Want to save as much money as possible? Do you truly need to become a smart consumer? Follow my guide, start saving, and become that smart consumer. Not only save on one purchase from this information, but save on everything in the future forever from my information. It's actually easy to become a smart consumer by following my guide!

There is this piece of paper. It is green. It comes in all different denominations. You have to work hard and earn it. Do you know what it is?

Answer: Money

Retailers do not want you to keep that money that you worked hard for and earned. They want you to be separated from it, so they can take your hard-earned money, and pocket it. Being a smart consumer means looking at the true value of a product. Let's do this in steps.

1. Research what you are buying! That is what you have the internet for. Lookup pricing, and customer reviews. With pricing, try to find the item on sale first of all. The next thing I'm about to put in here may be the MOST valuable information in here!

2. This may indeed be the most valuable piece of information. Use your TIME! What do I mean by this? For example, some stores do carry the same products, such as electronic chains, BestBuy & CircuitCity. Most stores offer 100% of the price difference between the two PLUS an extra 10% to 25% off that same item! What does this mean?

If BestBuy is selling a Sony Plasma TV (Model:123456) for $2000, and CircuitCity is selling the same TV (Model:123456) for $2500, go to BestBuy's website, and print-out their price, or cut it out of the flyer, if it is in there. If you bring it to CircuitCity, not only will you get $500 off, bring it to $2000, but CircuitCity has a 125% price match policy, meaning that you will get that $500 off, PLUS an extra 25% off. Now what does that mean?

You will be getting the TV for $1500, $1000 less than their asking price. How is this? Refunding 125% of the difference may sound confusing.. They will match the price of BestBuy and refund 100% of the difference, being a $500 difference in the price of $2000 and $2500. (2500-2000 = 500) Then, you also get 25% refund as well, taking 25% off of that $2000 they just matched (2000-25% = 500) and (2000-500 = 1500).

So, just by spending maybe 10-15 minutes doing this, you just saved $1000! That is amazing! Most stores offer a 110% price difference refund, but that will still be better than nothing!

3. Know your budget and what features you want in something before you enter the store. You can do this online, as well, by searching by "price" and on most sites, you can search by features/models, as well.

4. Do not hesitate to ask questions. Make sure the salesperson answers everyone of your questions, 100% completely. If they do not, simply get a manager. This will benefit you.

5. See if the materials the product is made with are toxic, and can be dangerous to pets, the enviornment, or even humans. Do not buy if it is toxic, because you will be jeopardizing the pets, enviornment, and even yourself in some cases!

6. Warranty. Find out what the warranty is for parts & labor. In almost every case, opt for the extended warranty, because if you purchase a $1000 TV, and has a 2-year warranty, and you were offered an extended 2-year warranty for $150 and denied it, and say the TV breaks in the 3rd year of ownership, you will have to pay $1000 to get a new one and replace it. You would have saved $850 by opting for the warranty. And the warranties always-almost cover more than one incident. Example: I purchased an iPod from Walmart. I took the extended 1-year-warranty. It can break 20 times, and I will still get it replaced, all because I took that warranty. A real money saver if you ask me and peace of mind!

7. Make sure you investigate the store's return policy. This is very important. You do not want to have to return something to find out your past the maximum amount of days to return something.

8. If family and friends have shopped at the store, especially for the same item, definitely ask them: how is the product, how was the service, etc.

9. The best thing you can do is put it on a credit card, and pay it off when the bill comes. Why is this? More and more credit card companies offer zero liability to their cardholders, meaning in the event that you received an item that didn't match the description, or that was damaged, and you did charge it, they have a record of that, and you will not be held responsible, entitling you to a chargeback, and protecting you.

10. If using layaway, make sure they do not charge interest! Most stores, if you use layaway, have you make payments to them, each month, until you've paid off the item. Then, they will release that item to you after it is all paid off. Some store will not charge a dime. Some will charge for storage fees and what not. If you see that they charge interest, storage fees, etc, do not put it on layaway.

11. Save manuals, warranties, contracts, receipts, etc. These are vital especially if you need to return something, or if your item happens to break, and you need to refer to the warranty to get it replaced.

12. If charging a purchase, mainly a large purchase, such as a refrigerator or television, use a card that offers rewards, such as miles, cashback, or points for merchandise. This is a very smart thing to do, rather than using a plain Visa or a plain MasterCard, which will give you nothing in return, but interest, if you do not pay the bill on time.

13. If you see a product you like in the store, but it is too pricey, always search eBay. You can definitely get a great deal on eBay. If you are looking for a TV/Refrigerator, etc, items like that, in a store, and you find a better price on eBay, purchase it in the store, because of the warranties, return policy, financing, etc.

Take these 13 Steps on How to Become a Smart Consumer, and become one! All it takes is some time!

I took some time to post and research all of this for your aid so PLEASE take one moment to click on YES (right below here) before closing this window...thank you!! :)

-greenhappykat