I'm a big fan of finding ways to remove reminders and responsibilities from my life. If I can set up automatic payments or automatic billing, I try to do it just so I don't forget and find myself in a pickle. This is why I am a big fan of Amazon Subscribe and Save, and Amazon Prime.
If you are not familiar with Prime, it is a service where you pay 79 dollars a year for free two day shipping, a free kindle book from the lending library once a month, free streaming video from Amazon, and other discounts. http://www.amazon.com/gp/prime/ref=amb_link_84306931_4?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=auto-sparkle&pf_rd_r=8216E17D34CF41998504&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_p=1294973662&pf_rd_i=amazon%20prime
Subscribe and Save is a program where Amazon will send you things you need on a regular basis, without you proactively sending an order. You set up a recurring order, and it shows up at your door. http://www.amazon.com/Subscribe/b/ref=gro_SnS_sparkle_shop?ie=UTF8&node=979895011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=auto-sparkle&pf_rd_r=D4DD67B5027A4BBFA003&pf_rd_t=301&pf_rd_p=1345024122&pf_rd_i=subscribe%20and%20save
Subscribe and Save saves you 5-15% on every order. Prime has additional discounts on some orders. One thing I get through Subscribe and Save and Prime is Diapers. The diapers I buy go for 47 bucks on Amazon, but I save about ten dollars per order using Subscribe and Save, and Prime. Also, it's a plus that my son then never runs out of diapers.
Now, I'm aware that one of the chief concerns is that 79 dollars a year sounds like a lot to not have the patience for free super saver shipping at amazon. But looking at the diaper transaction alone justifies Prime. 7 out of those ten dollars saved is from the additional discount through Prime (as part of the Amazon Mom Program). So, based on my membership in Prime, I save 84 dollars on diapers per year. I need to outfit my son in diapers, and this is the most efficient, most cost-effective way to do it. Consequently, the expedited shipping and other benefits of prime are free when you consider the cost savings of diapers alone.
Think about what you need and use on a recurring basis and find out if Subscribe and Save, and Prime can save you significant amounts of money. We have used it for baby food, vitamins, and a host of other items. Think about it for coffee, packaged foods, supplements or whatever else comes to mind. You'll save money, remove additional stress of remembering to buy things you know you need, and avoid being caught in an unprepared situation.
Showing posts with label Sales. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sales. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Online Shopping
I like online shopping, for a number of reasons. I'm a little lazy, it's hard to go to stores when you have a kid, and generally, I know what I want and I buy enough in one order to qualify for free shipping. But I am always looking for some sort of incentive when I shop, and I believe I have found it in click through websites. The two which I use most often are http://www.ebates.com/, and http://www.upromise.com/.
Here's how it works. You know you want to buy something. You go through these websites to find the store you want to buy from, and these websites rebate you 1%-20% of the purchase. Upromise is a method of saving for higher education, and the money goes into high interest savings accounts, destined eventually for a 529 Account. Ebates refunds the money to you quarterly, through a check.
Past incarnations of this concept have provided less than stellar rewards (gift cards at undesirable stores) or sites where people didn't want to shop at. Ebates and Upromise both have a very large selection of stores. I have yet to meet someone who I have spoken with informally about these programs that could not benefit from them. My favorite stores on Ebates are Target.com (3% back), Groupon (3% back), Diapers.com (up to 4% back). Friends of mine have commented on their preference for Drugstore.com (12% back), J.Crew (1.5% back) ,and J.C. Penney (3% back). Take a look for yourself and see how much you could be rebated simply by clicking through a website when doing your online shopping. Plus, you get a ten dollar gift card just for signing up. Further, check out sites like http://www.retailmenot.com/ to make sure you are not missing out on any promotional codes for sales and free shipping. I've gotten about 50 bucks rebated to me in the last six months.
Upromise carries with it a few added benefits. There is a Upromise credit card which increases your deposit into the high interest account, and Upromise also has deals with a number of restaurants which will deposit a percentage of your purchase, provided you pay with a credit card registered on Upromise.com. They also provide rebates on gas and grocery purchases.
All in all, there are a number of benefits to doing your online shopping through these click-through websites. Also, both of these sites also can provide discount codes and coupons. All of these options should be considered to make sure that your money goes farthest when making your purchases.
Here's how it works. You know you want to buy something. You go through these websites to find the store you want to buy from, and these websites rebate you 1%-20% of the purchase. Upromise is a method of saving for higher education, and the money goes into high interest savings accounts, destined eventually for a 529 Account. Ebates refunds the money to you quarterly, through a check.
