How I Saved Money Shopping As A Single Mom

There are a number of ways that I saved money shopping as a single mom. From a low income earner to a high income earner, my shopping and need to find deals never changed. Obviously, my initial need to save money was due to my financial circumstances. I knew as a single mom I had to find the best deals and  get the biggest bang for my buck.  From clothes to appliances, I have always sought out the best quality products for the best discounts and prices.

How I Saved Money Shopping As A Single Mom: Post Christmas to New Year’s Eve Holiday Sales

In my opinion, the best sales happen after Thanksgiving and run into New Year’s Eve.  One of the things that I noticed during that time was the dramatic discount on coats, hats, gloves and scarves after the holidays. When I lived in Philadelphia, my daughter was in elementary school. Up north the coats are heavier and costs more. In order to save money, and because I knew my daughter was going to grow, I would buy a coat during the sale season for the next year (or even two years). I knew she would outgrow her coat, or worse, she may rip or tear it. Every year I estimated how much I thought she would grow and would buy something I knew would fit the next year and hopefully the next two years. I could spend $30 on a $100 coat if I played my cards right.

Additionally, we all know that kids have a tendency to lose hats, gloves and scarves. Those items were always discounted after the holiday season.  I would LITERALLY buy all the clearance gloves, hats and scarves. This was imperative to me as a single mom with a child who lost gloves, hats and scarves every year. Doing this was also another example how I saved money shopping as a single mom.

Not only did I save money on hats, gloves, and coats, I also saved money on jeans, t-shirts and sweatshirts. Most of the major stores ALWAYS had great items on clearance in anticipation of getting rid of clothes for the spring season. My daughter always wore jeans so I could get a great number of jeans and I would pair those with t-shirts I bought (for sale) over the summer.

How I Saved Money Shopping as A Single Mom: Buying Floor Model and Clearance Furniture

While living in Massachusetts, I became addicted to a store called Jordan’s Furniture. Jordan’s Furniture had an amusement ride in the store but they also had an amazing furniture clearance section.  I took my daughter to Jordan’s Furniture as a way for me to look at future furniture purchases and also so we could ride the M.O.M. ride. I could EASILY be in that store for three hours shopping.

The M.O.M. ride is a motion odyssey movie. See video of M.O.M. ride. This M.O.M. ride is a GREAT way to lure buyers into the store. It worked with me.

One time I saw a sofa that I LOVED on the main floor of the furniture store. I knew that Jordan’s Furniture eventually put furniture on it’s floor in the discounted section. I was hoping that couch would show up in the back. On one of my visits,  THERE. IT. WAS. The sofa was originally $800. I paid $300 for it. I called my best friend and he helped me move it for free. That was a $500 savings!!!!

You should know that most furniture stores have great pre-holiday and post holiday sales.  Right after Veteran’s Day to right after Christmas, a buyer can find some amazing deals. Last November, I was able to get brand new bedroom sets for me and my daughter from a popular furniture store in Atlanta. Both sets were 50% off just because of a holiday sale. And I did research to ensure the store wasn’t up charging me and then acting as if the furniture was discounted. The price they had on the tag was the sales price and they gave me 50% off both sets!

Last but not least, I was able to get a $1500 washer and dryer for $680. The store I purchased the washer and dryer from had a price match policy. I found a competitor that was selling the set for $5 less. The store matched THAT price and also had to give me an extra 10% off!

How I Saved Money Shopping As A Single Mom: Buying Presents on Discount

As parents we are “supposed “to buy our kids presents for the holidays. Fortunately, I didn’t have to buy a lot because my daughter’s paternal grandparents, my best friend and my family bought her toys and clothes. Any toy I bought was generally bought on clearance or sale. Before Toys R Us went bankrupt, I did a lot of clearance shopping there. Every now and then I would pop in there to see if there was a doll or other game my daughter mentioned. I would make the purchase and I would be done with holiday shopping for her.

I do not feel and will never feel that anyone should break their budget for the holidays. If giving presents is your thing, great. However, you can buy and spend wisely if you know how and where to look.

No matter what my salary has been over the years, I always sought out the best sales and discounts. These examples of how I saved money shopping as a single mom can help anyone! During this holiday season make sensible choices and sensible purchases. Hopefully, you will have a fabulous, frugal and fun holiday!!!