Bargain Shopper Blog

Written by Cara Jackson

It’s that time of year again, music festival season. There is nothing quite like the exciting atmosphere of a music festival, however festival days tend to be pricey, with tickets alone cost more than $150. It is because of this that we have some tips to help you pick out a great, affordable festival outfit.

Festival fashion should be fun, fresh and light, but never your best outfit. Most of the time a festival outfit will come home caked in mud, sweat and remnants of the day. Rather than wasting money on an expensive outfit that you can never wear again, search for an outfit that has all the fun, brightness of festival fashion without the hefty price tag.

Shoes
The most important thing to remember with festival shoes is comfort is key. While heels may look fantastic, chances are you will be in pain by the end of the day. You will also be walking around in dirt and grass throughout the day. Cute little canvas shoes are a great option. These will protect your feet and provide you with the comfort you need to dance all day. You can find these at K-Mart, Target or Big W for less than $15; a fantastic buy as at the end of the day the shoes may be ruined.

Hats
A hat is absolutely crucial to a festival. Sunstroke is not a lot of fun. Hats protect and act as a cute little accessory to complete an outfit. Adorable straw hats are always in fashion for festivals. Stores like Sports Girl, Rubi and Jay Jays have cute hats for around $20.

Shorts
Shorts are great for festivals. They let you show off your gorgeous legs, all while being extremely practical. Shorts are able to withstand vigorous dancing, mosh pitting, running to the bathroom and strong winds.

Playsuits
Playsuits combine the practicality of shorts and the style of dresses. These adorable little numbers have been increasing in popularity over the past couple of festival seasons. Check out outlet stores such as Direct Factory Outlets to find a gorgeous playsuit for a fraction of the price.

Dresses
Dresses are the old faithful for festival fashion. They are perfect for a girl who enjoys the swish and the freedom that they offer. Vintage dresses are very popular, especially for events such as the Falls Music and Arts Festival or St Jerome's Laneway that have an indie edge. Save dollars by looking through op shops for that perfect vintage look for half the price you would pay for something brand new.

Sunglasses
Sunglasses are an absolute necessity for festivals as they keep your eyes protected from the harsh sun and add a unique touch to your outfit. However, make sure that you leave your expensive designers at home! With the action of the day, there is a high chance that they will get broken, stolen or lost. Instead, buy a cheap pair from a fashion accessories store. Rayban Wayfarer style sunglasses are especially popular at festivals and can be bought for around $15 from Equip.

Other tips and tricks

- Eat a good breakfast before you leave to save money that you would otherwise spend on greasy, fast food.

- Buy a bottle of water and re-fill it throughout the day. Don’t spend $4 on a small bottle every time you get thirsty.

- Avoid buying band merchandise at the festival. By looking in the sale section on a performer’s website you can usually find great deals for less than half the price!

- Comfort is key with every festival. It should be taken into account with every item of clothing that you wear. Most festivals run for up to twelve hours, so be sure to pick out clothes that don’t restrict you and allow you to dance the hours away.

 

 

Written by Kristen Le

Grocery shopping is a task that all of us encounter at some stage, yet despite being a weekly event, many of us still don’t get the hang of how to grocery shop in a way that’s optimum for our bank accounts. Here are fifteen hot tips to help you get frugal at the grocery store.

1. Planning exactly what meals you’re going to have will mean knowing exactly what you’ll need to purchase; this will cut down impulse buys drastically, and also reduce the number of times you’ll need to go to the shop.

2. Before you leave the house to go grocery shopping, do a “once over” of your kitchen cupboards and check what items are there; this will save you doubling up on items you forgot you already had and wasting money.

3. Check the use-by-date of any perishable items, like milk. If you found that you didn’t use it that much last time, buy a smaller quantity next time. This will save money and wastage.

4. Write a shopping list and stick to it - no more aimless wandering in the candy aisle for things you don’t need!

5. When you go to the grocery store take cash only, and leave your EFTPOS or credit cards at home; it’ll limit the amount you can spend and get you thinking more critically about what items you really need.

6. Buy items with a relatively long shelf life in bulk - rice, pasta or a large block of longer-lasting cheeses like cheddar are good examples. Only buy in bulk items that you know you or your family will consume.

7. Avoid frozen and pre-packaged meals; they’re expensive and usually don’t yield that many servings. Buy fresh and cook from scratch when possible.

