“This is the best shopping advice I was ever given."

Everyone’s after value for money these days.

None of us want to sacrifice the good things in life – we want the very best quality, but without breaking the bank. That’s not too much to ask, right?

Luckily, all it takes to be able to afford everything you want and need is to shop a little bit smarter. I recently asked the Mamamia Women’s Network team for their best shopping advice, and they didn’t hold back.

So here are their top tips on how to shop smart:

Just as an FYI, this post is sponsored by Harris Scarfe. But all opinions expressed by the author are 100 per cent authentic and written in their own words.

1. Ask for extras.

“No matter what you buy, ask for things like free delivery, an extended warranty or any other extras. You never know what you’ll get.” – Whitney

2. Look for stores that offer legit value for money.

“I always shop at stores that I know offer great value for my money. That means avoiding places that clearly quadruple their prices just because they carry a label.” – Alexis

3. Ask for advice on deals.

“We always go for the best brands because value for money is what counts, not buying something just because it is cheap. Also, ask staff at the store for advice on the best deals. I got a whole package of furniture for the price of a dining table, all because I chose a slightly different style.” – Ashley

4. Do your research.

“Sit down and ring around and find out how much whatever you need costs and then go to the place with the best deal. It might not necessarily be the cheapest but maybe there will be a longer warranty option or home delivery.” – Lisa

5. Avoid blink-and-you’ll-miss-it trends.

“Don’t always buy the trends. Some are so fleeting that in a fortnight’s time you won’t love that piece of clothing as much, so make sure you buy styles that will last.” – Kahla

“I tend to buy more ‘classic’ homewares and clothes that will stay in fashion for more than one season.” – Jane

6. Ask a friend.

“I always ask for recommendations from friends.” – Nadia

“Ask your friends which brands work well for them. Whenever I go to buy something important, I always ask for recommendations on Facebook.” – Larissa

7. Prioritise a few key pieces.

“I like to buy a couple of items each season that are really fashionable but the rest of my money I spend on buying the clothes I can wear all year around, like good jeans and great skirts.” – Cinthia

8. Read reviews.

“I always read product reviews, to find the best brand that’s not too expensive, then compare prices on that brand.” – Helen

I’ll never shop in the same way again. What I’ve learned is that you don’t have to buy everything, but everything you buy should be of decent quality and be built to last.

Do your research, ask for your friends’ advice, have an idea of what you want before you walk in the store and ask staff for advice on the best deals. It’s simple.

What are your best tips for saving money while shopping?

Check out this new range affordable fashion, available now at Harris Scarfe: http://bit.ly/1ETNPYv

Harris Scarfe is one of Australia’s leading department stores, retailing for over 160 years. With a collection of premium fashion, homewares and manchester, Harris Scarfe is the ideal one-stop-shop for quality branded product with exceptional value across the board for you, your family and home.