How to Save Money when Shopping for Luxury Bags

Shopping for the perfect Christmas gift can be a stressful affair! You have a ton of things to do, and between all the planning for the family gatherings, there is hardly enough brain capacity left to be thinking of what to put under the tree. In addition, you do not want to spend a fortune on an unpleasant handbag.

Handbag lover or not, it’s something most of us use on a daily basis. The right handbag will surely be put to effective use! To save money on luxury bags, consider the tips on this list.

#1: SAVE CONSISTENTLY

Leading up to the holiday shopping spree, you must cut down the unnecessary purchases. For instance, you can eliminate your daily Starbucks run to save up to S$2,000 a year. Giving yourself a home-brewed morning drink can satisfy your cravings and save your wallet. You can even open a savings account to help you budget better.

#2: STEER AWAY FROM TRENDS

There are so many fast fashion items that go out of style immediately. Who cares if you do not wear it? It was on sale for S$30! Well, think about your purchases next time. Adding investment pieces to your collection can help you create a staple handbag collection.

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#3: STORE WISELY

Forgo your lazy inclinations to toss your items in your bag as storing your recently purchased bag can be one of the most important steps to maintain the newness of your luxury item. Most designer bags come with free dust bags – use these! Do not forget to store your liquids in containers to avoid spillage.

#4: SHOP AT CONSIGNMENT STORES

Consignment stores will often carry products at discounted prices. These products might be last season’s handbags or something that is selling as much anymore. However, you may not always be able to find the product you are looking for.

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#5: SHOP AT ONLINE AUCTIONS

Online auctions provide you a fantastic opportunity to snag a new product at a much cheaper price. You just need to be patient and diligent in your searches and keep an eye out for the best auctions.

#6: WATCH OUT FOR DISCOUNTS AT DEPARTMENT STORES

Local department stores can help you save money on high-end, luxury handbags. Most stores will have various sales year-round, which they will announce virtually through their websites or newsletters. Stay updated!

Sources: 1 & 2

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How to Score Major Savings When Shopping Online

Online retailers are becoming increasingly creative these days with their flash sales and discount vouchers.

Thus, hunting for the best price online can seem like a chore. However, if you are a savvy deal hunter, you can use these clever shopping tips to earn discounts with minimum effort!

#1: CREATE A SHOPPING LIST

Have a clear idea of what you desire before shopping online. Create a list to stay focused and to steer away from unnecessary items. By listing down your potential purchases and prioritizing your needs, you can achieve your financial goal.

Keep in mind that the cheapest option may not always be the best. You need to consider quality and sustainability. For instance, purchase a laptop because of its specifications and not its price tag. There is no harm in shopping around to get the best price!

#2: COMPARE THE PRICES

Speaking of shopping around, you can get great deals by comparing prices online. Check different websites when shopping or use price comparison websites.

There are lots of price comparison websites, which consist of search functions to help you quickly uncover the lowest price. A website you can visit is iprice.sg.

#3: FOLLOW YOUR FAVORITE BRANDS

Similar to reading newsletters, companies often use social media to provide exclusive promotions and deals to their followers. You will be the first to hear about these deals, which is a key factor when deals are available in limited quantities.

You can also join giveaways and contests when you follow your favorite brands on social media. Who knows? You might just get your favorite products for free!

#4: TIME YOUR SHOPPING ACTIVITIES

Do not check out your items on a tempting, lazy Sunday. Most stores roll out their discounts and deals on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. Be vigilant these days.

It is a different story for airline tickets. Tickets are most expensive on Mondays and cheapest on Sundays. According to Airlines Reporting Corporation, Sundays offer the cheapest round-trip tickets.

#5: PUT A WAITING PERIOD FOR YOUR ITEMS

To increase awareness about shopping, consider putting an item in your cart and letting it stay there for a day. The waiting period will allow you to contemplate whether you want to purchase the item or not. Moreover, some brands will email you regarding your abandoned cart and provide you with better options or discount coupons.

