I may be a girl, but I know a thing or two (or ten) about hunting, fishing and camping.
I’ve grown up doing all of those things, and basically live in a tent or a cabin several weeks out of the year.
When I was younger, my dad would take me out during hunting season and teach me everything he knew.
I know the right and wrong way to hunt, kill and skin different kinds of animals.
Oddly enough, shopping is a lot like hunting season. I love seeking out treasure in thrift stores and consignment shops, while getting the best deal on any purchase.
So I like to put my hunting knowledge to work.
- Stalk your prey
So there’s a certain item in your sights? It’s time to study it’s patterns, stalk it for the best deals, offers and do all the research you can.
You wouldn’t jump out with a gun and start shooting randomly into the woods, and you shouldn’t do that with your purchases either.
You gotta get to know your targets patterns and the best times of day when they are the most vulnerable. To successfully obtain your prize you need to be patient, stalk your prey and then go in for the kill.
- Have a game plan
Once you have properly researched your target, you can begin developing a strategy. Making a list, setting a schedule and staying focused on your goal, are all part of having a well thought out game plan.
If you go into a store without a plan, you can easily get distracted by all the pretty, shiny objects (squirrel?!)…like clothing displays, window ads or peer pressure.
Then you lose sight of your target and end up wasting time and money (and that combo is just tragic).
- Know the right tools
There are several different factors to consider once you begin your pursuit. Like the weather, the length of the hunt, and what kind of tools you need for each kind of prey.
If you show up unprepared or have the incorrect ammo, all you do is end up feeling discouraged. If I go to the grocery store hungry, I end up buying way too much.
So I keep myself on track by bringing snacks anywhere I go, and knowing what works for me and what doesn’t.
I also try to keep myself rested because I can fall asleep anywhere. Which was evident many times in the deer stand while I was supposed to be “on the lookout”. 
- Go in for the kill
Now that you’ved stalked your prey and created a game plan with the right tools, it’s time to go in for the kill, and close the deal.
Whether it’s using coupons, negotiating skills, or knowing the exact moment to strike, understanding your strengths and their weaknesses can make you a big winner.
You have to be focused on the prize though, because the target can get easily spooked and it can cause you to miss your goal.
But as time goes on you can hone your skills and become a hunting, I mean shopping pro.
- Other tips
Shopping is much more effective if you have a hunters mentality. If you’re just going into a store to browse, that’s okay, but be honest with yourself and know your reasons for being there.
It’s better to be the hunter than the hunted, and sometimes other customers, sales people and peer pressure, can eat us up and spit us out. It’s not fun.
Put on your best hunting shoes and grab your wallet, so you can get the best deals this season, and defend yourself if needed.
/RAWR – that’s my best version of a vicious predator. Or should it be /MEOW?
What’s your hunting/shopping prowess?
Photo Credit: ZapTheDingbat
I'm an ex-small business accountant who aims to help freelancers get out of debt and organize their life. And through the recently launched 
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