BAZAAR BONANZA! (The Consummate Consumer)

October is here, making the last quater of the year and the unofficial start of the Christmas Season. (We Filipinos really look forward to Christmas by counting each day to day.) Due to this most awaited season, bazaars also start increasing expontentially ny the tenth month. These traditional shopping havens cater to the public's demand for unique items, fabulous gifts and great bargains. It's easy to get excited with the mere sight of these events, but before we go on a Christmas shopping spree, it's always best to consider some tips.

Once there, survey first. Make a brief checklist and take notes, especially if the venue is big. Ask prices. Do not buy yet. There may be stalls somewhere in the venue with more selections and similar items at cheaper prices. You may not be able to buy at everything, but at least you can maximize the buying power of your money.

After you have done your first round, take a break and mull over the things you sow. What will you buy? Personal items? Home decors? Gifts? You may see a lot of beautiful and inexpensive things, and yes, you just might be able to buy all of them. But remember, they can be potential junk, especially if they are not too functional.

Go back to the stalls where the items you resolutely want are. Don't forget to ask for a lower price: Wala bang tawad? You are not in a department store; it's OK to haggle here. If the lowered price is not rock bottom but is still reasonable, buy the item. You are already there anyway.

If you don't get to buy anything at the end of the day, don't force yourself to buy something, just for the sake of buying. It could be disheartening to think that you wasted your time for nothing, but it would be tragic if you would exchange your money for something you are not totally happy with.

In fact, with or without a purchase, you would have gained something invaluables: practical information. After seeing all those goods, making a more specific checklist would now be easier, for you would no longer have to start from scratch. And who knows? You just might find yourself haggling really well next time.