Shopping can be a welcome activity to many of us and a necessary evil to others. Regardless of which category you fall into, Possibilities' Frugal Guide to Shopping will turn you into a wise shopper.

Tips
Recycle and Reuse
Try to improve your green footprint by buying less and recycling and reusing more. Before you buy, always ask yourself: "Do I really need it? Do I have something at home I could use that would serve the same purpose?" Take a look at the REUSE: Household Items From A to Z website, which lists ways to reuse everything from carpet remnants to zippers.

Try the Barter System
Why not organize a clothing swap at your workplace, apartment building, housing co-op or condo. Not only will it give you a chance to clean out your closet and socialize with neighbours or co-workers, you might end up with a free shirt and tie. On the online scene, you could become a member of SwapSity, which facilitates online exchanges of items and skills. You can also exchange stuff online by joining Freecycle.

Start at the Lowest End
The Simple Dollar advises starting your shopping expedition at garage sales or thrift or other low-end stores before heading on to more expensive shops. "All you have to do is go in the door with an open mind and see if you can find anything that works for you," says this blog for people who need to get a grip on their spending.

Buy Discounted Merchandise
Schedule appliance purchases during inventory clearance sales and buy linens and towels during "white sales" (traditionally held in January). Shop for clothes at end-of-season or pre-season sales when stores sell their previous year's stocks to make room for new shipments. You can also ask the salesperson if and when items you are interested in will be on sale. Try negotiating with sales staff to see if you can get a better price, particularly if you find garments or goods that are flawed or have been used as display items.

Compare Prices
Do not buy appliances, household products or big-ticket items before comparing prices. Don't forget to check the prices online as well. (Find out what the shipping costs will be before you purchase anything online.)

Avoid Impulse Shopping
Before you head out to stores, figure out what you really need and where you can find it. Take a list with you and avoid shopping when you're feeling bored. If something does catch your eye, give yourself at least 24 hours to think about it, advises the Frugal Shopping for a Thrifty Life article.

Ask About Store Policies
The Ministry of Consumer Services points out that stores are not legally required to offer refunds or exchanges -- so make sure to get the policy in writing. (Often the policy is on the sales receipt.) If the store will refund merchandise, find out the time limit. If you want to buy personal clothing, such as a bathing suit, determine whether you can exchange or refund it. Finally, until you are sure you want an item, keep the receipt, warranty and packaging.

Bargain Hunting
Classified Ads
If your refrigerator breaks down or you inherit yet another coffeemaker from Aunt Emma, head to classified websites like Kijiji, Craigslist, Used Toronto or Buysell.com to buy or sell second-hand goods. And don't forget eBay, which describes itself as "the world's marketplace."

Second-Hand Stores
If you take the time to scour second-hand stores for deals, you can often find designer clothing at a fraction of the price you would have paid first-hand. If you're hesitant about wearing already worn duds, check out The Simple Dollar blog post, An Argument for Secondhand Store Clothes.

Here are some second-hand stores to check out:

• Value Village has won the hearts of Torontonians with its large selection and relatively low prices.
• Parkdale's Thrift Town carries beds, tables and couches in addition to clothing.
• Extoggery provides business, casual and dress clothes for women and men.
• 69 Vintage Collective carries pay-by-weight second-hand clothing. (On the upper floor, independent vintage dealers showcase their clothing and accessories.)
• Black Market offers T-shirts, hoodies and accessories.
• Kensington Market is chock full of second-hand and vintage clothing stores such as Courage My Love and King of Kensington. Take a stroll along Augusta and Kensington Avenues and see what other shops you find.

For more top vintage clothing stores check out blogTO.

Children's Stores

• Once Upon a Child sells second-hand children's clothing, furniture, toys and strollers at several locations.
• Twice as Nice sells used cribs, prams and toys.
• Ages & Stages stocks kids' clothing from newborn up to size 16.
• Play 'n' Wear stocks discounted designer clothing for children.
• Bumbleberry Kids carries gently used children's clothing.