8. Buy vegies on an as-needed basis; you’ll want them to be fresh, and they’re fairly inexpensive. This is better than buying lots of vegies and not being able to use them all then throwing them out.

9. Fresh fruit should be bought in small amounts and in a decent variety; this will ensure a bit of something for everyone. You can always go back to buy more fruit later if needed.

10. Buy canned fruits and vegetables; they’re cheap, have a very long shelf life, and can be used in a wide variety of ways.

11. Keep your eye out for weekly flyers or catalogues from your local grocery store; it will alert you of the best discounts and offers at the time.

12. Meat is usually the most expensive item on the shopping list, but many people don’t want to skimp on the quality, so head out early to a market and bulk-buy meat, then freeze it in portions (but don’t buy more than you’ll realistically use!).

13. You can also save on meat by buying less expensive cuts, like brisket or ham hock - they are slightly more fatty but can be slow cooked so that the fat melts and the meat is tender. Chicken, turkey and pork will generally be less expensive than beef and lamb. Alternatively, serve meat in less meals.

14. Canned tuna is cheap, high in protein and easy to add to pasta, or salads to make decent meals.

15. “Home brand” items are often very similar in quality to branded items, but much cheaper. “Home brand” cereals, yoghurts, cheese, bread and cleaning products can be significantly cheaper than their respective branded versions - remember you want to pay for quality, not fancy packaging, so do your research and compare nutritional values if unsure; you’ll often find that the “home brand” versions are not far off branded.

 

Written by Kristen Le

So far, we’ve covered the dress and the shoes; you’ve managed to borrow a hot little number off a friend and invested in some nude-coloured pumps – so far so good, but what about the accessories? Spring Racing Carnival just isn’t the same without some kind of headpiece and perhaps a little bling, so here are some tips on how to get this part right without blowing your budget.

THE ACCESSORIES

When it comes to the races, I would say I have a love/hate relationship with hats and fascinators – in particular with the latter. On the one hand, they can look absolutely stunning, and they’re nice to bring out for special occasions...but on the other hand, when else would you really need to wear something like a fascinator? Appropriate events are few and far between, and unless you’re a regular Autumn and Spring race-goer, it’s understandable if you’re a bit hesitant in spending a lot on something you may only ever wear once in your life, or at least once a year. Whilst the universe won’t explode if you don’t wear a hat or fascinator to a race day, you might feel very naked without one amongst the abundance of other frilled and feathered headwear around you.

Hats are a good option because they are practical; they provide shade and you’re therefore more likely to wear them to other occasions – lunches, picnics, the beach – and so on. Fascinators however, are usually more dainty, show your face more, and won’t reveal embarrassing hat-hair if they blow off into the wind. The downside is they can also be quite expensive! Try a DIY approach by buying pieces for your fascinator from a craft store like Lincraft or Spotlight and putting your customised headpiece together yourself. This way you can make sure the colour and style matches your outfit perfectly. If opting for a hat – you can add on embellishments and features in the same manner. Discount department stores like Target, Kmart and Big W also sell an abundance of hats and fascinators in basic colours for a decent price – have a look and see if you can spruce these up to match your outfit more, or for the biggest bargain visit a few op shops and see what you can find. Chain stores like Diva, Equip and Lovisa also sell headpieces suitable for the races, and if you don’t want to wear a hat or fascinator, a cute detailed headband will also do the trick, and are usually much cheaper.

As for jewellery, sometimes more items might not even be needed – a hat or fascinator often stands out enough, and you don’t want to clutter your outfit by over-accessorising. Stick to simple rather than statement pieces – smaller earrings and a simple wrist cuff can be enough. Check out the op shops for one-off pieces or borrow from a friend for a budget way to accessorise.

 

 So that brings our budget spring racing planning advice to a close. Have you got any special tips that you are planning on using in preparation for race days?

Follow these easy tips to ensure you buy the right pieces for the right price.

Investment portfolio
We’ve all heard this advice a million times but once more may make the difference: for a truly efficient wardrobe buy investment pieces that promise longevity and versatility. Once you’ve invested in a structured jacket or blazer, well-fitting jeans, an A-line skirt, crisp white shirt, wear-anywhere dress and black woollen cardigan, you can brighten up your outfits with an array of colourful accessories.

