Going shopping seems easy, but actually it takes a lot of learning, especially in American. In the fact, many Americans who are not so well-off often shop at “sales” or at special stores that sell things at low prices, which you may find interesting. In American, the important rule of dressing is that one should change his or her clothes every day. For example, in an American college, neither professors nor students are seen in the same clothes two days in a row. So you may find it necessary to buy more clothes than China. While you are shopping in the States, you will discover that prices range considerably from time to time. The purchase of used, second-hand clothing, furniture or other household articles may be an excellent way of saving money. Most second-hand clothes are often pretty good quality. If you are going to settle down in the states and want some furniture, you may go to a “loan closet”, where furniture rents at low costs, or you may also go to a “furniture exchange” place in the community. Sheets, blankets and other bedclothes go on sale in most communities twice a year. Advertisements for “white sales”, that is, sales on bed linen, towels, etc., often appear in January, as well as in May, June or July. Once or twice every season, there will be “garage sales”, where you can get almost anything, from a yacht to a pair of shoes, at low prices. Prices at “discount stores” and “thrift shops” are also as low as you can imagine. When shopping for food, you should look for special prices for various items that are put on sale weekly. To economize, it would be a good idea for you to plan the weekly menu according to what is on sale, including in it the meats, vegetables, fruits, etc. that can be bought at special prices that week. Exchange and return policies vary from store to store. You should also keep in mind that exchange and return policies for sales items can be different from standard store policies, especially if the price of the items has been reduced. Ask the merchant about their exchange and return policies before making your purchase. Obtaining an exchange or a return without a store receipt is often difficult. So, to save yourself the headache, you'd better hold on to any paper or other proof of purchase.