Being a frugal shopper is not just about getting the cheapest price on the things that you need. It’s about consciously shopping so that you can own items that are truly meaningful to you without spending a fortune to acquire them. Many people who are interested in living frugally are also interested in issues like sustainability and supporting local businesses and independent artists. Unfortunately, it’s not always as easy to save money when shopping at these places as it is when shopping at the big box stores. That doesn’t mean that you have to compromise your frugal ethics, though.

Here are ten tips for saving money when you’re shopping at stores that aren’t chain stores – stores like indie shops, boutique stores, DIY online storefronts and thrift or antique stores:

1. Focus on the lifetime cost of the item that you are interested in buying. The great thing about buying handmade, antique or indie items is that these items are usually designed to last for a long time. These things aren’t things that you use a few times and throw away. As a result, you often end up saving more over the lifetime of the product’s use than you would if you bought a cheaper item. Learn to think about calculating the lifetime costs of things that you’re buying and you’ll find that it’s a lot easier to see the deals that you’re getting at independent stores. By looking for the highest-quality products at these shops (even thrift stores) you’ll end up saving a lot of money over the years.
2. Learn to bargain and barter. You can’t negotiate the price of items that are sold at chain stores. Those prices are set. One of the best things about working with local shop owners is that this same fact may not be true. These people are people like you who are just trying to make a living. They may be willing to come down in their prices if you haggle with them a little bit. Even better, you may be able to barter services that you have in order to get discounts on the items that you’re interested in buying from local boutiques and antique stores.
3. Know the value of what you want to buy. It’s difficult to effectively bargain for a better price if you don’t know the real value of the items that you want to buy. Shop around and see what other similar items are selling for. Do your research to find out if the item might have lasting value. Something that you can buy now and sell for an equal or even greater amount later on is a really good buy! It’s not always easy to find out this information but the more you research, the more you’ll develop your eye for buying the right stuff.
4. Buy only items that you truly love. When you purchase items that are handmade or limited edition, you’re getting the opportunity to buy something really creative and interesting. Make a point out of only buying items that you truly love. If you’re not sure if you love it, don’t bother buying it. This helps you save money because you won’t be buying as many items. You’ll appreciate what you have and you’ll waste a lot less money in the process.
5. Look for discount codes and vouchers. Many people assume that discount codes aren’t available for their small independent stores. That’s because the majority of the codes that come to our attention are for the department stores and big box stores that are located all over the place. However, small businesses also put out these types of deals. We’re proud to have many merchants on our own site that are small businesses. You can always check the Internet or even ask the store owner if there are any deals going on. Online-only sellers often offer these types of specials.
6. Keep your eye out for new types of promotional deals. It is often the smaller businesses that are the first to adopt new types of promotional deals. One type of website that is gaining popularity right now is the social deals site where small businesses advertise great deals but you can only get them if enough people in your social network also sign up. Mobile coupons and other modern types of money-saving are other examples of new stuff that independent businesses are likely to take advantage of.
7. Find out when the “special days” are at your local stores. Many small stores offer “special days” when there are better prices than usual. Thrift stores are especially fond of doing this, often offering deals such as half off of all items on holidays. If there are stores that you enjoy frequenting then you should definitely ask if they have special days. If they don’t, you might even want to make a pitch to the owner about why they should!
8. Don’t ignore big stores when buying independent. There are some big names, especially in online shopping, where you can get handmade stuff. The great thing about the big sites is that they have the power to offer better deals because they get so many shoppers. For example, you can often find discount codes for shopping at Etsy or eBay. You’re still buying from independent sellers but you’re shopping through a really reputable place that offers great sales.
9. Know about the different types of stores that sell independent items. You should make sure that you understand the difference between a thrift store and an antique stores. You can often find less expensive antiques at a thrift store! You should know the difference between a DIY shop and a boutique store; boutique stores tend to be higher-priced but may also offer higher-quality items. Knowing where to shop will help you to have a solid understanding of the right place to get the best deals on the items that you want to buy.
10. Don’t forget your usual money-saving tricks and tips. It’s tempting to throw out what you know about shopping when you’re buying items from local or handcrafted sellers. That’s because you can easily justify spending more money by saying that you’re supporting small business or local arts. However this leads to you wasting money. Follow all of the usual money-saving rules that you follow when shopping regardless of where you shop. Stick to a budget. Wait 30 days before buying an impulse item. Be smart about your shopping. This is what’s going to save you money in any store!

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