Why it is important to know the stores where you live

Strip malls and shopping plazas are popping up everywhere.  There might be two Walmart’s within a 15 mile radius of each other depending on where you live.   Knowing your different stores and the prices for items that you purchase often.  Even if they are the same store.   

This is way more important than some might think.  In our area, the Belk’s clothing store I shop at has the same clothes for cheaper than the other Belk stores in our area.  I bought a dress for $5 at my store and saw the same dress, the same weekend for $15.  Do not assume that all stores have the same prices.   

Knowing your stores will also help you learn when they will have the best prices.  You will learn exactly how low the prices will go before they will not mark them down anymore (and big box stores wont, you can tell).  You can start to detect patterns using circulars and the company’s coupons.  I can guess when dresses at my favorite stores will be around $15 using this method.  If I’m wrong, I don’t buy.   

But learning where to get the best price can be a pain.  Start with stores that are located in less populated areas.  Compare them with the stores in the more populated cities.  This might not be practical for some people, but if there is less than hour distance between the stores, it might be worth the extra work.   

I can’t stress enough how important it is in knowing the places around your neighborhood.  Knowing the tricks of your local stores will help you save so much money, even if it means you avoid the store all together.