10 Ways to Make Shopping Easier and More Fun

A lot of people really like to shop. Others find it tedious and sometimes really irritating. But regardless of how you feel about shopping, it's sometimes a necessity. Here are 10 things you can do - or not do - to make the experience at least easier and possibly more fun as well.

1. Realize that most stores have so many items in stock, and so many on sale at any given time, that it's impossible for the sales staff to keep track of all the prices. If there isn't a sign or shelf label with the item, you can ask the cashier to check the price, or there may be staff-operated "scan guns" available to do that. Also, some stores have customer-friendly scan devices located at key points around the store.

2. When you're checking sale fliers and signage, pay attention to the sale date(s) and item descriptions - especially brand names - as well as the prices. That way you can avoid a lot of confusion and price checking when you're ready to pay for your purchases.

3. If you're buying an item that you think might have to be returned later, check the store's return policy before paying for it. Some stores have limited return periods, and some items may not be returnable at all.

4. If you do have to return an item, and there's no obvious place (like a "Customer Service" desk) to do that, check with the cashier. If you'd like to exchange an item or do other shopping it may be more efficient to process the return and your purchases in the same transaction. If you know that up front, it can save a lot of time; you won't have to wait in line twice.

5. If you're bringing something into the store that you need in order to do your shopping - for example, an item you need to match - check in with the Customer Service staff or a cashier. They'll appreciate the courtesy, and it may save problems later on when you try to leave the store without paying for the item.

6. When you have a limited amount of time - for example, if you're shopping on your lunch hour - plan your trips and be realistic about what you can accomplish. Remember that others have the same idea as you do - and are probably taking their lunches at exactly the same time.

7. Try to avoid paying by check if you think the item may have to be returned fairly quickly. Checks can take a long time to clear, and you may have to accept store credit instead of a cash refund, or wait for a company-issued check. Depending on your situation, these options may be acceptable, but if you need the cash right away, they could pose a problem.

8. Save big bills for big purchases - or big stores. Most stores have limits on the amount of cash their register drawers are allowed to contain. If you try to pay for a $7 item with a $100 bill, there may not be enough cash in the drawer for your change, and the cashier will have to call a manager to get more - which will hold up you and all the people waiting in line behind you. This can be a real problem on weekends and holidays, when banks are closed; there's no way for the store to change out those big bills. (If you got your $100 bill from the bank, ask them to give you smaller bills, like twenties. They're more qualified to make change than most stores.)

9. Don't question, or ask a staff member to go against, company policies; all you'll do is stress out the staff, yourself, and the people waiting behind you. Regardless of what you think of a policy, staff members are required to follow it; if they don't they could lose their jobs.

10. Be patient with new staff members. Everyone has a learning curve when they start a new job, and some people take longer to pick things up than others. The staff member will probably be nervous anyway; if you're calm and friendly it will help them relax and complete their task faster and more accurately.

Shopping, even during the Christmas holidays, doesn't have to be a hassle. Following just a few of these suggestions can help your shopping trips go more quickly and be much less stressful.