My husband is always looking to save us money. And this makes complete sense if you are two Christian school teachers trying to save up for a house! It's a misnomer to say that women are the only ones looking for a deal when they shop. Men do too, they just go about it differently. They do their research, get their info, then simply make the purchase at the best price they find or with the lowest discount they find.
Women are totally different. Oh sure, We get our stack of coupons and save money, we just spend more time doing it!
Here are some great tips for saving money, while being efficient:
Walk to your mailbox.
Lots of restaurants will send out coupons, and Bed, Bath, and Beyond is famous for their coupons! So don't throw out the "junk mail," you might find some good fast food coupons in there!
Get a discount card.
Many stores and restaurants have discount cards or customer loyalty programs. Grocery stores and some clothing stores are great for their discount cards. For someone in education, many craft stores and book stores have great teacher programs.
Download the App!
I have apps for all the stores I regularly shop at in person. These often have coupons available that can be simply scanned at check out, saving you time and paper.
Sign up for e-mails.
When I really like a particular store or restaurant, I immediately go add myself to their e-mail list. A great way to stay organized (and safe) is to set up and e-mail address just for your updates and coupons. This can be synced to most of today's smart phones so that you can have any coupons you need right with you without printing once again. Keep in mind though, most restaurants ONLY take print outs, so take that into account before you leave the house.
Don't get sucked into the credit card gimmick.
Just don't bother. Most stores only give you 10% off your first purchase, which in all reality covers a little more than the tax of your purchase. The only store I've seen that gives you any benefits is Macy's, and I am still wary of steering anyone the credit card rout. Good rule of thumb: if you don't have the money in your bank account to pay off your purchase on that credit card, don't make the purchase. You only end up spending more money on any interest you have incurred.
Gas Buddy me!
Gas Buddy is a great app that will let you know the lowest prices of gasoline (or petrol for my friends across the pond) in the area you are driving in. I don't know how many times this has saved my hubby and I from spending more than we had to while on the road. The app also allows you to update any price changes you have seen for other users.
Do your research.
If you are making a big purchase, such as an electronic, look up reviews of the item you are interested in. Just because it's at a great price, doesn't mean it's worth it in the long run. You know how lots of older folks say "they just don't make 'em like they used to"? Well it's true they don't. Most things are built with obsolescence. Don't be afraid to shell out a few more bucks for the more expensive item if it's better made and will last you longer.
Buy used!
Thrift stores, Good Will, flea markets, salvage stores, garage sales, Craigslist, Ebay. These are all great places to find good items for cheap! Be prepared to spend some time looking for a deal, but I promise you, these are all great places to find a deal. Just because it's used doesn't make it bad. Buying used is wonderful way to recycle too.
And don't be afraid to make larger purchases of used items. Search for refurbished electronics from reputable stores or online shops. Most of the time you save money, and end up with a decent warranty from the company. Just because it's refurbished doesn't make it bad, companies buy back defective items and make them just as good as new for resale at a discount. Used cars are also the way to go. If you buy a new one, it immediately depreciates in value once you drive off the lot, so you are better off once again to buy used.
There are so many great ways for the savvy geek to save money and find some cool stuff. I personally love stores like Game Stop and Trade It because they not only promote recycling electronics, but I can usually get a great deal there!
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