Bulk bin bargains: frugality at its finest. (savvyshopper).

It really doesn't matter what you're shopping for--if you can find a way to save money or get something free, it makes you feel good all over. But is it possible to find a true bargain without sacrificing quality? It's one thing to save a buck or two when you're purchasing a cellular phone, but if you're looking to improve your health and save money at the same time, you need to become a super-savvy shopper.

Consumers have their own bags of tricks when it comes to shopping wisely. Some never buy items without a coupon, or they only go to the reduced-price shelves looking for bargains. Some people won't shop without a list, while others only buy in bulk. But smart shopping is about more than just comparing brands to save money, especially when it comes to healthy foods, dietary supplements or natural health and beauty products.

"Try not to buy items that are packaged in small serving sizes or that have packaging with a lot of glitz and glitter," says Nancy Kemble, owner of The Squirrel's Nest, a natural foods store in Middletown, Delaware. "Consumers should always spend their dollars on the product, not the packaging. I always tell my customers that if they're buying individual serving sizes, they're buying the packaging as well--and, consequently, the cost of the product may be two or three times more.

"I tell my customers to go back to the basics. In other words, look at the price of a single pack of oatmeal with fruit, then price old-fashioned oatmeal. Both products can be cooked in the microwave. And you can always add a spoonful of raisins or jelly and have the same taste much more economically," Kemble says.

You can also save money by purchasing items in bulk quantities, says Kristin Volberg, owner of The Health Nut in Susanville, California. "Bulk herbs and spices are a great way to save," she says. "Compare a little bottle of spice from the grocery store to an equal amount of the herb purchased in bulk. The savings are amazing, and the herbs are much fresher. Another way to shop wisely is to compare mass-market supplements to quality supplements. Often you'll find that you can take fewer doses per day of a ...