However, sometimes, you can spend less on things you do need. That is what this post is about! Finding good deals, free deals, half price deals, online discounts, etc.
Where to start? I suppose I'll start with online shopping, since it applies to the most people. There are so many ways to get discounts on items you can buy in store. Most of the time, you can get it cheaper online. For example, if you are looking for anything from a major store, like Kohls, Macys, JC Penney, Maurices, New York & Company, Herbergers, Nordstroms, Target, Bloomingdales, Bed, Bath and Beyond, Victoria Secret...really, any place that has multiple stores, you can get some kind of discount or cash back for buying online.
Credit Cards.
First, if you own a credit card or debit card, check to see if they have "cash back" or points when you buy online. My current card I use for purchasing has at least 5% cash back on a lot of places, including Target, Clinique, Coach, MLB.com. The smaller stores might have up to 10% cash back. Just be sure to only use your credit card if 1) you can pay it off right away 2) you don't have a shopping addiction.
Groupon. Click here to go to Groupon!
I assume you already know about this. If not, you will want to sign up. If you know, check out the posts below for MrRebates and ebates. They provide cash back for Groupon purchases!
Living Social. Click here to go to Living Social!
Just like Groupon, new deals every day! I love Living Social because they have the Just like Groupon, new deals every day! I love Living Social because they have the Me+3 feature, which helps you to enjoy your favorite Deals and lets your friends join in on the fun. Plus, when three friends buy from your purchase link, your Deal becomes absolutely free.
MrRebates (MR). Click here to go to MrRebates!
Cash deposited into your account when you click-through their link to buy something. I have been a member since 2011 and earned $231.28! Example: I recently bought something online through Target.com. Before I went to Target.com, I went to MrRebates. MrRebates has 2% cash back at Target. I click on the link for Target, it brings me to Target's website. I order my item as usual and money will get put into my MR account - as long as the email address I register for MR with is the same as my Target.com account. That is the only key. You must have the same email address linked for it to work. So, my $25 Target order for me a .51 cent rebate!
The orders' rebates take 90 days from the "posting date" to post to your Available Rebates. Available Rebates mean you can request a check be cut in your name for that amount. You can request a check anytime you have money in your account! Below, is a list of my lifetime balance. I have had 57 rebates and requested 6 checks (payment deductions). You can also get payment sent directly to your paypal account, if you prefer!
They track the orders, so you can't order something and return it and still get money! Besides, we're frugal, not dishonest, right? This is by far, my favorite "secret" money helper. It helped a ton when buying wedding supplies online!
BONUS: You can even get cash back on Groupon (5%) & Living Social (5%)! Discounts on discounts! Examples of current cash back offers (subject to change): Old Navy: 3%. Marriott Hotels: 3%. JCPenny: 5%. Walmart: 3%. Home Depot: 2%. As you can see, they have a huge variety of places! It's amazing! I just ordered my check - UPDATE: I received my check and got $14.88 cash back! Sounds small, but when you see my total cash back over the years, it add up!
| Rebates Earned: | $231.28 | # of Rebates: | 57 |
| Referral Rebates: | $0.00 | # of Referral Rebates: | 0 |
| Payment Deductions: | $216.90 | # of Payment Deductions: | 6 |
This program works just like MrRebates. I use it in conjunction with MR. I typically check both of them when I am going to buy something online. Most of the time, I find that MrRebates is cheaper, however, occasionally it will be ebates that offers a better rebate. Both sites allow you to make your own "favorite" store list. You can go to that at any time to see what rebates are offered for your faves! Example: Right now, Groupon has a 6% rebate. MR has a 5% rebate, so I'd go here. It spreads out your money, but you ultimately get the better deal by checking both. Examples of current cash back offers (subject to change): Babies R Us: 2%. Coach: 2%. Dell: 2%. eBay: 5%. Sears: 6%. There are so many more, I can't list everything!
They will send you a check every quarter. You can also set up for it to be deposited to your paypal. As you can see below, my last purchases, payment and total cash back is listed below. I am getting a check just before Black Friday! You can use these rebate companies if you buy stuff on Black Friday! DOUBLE BONUS!
