Know What You Want - a key to success

When making a large purchase, know what you want, and stay focused on that. It can make a big difference in your results.

It's all about knowing the product features that you would like to have, and not straying from your basic objectives.

Higher priced items will have more functions and features, and you should become familiar with them. Some features have value that you can appreciate, and some are simply "bells and whistles" that don’t add product value.

For example, a blender is something that works fine with three speed settings – low, medium and high. Having 18 speed settings on a blender might look impressive, but it doesn’t blend things any better.

Can you really tell the difference between mix, chop, grate, blend, puree, mince and liquefy? Most food processors have only one speed, and I don’t hear of anyone complaining about it.

When investigating product features, you might find a manufacturer of a major brand item who also produces an "off brand" item with similar features. The "off brand" will often be less costly, and may meet all your needs in terms of features.

Ask who makes the product and what other products they make. Washing machines and dryers come to mind as two products that are offered in lower cost "off brands" by the manufacturers of more expensive major brand appliances.

Know what you want, and stick with it. You'll be harder to "up sell" if you do. Remember, you have to resist your temptation to "up sell" yourself as well as that of the sales person who would love to make that larger commission.

Done with Know What You Want, backk to Frugal Shopping