No one likes to spend more than they have to on a purchase. Whether you’re a homeowner looking for new furniture or shopping for some new jewelry and outfits because you landed a great job, you’re probably looking for sales and discounts. After all, who doesn’t love getting to the checkout and finding out there’s been a deduction from their total cost?

With that being said, there are a few items that you may be willing to spend a little more on. An engagement ring, for example, or a car. This is understandable. Engagement rings are only purchased once, so of course, you are willing to spend a larger amount of money for some extra sparkle on the diamond ring. Nevertheless, there are still ways to save on important items without compromising the quality of the jewelry or other personal belongings you’re investing in. If you think it’s a good idea to save money on crucial purchases, read on for some tips and tricks.

Do your research before committing.

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Sometimes it pays to spend time looking into your options before you spend a big chunk of change. This is especially true when it comes to fine jewelry like custom earrings or an engagement ring. If you’re considering proposing to your sweetheart or are looking for a next-level gift, like an antique necklace, you want to make sure that the jeweler who you’re working with is providing the best value (or the most sparkle) for the amount of money you’re going to be spending. Valuable items should cost more, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t be choosy when it comes to the jeweler who will be crafting your engagement ring. All of this is to say that you shouldn’t walk into the first jewelry shop and buy an engagement ring. Instead, spend some time on the internet searching for a local craftsperson with integrity and knowledge. For example, if you’re in Northern Virginia, search for the phrase “engagement rings Northern Virginia” and check the reviews for every single shop that comes up.

Spend money to save money.

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This may sound counterintuitive, but it makes sense in the long term. Of course, the thing about emergencies and natural disasters is that they don’t make an appointment before showing up on your doorstep. That’s why, to save money, you need to have the proper insurance to protect your belongings and your home. Whether you’re a homeowner or a renter, there’s an insurance plan for you out there. For homeowners, you’ll want to protect your personal property from theft, flood damage, or a fire. Still, it would help if you also had insurance to cover the actual structure of your home against earthquakes, hurricanes, and other perils. You might even consider carrying liability coverage in case someone is injured on your property. As a renter, you’ll only need contents insurance to cover your personal property, which is easier to manage.

Ensuring that your homeowner’s insurance or renters’ insurance is taken care of is the first step towards saving money in case of a flood or any other natural disaster. Still, you don’t want to spend a ton of money on higher premiums upfront either, of course. Here, as well, researching insurance companies and the insurance coverage they offer is key. Don’t opt out of insurance, instead find out how to save money on home and contents insurance so that your valuables are covered, and you’re paying lower premiums. It’s a win all around.

Discount codes and bulk are your friends.

You don’t have to be a Costco member or Boxed member to save on everyday items like groceries. You can actually save quite a lot by looking for online discounts offered by the vendors whose shops you’re already frequenting. Apps like Honey do a great job finding coupon codes and discounts across the web, and there are bulk shops like Vitacost where you can find great sales on bulk organic products and vitamins. Don’t ever buy just one roll of toilet paper or just a few cans of beans; by buying a case of dry goods and groceries that don’t go bad, you’ll end up spending less. Then you can take those saving and spend them on the perfect engagement ring for your fiancé-to-be. Wouldn’t you rather have a piece of gorgeous custom jewelry that’s destined to become a family heirloom than more expensive groceries?