More Savings
I previously wrote a post on the deal places I use .. Here is more information and ideas on how to make it work. Also make sure you have a separate email for these, as your main one will fill up fast otherwise! It is not uncommon for me to have 100+ emails a day!!
First thing I do is sign up for my favorite brands and stores' emails. This can often produce a one time use code, a coupon, or even just get you first in on sales! This can come in handy! Sometimes the company makes mistakes and you will get a coupon code from them to apologize (often in terms of site glitches, wrong email, etc). It helps! Kohl's has sent out 2 different emails in the last month with a chance at a 40% off code (good on clearance, sales, and more and can use with dept specific codes, free shipping, etc)o.
Also sign up for any free rewards for the stores (Kohls, Toys R Us/Babies R Us, Shop Your Way for Kmart/Sears/Lands End, JCP). These can really save! Kohls earns $10 for every 100 points earned, Toys R Us sends me $5 most months, Shop Your Way rewards sends surprise points all the time. Not to mention their fb offers they post from time to time, as well as through a personal shopper. More on this later.
Second, I check ebates.com, topcashback, mypoints, fatwallet or even swagbucks (see previous post for links) to see who is offering the best cash back. I always check there before I go because you can get a % or points back. So say the total is $100, I can earn 1-15%+ back on that which means 1-15 back in my pocket! All those amounts add up. Every 3 months ebates sends you a check. Fatwallet does the same. Swagbucks allows you to cash in for gift cards (amazon, target, etc). Topcashback usually posts 30-60 days later, some faster and you can cash out right then. If you are already spending shouldn't you earn back?
Once I check the above, I go through their link to the store. I will use promofly or retailmenot often to check for more coupon codes too. I don't like paying full price, so why should I if I can avoid? Each of these pops up codes that are often valid. Fatwallet often has them too. ALWAYS check. What's the worse thing? They don't have one? Make sure to check for free shipping too. Sometimes that can make a huge difference.
Now more on savings/earnings.
Apps are another way to save big, even if you aren't shopping online. They often post coupons or special deals on there that you can't find otherwise. Easy to see too. Target's app works great for coupons, as well as their cartwheel app. If you aren't a red card holder, you may want to see (can link directly to your checking account). The cartwheel app can save up to 50% on things, from their cafe, to the food, and clothes! Often works on clearance items too, which saves big. These both can be used along with store and manufacturer coupons!
Don't forget to shop around. Whether it is in store or online. Example tonight was looking for Zombie Strike Nerf refills. These go for $9.99 in store at most stores. However on Kmart.com they were only $7.49!! So I ordered online and shipped to store, which was available to pick up less than 2 hours later at my local store! No shipping cost incurred and was the same product that was still on their shelves for $9.99!!
As holidays get closer the Amazon Lightining deals will become amazing. Often up to 75% off items! Toys, carseats, baby gear, clothes, electronics, and more! Always check first thing in the morning for what is available. Usually the new day starts at midnight PST (2am CST, 3am EST). These go quick so if you are on the fence add to your cart. You have like 10 min to decide if want. But if you wait that 10 min it may be gone if not in your cart!
So how do I get free stuff?? First the biggest helper is the Shop Your Way Rewards. If you don't already have a personal shopper on there, get one! Usually the big blogs (Coupon Cliponista, Go Momma Coupons, Midget momma, etc) all are available. Quite often if you are under them, you will get a free $5 in surprise points! This usually expires in a day or two, but hey that's $5!! Then if you spend anything, you earn points too. They will also send emails out or on the app state you have extra surprise points. Sometimes its just $1-3, others $5 if you spend a certain amount in store, or in certain departments. Around school starting they had a free $8 you could earn!! And that was no purchase necessary. This also allows you on Fridays to get a free item if you spend $20. I got a free case of water one night!
Also like I mentioned above the store emails! I've gotten $10 of $10 coupons, emails, credits, etc before. That means free items, especially if can do free site to store or the like!
Another way is through survey sites and the like. One of my favorites is instagc. They allow you to cash out at $1! I like to earn amazon gift cards through here. You can get a check, gift cards, etc. Many different stores available to redeem. I've also gotten cash from inbox dollars, iPoll, valued opinions, opinions outpost, survey spot, etc. Each has their own min to cash out at, so check. Many give free money to join too! All these add up with as little as an hour a day. Today I earned $7 for 15 mins on the site. Not bad! :) Swagbucks also allows you to earn to cash out which helps as well.
Also if you shop at Kohls, Old Navy, Gap, etc you can earn cash for how much you spend. So if you earn $10 you can use that later on. You can also use the gift cards you earned from above to work with the $10 off $25 etc. These add up quick! Disney Store also sends you a coupon when you preorder from their site. It is usually $10 off $35 or $20 off $40!
I also earn money from selling random stuff from the house on fb BST pages. Easy way to get rid of old and get new! Easier than garage sales too!
Groupon/livingsocial/amazon local/plum district/etc all are always huge savers! The other day they had $5 for a $10 target gift card. Well going through ebates or the other sites you can earn money back, as well as using the money you earned from a survey site or previous cash back this would have been free as well as having an extra $5 to spend. Their app usually has extra savings too when purchasing.
I also am a huge bargain shopper. Clearance racks are awesome and usually gets better than thrift prices. Stack a coupon with those and save. Like right now still have take an additional 40% off toys at kmart on clearance. Their spring/summer clothes are $3 and under for kids and you earn 5X the rewards points (bathing suits included).
Daily deal sites CAN save, but not always. Check the prices too. Myhabit is one site I like, and best part is can use amazon credit/gift cards with! That can be helpful too!
