa debit cards. These can be purchased in different denominations so you buy what is appropriate for you. You use the card in the same way you use a regular credit card until you have spent all of the money on it.

A PayPal account is an excellent way to do your shopping online. Many online shopping venues accept PayPal as a form of payment. Visit http://www.paypal.com for more information. It is free to sign up. PayPal offers its own debit cards, so if you don’t want to make a purchase directly from your PayPal account, then one of their debit cards is another option available to you.

Some local department stores in your area sell gift cards that can be used when you are doing your shopping online. For example, Wal-Mart, Toys R Us and Walgreen’s are three such stores that offer this option.

E-checks are the online equivalent of paper checks. Many online shopping sites will allow you to pay this way. All you do is provide certain information, and the check is processed electronically. It is very simple and easy!

Shop credit card free!

• Costumes need not be expensive. Every year people are spending more and more on Halloween costumes because they think that the more expensive the costume, the more it is guaranteed to bring the best results. It is true that the more expensive costumes are of better quality than the cheaper ones, but there are also cheap costumes that are of good quality and can give almost the same effect as expensive costumes. You only need to know where to find them and how to enhance their look. When buying costumes you have two options, you can buy online or the traditional way–physically going from one store to another. But it is obvious that the best bet here is doing the shopping online. When you shop for Halloween costumes online you have a wider reach, you have thousands of stores under your mouse, and it is easier to search for the costume you are looking for. So, if you want to hunt for cheaper but high quality Halloween costumes, better do it online.
• Coupons. Yes, coupons are great for shopping and they are great also for Halloween shopping. Know where to get coupons for the top 2009 Halloween costumes; it is easy, just use your favorite search engine for finding information about how and where to get coupons for costumes. I did a little search, and I easily found some coupons for Star Trek characters, Harry Potter, Wolverine, Hannah Montana and Michael Jackson costumes. You also can check your local newspaper and mailers for local coupons.
• Timing. The best way to shop for any holiday is doing it early or late. You’ll get a lower price for items that are not in season. If you buy Halloween costumes two or three months early, you’ll surely get lower prices for them. If you buy late, the same thing could happen but you’ll have a better chance at saving if you do it early.

I hope these tips will help you avoid overspending during your Halloween shopping.

Matt and Nat: Even if you’ve never been inside a Matt and Nat boutique, you can peruse their website’s fantastic selection of  vegan-friendly designer handbags and purchase them.  Many handbags and wallets look as if they were made of leather but were made with super shiny patent material combined with both extra shine and textured effects so the bags look as luxurious as (if not more than) real leather handbags. Matt and Nat is also a great website to look for gifts.

Ecco Bella: This is one of the best websites for cosmetics and beauty products. Ecco Bella created and sells cosmetics that are gluten and preservative free. Many of their products are made with genuine earth minerals and flower waxes. Its easy to see why Ecco Bella is commonly used by makeup artists and Hollywood starlets alike.

Green Home: Looking to decorating your home with environmentally friendly décor or furnishings? Green Home is the website to start! You will find so many terrific items for your living room, bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen.  A few of their wonderful items include super-soft bamboo sheets, organic soy candles, stationary, and much more. They also sell fantastic green gifts for children and pets!

The Green Loop: This shop specializes in eco-conscious clothing labels for the entire family. You’ll find a wide selection of organic cotton tees, denim, dresses, and even under garments.  A few of their featured brands include California Rising, Green Label Organic, PositiviTee, and Seven Planet. They also sells footwear, accessories and  bags.

• Looking for a bargain? The clearance section is always the place to go, but I would recommend browsing through the entire website as well. Sometimes there are daily deals or specials that cannot be found in the clearance section. You really have to search.
• Some websites will give you a discount of 10% or more just for signing up with their email list. After you get the discount and use it, you can opt out of the emailing list.
• Take advantage of wish lists! Most websites have them, just add your favorite items to the wish list, and come back later when you’re ready to make the actual purchase. This is great to use when you’re searching for a specific item at a specific price.
• Read the ratings! Many websites have a 5-star rating system that lets former customer rate the item from 1 star (not recommended) to 5 (must buy).  Try to pay attention to the ratings before you purchase to save you from a possible return.
• Check the return policy, as you would any store. Many clearance and final sale items cannot be returned.
• Looking for a specific brand or designer? Type the name in Google, and chances are the official store will come up. But go down, and you will probably find the same brand listed under a cheaper shop like Net A Porter or Bluefly. Thanks to the web, shopping has never been more streamlined!

Click here to view the embedded video.

• The best swimwear for you is the one that fits perfectly. One way to ensure that the swimwear you get will surely fit, be sure that you get swimwear with adjustable closures.
• Women can buy swimwear that sells the top and bottom separately for the best fit.
• You must also know your body type. Not every design can be perfect for all wearers. If you have a long body, you should choose swimwear with horizontal stripes. For individuals with shorter bodies, it is best to pick swimwear with vertical stripes.
• You also should choose the color that matches your skin tone well.
• If you do not have any idea as to what kind of swimwear to buy, you can give  online stores that sell swimwear a visit. These stores have many kinds of swimwear in stock that can inspire you. Just look at their catalog, and you’ll surely find something that could be perfect for you. If you find the swimwear that you think is perfect for you, order it. But the downside of buying swimwear online is that you cannot really fit the item before buying it. You cannot make a color match of the swimwear with your skin tone.

