Ways to Save in Hard Times, Part 2: Discounts

Most of us just buy things at full price or on sale when we can. We go out to eat go shopping and don't think about how we could get a better deal other then looking for a sale. Well not me I always make sure I get the best deals I can get. It's not hard at all. Most department stores, chain stores even little mom and pop stores have coupons or discount or reward cards that can save you a ton of money.

For example MACYS, JCPENNY and other big department stores have store credit cards which once you sign up for they send you a bunch of coupons each month and additionally when they have sales you can get an extra percentage off. The best thing to do with these are sign up for the card but use it just to get the discount and then pay it off right away to avoid any finance charges as that will defeat the purpose of a discount. A lot of times what I'll do is I'll use the card to get the percentage off then make a payment in that amount in the next transaction or at customer service that way it saves me a stamp or another trip.

Other stores such as CVS use a free reward card. CVS for example always has "FREE" items, you buy the items and you get its value back in Extra Care Bucks good to be used at CVS, it's like getting free stuff! It prints out on your receipt and you use it like money to make your next CVS purchase. Reward cards are free and are not credit cards they are just used to get sale prices or extra discounts or coupons.

Many Supermarkets such as Stop & Shop also use a reward card. Mine gives me points toward gas for each purchase, A total is kept on my card and it saves me a lot on gas and its one less place I have to stop since their gas station is in the parking lot. I have saved over $.40 cents a gallon this way and I don't spend much at the grocery store after using coupons.

Another way to save is to sign up for an Auto Club or other Discount club that gives you discounts at all kinds of places. AAA is one of them and they give me discounted movie and theme park tickets. Discounts at retail stores and also offer many events throughout the year free or at substantial discount. They do have a yearly membership fee but that pays for my roadside assistance and these are just an added bonus. I also have taken an automotive class and a photography class for very cheap through them. They also offer discounts on prescriptions and at restaurants so check them or any other club in your area out. A lot of times people don't realize they are more than a roadside assistance club. Just make sure you look through everything because if you're not going to use any of the benefits then it's a waste to sign up.

The main way I save money is to get on the email list of all my favorite stores. I get tons of coupons emailed to me that I just print out and bring to the store. It costs you nothing but a little ink and it takes just seconds to sign up. So next time you're at a store and they ask for your email address give it to them. If you don't have an email address, sign up for a free one. There are plenty out there and it takes minutes to sign up.