How much is your time worth? You can measure it in time spent with loved ones or by the amount of money you could be making, but you should take time into account when deciding if something is really a bargain.

While I enjoy bargain shopping as a hobby, not everyone can spend as many hours as I do looking for great deals. Fortunately, I have some tips that will help you to save both time and money.

Know what you’re looking for

This is your first step. If you’re trying to save time, always make sure that you go shopping with a clear idea of what you’re looking for. If you’re like me, you know that it’s very easy to get distracted and even forget what you went shopping for. Making a list is a tried and true method. Consider making a list with two parts: items that you are actively looking for and items that it would be nice to get if you happen to come across them. It might keep you from making a second trip later.

Pay attention to brands. Even if you don’t really care whose name is on your clothing, know which brands tend to fit you best will save you time when trying to find other items that fit just as well. Take a look through your closet at the tags on your clothes. Do any names stand out? When I did this, I was surprised to see the same names over and over again.

Know when to look

Don’t forget to take into account the time you spend in line. If you can, avoid visiting stores during peak hours. Weekday mornings are a great time to shop if you can make it then. Of course, the reason why that’s a great time to shop is because that’s when you’re likely to be stuck at work. If you can’t make it then, try weekend mornings or evenings during the first half of the week instead. Avoid pay days and right after.

Also, don’t get slowed down by the holiday rush: all of these tips become even more important during the holiday season. If you can, get all or most of your shopping done before the rush even begins.

Do shop when items are plentiful. While northern hemisphere shoppers might find great deals on bikinis in December, it’s going to take a lot longer to find one that’s right. If you’re looking for a swimsuit, go ahead and enjoy the great selection available during summer.

Know where to look

Having a clear idea of what you’re looking for will help you decide where to look. Stores target shoppers of different ages, gender, sizes, income, and tastes. Some stores like White House Black Market only have clothing in certain colors. If you’re not familiar with a store or with its seasonal selection, it can often be worth the time to have a look at their website. Don’t forget to check out ads and catalogs — they’re another great resource when sizing up a store.

If you’re looking for discounts, then the best places to look are discount stores that pride themselves on having the same stuff as the high-end department stores but at much better prices. I do most of my shopping in discount stores like Ross and T.J.Maxx. Not all discount stores are the same, though: some have better service, some are better organized, some have quicker checkouts — and it may vary from store to store even within the same chain. If you are looking for something specific, you might be better off looking at a higher-end store that is more specialized.

Make sure to factor in trip time as well. Shopping closer to home at a pricier store might make more sense than traveling an hour to visit a great discount store. Of course, if you already plan to be in the area, then by all means go to the discount store. Even shopping around town, I like to plan my route from store to store ahead of time to save time and gas. And if you’re looking to visit as many stores as you can in a short period of time, it’s hard to beat malls.

Get help

If you’re looking for something specific, let the salespeople know. Don’t feel guilty about asking for help! When I worked in the mall, I loved it when people asked me for help because, frankly, the rest of my tasks tended to be pretty boring. Just be courteous and you’ll find that salespeople can be quite eager to help, and they can often tell you whether the store has what you’re looking for on the spot — and also help you find it.

Consider a getting a personal shopper, even if you aren’t loaded. The time saved might justify the cost, and some stores have free personal shopping services. A quick call to the store might save you lots of time. Even if they don’t have a personal shopping service, they might still be able to tell you if they carry what you are looking for.

Know when to stop

There always seems to be a better deal somewhere, however running all over town looking for a dress that’s just a few dollars cheaper than the one you already found is a waste of your time and gas. A good bargain hunter, like a good artist, knows when to stop. When you happen to find that perfect top or pair of jeans, go for it so long as they’re affordable. Not everything has to be thrift store cheap to be a bargain.

Try it on

If you’re planning to return to the store anyway, the store accepts returns and you keep receipts, then it might make sense to take things home without trying them on first. In all other cases, save yourself unnecessary return trips and try on clothes before you buy them.

Go online

Of course, the internet is a great way to save shopping time since you can search the inventory of countless stores from the comfort of your own home and then have your purchases sent to your doorstep with just a few clicks. Even better, let us do the work for you!