How to Save Money Shopping with These Top 5 Tips

Alexis Devan
Alexis Devan, Yahoo! Contributor Network
Dec 12, 2008 "Share your voice on Yahoo! websites. Start Here."
  1. Before shopping check out retailmenot.com for online promotional codes to apply at check out online and printable coupons to bring when shopping in the store. The website allows anyone to view or submit savings that they hear of without the need to create an account and it is 100% free. Deals are rated by thumbs up or down depending upon custumers success when attempting to use them. They also often list places that offer free shipping and/or returns.
  2. Sign up for Store discount cards. Nearly all supermarkets have these, many drugs stores like CVS and Walgreens and even some clothing retailers like Loehmann's. At supermarkets it automatically applies all sales currently offered by the store when you swipe the card upon checkout and they even give you keychain copies so that you always have it on you. At CVS after swiping the card coupons are printed at the end of your receipt. Also, if there is a particular store you like, sign up for their e-mail newsletters so you are informed early of any sales or promotions occurring.
  3. Compares prices of items before shopping. There are various websites that you can use to do this including shopping.com, pricegrabber.com, nextag.com, and google.com/products.
  4. For entertainment save money you spend on splurges like Netflix, blockbuster, border, etc and go to the library for free! Libraries have everything you need including books, magazines, newspapers, DVDs, computer programs, VHS's, and even CDs! Every community has one and when I go to mine it is almost always empty. Also, if you have children many book reading and other events are held at libraries including some items for adults like free yoga workshops or book clubs.
  5. Shop online! The internet is making it more convenient and cheaper to shop. Some notable websites include:
    1. FatWallet: Great for deals and free stuff, includes RSS feeds entitled "hot deals" and "free stuff" but much like a bargain bin you have to sift through tons of information to find good deals.
    2. Woot.com lists one deal a day usually a highly discounted item and is sold until either the end of the day or until the item is sold out. Occasionally and unannounced they hold "woot offs" where an item is listed every hour. These woot offs are unpredictable and thus you need to visit the website often to catch one.
    3. Craigslist.org you can find great prices on used and new items and it's especially good for used cars and apartments. Plus it is free to post and look through which differentiatea the site from eBay, but there is less you can do if you are ripped off.
    4. The best websites for electronics are tigerdirect.com and newegg.com. Newegg has both competitive prices and excellent return policies.
    5. Slickdeals.net lists offline and online coupons and has an active, large and knowledgeable community.

Published by Alexis Devan

Alexis is a vegetarian and a world traveler. She has been to 20 countries on 5 continents so far, all before the age of 28. Alexis obtained a BS degree in paralegal studies and is currently a graduate studen...  View profile

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