Not all brands do this. Just be sure to enter your email address to stay updated.

#6: ESTABLISH AN ONLINE SHOPPING BUDGET

If you are building up your savings or having trouble with money now, you need to create a shopping budget. Having a plan in place will help you avoid temptations such as “buy one take one” or “free shipping with no minimum amount spent”.

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Remember that your budget is closely tied to your shopping list. The essential items needed to be bought online should be prioritized. Create categories for your shopping list and prioritize items that are necessary for your household goals. Then, set aside cash for your wants or nice to haves. See how things fit into your overall budget.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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How To Exercise Self-Control When Shopping?

The ability to regulate and alter your responses to avoid undesirable behaviors and increase desirable ones is called self-control. Self-control helps you achieve your long-term financial goals. Studies showed that having self-control can be important for your health and well-being.

People use a myriad of terms for self-control such as discipline, determination, willpower, grit, and fortitude. The ability to delay gratification and resist unwanted urges is self-control.

Achieve your long-term financial goals by reducing your spending. Start by applying self-control when you shop.

#1: SHOP WITH A FRIEND

Shopping with a friend is a good strategy for dealing with compulsive spending. Salespeople are trained to play the role of your friend to encourage you to buy more. Hence, having your friend along can help you weigh your options.

Compulsive and impulse shopping play on your complex emotional urges. Avoid shopping while you are angry, sad, or hungry. If you are feeling these states, you cannot rely on the internal resources that are used to curb your impulses.

#2: CARRY CASH AROUND

It is easy to get carried away when you are paying for the items via credit card. Increase your awareness while you are shopping by opting for cash. Paying by cash slows down your transaction because you must think about your purchase.

When you pay with cash, the impact of buying is more dramatic. You are forced to see and feel what is happening to you now.

#3: HAVE A 24-HOUR RULE

Although you are eyeing an item for a while, ensure that you are getting a good deal by setting the 24-hour rule. Ask the physical store to hold your item for at least 24 hours. This will give you enough time to think about the item before purchasing. This rule can be applied to online stores too. Put the item in your cart and wait for the next day to buy it. Do you really need to buy it?

The ability to delay gratification or to wait to get what you desire is an important part of self-control. Delaying gratification involves putting off short-term desires in favor of long-term rewards.

#4: STEER AWAY FROM TEMPTATION

Reduce the temptation by going on shorter shopping trips or by visiting fewer websites. Spending less time window shopping can help reduce the number of products you see and like. By exposing yourself to fewer temptations, you will have more energy to make thoughtful spending decisions.

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Sources: 1 & 2

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Best Places to Get Fish Tanks & Aquatic Supplies in Singapore

Add vibrance and soul to your space by maintaining beautiful aquatic creatures! Setting up your aquarium or fish tank can be overwhelming at first. Among the essential elements that you need to consider is choosing the right tank in terms of size, quality, and personal preference.

Where do you begin? Well, you can start by identifying the best aquatic shops in Singapore.

#1: FRESH N MARINE

Website: freshnmarine.com
Location: 79 Upper East Coast Road, Singapore 455219

Bagging the South East Asia Best Online Aquarium Store 2021 by APAC Insider, Fresh N Marine boasts its offerings of freshwater and marine aquarium systems. Fresh N Marine’s collections come in different shapes and sizes. While some are made with crystal glass and light wood, others are made with marble finishes and more. The store also offers accessories, decorations, fish food, and freshwater plants.

Its array of quality equipment includes brands such as KESSIL, Tunze, and Red Sea. Keep an eye out for its online exclusive deals and deluxe aquarium sets. Products include Betta Box D-651 for S$5.90 and Betta Tank 10x10x15cm for S$10.