We all want to look great and sexy on the beach during the summer, and the key to looking great is in the swimwear. Buying the right swimwear can give  you that all important feel great look that you need.

There are people who like shopping online because for them it is more convenient. With online shopping, you can actually compare items and prices quickly. You’ll have a better chance of getting the best deal because many stores are within your reach,  just a mouse-click away. Another thing that makes online shopping attractive is the fact that product reviews are easily available to help you decide which brand or model to buy. With online shopping, free shipping or delivery is almost always part or every deal, saving the shopper the cost of gas for driving in to town. With search engine technology becoming more and more sophisticated, it is possible to find almost anything that can be bought online. Being able to shop without leaving the comfort of your own home is a big plus to online shopping.

But there are things that are advantages to offline shopping that online shopping cannot give you. When you shop from a store, you can see and feel the item physically, allowing you to inspect it closely before buying it. There are products that can look better in a photograph than they really are, so it pays to be able to hold and see an item. When you are shopping for clothes for instance, it is better to try them on first in front of a full-body mirror and see how the color and style match your skin tone and body shape before making the purchase. Although some online stores are now capable of “virtual fitting,” nothing beats having your foot in the shoe and seeing how comfortable or uncomfortable it feels when worn. You are also safer from credit card fraud when you buy from a store. And when the product you buy proves to be faulty, it is easier to return it and get a refund in a store.

Replace Your Phone: If your two-year cell phone contract is ending, switch to a pre-paid carrier. Pre-paid cell phones make sense, as they’re easy to get, and there is no contract or credit check. Many pre-paid phones come with the same standards that you get with your regular phone- such as music downloads, cameras and games. Try Tracphone or Virgin Mobile.

Trade In Your Entertainment: With websites like Paperback Swap, you can trade in the books that you already read for credits that allow you to receive “new” books. Music Boomerang lets you trade in your old compact discs for used music, and SwapTree lets your trade in DVDs, cds, books, and even video games for new ones.

Go Vegetarian: Not only are beans and vegetables healthier than meat, they’re often cheaper, too. Replace meaty meals, such as chili or soup, with beans.  Search on the web for creative meatless meals, and you could save a lot of money every month.

Have A Sale: Do you have a lot of stuff that is in good condition, and yet you never use these things? Throw a garage sale and make some extra cash in the long run.

Hunt For Freebies: Freebies can be found anywhere on the Internet. Type in the words “free stuff”, and you will find a ton of websites. A better way is to go on corporate company and magazine websites, as they constantly have promotions and contests for free goods.

This website reminds me of a large craft bazaar-only much larger. You will not only find a great gift for mom, you will probably be tempted to buy yourself something (or two). Etsy’s shop keepers also keep the prices very reasonable, which only adds to the appeal. You could spend hours here searching in what may seem a bit of a hodge-podge of  an art gallery.

Etsy is not only fun to browse, it is also easy to navigate to find exactly what you’re looking for. Once you’re on the homepage, look to your left, and you will see the list of categories which list the types of products. Click on one type of item (such as accessories), and you’ll find yet another list on your left of the subcategories. You also can search for specific items by typing in keywords in the search bar above.  If you need some great ideas on where to start, you c.an browse Etsy’s Gift Guides and Editor’s Picks.

You must register for free on Etsy to buy and access special features, set up your own shop, and participate in the community. What is really great about Etsy, though, is that you can buy really unique and quality handmade items. This is not only a great place to find eco-conscious gifts and items. It’s also an easy way to support small business and thus stimulate the economy.

I am ashamed to say that I learned these techniques when I was a teenager.  There were certain friends who would get free food when they had no money.  Although I had too great a conscience to use my powers for evil, I still clung to them.

Thought number one: Very few people ever complain with a point.  After being treated wrongly, people often hurl insults and share their experience with the front line employees who really have no power to do anything about your problem.  Basically, they don’t care.

Solution: Be polite to the clerk, and ask him by name to speak to his manager because you weren’t happy with whatever.  When you get to the manager share your story and tell her what you want in return.  Maybe you just want your money back or maybe you feel you deserve something “extra.”  Often you will be rewarded for your troubles because many companies know that an angry customer will share his experience with nine other people.  A happy one is only likely to share with three.

Thought number two: No is not an acceptable answer.  Many times the manager will not offer to do anything for you.  She only wants to get you out of the store.  These managers are often sly and protective of their quarterly profit bonuses.

Solution: Call the head manager or the corporate office.  When talking to this new person, again share your story.  Focus on how the experience made you feel.  Emotions are tough to dismiss.

Be persistent.  When I was deployed to Iraq my wife lost Internet (our only form of communication).  The repair man came and made the problem worse.  I emailed the company and was blown off numerous times.  I persisted until I got through to them and was heavily rewarded with a free month’s service.  Just remember that “no” is not an answer.

