Whether it’s to indulge your retail therapy fix, or the weekly list of grocery essentials, shopping is something you just can’t get away from, and therefore all the more important to guard against, especially if you’re looking to save.

Go generic. Don’t always opt for branded products. There are savings to be had when you choose the in house store brand, to a national one.

Buy in bulk. This saves you money if you shop smart and buy those items that have a longer shelf life, such as soaps, shampoos and cleaning agents. Find someone to share it with you, and you actually divide up the cost.

Don’t shop when you’re hungry. This could lead to unnecessary expenditure. Better yet, reinforce your shopping expedition with a list, to restrict your purchasing to exactly what you need.

Avoid the ready-to-eat trap. Not only are they the most expensive items in the shop, but they also might not be healthy for you.

Don’t shop with the family. If you have young children, all those extra goodies will add to your bill without your even realising it.

Try discount and seconds shops, and the factory outlets. Many of these stores are filled with hundreds of top quality items.

When shopping for clothes mix and match. Buying separates means you get more out of your wardrobe, and getting a suit is that much more expensive.

Buy wash-and-wear. Dry cleaning is expensive and not eco-friendly because they use petroleum as a cleaning agent.

Shop at My Dollar Stores where everything is Rs 99. Just remember to check the expiry date on the product, and compare prices with those outside. For example, a bottle of Tabasco is about Rs 150 outside, which makes this a good saving. However, a box of pasta that costs Rs 65 outside is obviously not a good option.

Shop online for bargains. You save on the cost of the product, as well as on petrol, by shopping through the Internet.

Steer clear of the bait-and-switch. During sales, many shops lure customers with huge discounts on the cheaper, lower quality items that no one wants, and lead you to spend full price on items that aren’t actually on sale.

So there really are many ways in which you can save. You just need to do a little homework, and think smart!