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#2: EAST OCEAN AQUATIC TRADING CENTRE

Website: eastoceansg.com
Location: Blk 22 Havelock Road #01-699, Singapore 160022

East Ocean Aquatic Trading Centre is one of the longest-running companies that sell aquariums in Singapore. Besides fish tanks, the store offers a myriad of aquarium supplies such as feeding essentials, water pumps, water test kits, fish medications, lighting equipment, and decorations.

Their services also expanded to producing solutions for paludarium, pond, and marine setups. If you are planning to start your aquarium business, partnering up with them would be a good start. Be sure to visit their website to reap its free delivery (for orders above S$80) and special sales.

Their products include the VENY BBT2S Betta-Bow Tank Kit for S$3.40 and the YINSHENG Breeder Box for S$4.50.

#3: GREEN CHAPTER

Website: greenchapter.com
Location: 565 Macpherson Road #01-00, Singapore 368234

Aquarium enthusiasts who desire something unique can go to Green Chapter! Green Chapter offers personalized aquariums to suit your wants and needs.

Begin the customization process by sharing your concept and collaborating with the staff. The store will help you build the tank and install it in your home or office. Newbie aquarium owners may also tap their aquarium maintenance services.

Services include maintenance and restoration as well as building personalized aquariums.
Products include the Betta Fish Display Case for S$4.20 and GEX Glassterior FIT Glass Tank for S$14.50.

#4: AQUATIC DREAMS

Website: aquaticdreams.com.sg

Individuals who are in search of premier custom-made aquariums and cabinets can go to Aquatic Dreams. Aquatic Dreams ensure that their clients enjoy high quality, safe fish tanks. You see, it only uses Germany-made aquarium silicone from Wacker 121. Furthermore, the cabinets are made from plywood with metal or solid kapur wood beams. These materials are highly durable to resist heavy loads of water.

Thus, this store specializes in creating premier aquariums suitable for homes, restaurants, hotels, and more. Best of all? It provides warranty against leakage due to its workmanship. Products include the 60cm Oblong High Quality Acrylic Tank for S$800. Yes! Prices are also on the premium side. Get a quotation from them through their website.

Whether you are an aquarium enthusiast or a newbie in the scene, searching for the places where you can find the best tanks for your beloved pets in Singapore can be overwhelming. May this list help you with your journey!

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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When Should You Add To Cart?

With all the advertisements on social media and all the Christmas promotions along the Orchard Road, we are constantly bombarded with visions of owning new things. The marketers know how to push our buttons and how to make us click “buy now”.

Pause for a while! There are ways to tame our desires. Wanting is an emotional response to being unsatisfied with what you already have. Satisfying wants can give you a temporary high, but it wears off. Consider the following factors when deciding to purchase something or not.

#1: PRICE

The first question to ask yourself is whether you can afford the item or not. This question is not as simple as it sounds. If you can afford the item, you must ensure that the money is coming out of your budget and not from your credit card. Do not spend money that you are expecting to get.

Lastly, you can save money for a big purchase if you cannot afford it now. Asking money instead of gifts for your birthday or wedding can be doable too.

#2: OPTIONS

Study your options before adding the item to your cart. This will give you time to ponder about the purchase. You can either do window shopping in the nearby shopping malls or browse different online shops. Consider what you already have and weigh the costs of the possible purchase.

#3: QUALITY

Know the quality of your purchase by reading the online reviews. What do others think about the item? Ask your friends for their opinion regarding the item too. They may give you tips on where to get the most affordable and durable option.

More than the style or the brand, consider if the functions of the item will last you for a long time. Unless what you already have is obsolete, buying a similar item is wasteful.

#4: PURPOSE

Distinguish whether what you aim to purchase is a want or a need. If you do not need the item, you may want to reconsider the purpose of your purchase. You can save money to make room for the things you want.

Image Credits: pixabay.com

On the other hand, a need is a requirement or a necessary duty. Buying what you need should be a priority. Adjust your budget to fulfill your daily needs. Always try to get the best value for your money.

Sources: 1, 2, & 3

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