The mall. A department store. Your neighbor’s garage sale. There are places to shop everywhere you look. While it is some people’s favorite hobby, shopping does, quite literally, come with a price.
 
But, shopping does not have to be synonymous with the word “debt.” There are several ways to save money each time you venture out to the store.

Consider the following:

Figure out What you Really Want: Sure, in a perfect world you could buy anything, whether you needed it or really even wanted it. But, in a realistic world, purchasing things you don’t need and don’t want only leads to wasted money and debt.
 
Instead of impulsively placing items in your shopping cart - a leather jacket here, a set of new speakers there - try making a list of things you feel you just have to have. Review the list from time to time and, only after careful consideration and weighing the costs against the benefits, purchase your item. If you don’t really want or need it, don’t buy it.

If you can, Haggle: Some people live by the motto that nothing is beyond negotiation. While this may not be completely true, it does have a valid point: many things can be haggled.
 
Now, you may think that negotiations are reserved only for certain places, car dealers for instance. But, negotiations can occur in a variety of places, even retail stores. If a shirt has a hole or a stain, for instance, a store may be willing to sell it to you for half off. If a salesperson is trying to get you to buy that entire dining room set instead of just the table, ask for a deal. If a computer is obviously outdated, ask for a discount. Negotiations can happen around many corners, not just when you are buying from a private party.

Ditch the Designer Stores: We know, we know, wearing designer clothes is all the rage. But, this doesn’t mean you have to pay all the cost. Many discount stores, such as Nordstrom’s Off the Rack or Ross, have designer clothes for a much cheaper price. A shirt that may be 30 dollars at a Lord and Taylor may only be ten at Ross. It’s the same shirt, but less expensive, allowing you to have your cake and wear it too.

Get Organized: Before embarking on a shopping trip, it’s a good idea to get organized: go through you closet and take inventory. There may be several pieces of clothing that you’ve forgotten about. There is little sense in going out and buying a white blouse when, in the back of your closet, you already have three.
 
If you still find you need to go to the mall, organize a plan. Map out your destination and avoid deviating. Running into the mall and going directly to what you need will save you much more money than visiting several stores and finding a ton of items you just can’t live without.

Stay Away from the Store Credit Card: Most department stores offer you what seems like a great deal: open a credit card and save ten percent. While this does save you money initially, over time it will only cost you. Not only does having a department store credit card actually encourage you to spend more money, but the interest rates are often ridiculously high.

Wait for that Sale: Sales are perhaps the easiest way to save money: they allow you to get what you want without spending a huge amount. Their only flaw: you aren’t sure when they are happening.
 
There are several ways to learn about a sale. First of all, keep in mind that many stores have sales around certain times, back to school sales or after Christmas sales are very common. Looking in newspapers, watching television, or simply asking a salesperson are also great ways to find out when the next sale starts.

Use Substitutions: If you are just itching to buy something, the mall is screaming your name, consider substituting an expensive item for a much less expensive one. If you are in need of something to do while you ride that stationary bike at your gym, for instance, refrain from buying an IPOD and buy a book instead. Substituting an expensive item for a less expensive one is a great way to substitute spending with savings.

Shopping wisely can save you money, time, and release you from the dangers of overwhelming debt. This doesn’t mean you have to retire that ol’ shopping cart forever, just use your head when spending money. If there is something you can live without, then do just that.