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Show Why not be a smart shopper? ears open day by day and learning where to turn for special information when you need it. To bo a smart shopper takes knowledge of some fairly simple rules plus willingness to spend some time and effort In observing them. Being a smart shoping means getting your money's worth and there- 1 1! 11 ! ! oy provuing your jamuy wun I the best possible living from what you spend, observed Mrs. Rhea H. Gardner, extension home management specialist, Utah State University. She said the science of smart shopping may be reduced re-duced to these three rules: 1. Never expect something for nothing. True, all stores have periodic sales or specials of whatever they sell. But successful merchants don't give their merchandise away. If they did, they would soon be out of business. So whether you're shopping for food, clothing, appliances or an automobile, expect to pay a reasonable price. It pays to be suspicious of anything that is touted as an outright giveaway. givea-way. 2. Don't be an impulse buyer. buy-er. Impulse buying is the fastest fast-est way to wreck a budget. Resistance is required since manufacturers and retailers in the highly competitive sales business are continually coming com-ing up with new models, new packages, new displays, new gimmicks to catch your eye and your dollars. Before buying, buy-ing, always ask yourself two questions: Do I need it? Can I afford it? It pays to plan your purchases. Look beyond today's needs to what your family's needs will be in the weeks, months and even years ahead. 3. Be an informed shopper. Current knowledge is your best guide in the shopping game since circumstances change, new products often appear, price relations change and new shopping aids frequently fre-quently become available. The better informed you are about prices, quality, advertising techniques, store reputations, labels, brands and even plain arithmetic, the more you'll be able to get for your money. Being a smart shopper means far more than just reaching for whatever appears to be cheapest. Informing yourself may require an occasional special study project, such as checking out the characteristics characteris-tics of carpet fibers or learning learn-ing to compute true annual interest rates. Generally, it means keeping your eyes and |