The best things in the world are free but the second best? They are expensive and don’t we know it. Thus, we confess. This is our favorite season of the year; the Sales Season. The big red signs have started going up on the shop windows around town and we couldn’t be more excited. Everywhere we turn we can see the four-letter word and the opportunities they hold can’t be denied. This is our chance to snag some great deals. 

Still let’s not get too ahead of ourselves. Caution is advised. We know the allure of ‘50% off’ can cloud anybody’s judgment. So The Week brings you the game plan. Here is how to make the best of this festive sale season.

Jot it down
Before you hit town to savor the sales, make a list. No there is nothing geeky about it. A list of what you need and the shops you can get it from can help you shop efficiently. As it is, during sale season the stores are full of all kinds of bells and whistles. A simple thing like a list can make sure you are not side tracked and that your money is well spent.

Curb the urge to splurge
When prices are slashed the temptation to buy can be overwhelming even when the garment in question is not exactly the right option for you. If those shoes are too small, jeans too tight or skirt too short then it will be a waste of money rather than a steal. Keep a cool head and only part with your cash if it’s really worth it. Don’t buy anything thinking you’ll lose weight and wear it, or you’ll get it altered to your size because the fact is, you won’t. You’ll just be wasting money you could have better spent elsewhere. 

Rein in the pockets
Set your budget and stick to it. You may be shopping on sale but that doesn’t mean there is no risk of over spending. In fact, this is the time when many tend to unintentionally burn a hole the size of China in their pockets. So be alert. Be aware. Don’t be tempted by a price tag or discounted percentage right next to it. This truly is the golden rule – only ever buy an item if it is a style that flatters you. It may have 50% off, but it is not going to be worth the buy if it just sits in the bottom of your wardrobe never to see the day of light.

The yardstick of quality
We might be hunting for a bargain but in the process let’s not sacrifice quality. There is a certain pleasure in wearing something that has been well made. Good design is about using materials that are of good quality and will last you a while. The product has to be aesthetically pleasing, has to be functional, and if it has extra character to it, too, well then that’s even better. Regardless of the fact that we are shopping items on sale, there is a need to seek and demand quality. Opt for long lasting items rather than impulse purchases.

The new classic
If you wish to look back at your wardrobe three years later and beam with pride; sigh at the memories of making most of the 2016 festive sale then simply make a beeline to the staple pieces – those timeless, well-cut dresses, jackets, tops and trousers which have no obvious reference to current trends. You can’t go wrong with them. In fact, everybody needs these basic pieces to build their style. What’s more they’ll never be out of fashion, you’ll be able to wear them season after season. It’ll be sort of an investment. 

Devil is in the detail
Finding that gorgeous dress you have had your eyes on for two third its original price might elicit a cheer, a high-five and perhaps even a victory dance but after the celebratory jig; let’s take a deep breath and evaluate the prospect at hand. What if the outfit doesn’t fit right, what if its stitches are coming loose or what if you realize the color doesn’t really complement you; better safe than sorry. Always inspect and inquire. To completely eliminate buyer’s remorse, ask about the clearance return policy as well.

Do your research 
It’s always wise to compare prices. Just because something is marked 50% off at one store doesn’t mean you are getting the best deal possible. There is always a chance that some other outlet is being more generous, that too with even more drool worthy loots. So best you do a little homework, play the little detective and score the best offers.

It’s all about the timing
It takes a gutsy individual with steely determination to dive into the mob of shoppers that throng the markets and malls during the festive sale season. And of course everybody is after the same thing: The best buys. So cue in the pushing, the shoving, the glaring and the cursing. It’s all inevitable. However, one could easily escape the worst of the drama by hitting the shops early. Indeed be one of the first customers in and avoid the crowds and scrambling altogether. Also try shopping on weekdays, preferably during the day time while majority of the folks are slaving away at their office desks.

Don’t dress to impress
Those high heels might make your legs look longer but what use will those long legs be if they will cripple you midway through your shopping spree? Not dressing the part for these strenuous sales shopping missions is such an amateur move. Be practical. Think flat shoes, trainers if you must, comfy pants and tops; something that will not come between you and your plan to absolutely raid the stores. We suggest you were loose fitting pants that you can easily slide out of rather than snug hip-huggers if pants are what you are looking for during this sale season. This way, trying on pants at multiple stores won’t frustrate you. Also, don’t wear sneakers if you are going shoe shopping. Wear sandals or flip-flops that you can slip out of in a nanosecond. 

 
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