Cash Back Summary
Ibotta. Click here to go to ibotta!
ibotta is a fun app you can download to your phone. This is the same concept as above, but for in-store purchases. You can find rebates for lots of products/food you might buy at a discount store like Target or Wal-Mart. My favorite is that you can get rebates for going to see movies. They typically have a $1.00 rebate for movies at AMC Theaters or Regal. The idea is simple. Click on a rebate you want, complete the question provided to you. These questions are simple. It's like, watch this 20 second commercial, learn a fact or tell me where you buy your groceries. So easy and definitely worth the 5-30 seconds you would spend to answer it.
Another great thing - you can get rebates for bread, eggs or milk, OJ, candy, ice cream, etc. Any brand, any store! Some products might be store specific, but it is clearly stated. All you need to do is make sure you unlock the rebate (doing the question thing), then taking a picture of your receipt and uploading it with the rebate. They deposit money into your ibotta account. You must reach $10 to get the cash back. You can have it sent to your paypal or get a gift card to places like Starbucks or iTunes. My current balance is $8, so I'm not quite there yet. I like the movie rebates and the food staple rebates.
Other fun rewards programs that take some time, but you can get fun free stuff:
Lean Cuisine Delicious Rewards™. Click here to go to Lean Cuisine Delicious Rewards!
This program is for all those frozen meals you eat! Enter the code for free stuff!
Kellog's Family Rewards®. Click here to go to Kellog's Family Rewards!
Do you eat Eggos or Pop Tarts in your house? This is a great program for all those great Kellog's products. Every product has a code on the inside of the box. Enter the codes here and you can get great rewards!
Online Video/TV Streaming. Click here for Netflix. Click here for Hulu Plus.
Netflix - it's been around for a long time. Great for full series and movies that are out on DVD. Recently, they have been toying in the "Only on Netflix" arena. For example, Arrested Development completed their series 10(ish) years ago. Fans wanted it back. They came back with one season only on Netflix. Totally worth the money I pay! Plus, I love watching some of my old favorites again. Gilmore Girls is now on there! Friends will be coming shortly. You can create different "groups" for different people in the family, and get suggestions based off them. So, when I want to watch Gilmore Girls and 13 Going on 30, my husband won't have my ratings change his suggestions. We do streaming only, but you can get DVDs, too!
Hulu Plus - much younger than Netflix, but in a slightly different arena. Hulu Plus gives you instrant streaming to current and older shows. Cosby Show, anyone?! I had a Tivo, but opted to cancel the subscription, as 90% of what I watch was on Hulu Plus and they are there for at least 3 weeks. Many series have the whole season on Hulu Plus, so you can catch up if you've been gone for a while! You can sync up with your cable provider and get even more shows!
Movies at the Theater. Click here to go to AMC Stubs program!
Several theaters have rewards programs. They often allow you to reserve tickets online with no extra fees. My favorite theater is AMC. They have cheap weekday shows and decent prices for weekend shows. They also have the AMC Stubs program. The program costs $12 a year...which is $1 a month. Totally worth it if you go see movies! For every $100 you spend, you get a $10 rewards to spend on movie tickets or concessions. We always buy 2 tickets and an icee everytime we go to AMC. Sometimes a candy, too. That usually ends up to be $25-$30, so after 3-4 trips, we get $10 back. We get at least 3 rewards a year, so it's worth it for us.
Another benefit through AMC Stubs Rewards Program? Upgrades! Do you get concessions? Pop, Icees, popcorn - they are all upgraded to the next largest size. So if you want a medium, order a small and you'll get the upgrade for free! Don't forget, you can pre-order your Hunger Games tickets online
Target. Click here for Target Cartwheel. Click here for Target Mobile Coupons. Click here for Target Online Coupons. Click here for Target REDCard. Click here for Target Pharmacy Rewards. Click here for Target Wish List.
You know Target is trying to compete with Amazon. You can get some amazing deals. Combine a mobile coupon, a cartwheel and your REDCard for ultimate deals!
Check out the "Hot Deals" in the collections area of the Cartwheel app. It typically has 20-40% off some items! Black Friday - they put secret deals on the Cartwheel app. This is how I got my Dyson for 40% off last year!
Now, if you order stuff online through Target, you get free shipping! Talk about a no-brainer! Combine that with Black Friday and MrRebates or ebates and you are looking at a serious discount without having to waste gas!!
