Get the Facts and Don't Overbuy

Before going shopping for a new piece of technical equipment or big ticket household items (computer, mobile phone, DVD recorder, vacuum cleaner, washing machine or even a coffee maker), make a list of what you MUST have. Gather the junk mail for a couple of weeks, check prices online and use good old fashioned foot slogging to get all your information together. Then find the price point where you can get what you need but not overbuy.  As you shop collect business cards with the name of the sales assistant you spoke to and the price you were quoted, they will help you haggle a deal when you are ready to buy.