It sounds pretty crazy that you actually have to prepare to have the perfect mall day, but if you were an avid shopper, you would know that even the smallest inconvenience like an uncomfortable pair of shoes can ruin your mood. To be able to do your best shopping you have to be comfy, be in a great mood, energized, and of course, not hangry. Here are some things you can do to make sure you have a great day at the mall.
Have your coffee & a decent breakfast
When dedicating an entire day to shopping, you can easily hit 10,000 steps just walking up and down isles and moving from store to store. You need to have some energy to get yourself through the first half of the day, so don’t skip out on that breakfast. Eat something light so you don’t feel too bloated when you’re trying on those jeans, because nothing ruins your mood more than having to go up a size.
Check your gift card balances
You probably have a wallet thick of gift cards that you haven’t used in years. The only reason you’re holding on to them is so that in case you see that one cute shirt in the retailers’ window, you don’t actually have to spend any cash on it. Sites like GiftCash have databases with gift card balance checkers, so make sure you know what you have before you get to shopping. If it’s a gift card you don’t want, you can even sell it to them.
Strategically pick out your outfit
You want to be comfortable, but you also don’t want to look like you just rolled out of bed. Wake up, take a shower, and put on something you won’t mind taking off and putting back on multiple times throughout the day. Consider what it is you’re going to be shopping for and make sure you bring or wear the proper undergarments. Shoes are the most important part because you’re going to be walking for hours on end. Wear something with support or it’s going to slow you down.
Make a list
Part of the fun is going into every store even if you know you don’t need anything in there, just to look around. You can still do that, but in order to be a little bit productive, make a list of the things you think you want so that you don’t end up with 5 sweaters and no pants. Just write down things like “grey top”, “socks”, “shoes to go with my long dress” etc. to keep you on task.
Set a budget
If you’re using your debit card or a credit card for this shopping expedition, it’s easy to let it get a little out of hand. Make sure you assign yourself a budget that you can stick to. Keep track of how much you spent at each store on a note in your phone so that you know when to call it quits. Dependent on what your budget is, you might want to just use cash so that you’re not tempted to keep swiping.
Plan lunch
Every good shopping trip needs a lunch break. Similar to breakfast, you’re going to need this food for energy, but if you sill have more shopping to do once you’re done eating, make sure it’s a light lunch. Downing a large burrito and chips is totally fine, but you might be mad at yourself when the dress that looked awesome an hour ago is a little tight now. Obviously it’ll be fine once you digest, but it just kills the mood.
Write down where you parked
After hours of walking around the mall, the last thing you want to do is now walk around the parking garages looking for the car you parked 6 hours ago. As soon as you get there, write in your notes what section or what store you parked outside of. This way you can plan your route of attack to end up where you started at the end of the day.
