Win Cool Stuff: Power Spending, The Book

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February 22, 2011

Update: And the winner is… #13 shopfreak! Congrats to our winner and thanks to everyone who entered.

Please note: This giveaway has ended and is now closed to further entries.

We've teamed up with the authors of Power Spending: Getting More for Less to offer one lucky Budget Babe reader the chance to win a copy of this money-saving book!

Power Spending is a great read - I had the chance to review it prior to publication because the authors cited TheBudgetBabe.com in Chapter 5 (p.69). No gimmicks, just practical advice to help you make the most of your money and avoid common shopping pitfalls.

To enter to win a copy of Power Spending:

Tell us one strategy you use to keep your shopping under control in the comments section below.

"Like" Power Spending on Facebook for one additional entry. (Leave an additional comment to be counted.)

Visit PowerSpendingBook.com for more information or to order your copy of the book now. Use the coupon "facebook-ps" during checkout to save $3.

Click through to read an excerpt from the book!

As buyers, we need to beware—the shopping world is full of temptations. You don't have to succumb. If you follow a few suggestions:

Make a list, and stick to it, to avoid impulse buys on your shopping trips.
If you keep track of what you already have, you won’t waste money buying what you don’t need.
If you research before you buy large items you will know how much you should expect to pay, and then you will be able to find good deals.
Patience is a virtue—be patient. Most items will eventually go on sale.
Before you buy make sure you are satisfying a need instead of a want.

—excerpted from Power Spending: Getting More for Less by Carolyn Johnston, Eric Poulin and Robin Poulin

Full disclosure: This is not a sponsored post. I received a free copy of Power Spending for review purposes. I did not receive any compensation, monetary or otherwise, for anything related to Power Spending. Entries must be posted by 12 noon ET March 1, 2011 to be eligible to win. Update: Open to US and Canadian residents.

Comments (30)

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Comments

My husband and I give each other a cash allowance. Sounds silly to get allowance as adults, but that way I know how much I have to spend on fun things (e.g., clothes) so I never over spend.

#1 Erin on 2011-02-22 15:12

I write out a shopping list and stick to it.

#2 Mindy on 2011-02-22 15:31

I try to avoid temptation when I know I do not have the funds to go shopping. I stay away from my favorite stores at the mall or only look at their websites with my debit card far away from me.

#3 Jill on 2011-02-22 16:36

Spending on wants is always so tempting, but I usually, when I see something I really want, go home and think about it and go over the things I already own and say for instance style up an older piece of clothing and bring it back into style or replicate the style from the store from things at home.

#4 Lily on 2011-02-22 17:21

I have a monthly spending allowance and I wait until the end of the month when most online sales occur and shop for out of season items and stockpile them for next year. I also search for online coupons to save me some extra dough!!

#5 Chey W on 2011-02-22 17:22

Depends on what I'm shopping for. Groceries - lists are a must! But when it comes to clothes or accessories, I tend to hover around the clearance racks, especially for jewelry and shoes, and then I couple them with whatever coupon I can get my hands on. Also, I review my closet from time to time, so that I don't end up buying similar things, but rather spend my money on things I don't currently have or need. I also apply Lily's strategy as well - thinking about it (away from the store) is usually a good way to gauge if I really REALLY want it, or it's an impulse purchase.

#6 Su Jin on 2011-02-22 18:48

I do not use a credit card and I have a certain amount of money budgeted per month.

#7 Brittany (Homepage) on 2011-02-22 18:48

I only buy from stores I can return items to if I change my mind!

#8 Sandra on 2011-02-22 19:04

Also, I gave it a like on FB.

#9 Sandra on 2011-02-22 19:05

Coupon codes when I shop online!

#10 Nicole on 2011-02-22 19:17

I only go shopping every 2 months. This gives me a the restriction of not shopping every week, and yet it gives me that two month mark to look forward to.

As an added bonus, when the two months are up I also usually know exactly what I want and if I really will wear it. So it saves me from buying items I won't wear.

#11 Tatiana on 2011-02-22 22:55

I almost never buy anything the first time I see it. If I don't love it enough to go back to get it later, it probably wouldn't have been a good purchase in the first place.

#12 Jenn on 2011-02-23 00:01

I put it on hold and think about whether I really want/need it as I walk around the mall. If so, then I'll go back. But a lot of times, I decide not to..

