There are more than 250 outlet malls in the US alone. That's a whole lot of discount shopping to be had. Not surprisingly, that adds up to lots of impulse buying and countless purchases that don't have a place when you get them home. We know how hard it can be to pass up a good deal, so today we're here to give you some tips on how Stockpile can help you prepare before you hit the outlets.
Shopping for the sake of shopping can be fun. It can also be a good way to overspend and end up with lots of stuff that you don't really need. Even if your goal is just to spend a relaxing day at the mall, you can still take steps to be sure that you shop smarter.
Set a Budget
Know how much you can afford to spend before you leave home. Setting a budget and sticking to it can really save you in the long run. Not only will you avoid running up credit card debt, you can also limit how much you come home with by following a careful budget. Remember to consider the sometimes not so obvious costs of your purchases. If you have to buy additional storage to hold the items, or if you need accessories or other items to use your purchase those little costs can quickly add up. Suddenly your good deal isn't such a bargain.
Know What You Have and What You Need
A deal is only good if you need and can use the item on sale. Buying things you don't need is never a smart way to spend your money. It can be hard to stay focused and talk yourself out of those impulse buys when you're caught up in the thrill of the deal. If you enter the items that you own into Stockpile, you'll have a complete record of your at home inventory on your favorite mobile device. When you're standing in the store you can check to see what you have at home and definitively decide whether you need to buy, buy, buy or pass.
Will It Fit?
Those discount shoes may be tempting, and they may be a unique color or style, but if you don't have room in your closet you're better off not buying them. No one wants to be a slave to their possessions, but it can quickly happen without you even realizing it. Anytime you have more stuff than you know what to do with your possessions are controlling you instead of the other way around. If you use areas and locations in Stockpile you'll be able to gauge what kind of space you have at home and whether or not those new purchases with fit.
Get It Right the First Time
It's always good to get the right color, size, and style when you buy something. Returns are always costly whether it's just the gas it takes you to go back to the store or if there are other associated costs such as eating out or another impulse buy while you're at the store. The cost for a misguided purchase can be even higher when you're shopping at an outlet. For most people the drive to the center is longer and more time consuming. In some cases it can be next to impossible to make the trek back for an exchange. When that happens you can end up stuck with an item that you can't use. If you've included details in your Stockpile records you'll have the information you need to make better decisions. Because Stockpile is fully customizable you can add the fields that you want to include in your records. This makes it easy for you to have the info that you want when you want it.
Shopping can be fun and finding deals and steals at an outlet mall can be even better. Using Stockpile free home inventory tool can make the whole experience more enjoyable. Stockpile may be designed for small businesses, but it is perfect for at home use as well. If you haven't tried Stockpile yet, what are you waiting for? Get started with Stockpile today!
