How many times have you wandered into Home Depot to cash in on a sale that you neglected to check prices on everything else they managed to cross sell you on? How many times did you look at your receipt and feel like you made out like a bandit?

Loss leader get us into the store, but we hardly ever think twice about continuing to shop for items that have been overpriced. A painter will come into to purchase tubes of caulking for 99cents then buy a caulk gun for 7.99 that would cost him half that at another paint store. A weekend warrior buys a discount barbecue and adds on overpriced briquets, lighters, fuel, wood chips, and accessories. Loss leaders are not there to make them go out of business. You need to learn how to shop to really get the most out of your bargain hunt.

First thing is to check online at www.homedepot.com and then find the current specials and possible upcoming specials. HomeDepot.com should list their current or seasonal goodies for you to peruse at your leisure. Then go to Home Depot on a weekday when they are less likely to sell out of anything that day, and try to aim for the beginning of the sale periond. If they are sold out, travel to another one, or ask for a rain check. Then buy the item if it is there. Finally, run from the store without buying so much as a soda from near the checkstand. You will actually save money.