Tomorrow kicks off the chrismahanukwanzikah shopping season, so here are seven of my personal money saving tips...you're welcome. happy shopping.
1. C'mon everyone get Appy:
ScanLife, scan the bar code, and the cheapest known retailers (online or not) will pop up.
SnapTell, snap a picture of a product in question and pull up reviews/ prices from stores.
Coupon Sherpa, gives you coupons (retail/grocery) right on your phone to get scanned at the store.
2. Check your list twice:
Most retailers will give a coupon after your first purchase (at the bottom of a receipt) so check your list twice and save big purchases for later. According to Real Simple Magazine, you are more apt to completely blow your budget if you buy big ticket items first. It may distort your perception on actually how much things are worth and how much you are spending.
3. High tail it to your e-tailers:
Ebates, shop online at many major retailers and get cash back on your purchases... you can even shop groupon through this site...GO NOW!
Amazon, my family is here, there, nowhere, and everywhere... so for those of you mailing a bunch of gifts this year, know that it's expensive. Sign up for Amazon Prime for unlimited two day shipping anywhere in the US. For what you spend on shipping all those gifts, the $79 a year is worth it. Just make sure you select your purchase as a gift... rule of thumb, if it's not offered, I won't buy it. It's tacky to see price tags on gifts, it's not the dollar amount, it's the principal, and the effort that bugs me, peel. it. off.
Groupon, LivingSocial, Tippr, great buys await. Keep in mind some experiences (cooking classes, yoga classes, pole dancing lessons, rock climbing...etc) make wonderful gifts, especially for couples..hint. hint. Please... just please make sure you buy them as a GIFT so the person cannot see the price, remember known price=tacky.
4. Don't be anti-social:
Liking stores may save you when shopping for all those friends. A lot of stores will give promotions only if you are friends on Facebook.
Newsletters go on your store's site and sign up for theirs. If they don't send you a coupon within a week, unsubscribe... in fact you can just unsubscribe if you don't want to be bothered at all... but only after the holidays, and only after you save money.
Always, always, have the coupons available, switch to a bigger purse, get a cute coupon organizer, make it happen, no excuses.
5. Print to save a mint:
I know you like apps, me too, but this is 30% we are talking about right! Once you sign up for newsletters and you are facebook friends. Sit yourself down with a mug of something hot, and compile your coupons... and yes, print them. Don't have a printer? Go. somewhere. that. does. Pay the 0.10 at staples...
Want more coupons, try CouponCabin.
6. Get personal:
Not flirt with cashier type of personal. If a store wants to know your address... give it to them. They are not out to get you, most likely they want to send you promos and coupons. Lord & Taylor, Bed Bath & Beyond practice it. BUT if they don't send you coupons within a month of signing up, unsubscribe and complain online, that will get you a coupon.
7. Get ready, be ready:
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