How many times as a child have you heard someone tell you that you were just too picky? It always sounds like a bad thing, doesn’t it? The connotation with being picky is that you are difficult and childish. You should just make do with what you get.

Well, in terms of financial matters, being picky may just be the best plan ever. Picky people tend to get exactly what they want. And, by being picky you have the potential to save yourself money, make wiser purchases, and have a much better handle on your finances.

Picky consumers are usually the ones that research their purchases in great detail. Perhaps you read every consumer report on refrigerators you could find in order to decide which bells and whistles you really needed. Or perhaps you test-drove ten different cars before deciding that a specific car is best suited to your family’s lifestyle. Whatever purchase you’re making, you can bet that if you’re picky while making your choice you won’t be experiencing buyer’s remorse after your purchase is complete.

Shoppers who are picky are also traditionally patient shoppers. After spending all kinds of time choosing the right product, picky shoppers won’t have any problem waiting to find the right price, too. Being patient allows a shopper to comparison shop and to take advantage of any upcoming sales.

Finally, choosy consumers don’t mind making sure that they get everything they pay for. If you’re picky and you buy a new computer, you won’t mind following up with the store to make sure you’re getting every rebate you are eligible for. Or, if there is a small defect, you won’t be ashamed to return the item to the store for an unflawed item. Picky consumers get their money’s worth.

So, the next time someone tells you that you’re picky, try not to think of it as a derogatory remark. Maybe all they really meant is that you have a great attention to detail and that you’re a careful shopper.

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You’ve heard the old adage that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Well, it’s a popular saying because it’s true. Rather than just tossing out your unwanted items when you’re cleaning the house, you should learn to make a habit of finding another use for it.

Sell: Clearing out the clutter in your house and selling it is a win-win situation. You get to rid yourself of things that you don’t want anymore, and you get to earn some extra cash. You can opt to hold a garage sale, place a few classified ads, or list unwanted objects for sale on eBay. Look for people selling similar items to decide what might be the best venue for your sale.

Donate: Donating items to a non-profit organization allows you to make money on your discarded items in a more indirect way. Although the recipient of your items won’t actually hand you cash, you can get a receipt for your donation. Listing your donations and their fair market values on your income tax return may entitle you to lucrative deductions. In the end, you’ll pay less in taxes and have more cash left in your pocket. Call your local thrift store to find out what their donation requirements are.

Recycle: Like donating items to a non-profit, recycling your old items allows you to accomplish something good as you clear out the clutter in your house. Contributing scrap items to be recycled allows you to help stretch the Earth’s already-stressed natural resources. And, in some cases, you may even be rewarded with a little compensation for your trouble. You can sell scrap metals, like iron and aluminum, to recycling centers. Be sure to compare the rates offered by different recyclers before you drop off your recyclables.

Re-Gift: Re-gifting an item is a great way to get unwanted things out of the house and into the hands of someone who needs them. Maybe you have way too many serving platters, and you have a friend who is just setting up house. She’ll be thrilled to have a new addition to her housewares collection. Another way to re-gift an item is to alter it prior to presenting it as a president. For instance, a plain black frame could be repainted to match a parent’s décor. Insert a picture of your children and you have a perfect grandparent present.

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Well it is time once again for my weekend roundup. I can’t believe how quickly the last week has passed. We’ve been getting some much needed rain here in Florida and the lawn really needs mowing. On to the roundup:

From the Frugal Blog Network this week:
Tight Fisted Miser is brainstorming income ideas because he is quitting his job after being robbed last week.

Frugal Babe outlines how they are starting a hydroponic garden.

Shanti at Antishay Ventenne defends her expensive shoes with some good frugal arguments.

Almost Frugal shares how to give linens a new look.

The Carnival of Personal Finance was hosted on You Need A Budget blog. My top picks from this week are:

Money Reasons talks about saving money in the library.

Harvesting Dollars shares that you should Spread Out Your 401K Investments Throughout The Year.

Think Your Way To Wealth lists 7 Safe and Smart Money Moves for Unstable Economic Times.

The Festival of Frugality was hosted on Student Scrooge. Here are my top picks:

Art Of The Coupon writes about Thinking About Spending & Purchasing.

Mrs. Nespy’s Frugal World shares how to get more done.

Home Ec 101 presents Meal Planning - A Primer part II.

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