Accessorise
For most women, the first thing we notice on a girlfriend is her accessories: her jewellery, shoes, bag or scarf. It is these pieces that make or break an outfit, giving it a unique appeal either way. Scour op shops for a one-off bargain or hit the accessories racks of chain stores such as Sportsgirl, Diva, Dotti and Equip.

Plan ahead
To save money, figure out which pieces you actually need for your lifestyle and then scope out the sales to find them. That way you will avoid having a closet full of clothes that you only wear once. Scrutinise your wardrobe and make a list of what is missing. Begin by visiting the websites of your favourite stores, or the brands most likely to carry what you need. Online shopping is also your chance to compare prices and secure the best deal.

Shop often
Many of us went on shopping hiatus during the global financial crisis to avoid the credit crunch. When it came time to replenish our wardrobes, however, we had forgotten how to shop! If you shop often — even if you don’t need to actually buy anything — you'll have an informed idea of what's available and on trend.

The occasional splurge
Though I risk the wrath of the bargain shopping gods by suggesting this, if one super special item catches your eye don’t be afraid to treat yourself. A classic bag, glamorous pair of shoes or designer pair of sunnies will uplift any outfit and is therefore worth the investment. On the rare occasion that you do break the bargain barrier, make sure you consider all the essential shopping points such as wearability, cost per wear and versatility to ensure your purchase is wise.

What are your bargain shopping rules? Comment on this post or email bsgm@universalmagazines.com.au

I am considering buying a pair of heavily discounted jeans online, and while I’m not baulking at the price (they're a steal — discounted from $180 to $75) the $10 postage fee has got me thinking: what if they don’t fit? What if the style doesn’t suit my shape? Of course, I can send them back, but is it worth it?

Is it a better “bargain” to take the risk of them not fitting and wear the postage fee (plus the extra postage cost and inconvenience of returning them) or to drive to a mall or jeans-laden shopping district and spend half a day trying on denim to find the perfectly-fitting pair, knowing that no money has gone to waste?

Considering I don’t particularly enjoy trying on jeans (it’s such a rigmarole to strip off your pants time after time and squeeze into those super-stiff-with-newness strides!) the answer is more or less staring me in the face. Paying for postage is paying for convenience of having the jeans ushered straight to your home for you to try on in front of your own private tell-it-like-it-is bedroom mirror.

I also figure that I probably wouldn’t be able to find as good a bargain in-store, and I’d end up spending that $10 anyway on parking and a food court lunch.

But what if the first pair doesn’t fit, and then the second and third pairs of jeans don’t fit either? Then I’m up to around $50 in debt with nothing to show for it. Maybe I should find a store that stocks this brand and style, try them on, then buy online. But by then the sale could be over!

It's all a matter of weighing up your priorities against convenience and cost. I think in this case I will "add to cart"... 

Do you always make sure you try on clothes in-store before buying them online? Or are you willing to take the pay-for-postage risk? Have you ever bought and sent back clothing items more than once, and was it worth it?

Comment below or email bargainguru@universalmagazines.com.au

We all know there’s a goldmine of online discount stores on the web, but there’s also a handful of website gems that can help you save even more money as you shop. Here is a bunch of my favourite online bargain shopping resources:

Coupon codes

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: never purchase something online without first searching online for a coupon code. There’s often a better deal out there that’s just a coupon code away. Simply enter the store name and the words “coupon code” into Google and see what comes up. Or conduct a search on Retail Me Not (www.retailmenot.com). The codes with the highest success rate are the most reliable. Another site that lists coupon codes as well as vouchers, deals and freebies is OzBargain (www.ozbargain.com.au). Follow them on Twitter and Facebook to hear about the latest deals.

Best price

There’s nothing better than knowing you got the best price on a great-quality product. The website Getprice (www.getprice.com.au) is a convenient way to compare costs of a range of products — from computers to clothing and kids’ toys, so you can find the lowest price. Shopbot (www.shopbot.com.au) does the same kind of thing. Then there are more specialised “best price” websites such as Zuji (www.zuji.com.au), which scans airline carriers, hotels and travel agencies for the best flights and accommodation prices. Trust me — these websites save you hours of phone calls and shop visits to find the best deal.

