Paying full-price for something? Not in these tough economic times. Here are some tips to finding the best bargains, both for brick-and-mortar retail stores and shopping online.

Buy off season. Purchase things like swimsuits and air conditioners in winter, and skis and winter coats in the summer, Helen Malani, online shopping expert for Shopzilla, said in an e-mail.

Limit errand running. Not only does it save gas, by making fewer stops you’re less likely to be tempted by impulse purchases, said Kim Danger, family savings expert for Coupons.com.

Ask about discounts. Many retailers have special discounts for working professionals, seniors and people who belong to certain organizations, said Ellen Davis, spokeswoman for the National Retail Federation. Ask at the register.

Keep the receipt. If you go back and see an item you recently purchased on sale, you may be able to get a price adjustment, said Danger.

Consider layaway. It’s a great way to shop early and avoid charging purchases, said Davis.

Sign up for rebates and rewards programs. For free or at a minimal cost, you can get things like special discounts and cash back after spending a certain amount, said Danger.

Clean out the closet. There’s nothing like purchasing something and realizing three months later you have the same item, said shopping expert Amy Blankenship Sewell.

Shop full price, but buy on sale. When you’re considering purchasing something on sale, ask yourself if you would buy the item if it was full price, said Sewell. If the answer is no, consider passing.

Give clearance a chance. You may have to dig, but some items the store is practically giving away, said Karen Hoxmeier, founder and owner of MyBargainBuddy.com.

Beware of the plastic. You may save 10 percent when you sign up, but Sewell warns that studies show people buy more from a store when they have the retailer’s credit card.

Shop secondhand. You can find items for up to 90 percent off the original retail price.

Compare prices. Comparison shopping engines show you the range of prices for what you are purchasing and where to get the item for that price. Some even add shipping and sales tax, so you know the best deal.

Consider shipping costs. Some online stores offer free shipping and free returns. If there’s a minimum you need to purchase to get free shipping, ask a friend if he or she needs anything, said Malani.

Try an auction site. EBay has new items and the option to buy the product now, so you can avoid the bidding process.

Set a price alert. PriceGrabber.com will monitor the price of an item for you and send you an e-mail when it hits your target price.

Read reviews. Take a look at the merchant’s ratings and reviews, said Greg Hintz, general manager of Yahoo! Shopping. You can avert a disaster, such as a retailer that ships the wrong items or is unresponsive.

Trust your instincts. “If it sounds like too good of a deal to be true,” Hintz said, “it probably is.”