Category: Savings Tips

 

One of the biggest arguments against using coupons to save money is the claim that companies give  coupons only for processed food. These would include things like cookies, candy, chips, sugar-laden drinks, sugar-laden cereals, etc.

Photo Credit: OOingle

This idea that there are coupons only for processed food is a myth. It is possibly just an excuse to not do anything to change one’s spending habits. Though a lot of coupons are for products many consider to be unhealthy, people who turn down couponing for that reason miss out of a ton of savings on the healthy foods they do eat, household items, and personal care products.

Do you use the following?

 

• Spices and Seasonings
• Frozen Fruits and Vegetables
• Coffee
• Dairy Alternatives (Coconut, Soy, Almond, etc.)
• Cheese
• Sour Cream
• Butter
• Nuts
• Dried Fruits
• Trail Mix
• Eggs
• Fresh Produce*
• Fresh Meat*
• Breakfast Meat
• Cooking Oils
• Storage Bags
• Storage Containers
• Foil Paper & Plastic Wrap
• Household Cleaners
• Dish Soap
• Laundry Detergent
• Air Fresheners
• Deodorant
• Toothpaste
• Mouthwash
• Make-Up
• Facial Cleaners
• Razors
• Shaving Cream and Aftershave
• Over-the-Counter Medicines
• Vitamins
• Paper Towels
• Toilet Paper
• Toothbrushes

*Target will occasionally put out paper coupons for fresh meat and produce, which could be also be used at stores like Publix that accept competitor coupons. They also offer savings via their their Cartwheel app. Apps such as iBotta and Checkout 51 also offer rebate savings on fresh meat, eggs, and produce from time to time.

Do you still believe you can use coupons only for processed food?

 

I’ve saved money on all of these items (well, except for make-up…) using coupons. An important thing to remember is that the biggest part of saving money on everyday items is buying them on sale and combining them with coupons. Even if coupons are not available for an item you want, the biggest savings will be found when they are on sale.

So, as you can see, skipping out on using coupons because of the supposed belief that they are only available for processed, sugar-laded, unhealthy foods causes you to miss out on a lot of good deals. Instead of worrying that there aren’t enough savings for healthier items, focus on the savings you can find on healthy items, household, and personal care products.

Question: What methods do you use to save on healthier food items?

Photo Credit: OOingle | https://www.flickr.com/photos/cpyles/10866066513/

 

I don’t know if you’ve realized it yet, but nearly every website wants your email address. I’ll be asking for yours soon. 🙂 You can’t even get through the line at some of your favorite stores without them asking for your email address. Though email is one of the oldest aspects of internet technology, it is still the most valuable and personal one. Email isn’t just valuable for the companies, but it is valuable for you too when it comes to saving money.

“Are You Telling Me I Need to Give My Email Address Away to Everyone?”

 

I get it. Many people want to spend less time in their inbox reading emails. Many of us struggle with overflowing email inboxes at work and at home. The last thing you want is a bunch of companies emailing you all of the time trying to get you to buy things. However, if you are looking to cut everyday expenses, joining store email lists can actually save you money!

 

“Why Should I Join a Store’s Email List?”

 

Email is the best way for companies to stay in touch with loyal customers, and one way they reward them is by emailing them exclusive deals and coupons from time to time. Of course, you can wait for your favorite coupon blogger to post the latest Staples or Chili’s coupon offer, but many shoppers have been disappointed and embarrassed when the coupon is declined at the register because it was actually a one-time use coupon that contained a special code attached to that blogger’s email address.

Here’s how I’ve benefited from subscribing to store email lists:

• I got a $169 router from NewEgg for $99.99 using a coupon code associated with my email address.
• TGI Friday’s has offered me a Buy One Entree Get One Free coupon several times through its email list.
• An up and coming blogger offered his first online course, originally priced at $99, to email subscribers for $5.00. Of course I took him up on that offer!
• I receive department store coupons (20% off, $10 off $25, etc.) that I would only otherwise receive if I were a daily newspaper subscriber.
• A local pizza place send outs pretty good deals on a weekly basis that are only available to its email subscribers.

Here’s a good tip for chain restaurants: Many provide a free appetizer coupon after you sign up for their email list for the first time. Just make sure you sign up a day or two before visiting.

 

“But I don’t want my email to be cluttered with a bunch of ads!”

