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Living Cheap is the Best Revenge In these tough economic times, even those with stable jobs are feeling a little less secure than before. Consumers who used to focus on having the newest and best products, the best brands, are now looking for value. Online shopping has become an accepted way of comparing prices and researching products before purchase for all manner of goods. People today shop for everyday items such as groceries as well as major purchases likes homes or cars over the Internet. Some online shoppers boast that they can purchase all of their needs online, from clothes to cleaning products, without the need to visit any stores. Unfortunately, there are some misconceptions about shopping online. One of the major ones is that products are a lot cheaper online then in regular stores. This is not always the case, especially during the holidays, when major retailers pull out all the stops to get people into their stores. Stores like J C Penney or Sears might put many items on sale for 40 to 50% off, discounts you will rarely see online, where e-tailers might only discount only a small percentage of their merchandise. Buying online also means in most cases having to pay shipping to get the items delivered, unless the merchant is waiving the shipping as a special promotion. On the other hand, when buying items in stores there is the cost of the item plus any local sales taxes to consider. Living in a high tax area might mean buying the products online is ultimately cheaper. But there is still something to be said for being able to go in a store and browse through what they have available. On a website, a retailer might be able to display 20 or so items per page, requiring the user to click through to see more items. In an actual store, just turning around in a circle a shopper might see hundreds of items. Browsing is much easier this way. Now how can one save money without seeming like a cheapskate in the season of giving? The secret is knowing when to economize. For everyday items, groceries and personal supplies, there is likely a store like Wal*Mart or Target nearby which offers the same items as higher priced, brand-name stores. Basics like underwear, greeting cards, even candy cost a lot less at a discount stores. Also there is usually at least one discount grocery store around, such as Price Chopper. Many of the warehouse clubs such as Sam's and BJs also offer foods and basic supplies. Consider buying a case of toilet paper at a club store instead of buying a couple of rolls at a time at a higher priced supermarket. The savings this way on the very same brands can really add up over time. For gift giving, consider quantity over quality, particularly for friends or co-workers. It is understandable that one might want to spend a decent amount of money on gifts for family members and close friends, so the chance for savings comes when buying gifts for other people. Look around for odd lot stores or regional bargain retail chains such as A J Wright or Christmas Tree Shops. These stores carry manufacturers overstocks and items that did not sell at other stores, such as Wal*Mart, at a fraction of their original retail prices. Basic items make good gifts, things like pen & pencil sets, umbrellas, and ceramic collectibles can be had for under $10. Coffee & Tea and Jelly samplers also make good stocking stuffers. Add some candy items in a decorative mug and you have the makings of a nice gift basket. When buying items online, try to order as many at one time as practical to try to reduce shipping costs. Some sites like Amazon give free shipping once an order reaches a certain limit. Also looking up items online will help establish what would be a good price for that item, even if you ultimately end up purchasing it in a retail store. William Musson is a freelance writer based in Connecticut. ©2003 by X9 Interactive Buy a Handheld GPS Unit now for $94!