Past incarnations of this concept have provided less than stellar rewards (gift cards at undesirable stores) or sites where people didn't want to shop at. Ebates and Upromise both have a very large selection of stores. I have yet to meet someone who I have spoken with informally about these programs that could not benefit from them. My favorite stores on Ebates are Target.com (3% back), Groupon (3% back), Diapers.com (up to 4% back). Friends of mine have commented on their preference for Drugstore.com (12% back), J.Crew (1.5% back) ,and J.C. Penney (3% back). Take a look for yourself and see how much you could be rebated simply by clicking through a website when doing your online shopping. Plus, you get a ten dollar gift card just for signing up. Further, check out sites like http://www.retailmenot.com/ to make sure you are not missing out on any promotional codes for sales and free shipping. I've gotten about 50 bucks rebated to me in the last six months.
Upromise carries with it a few added benefits. There is a Upromise credit card which increases your deposit into the high interest account, and Upromise also has deals with a number of restaurants which will deposit a percentage of your purchase, provided you pay with a credit card registered on Upromise.com. They also provide rebates on gas and grocery purchases.
All in all, there are a number of benefits to doing your online shopping through these click-through websites. Also, both of these sites also can provide discount codes and coupons. All of these options should be considered to make sure that your money goes farthest when making your purchases.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Grocery Shopping
I've been cooking since I was 17, but only in the last few years have I taken responsibility for grocery shopping. I have friends that shop almost exclusively at Whole Foods or Trader Joes, and their bills reflect that. However, the bulk of my budget goes towards Harris Teeter and Safeway. Why? Weekly Sales.
I regularly save 20-35 percent on my shopping. It's very easy through http://www.redplum.com/ Now, I know a lot of people aren't into couponing, and most of my shopping doesn't involve coupons. Instead, Harris Teeter sends me their weekly sales every Wednesday, and most of my shopping list is made up of what's on sale (often at buy one get one free). Safeway also has sales which begin every Wednesday. I repeat, this is nothing like extreme couponing on TLC.
Many sources have talked about how one will save money by shopping with a grocery list. http://www.oprah.com/money/How-to-Save-Money-on-Groceries It is also common sense that if you buy groceries and eat at home, or make lunch to bring in to work or school, you will save a lot of money. You avoid sales taxes on food in restaurants (10% in DC), and the associated costs of everyone in restaurants who prepare your food (waiters, busboys, dishwashers, servers, janitors, etc.). But if you're not convinced, here are my top reasons to go grocery shopping more and use these weekly sales:
1: Preparing food at home tastes better (less salt, less fat)
2: Preparing food at home is romantic and sexy.
http://www.esquire.com/women/women-issue/funny-facts-about-women-0510 (339, 986, 144, 9)
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/sex-and-relationships/love?cat=10390&tip=10398
3: Last year, using this method, I saved over 1,000 dollars at Harris Teeter and a similarly large amount at Safeway. Teeter tabulates your year to date savings on your receipt. What could you do with an extra $1000?
Don't have a Teeter or Safeway? Check your local grocery store for their weekly specials on their website, or try to find it on Redplum. Chances are they have weekly sales, and by going grocery shopping with the discipline of a list based on what is on sale, you'll save a ton of money and have more fulfilling meals.
I regularly save 20-35 percent on my shopping. It's very easy through http://www.redplum.com/ Now, I know a lot of people aren't into couponing, and most of my shopping doesn't involve coupons. Instead, Harris Teeter sends me their weekly sales every Wednesday, and most of my shopping list is made up of what's on sale (often at buy one get one free). Safeway also has sales which begin every Wednesday. I repeat, this is nothing like extreme couponing on TLC.
Many sources have talked about how one will save money by shopping with a grocery list. http://www.oprah.com/money/How-to-Save-Money-on-Groceries It is also common sense that if you buy groceries and eat at home, or make lunch to bring in to work or school, you will save a lot of money. You avoid sales taxes on food in restaurants (10% in DC), and the associated costs of everyone in restaurants who prepare your food (waiters, busboys, dishwashers, servers, janitors, etc.). But if you're not convinced, here are my top reasons to go grocery shopping more and use these weekly sales:
1: Preparing food at home tastes better (less salt, less fat)
2: Preparing food at home is romantic and sexy.
http://www.esquire.com/women/women-issue/funny-facts-about-women-0510 (339, 986, 144, 9)
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/sex-and-relationships/love?cat=10390&tip=10398
3: Last year, using this method, I saved over 1,000 dollars at Harris Teeter and a similarly large amount at Safeway. Teeter tabulates your year to date savings on your receipt. What could you do with an extra $1000?
Don't have a Teeter or Safeway? Check your local grocery store for their weekly specials on their website, or try to find it on Redplum. Chances are they have weekly sales, and by going grocery shopping with the discipline of a list based on what is on sale, you'll save a ton of money and have more fulfilling meals.
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