Just Arrived - Target Wish List APP: I know Target Wish Lists have been around for a while. I love them. They are good for keeping track of things I want to buy or get for others. The NEW part about this is the Target Lists App. It is a seperate Application you download on your phone. You create lists for your children (or husband, in my case) and you ca get 10% off ALL toys/gifts on your list for ONE day between now and November 26th! Some exclusions apply, so you'll want to check the app!
This is a great way to get a head start on shopping for the holidays and for your kids to make a list that can be sent via the app to others! You can even scan pictures from the catalog to the list. People can also search for anyone's list on Target's website. So, if you need ideas for a child, you can check to see if they have a list created!
Amazon.com. Click here for Amazon Prime.
Oh, Amazon. How I love thee. So, this is for someone who wants a serious deal and is willing to pay. I use Amazon Prime probably at least once a week. My benefits:
- Unlimited Streaming Music.
- FREE Two-Day Shipping! Don't need it in a rush, you usually get a $1 credit toward an ebook if you choose the next best thing!
- Unlimited Movies and TV Shows through Prime Instant Video. A lot like Netflix or Hulu. Watch is anywhere, on anything!
- Amazon Lightening Deals. You get early access to daily deals. I just pre-ordered a Fire Stick for $20, even though they are $40. Check out the Fire Stick, if you get Amazon Prime or have it now. It lets you instantly stream from TVs and so much more. Similar to Chromecast.
- Free ebooks! You can rent one book a month and return it whenever you want!
- If you're a mom, you can get a cheaper discount and 20% off diapers! HELLO!
Library systems - Books and magazines. Click here for Hennepin County Library eBooks.
Speaking of renting books! I know with modern technology, a lot of people have Kindles, Nooks and iPads, etc. Did you know you can rent ebooks for free from the library? It's the same process as going to the library and checking out a book. In my county, all you need to do is go to the library page and search for a book They will say if there is an ebook option. You have to have a library card to do this!
Another great thing about the library, you can cancel your magazine subscriptions! Online magazines can be read online or through the Zinio app you download to your tablet or smart phone. There is no limit to how many you can check out and they can be kept indefinitely!!! However, keep your MN Monthly Magazine, because I support them 100%! ;) Some magazines may not be available. For me, I also have to keep my Money Magazine subscription.
Photographs. Click here for Shutterfly. Click here for SnapFish.
Shutterfly offers 101 free prints or a free magnet when you sign up. You can also sign up for their mobile app and if you use it, they will give you 100 free prints per month when you first sign up. However, you have to pay for shipping!
Snapfish offer 55 free prints for signing up. The have the same program as Shutterfly. Download their app and get 100 free prints every month for a year. Still, you have to pay for shipping. Ordering photos online has proven to be a money saver, even with shipping costs - because you can send them to Walmart or another like company.
Local Radio Half-Off Deals. Click here for ESPN 1500.
They are everywhere. Every radio station seems to have it! Check your favorite station out online! Sample above!
Dollar Shave Club!
"Dollar Shave Club couldn't be simpler. Select one of our great blades, pay only for the cost of your blades, and we send ’em right to your door every month." Brother-in-law teseted and approved. I recently purchased this for my husband, so we'll see how he likes it! I ordered the one that men and woman can use, so maybe I'll test it out, too! Razors are becoming ridiculously expensive! I spend about $18 for a 4 pack! The Dollar Shave Club has 3 options for razors. They are cheap, cheap cheap! $1, $6 or $9, depending on how many you use in a month!
Facebook Garage Sale Sites.
Search in your FB search field for your city + garage sale sites. You will be amazed! So many things you can sell, so many things you can buy! It feels more comfortable than craigslist, because you can actually see the person. If they don't show or do something shady, you can post in the group and everyone will know to be wary!
Places to organize your finances! Click here for Learnvest. Click here for Mint.com.
Learnvest and Mint.com both allow you to sync ALL your accounts, whether it's credit card, checking account, retirement accounts, investment accounts, etc. They are both great ways to get a grasp on your finances, for free! I use Learnvest, which was once geared towards women, but happily included men and help for everyone. I used mint.com in the past as well. Both have been great. You can check them out to see what you think!
Now that you learned most of my money saving tips, don't forget to put your money to work! I'd love to hear how others are saving money or any feedback on this post. It's long, but filled with, I hope, some new information you haven't seen before!