Sports Equipment

• The Toronto Hockey Store deals in new and used hockey gear, and repairs and refurbishes equipment.
• Play It Again Sports buys, sells and trades used and new sports equipment.
• In addition to selling shoes, Circle Shoes and Skates Exchange sells new and used skates.

Charitable and Nonprofit Organizations

• Double Take has a whole range of clothing including casual wear, interview and career apparel, and wedding gowns.
• For clothing and household items, check out Goodwill, which has many locations in the GTA.
• You can always find cheap clothing or housewares at The Salvation Army Thrift Stores.
• You can't beat Habitat for Humanity's ReStore for building materials. It carries faucets, tiles, doors, cabinets -- just about any item used in home building. These materials are often used but the ReStore also carries overstocked and older items.
• The Community Bicycle Network (CBN) repairs bikes, refurbishes and sells donated bicycles, and sells new and used parts. CBN also rents trailers and bikes at affordable rates and offers space for cyclists to learn bike mechanics and cycling skills.

All for a Good Cause

• Dress Your Best provides clients, who must be referred by a nonprofit job training agency, a complete wardrobe for job interviews and ongoing employment. (Read this blogTO post for more on this organization.)
• Dress for Success operates a similar program, but only for female clients.
• Family Abuse Crisis Exchange (FACE) provides women clients with a trained volunteer consultant who will help them find two professional looking ensembles.
• Young female high school graduates can go to the prom in style even if money is an issue. The Corsage Project provides girls with new (not second-hand) graduation gowns and shoes along with hair and makeup consultations.

Sample Sales
You can find excess merchandise, end-of-lines, and clothes worn at runway shows and fashion shoots in near-perfect condition. The Queen/Spadina area (the traditional fashion district) is a good place to spot posters of sample sales, especially in the weeks before Christmas. For information on fashion industry sample sales, see Toronto Life's Only Suckers Pay Retail.

Clearance/Factory Outlets
Some of the best deals can be found at discount outlets. Here's are a few in the Toronto area.

Orfus Road Outlets
There's lots of outlet shopping to be had on Orfus Road, including:

• Le Chateau
• Nine West Shoe Studio Outlet
• Beddington's Bed & Bath
• Kitchen Stuff Plus

Vaughan Mills Shopping Centre
In addition to regular stores, Vaughan Mills also houses outlets for big chain stores such as the Gap and Banana Republic.

Dixie Outlet Mall
Another source of outlet stores is Mississauga's Dixie Outlet Mall. Sears, Jacob, Ali Baba Shoe, Bikini Village, McGregor Socks and Levi's are some of the outlets you'll find.

Other Outlets
Here's a short list of other outlets in and around the city:

• Au Lit Fine Linens Factory Outlet sells top quality linens at amazing discounts.
• Renoir Fabrics Factory Outlet Store (87 Colville Rd., 416-849-8496) carries a wide variety of imported fabrics, buttons and trim.
• Clearance Warehouse offers discounted health, beauty and household products and more.

Note: RedFlags.com has a comprehensive list of outlet locations in Ontario.

Dollar, Discount and Low-End Stores
In general, dollar stores like Dollar Store and Dollarama are good places to find deals on health and beauty products, cleaning supplies, kitchen items, storage containers and more.

Not as cheaply priced as dollar stores, discount stores offer higher quality merchandise that is not exactly cheap but neither is it scandalously high. Here are some discount stores to check out if you haven't already done so:

• Staples sells reasonably priced stationery and business supplies.
• Browse the clearance racks at Winners for discount designer clothes.
• Five on Spadina stocks designer fashions at a fraction of the retail price.
• For $1.99 T-shirts, and other men's and women's clothing, check out Ends, which stocks end-of-lines and samples as well as other clearance merchandise.
• Payless ShoeSource is "dedicated to democratizing" footwear.
• For bedding, kitchenware, health and beauty products, and clothes try the ever-glitzy Honest Ed's.