This is just a few ways to save, earn, and get freebies!! This is not all and I know many people have others too. Just this Christmas alone I've gotten most things free or for a small fraction of the total price. Every bit of savings helps!!
First thing I do is sign up for my favorite brands and stores' emails. This can often produce a one time use code, a coupon, or even just get you first in on sales! This can come in handy! Sometimes the company makes mistakes and you will get a coupon code from them to apologize (often in terms of site glitches, wrong email, etc). It helps! Kohl's has sent out 2 different emails in the last month with a chance at a 40% off code (good on clearance, sales, and more and can use with dept specific codes, free shipping, etc)o.
Also sign up for any free rewards for the stores (Kohls, Toys R Us/Babies R Us, Shop Your Way for Kmart/Sears/Lands End, JCP). These can really save! Kohls earns $10 for every 100 points earned, Toys R Us sends me $5 most months, Shop Your Way rewards sends surprise points all the time. Not to mention their fb offers they post from time to time, as well as through a personal shopper. More on this later.
Second, I check ebates.com, topcashback, mypoints, fatwallet or even swagbucks (see previous post for links) to see who is offering the best cash back. I always check there before I go because you can get a % or points back. So say the total is $100, I can earn 1-15%+ back on that which means 1-15 back in my pocket! All those amounts add up. Every 3 months ebates sends you a check. Fatwallet does the same. Swagbucks allows you to cash in for gift cards (amazon, target, etc). Topcashback usually posts 30-60 days later, some faster and you can cash out right then. If you are already spending shouldn't you earn back?
Once I check the above, I go through their link to the store. I will use promofly or retailmenot often to check for more coupon codes too. I don't like paying full price, so why should I if I can avoid? Each of these pops up codes that are often valid. Fatwallet often has them too. ALWAYS check. What's the worse thing? They don't have one? Make sure to check for free shipping too. Sometimes that can make a huge difference.
Now more on savings/earnings.
Apps are another way to save big, even if you aren't shopping online. They often post coupons or special deals on there that you can't find otherwise. Easy to see too. Target's app works great for coupons, as well as their cartwheel app. If you aren't a red card holder, you may want to see (can link directly to your checking account). The cartwheel app can save up to 50% on things, from their cafe, to the food, and clothes! Often works on clearance items too, which saves big. These both can be used along with store and manufacturer coupons!
Don't forget to shop around. Whether it is in store or online. Example tonight was looking for Zombie Strike Nerf refills. These go for $9.99 in store at most stores. However on Kmart.com they were only $7.49!! So I ordered online and shipped to store, which was available to pick up less than 2 hours later at my local store! No shipping cost incurred and was the same product that was still on their shelves for $9.99!!
As holidays get closer the Amazon Lightining deals will become amazing. Often up to 75% off items! Toys, carseats, baby gear, clothes, electronics, and more! Always check first thing in the morning for what is available. Usually the new day starts at midnight PST (2am CST, 3am EST). These go quick so if you are on the fence add to your cart. You have like 10 min to decide if want. But if you wait that 10 min it may be gone if not in your cart!
So how do I get free stuff?? First the biggest helper is the Shop Your Way Rewards. If you don't already have a personal shopper on there, get one! Usually the big blogs (Coupon Cliponista, Go Momma Coupons, Midget momma, etc) all are available. Quite often if you are under them, you will get a free $5 in surprise points! This usually expires in a day or two, but hey that's $5!! Then if you spend anything, you earn points too. They will also send emails out or on the app state you have extra surprise points. Sometimes its just $1-3, others $5 if you spend a certain amount in store, or in certain departments. Around school starting they had a free $8 you could earn!! And that was no purchase necessary. This also allows you on Fridays to get a free item if you spend $20. I got a free case of water one night!
Also like I mentioned above the store emails! I've gotten $10 of $10 coupons, emails, credits, etc before. That means free items, especially if can do free site to store or the like!
Another way is through survey sites and the like. One of my favorites is instagc. They allow you to cash out at $1! I like to earn amazon gift cards through here. You can get a check, gift cards, etc. Many different stores available to redeem. I've also gotten cash from inbox dollars, iPoll, valued opinions, opinions outpost, survey spot, etc. Each has their own min to cash out at, so check. Many give free money to join too! All these add up with as little as an hour a day. Today I earned $7 for 15 mins on the site. Not bad! :) Swagbucks also allows you to earn to cash out which helps as well.
Also if you shop at Kohls, Old Navy, Gap, etc you can earn cash for how much you spend. So if you earn $10 you can use that later on. You can also use the gift cards you earned from above to work with the $10 off $25 etc. These add up quick! Disney Store also sends you a coupon when you preorder from their site. It is usually $10 off $35 or $20 off $40!
I also earn money from selling random stuff from the house on fb BST pages. Easy way to get rid of old and get new! Easier than garage sales too!
Groupon/livingsocial/amazon local/plum district/etc all are always huge savers! The other day they had $5 for a $10 target gift card. Well going through ebates or the other sites you can earn money back, as well as using the money you earned from a survey site or previous cash back this would have been free as well as having an extra $5 to spend. Their app usually has extra savings too when purchasing.
I also am a huge bargain shopper. Clearance racks are awesome and usually gets better than thrift prices. Stack a coupon with those and save. Like right now still have take an additional 40% off toys at kmart on clearance. Their spring/summer clothes are $3 and under for kids and you earn 5X the rewards points (bathing suits included).
Daily deal sites CAN save, but not always. Check the prices too. Myhabit is one site I like, and best part is can use amazon credit/gift cards with! That can be helpful too!
This is just a few ways to save, earn, and get freebies!! This is not all and I know many people have others too. Just this Christmas alone I've gotten most things free or for a small fraction of the total price. Every bit of savings helps!!
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