6 new year’s shopping resolutions | members only

When it comes to shopping, one of my mantras is “Never buy anything until you’re sure you can’t get it for less.” But I slip up occasionally. So I decided to turn my bloopers into New

Year’s resolutions. Here are six steps you can take to avoid the money-wasting mistakes that I made this past year. 1. USE MORE DIGITAL COUPONS  I can be a lazy couponer when it comes to

food. I miss paper coupons! But grocery-store apps are easy to use. Tap on the coupons you want and then scan a barcode in the app at checkout. Or head to Coupons.com for printable coupons.

To supercharge your savings, try cash-back apps like Ibotta and Checkout51. Also, sign up for store newsletters and check your email inbox on Fridays, when retailers release the most

coupons, according to a SimplyCodes survey. 2. KICK THE SALE HABIT  Sometimes when I see a hot coupon or a sale sign, I go berserk. After receiving a 30-percent-off coupon from a drugstore

recently, I went on a cosmetics shopping spree. But I didn’t need most items, and some weren’t even bargains. Instead of jumping at a deal, first verify that it’s actually worthwhile. 3. BUY

USED  It’s better for my budget and the planet. And the many apps and sites dedicated to pre-owned products (Poshmark, ThredUp, Mercari) make it easier. Big retailers also sell used

products. Just be sure to read descriptions, reviews and return policies carefully; when buying electronics, look for certified refurbished items. 4. SLOW DOWN  I sometimes get antsy and

pull the trigger on purchases too early. I know I should wait for big sales, but I want it now! What restrains me is price trackers. They show product price histories, which help gauge

whether the current one is high or low. For Amazon purchases, I use the CamelCamelCamel website and the BigBangPrice app. I also love the Honey browser extension’s Droplist feature, which

works on Amazon and other websites, such as those of Target, Walmart and Macy’s. 5. DO THE HOMEWORK  Friends often ask me about deals hawked by no-name sellers, usually on social media

feeds and online marketplaces — both notorious hangouts for scammers. I tell them to check for complaints, read reviews, and look for a company website with contact information and a

return policy. But recently I pounced on a deal ($100 off!) without doing my homework. Later, I found many red flags, including an “F” grade from the Better Business Bureau and a blank

profile for the company’s president on LinkedIn. With a lot of calls and a little luck, I managed to cancel my order. Whew! 6. SAY NO TO STORE CREDIT CARDS  I used to collect them like

baseball cards. They tempt you with discounts, rewards and special coupons. But they can also ding your credit score and rack up huge interest payments. Average store-card interest rates

jumped to a record 30.45 percent this year, reports Bankrate.com, with many cards charging at least 35 percent. That’s far higher than the average credit card rate of 20.37 percent at the

beginning of December.