What choices do end-users in this current economy have to contain costs?

Welcome to Fluther.

For one thing, stop thinking of yourself in terms of “consumer” and “shopper”, and think of yourself as (and be) a “producer”, “investor” and “owner”. You’d be amazed at what a change in viewpoint will do.

So here’s a new question for you to consider, instead of the “positive-with-a-negative-attitude” question “How can I save money?” (which isn’t really a bad question), think instead, “How can I produce at a rate far higher than I consume?”

Barter

Barter. Barter everywhere, barter at the market, the shoe store, the butchers, and anywhere else.

If you are going to buy a new HD TV, don’t just buy the first one. Pick out a nice model that you like, then find a shop that sells it. Go in, and ask for some help. Even if the TV has a massive sign on it saying ONLY $800!, ask how much it costs. When they tell you 800, you ask them what their best deal is. Once they give you the discount price, you leave and find somewhere else that sells it, and you pit the two shops against each other for who will give you the best price. Once one of them tells you that they will sell you the $800 TV for $680, then tell them that if they throw in a free extension cable and wall bracket that they have a deal.

Don’t Take No For An Answer

They need you more than you need them, It’s a buyers market. If they want your cash they have to meet you half way and give you a discount. If they wont, someone else will.

There are no rules, just because a shop does things a particular way, it does not mean its the official etched in stone way, it’s just some stupid rules they made up as a business, and as a business they can make up a new rule that gives you what you want. Any time a big company tells you “I’m sorry but…” You just tell them “Well do something about it, cause I say no/refuse/not happy”.

You may be wondering how this will save you any money. You would be amazed at how different sales people treat agressive buyers. The purpose of being agressive as a buyer is to make the sales person think “Crap, I can’t get away with it this time, I better just offer this person the good deal from the start”. If you are an aggressive and enquisitive buyer, they will be much less likely to try putting one over on you. You have heard of pressure sales, this is pressure buying.

Buy In Bulk

Any time you are buying something that does not spoil, you should always consider buying in bulk. Next time you buy some shoes, ask them what discount they will give you if you buy 2 pairs or 3. Tell them there is another shoe shop that gives a 50% discount on the second pair.

One oft-overlooked answer is to live more simply. Sure, it’s awesome to have the newest, greatest, extra-big widgets, but do you really need them? Once you think about what you really need, and choose quality versions of those things, you may cut down costs in the long run – both by not buying unnecessary items, and by making the worthwhile ones last longer.

Sharing helps, particularly when combined with @poisonedantidote‘s suggestion to buy in bulk.

Buy clothes on ebay and thrift shops. You can wear the best for a fraction of the price. I like to grocery shop either late at night or first thing in the morning, that is when you can get the best buys on anything fresh because they reduce them as they get close to their use by date. Also stay away from prepared foods such as spaghetti sauce, make your own with cans of tomatoes and spices, same goes for mac and cheese. Buy frozen veg. And with frozen and canned, use the house brand they are usually just as good as the name brands.