Archives for June 2013

Claire’s Boutique – Smart Shopping for Little Girls

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Claire’s Boutique = Smart Shopping!

Especially for little girls like our 9 year old daughter.  It is a special treat to go to Claire’s boutique with her, just to watch the excitement on her face is well worth the trip.  Claire’s specializes in anything from earrings in a million girly styles to accessories to adorn that same 9 year old’s hair.  Truly a gift when you can please a little girl like that, even some big girls.

Highly worth checking out!

 – Smart Shopper Staff

 

Check Out The New Styles at Claire.com

Smart Online Shopping

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Smart Shopping Tips

Follow these smart shopping tips to enhance your shopping experience:

Tips for smart shopping by phone or mail

Shopping by phone or mail can be a convenient and satisfactory way to shop for goods. Many marketers provide toll-free ordering and quick delivery. However, as with any type of transaction, there are still things you should keep in mind.

When ordering:

  • Shop around and compare costs and services.
  • Deal only with companies or charities whose reputation and integrity are known.
  • Don’t be pressured into acting immediately or without the full information you need.
  • Before ordering, check the company’s return policy.
  • Always keep a record of the name, address and phone number of the company, goods you ordered, date of your purchase, amount you paid (including shipping and handling), and method of payment.
  • Never give out your credit card number or personal, financial or employment information unless you know with whom you are dealing.
  • Keep a record of any delivery that was promised.
  • If you are told that the shipment will be delayed, write the date of that notice in your records and the new shipping date, if you’ve agreed to wait longer.
  • If merchandise is damaged, contact the company immediately. If you’re asked to return it, get a receipt from the shipper.
  • Report all fraudulent activity to your local authorities.

Unsolicited goods:

  • You are under no obligation to accept or pay for any merchandise you receive in the mail that you did not order. In most states, when the sender asks for the merchandise back you must return it at the sender’s expense; however, in some states you cannot be required to pay for the goods or services unless you agreed to do so in writing. To complain about unsolicited goods, contact your local consumer protection agency.

Smart Grocery Shopping Tips

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Smart Grocery Shopping

  • Take time to decide in advance exactly what you want and what you can afford.
  • Going to the grocery store can be stressful. There’s so much to choose from, and it may seem like there’s never enough time or money to buy what you need. Here are some tips to make your trips to the store faster, less costly, and healthier for you and your family. Smart grocery shopping

    Grocery Shopping Organization

    • Make a shopping list and stick to it. Planning ahead can help you avoid buying foods on impulse, and keep within your budget. Include the grocery store specials for the week in your planning. Look for fresh fruits and vegetables in season.
    • Start shopping at the outside aisle. Choose fresh fruits and vegetables, low-fat milk, lean meats, poultry, fish and whole grain breads before shopping for convenience items and snacks. (The center aisles are where more costly pre-packaged and heavily processed foods are sold.)
    • Don’t shop when you’re hungry. When you put off grocery shopping until you are really hungry, you are more likely to buy foods that you wouldn’t normally buy and that are higher in fat and calories.
    • When choosing between different brands of the same product, check the nutrition labels and choose the one that is the lowest in fat and sodium.
    • In the summer months, consider buying produce at your local farmers market. It can be cheaper than the supermarket, and the fruits and vegetables are fresher.Consider buying large quantities of some fruits and vegetables and freezing them for the winter months. The farmer’s market can be a fun outing for your family! 
    • Buy fresh fruits and vegetables in season.  Not only are they cheaper they will also taste better.
    • Buy frozen fruits and vegetables.
      • Be sure to buy them plain without added seasonings or sauces.
      • Buy large bags of frozen vegetables.
    • Buy canned fruits and vegetables.
      • Look for fruits canned in their own juices.  Avoid ones that are packaged in syrup.
      • Drain and rinse canned vegetables to remove added salt.
    • Buy store or generic brands over name brands.
    • Use coupons. But buy only the foods you and your family normally eat.
    • Look for specials at the grocery store on fruits and vegetables.