#13 shopfreak on 2011-02-23 00:34

I like to "STACK COUPONS" whenever possible.
When the STORE has a SALE
I have a COUPON
A STORE COUPON
A "REWARDS CARD"
If I'm Lucky,a SENIOR DISCOUNT(some stores will give it no matter your age)
that is how I like to save money and sometimes get an item FREE

#14 donna on 2011-02-23 08:36

Definitely coupon codes for one. Lately, I've been just been putting stuff into my various online carts without checking out. If I'm still thinking about the items and want them after a few days, I'll complete the check out. Also, after Christmas, I put myself on a shopping ban for a month or two.

#15 Joanna Tong on 2011-02-23 08:53

We use the power of making a detailed list. I also constantly question myself in a store if I really need something. Budgeting for the month is also very helpful so you know just how much you have to spend on something. That puts it all into perspective.
I totally want this book!

#16 Karla on 2011-02-23 09:48

that's easy! i blog to get free stuff!

#17 courtney on 2011-02-23 10:32

I shop for winter coats, clothes, and boots at the end of January, when everything is on sale. Often I find things 70% off. I shop for name brand sundresses on sale racks in the winter months as well. These are usually 50% off. I get a certain degree of satisfaction knowing that I have a dress that most paid $80 to $100 dollars for, and I only paid half! It justifies buying two!!!

#18 Stacia on 2011-02-23 11:31

I love to thrift. In "real" stores, I generally stick to sale racks. I also try to make lists and stick to them (which is the difficult part!)

#19 Megan on 2011-02-23 12:20

I get a budget each month of $100. I have to stick to this, so I'm pretty careful with what I spend it on.

#20 Bekki on 2011-02-23 13:30

For clothing, I always wait a day to make the purchase if possible. If I buy something the minute I see it, I wait several days before trying it on and cutting off the tags to make sure I really want/need it.

#21 Alexis L on 2011-02-23 14:43

always wait a couple of days before buying something- something better might come along

#22 Chloe (Homepage) on 2011-02-23 14:55

With clothing, accessories or even some home-goods I try to shop from "the bottom up." For me this means that when I go out shopping I try to start at the lower priced stores and work my way up. For instance, if I were looking for jeans I may start by searching some local Goodwill store's racks for name-brand pairs in decent condition. If I don't find anything there I'll move up to big box or discount chain stores like Target, TJ Maxx or Marshalls. Next up mall chains like New York & Co. or The Gap. Finally, (if I want to invest in clothing item) I will go to major department stores. Keeping my eyes open for sales/discounts all along the way (in stores and online). This past weekend I found a pair of New York & Co. trouser jeans and a vintage faux fur jacket at my local Goodwill all for under $20.

#23 Jen Cam on 2011-02-23 15:12

I ask myself if it's really worth the time I would have to work to buy it.

#24 R Jones on 2011-02-23 17:11

I have a Mint.com app on my phone so I am aware of my finances at all times. And being a broke student, I don't exactly have the luxury of overt spending anyhow... =[

#25 Ivana (Homepage) on 2011-02-23 21:58

Re-fashioning clothing is my favorite way to shop to keep from buying too many new & expensive clothes. Thrift stores can have high quality classic clothing-if it's outdated, simple tailoring can update it- i.e. taking the shoulder pads out of a 1980's jacket then having the shoulders & sleeves altered to fit. Even a man's blazer can be taken in to fit a woman-get one that fits through the shoulders & just have the sleeve curve taken in.

#26 Janet on 2011-02-24 06:40

When I'm shopping I try to always have a specific item or items in mind. The more specific the better. It's never just pants, it's brown, skinny leg pants to wear to work. I don't shop for fun or sport any more. "Browsing" leads to buying a lot of unnecessary stuff. If I see something that makes my heart skip an extra beat but isn't a top need I tell myself I'll come back for it the next day if I still want it. Ninety-nine percent of the time I've forgotten all about it.

#27 Julie on 2011-02-24 08:23

I like to make a specific list of items that I need that will contribute to my wardrobe, and focus on finding these items when I shop. I try to resist bargin clothing items if the item is something that won't contribute to the overall functionality of my wardrobe.

#28 Lauren on 2011-02-25 10:04

I have a list of what i need to buy and try really really hard to stick to whatever is on that list.

#29 alex on 2011-02-25 19:18

I like to look for I want online and go to the store with the exact amount the item is. That way I am only spending money on what I can afford.

#30 styleezta (Homepage) on 2011-02-28 23:40

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