More Than You Bargained For
As far as I’m concerned, there are two types of people in the world: those who brag about getting a bargain, and those who tell you they paid full price when they didn’t.
I definitely fall into the first category – much to my husband’s chagrin…
Despite the pleasure I find in sharing my deals and steals, I also believe in spreading the wealth – or in this case, the bargains – so allow me to impart some wisdom on how to live a million-dollar lifestyle on a 2024 budget.
1. Don’t get sucked into trends just because they’re ‘on trend’ (gag)
As they’ll eventually (and likely quickly) go out of fashion. Make sure you really love something before you buy it. A true test of that love is whether you can wait a little. That item you liked so much will eventually go on sale. If you still love it, buy it – and feel the victory.
2. Know how to hunt, where to go, and when to go.
(These tips are focused on homewares and furniture because that’s my area, but trust me – they work for fashion too!)
3. Shop the sales
Get on mailing lists and Facebook to know when they’re happening. Go to them! Ordering online can be risky. Unless I’ve seen what I’m ordering, I avoid online shopping because things are never what you expect them to be.
4. Go regularly
At a good sale, things get moved around a lot and misplaced. They also replenish stock often, so keep popping in. The best part is, in many shops, they continue to mark things down, so it pays to keep returning to the same places.
5. Dig. Don’t be ashamed
The best bargain hunters know that people hide stuff with the intention of coming back for it, or things get lost at the back of the shelf, leaving hidden gems for those willing to put in a little elbow grease.
6. Floor stock, baby!
Floor stock is great for people looking for furniture bargains. You can often get new things for half price simply because they want to make room for new stock.
7. Don’t judge
Just because it’s not a brand you usually like (or even generally dislike) doesn’t mean they won’t have the occasional great item. Remember, it’s all about context. Something might look terrible in one setting, surrounded by ugly stuff, but amazing in your house, surrounded by beautiful things!
8. Don’t be blinded by a sale
If anyone’s guilty of that, it’s me, but I’ve learnt my lesson (more than once). A deal doesn’t always mean ‘sale’. Remember that too!
9. Black Friday and beyond
Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving in the US, when, after filling up on turkey and gratitude, the hair-pulling and bargain-hunting begins. It’s the biggest sale day on the US calendar, and thankfully our Aussie friends have jumped on the bandwagon – and so should you. Not just Black Friday, but Cyber Monday, post-Christmas, and EOFY, sales are where it’s at!
