If you’re looking for ideas to save money on shopping in your own city you can check this post out, and for discounts while shopping online, visit this post. For now, let’s get on with my best tips and tricks to save money while shopping on an international vacation.

1. CHECK LOCAL SALE SEASONS BEFOREHAND
   Though most sales are standardized and happen when the season ends, seasonal changes differ depending on the country. Countries in the Northern hemisphere have sales mostly in the months of January and July. However, this may be different for countries in the Southern hemisphere.
2. RESEARCH ONLINE FOR LOCAL THRIFT MARKETS
   Before travelling, read blogs and websites that list the best thrift/bargain shopping markets in any local place. These markets offer a large variety of products and bargaining is encouraged! Read my pick of thrift markets in London here.
3. SET APART A LARGE CHUNK OF TIME/ AN ENTIRE DAY TO SHOP BUT NOT MORE
   Time is money, right? Organize your trip in a manner that allows you to dedicate one large chunk of time to shopping, without cutting into your sightseeing or relaxation time. For this, you need to demarcate the area/locality you want to visit beforehand, and stick to the plan. This will ensure you enjoy everything on your itinerary without compromising on shopping!
4. CHECK FOR CASHBACK AND OTHER DEALS ON YOUR CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS
   Most international banks offer lucrative deals on shopping with them, such as cashback or extra discounts. While I mostly keep my international currency on a Forex card, I have occasionally used my regular credit card for big purchases. However, be mindful of currency conversion charges!
5. DOUBLE CHECK THE PRICE OF EACH ITEM ON THE SALES COUNTER
   If you like an item but think it’s overpriced despite being on sale, ask the salesperson to check the final price in their system. I’ve often picked things that have been marked down even further than their sale price, on the official cash register.
6. KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR AWESOME DEALS IN DRUGSTORES
   Personally, I love buying makeup when I’m abroad, because we don’t have access to many brands in India. Check local drug stores for awesome deals such as 3 items for the price of 2 on makeup, skincare and perfumes across brands. It’s the best way to stock up on essentials and try new things.
7. KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR ‘GIFT-WITH-PURCHASE’ DEALS AT EXPENSIVE RETAIL OUTLETS
   Many designer stores offer a gift-with-purchase but don’t advertise the fact. Always ask at the cash counter, if you’re eligible for any free item along with your big purchase!
8. CARRY YOUR OWN TOTE BAGS/ SUITCASE
   Many stores charge for plastic/ tote bags. Save money by carrying your own. If you’re planning to shop a lot, a strolley is a good way to store your bags and avoid carrying everything around.
9. CHECK IF YOUR STUDENT ID OR SENIOR CITIZEN CARDS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR FURTHER DISCOUNTS
   Students and senior citizens get 10-15% extra over sale price and general price in many countries, by showing valid ID cards. These discounts apply to public transportation and sightseeing tickets as well.
10. ASK THE LOCALS WHERE TO SHOP
    This is a trade secret, folks! No matter how many blogs/websites you read, they will never give you insider information. Always ask local people for their recommendations on the best and most affordable places to shop. This includes the staff at your hotel, people at a restaurant, cab drivers- you get the gist!
11. CHECK FOR NEGLIGIBLE TEARS/STAINS TO GET EXTRA DISCOUNTS
    If there’s a little stain or tear on an item, the shopkeeper will mark down the price further. So, keep a hawk eye out!

These are my fool-proof, tried and tested methods for saving money while shopping abroad. It isn’t necessary to shop when travelling, but personally, I love adding things to my wardrobe that aren’t locally sourced. They have a story behind them and look different from the fashion that’s trending at home. Let me know of any other tips to save money on shopping, in the comments section below. I would love to know.

Hi everyone, I am Noor Anand Chawla, a lawyer by training and writer by passion. As a blogger, I mostly write about things I enjoy, in order to give the best and most honest recommendations to my readers. Two things I really love are travel and shopping. So, when it came to penning a guest post on my friend Cindy’s blog, I couldn’t think of a better article than sharing my tips to save money while shopping on international vacations. Do visit my website if you liked this post!

*This is not a sponsored post.
**Copyright in content belongs to nooranandchawla.com and cannot be republished or repurposed without express permission of the author. As I am a copyright lawyer by profession, infringement of any kind will invite strict legal action.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Noor Anand Chawla is a lawyer who pursued her passion for writing after the birth of her baby boy. Having studied at esteemed institutions like St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, the Faculty of Law, Delhi University and King’s College London; she practiced law at the Delhi High Court. She currently writes a Delhi-based lifestyle blog on her website https://nooranandchawla.com/, where she covers topics related to parenting, health & fitness, beauty & fashion, art & culture, food & drink as well as travel. On Instagram, she has made a name for herself as theladylawyer.

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