 

Here’s the solution to that: Create a new email address just for retailers and restaurants.

It’s that simple. I have my email address for regular communications, and then I have an email address that I share with stores, restaurants, and daily deal sites. Though I check that email address daily, you have the option of checking it at your leisure. That way, your main inbox isn’t cluttered and you can snag a good deal every once in a while on something that you were planning to buy.

I don’t know if you’ve realized it yet, but nearly every website wants your email address. I’ll be asking for yours soon. 🙂 You can’t even get through the line at some of your favorite stores without them asking for your email address. Though email is one of the oldest aspects of internet technology, it is still the most valuable and personal one. Email isn’t just valuable for the companies, but it is valuable for you too when it comes to saving money.

 

“Are You Telling Me I Need to Give My Email Address Away to Everyone?”

 

I get it. Many people want to spend less time in their inbox reading emails. Many of us struggle with overflowing email inboxes at work and at home. The last thing you want is a bunch of companies emailing you all of the time trying to get you to buy things. However, if you are looking to cut everyday expenses, joining store email lists can actually save you money!

 

“Why Should I Join a Store’s Email List?”

 

Email is the best way for companies to stay in touch with loyal customers, and one way they reward them is by emailing them exclusive deals and coupons from time to time. Of course, you can wait for your favorite coupon blogger to post the latest Staples or Chili’s coupon offer, but many shoppers have been disappointed and embarrassed when the coupon is declined at the register because it was actually a one-time use coupon that contained a special code attached to that blogger’s email address.

Here’s how I’ve benefited from subscribing to store email lists:

• I got a $169 router from NewEgg for $99.99 using a coupon code associated with my email address.
• TGI Friday’s has offered me a Buy One Entree Get One Free coupon several times through its email list.
• An up and coming blogger offered his first online course, originally priced at $99, to email subscribers for $5.00. Of course I took him up on that offer!
• I receive department store coupons (20% off, $10 off $25, etc.) that I would only otherwise receive if I were a daily newspaper subscriber.
• A local pizza place send outs pretty good deals on a weekly basis that are only available to its email subscribers.

Here’s a good tip for chain restaurants: Many provide a free appetizer coupon after you sign up for their email list for the first time. Just make sure you sign up a day or two before visiting.

“But I don’t want my email to be cluttered with a bunch of ads!”

 

Here’s the solution to that: Create a new email address just for retailers and restaurants.

It’s that simple. I have my email address for regular communications, and then I have an email address that I share with stores, restaurants, and daily deal sites. Though I check that email address daily, you have the option of checking it at your leisure. That way, your main inbox isn’t cluttered and you can snag a good deal every once in a while on something that you were planning to buy.

 

Actions to Take Today

 

1. Create a new email address for advertisements if needed.
2. Look up your favorite stores and sign up for their email lists.
3. Use the email offers you receive for things you were planning to buy anyway.

 

Question: What kinds of deals have you received from being on a company’s email list?

P.S. Though I haven’t asked for your email address (yet), I’d really appreciate it if you would “like” my Facebook page.

Americans spend a lot of money eating out at restaurants. According this article, the average American spent an astounding $2,500 on food outside of the home in 2010! That is a lot of money. That’s $200 per month spent inside restaurants!

While I would consider seriously curtailing the amount of money spent eating out in order to meet a serious financial goal, there’s one little thing that you can do each time you eat out that can save you a lot of money in the long run. It’s very simple.

Order water instead of soda, tea, alcohol, etc.

Not only is drinking water significantly more healthy, but you’ll have a happier wallet at the end of the day if you order that instead of other drinks at restaurants. Let’s take that $2,500 figure from above that equates to about $200 a month. Let’s assume that each meal is $20, which would result in eating out ten times per month. If the drink is $2.00 per meal, that means you are spending $10 per month on it or $120 per year! When it comes to ordering alcohol, the costs are even greater.

Ten dollars per month may not seem like a lot of money, but when you’re trying to make drastic changes to your financial lifestyle, every little change counts.

Though I would consider cutting down a significant amount of eating out when trying to accomplish a huge financial goal, finding ways to make those seemingly inevitable restaurant visits cheaper is an acceptable compromise. You may think the food may not be as great with water as it would be with a fountain drink, but you’ll get used to it, and your wallet and body will appreciate the change.

Question: What money saving tips do you have when dining out?