Today is National Savings Day, so I’m sharing my top tips on how I save money while shopping. One of my proudest moments was when I was interviewed on NBC and the title listed under my bi-line was “Shopping Expert.”

So guys, trust me, I’m an expert. Here are the 5 best ways to save money on shopping.

1. Always do your research. Whenever I want to buy something, the first thing I do is google it. But I don’t stop there: I always google a description of the item rather than the SKU or what the item is called at a particular store or website. Why? The name and SKU of an item can vary vastly from store to store and some retailers do this on purpose because they don’t want you to price compare. I saved over a grand on my formal dining room chairs using this method, so it works for home decor as well as clothing, shoes and accessories.
2. Shop Online. Sometimes I need to see something in person to check it out, and 9 times out of 10, I go home and order it online because I find it for less money using tip #1. Online shops have less overhead than brick and mortar stores and you will often benefit from their savings, plus you can also search for coupons and promo codes that won’t be offered in-store. Best of all, you can do it while relaxing at home rather than running around from store to store.
3. Wait a little bit. Things go on sale so quickly these days, so keep track of the things you want to purchase using wish lists (most online retailers offer them) or using an app like Shopstyle or Shoptgr.
4. Keep An Eye After You Buy. If you just can’t wait for that new pair of boots and you’ve gotta have them RN, keep watching them on your wish list or using your app. When the price does drop, call or email the retailer and ask for a price adjustment. Most will honor the sale price and refund you the difference as long as it’s been a reasonable amount of time. This saves me hundreds of dollars around the holidays, and I just did it and saved another $40 on this jacket.
5. Consider Second Hand. You already know I love thrifting, but if you’re squeamish about that, consignment stores take only gently used items and even brand new pieces. I especially love consignment for accessories and high end bags.