Cash back

Did you think that by buying online you were cutting out the “middle man” and all the costs that went with him? Well, that’s sometimes true, but there is still often extra cash passing hands in many online transactions that would be better off being in your wallet. Enter: MoneyBackCo (www.moneybackco.com.au) — a website that pays what’s known as “referral money” (the money earned by a website to “refer” shoppers onto purchasing from another website) back to you, the customer. There is an annual fee of $10, but this could quickly be redeemed, depending on how often you shop online. Our advice is to inspect MoneyBackCo’s lists of merchants, and if you think you would make a number of purchases from these web stores per year, it could be worth it. You’d just have to remember to make purchases through MoneyBackCo (ie log into their website first then buy your product via their website) to ensure you get the money back. We spotted some good merchants, including StrawberryNet, iSubscribe, Perfume Empire, Zodee and travel companies such as Qantas and Expedia.

Catalogues

I am lucky (or cursed?) that I live within close proximity to three major grocery stores, and three major shopping malls in Sydney. So how do I decide where I’m going to shop each week? If time is on my side, I’ll scan the catalogues on Lasoo (www.lasoo.com.au), which conveniently sources all the catalogue specials of the week from major retailers, from food to homewares and electrical goods. Just spotted a special on Lindt dark chocolate selling for $1.75 a block at Coles. Toodooloo!

Bulk buy — minus the bulk

I was very excited when I heard about the US website Get Grouby (www.getgrouby.com), which allows people to make bulk-buy savings without having to deal with the bulk. That is, you can nominate to purchase a product via Get Grouby, then wait for a group of people to do the same. Once there are enough people in your group to make the purchase, the product is yours at bulk-buy price, but split between the people in your group. Thankfully, there are websites in Australia that offer the same kind of service. Our Deal (www.ourdeal.com.au) gives you collective buying power on a range of things to eat, see and do in your city, with savings of up to 70 per cent. OfferMe (www.offerme.com.au) also has a Group Buy service, with categories ranging from technology to travel and some fashion and accessories. Both websites look impressive, and each service gives you the ability to tell all your friends about your prospective purchase using the integrated social networking tools — the aim being to get enough people on board your bulk-buy so you can all enjoy the discount!

What’s your favourite online resource that helps you save money when shopping? Comment below or email bargainguru@universalmagazines.com.au

There are some things I hate spending money on. From gym gear to homewares and petrol, these are my begrudged buys.

It seems my hard-earned money disappears each week into a bottomless well of necessities. I can understand rent and groceries — I like a roof over my head and food on my plate — but do I really need to buy things that will provide no pleasure? Yes, my runners have holes in them (probably because I drag my feet all the way to the gym) but I’d much rather buy a nice dress than a new pair. And sure I need sensible work clothes, but I’ll only wear them while sitting in front of a computer all day. Each time I make such a purchase, I’m sure I scare off the shop attendant with my gritted teeth and scowls.

So what can be done to ease the pain of buying these unwanted but necessary things in our lives? For me, it’s all about finding the best bargain and laughing in the face of over-priced goods.

For example, when my runners were banned from the gym recently I hit the outlets for a discounted pair. Has anyone seen the cost of sportswear lately? For something you’re just going to sweat in, it’s ridiculously overpriced. By hitting the retail outlets, I spent $70 instead of $200. Not so painful.

When stocking up on work clothes, I make a list of what I need, always looking for maximum versatility. There’s no point buying a top that will only go with one thing; think simple and basic, so you can wear each item with a variety of skirt, pants and dress combinations. I’ve also found that layers go a long way; think black leggings and long-sleeve tops. What was once merely a lovely summer dress for the warmer months can be thrown over the trusty aforementioned pieces for a cosy outfit in winter.

The next undesirable is homewares. Whether you’re hosting or attending a party, you generally need platters, cheese knives or serving bowls. My solution is to hit the op shops. I’ve found some great items; $5 never-been-used china platters; old-fashioned cutlery and 50¢ champagne saucers for the races. At such low prices, it doesn’t matter if you break them or leave the lot behind.

Last on my black list is petrol. I hate buying it but don’t get very far without it. Like everything else in my life, I shop around for the best price, take discount shopping dockets along for the ride and make my purchase on the lower-priced days — namely Tuesdays and Wednesdays. And, to reward my endeavours, I buy myself a sweet treat for the journey home.

What are your resentful purchases? Comment below or email bsgm@universalmagazines.com.au