REFOCUSING Your Finances Week 8

Reducing Your Shopping Expenses (other than Groceries and Gas)
It is week seven of the R.E.F.O.C.U.S.I.N.G. and if you have been following along you have already looked at many different kinds of expenses. If you have missed those topics, you can go back to those discussions here:
http://thefrugallery.blogspot.com/2011/11/10-weeks-to-refocus-your-finances.html
http://thefrugallery.blogspot.com/2011/11/refocusing-your-finances-week-2-saving.html
http://thefrugallery.blogspot.com/2011/12/refocusing-your-finances-week-3.html
http://thefrugallery.blogspot.com/2011/12/refocusing-your-finances-week-4.html
http://thefrugallery.blogspot.com/2011/12/refocusing-your-finances-week-5.html
http://thefrugallery.blogspot.com/2011/12/refocusing-your-finances-week-6-child.html
http://thefrugallery.blogspot.com/2012/01/refocusing-your-finances-week-7.html

Buy online.  The single best thing I did to reduce my shopping expenditures is shopping online.  It keeps me away from the temptation of buying things I do not need.  It forces me to stick to the list.   
Use EBay.  EBay is an excellent resource for shopping. 

I've scoured the Internet to find the best deals.  This is what I purchase from each location.

Toilet Paper.  By purchasing on Amazon, you can get Charmin Ultra Strong Mega Rolls (4 rolls in 1) for only $1.07.  Setup "subscribe and save" and save an additional 15% and have your toilet paper automatically shipped to you on a preset schedule.


Deodorant.  If time is on your site, check EBay for pending auctions.  You may be able to get name brand deodorant for less than $2.  If you need it in a hurry, check Amazon.  My husband's brand is $2.67 vs. $3.25 on sale in the stores.


Razor Blades. Hands-down the cheapest place I have found is EBay.  I was recently able to get Schick Quattro blades for $1 each.  This is roughly 1/3 of the Walmart price. 

Clothing.  Check Craigslist or EBay.  Craigslist is your best option if you are looking for cheap (regardless of brand).  If you are looking for name brands, EBay offers every brand you can think of.  You can get lightly used clothes or clothing that is brand new with tags!  I start Christmas shopping in early spring and am able to get my nieces name brand clothing for a fraction of what I would pay in the store. 

Books.  Although I encourage people to use the library instead of buying books, I realize that some people value their book collection.  Amazon.com, EBay.com, and Powells.com are great places to get discounted books.  If you are not looking for a specific title, check Craigslist.  I once purchased a lot of 50 books for $20. 

What shopping items do you need to find a good deal on?  Let me know and I'd be happy to look for you!