Ebates.com- This cool website not only shares current coupon codes for your favorite e-tailers (including The Gap and Barnes & Noble), you also can get cash back! Sign up for free, browse for your favorite websites, and tell your friend about it to receive a $5 referral bonus.

WowCoupons.com- This site is so easy- simply search for retail, grocery, restaurant  and entertainment coupons and print. You don’t need to sign up for anything (which really frees up your email inbox!).  These coupons are good to take with you on your next shopping trip.

CouponMom.com- Find deals on shopping and entertainment, but the real draw is grocery coupons. Get completely free access to grocery and drugstore deals, and download the free e-book “Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half “. You’ll also find coupon codes and free offers.

RetailMeNot.com- Find online discounts to over  20,000 online shops- that includes your favorite chains and more obscure online boutiques. This website always keeps up with the latest deals to be found, and if they ever miss one, you easily can submit the deal on the website.

Craigslist.com has grown exponentially over the past few years.  From just a few regions years ago to nationwide coverage,  Craigslist is growing and becoming the new eBay for many items.

eBay is awesome for selling old CDs or small collectibles.  There is someone out there who would love to have what you’re offering.  What has left a bad taste in my mouth is eBay’s fees.  I feel it’s extremely fair to collect a listing fee for items that sell.  However, now you get charged even if your item doesn’t get bought.

Craigslist.com doesn’t charge a single penny for any item sold.  In fact, people advertise rental properties, cars, homes, furniture, etc. and enjoy fee-free sales.  Each time I’ve placed an item of furniture on there…it has sold very quickly.

How does it work?  Craigslist essentially has replaced the classified ads in the newspaper.  Classified ads cost money…Craigslist doesn’t.  Only those who can review the local paper can see your ad.  Craigslist can be viewed anywhere there is an Internet connection.

It is super easy to set everything up and place your ad, and you can leave it on there forever…no time limits for auctions or new editions of the paper.  In those terms, it is superior.

Where this site lacks is all ads are only regional, and you handle the financial transaction yourself.  If you want to sell a bicycle, you only can place the ad in one region at a time.  There is not a universal database that anyone can tap into.  They have to look for bicycles in your city to find your ad.

Just like the old days with classified ads, you have to handle the finances on your own.  When the person comes to look at the bike, you are the salesman and exchange the money right on the spot.  These negatives are worth not paying the fees on larger ticket items.

-Choose one day of the week to run all of your shopping errands. This will decrease the headache of having to run out one day for one item and another day for another.

-Shop either in the morning shortly after stores open or around suppertime and into the evening. These tend to be the least busy times of the day at the malls.

-Write a shopping list, and buy only those items. When you go into a store head straight for the aisle that has the bread or the cereal. This will save you lots of time and will prevent you from spending more money than you had planned to spend.

-Try one stop shopping. Choose one grocery store or department store in which you can find all of your necessary purchases. While there may be an item you want at another store that costs less, you still have to worry about traffic, parking and the extra money you will pay for gas to get there. You might as well stay in one place and save yourself from having to deal with any of these worries.

-Shop online whenever possible. Maybe you cannot buy groceries online, but you certainly can buy Christmas presents, birthday presents and shower gifts online. This limits the hassle and stress of shopping, as you can shop from the comfort of your favorite chair instead!

-Browse through store flyers before you go shopping to familiarize yourself with what is on sale. Make sure you take note of the dates on which sales begin and end. Also carefully read item descriptions. A brand of soup may be on sale at your local grocery store, but it may be only two flavors out of the five that the company sells that are reduced.

-If shopping alone is tension filled and lonely for you and/or if you are more likely to impulse shop when you are alone, then invite a friend to come along with you for company.

Stores are designed for women because retailers know that women love to shop.  This is why there are all those girl magazines and girlie items in the checkout aisles.  Men usually look at them and laugh.  Now, onto my reform.   My wife is a shopper.  She will look at every bottle of whatever, to see which is the best.  She will try on twenty shirts she doesn’t like to re-affirm her decision of the one she does.

I often would go shopping with her because I love to savor our time together, and there is simply no other way to make time stand still.  Observing her made me feel like the Crocodile Hunter.  It became apparent that she was a really smart shopper and usually buys the better deal.  Her drawn out decisions were weighing the options of fashion, finance and function.

Being a true student of life, I adopted some of these tactics.  When I go to the store, my routine has been altered.  I still know what I am going for and usually have done some research into the item.  I still seek out my item.  What has changed is my blind grab and go strategy.

Once I get the item in my hands I think about possible alternatives.  Are similar items on the same rack a better bargain?  Am I buying the right amount?  Is there something else that would be a suitable sub?

For example, I was buying a cooler to brine a turkey in for Thanksgiving.  Coolers that were of size were very expensive.  I began to wonder about other options.  All I needed was a box to hold ice that is similar in size.  Storage bins!  I went to closet storage bins and got a perfect one much more cheaply.