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How To Avoid Overspending At The Mall

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Going to the mall is certainly a lot of fun. However, it is also easy to walk out having spent more money than you planned. You don't have to let this happen to you! It is possible to visit the mall and stick to a healthy budget. Here are some tips to help you do just that.

1. Know what you're looking for.

If you go to the mall with the objective of just walking around and buying whatever appeals to you, then you're likely to overspend and buy items you don't really need. So, before you go to the mall, spend some time thinking about the items you actually need. Write them down. Make a list as though you were going to the grocery store. This way, you will know what you're shopping for, and you're less likely to buy unneeded things.

2. Visit a few stores before making a purchase.

Say you need to buy a white t-shirt. Think of three or four stores in the mall that might sell white t-shirts, and visit them all before you actually buy a shirt. This way, you can compare prices and buy the shirt you feel is the best priced. 

3. Schedule a snack, not a meal.

In recent years, most malls have begun adding full-service restaurants to their layouts. Visiting one of these restaurants can certainly be fun, but it can also cost you more than you might have expected to spend — especially if you visit on a whim. Try scheduling a snack instead. For example, you might decide beforehand that you're going to stop at the pretzel shop and enjoy a $5 pretzel halfway through your shopping trip. Knowing this treat is coming will help you avoid purchasing other tasty things you don't need.

4. Visit during the week.

Malls get pretty busy on the weekend. When there are lots of people around, you're more likely to rush and buy things without so carefully considering the price. So, if you visit the mall during the week, you'll have more space to move and think. Some mall stores even offer special discounts mid-week in order to bring more people inside.

If you follow the tips above, you can avoid overspending at the mall. Shopping at a mall is a great way to entertain yourself and find lovely items as long as you're able to control your spending.

To learn more about what stores are near you, contact a shopping center.


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