ThriftyFun News
Volume Eight, Number 11, April 21, 2006
http://www.ThriftyFun.com
Hello,
This week's issue is contains shopping tips. We looked through our archive and found a bunch of great tips that have been submitted over the years. We hope you enjoy them.
We also have a new feature on the website that is well worth checking out. It's called My Frugal Life. It's a page where we collect essays about frugal living that are submitted by our readers. You can view the archive of the essays here:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/lk/myfrugallife.lasso
If you have a frugal story to share, we would to hear it. We will award a $100 prize for the best essay we receive by the end of August. Here is the submission form.
Submit Your Essay
http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_myfrugallife.ldml
Thanks for reading,
Susan
Enter The Photo Contest:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_photocontest.ldml
Enter The Tip Contest:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_contest.ldml
Frugal solutions to everyday problems: Submit a request...
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This newsletter contains:
Tips:
Today's Sponsors
Coupons for Brand Name Items
Print brand name coupons and use them at your favorite store! Sign up to take advantage of over 81 money-saving offers inside.
http://www.thriftyfun.com/lk/print_coupons.lasso
New Contest
Submit Your Tips and Photos!
Tip Contest!
To enter, visit:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_contest.ldml
Photo Contest!
To enter, visit:
http://www.thriftyfun.com/post_photocontest.ldml
Contests are now weekly. We'll pick 2 tip winners and 1 photo winner at the end of each week.
Tips
Shopping Tips!
Tips to consider when you go shopping. Post your ideas.
Read These Tips Here: Click Here
Getting The Most From Your Warehouse Store Membership
Do you shop at large warehouse stores like Costco and Sam's Club? Do you have any tips for getting the most out of your warehouse store membership?
Read These Tips Here: Click Here
Product Placement and the Price Customers Pay
By Kelly Ann Butterbaugh Despite what they say in their advertisements, stores aren't out to save shoppers money. Their business is to make money, and the better they are at doing just that the more profitable the franchise. Often by saving money on one item a customer is tempted to spend more on another item since it was "saved money." By becoming familiar with stores' tactics, it becomes easier to avoid the temptation.
Read This Article Here: Click Here
Look for Coupons at the Customer Service Desk
Before shopping, whether at your local grocery or Target, or wherever, first check out the Customer Service desk, for any discount coupons, you might can use to save a few bucks off your checkout order. Maybe finding any this time, but, also remember next time, to check as well, you might miss out on something big, if not checking at all.
By Terri
Post Feedback: Click Here
Sale Items That Have Run Out
One day I was at the grocery store with my daughter and noticed that the coffee that they had on special (at an especially great price) was all sold out. I commented to my daughter that it was good that I had bought some a few days earlier.
My daughter, the frugal expert in the family, then went to the service desk and came back with several rainchecks for the coffee. I will get the same great price on coffee well into the next year!
Now I make an effort to notice when specials on any items I use are out of stock and take the few minutes to go to the service desk and get some rainchecks for them. That way I can save even more than just buying during the sale.
By Diane from Paradise PA
Post Feedback: Click Here
Buying Gently Used Items
Consider buying 'gently used' items instead of paying full price at the mall or other stores. Try checking out consignment shops. If you've never been to one, you'll be surprised at the good deals you'll find.
By Terri
Post Feedback: Click Here
Bring a Snack When Shopping
Save money at the grocery store by taking along a small package of cut up veggies or fruit to curb your appetite when doing errands or shopping rather than going thru the drive thru or stopping at the local food court.
By Terri H.
Post Feedback: Click Here
Set Price Limits When Shopping
Before your shopping trip, make a list of items you intend on purchasing. Going to the store with a list in hand you may be less likely to buy on impulse. Set a price limit so you'll not overspend. It's the thought that counts, not how much you've spent!
By Terri H.
Post Feedback: Click Here
Saving Money on Major Purchases
When you're thinking about a major purchase make yourself a list and stick to it. It's too easy to be caught up in the moment and buy before you really think about something first. Don't let anyone push you by intimidation. If you are not 100% sure, you can always think on it and often will end up with a better deal.
By Nancy Kashdin from Elmira
Post Feedback: Click Here
Things To Consider When You Buy Something
At least it is for me! When I am thinking of buying something, I make myself stop long enough to consider the following questions:
Read This Tip Here: Click Here
Consequences Of Shopping Impulsively
Questions to ask yourself first:
Read This Tip Here: Click Here
Wait a Week Before Making a Purchase
If you see an advertisement for something you want to purchase, cut it out and save it in a separate folder. One week later look at your folder and see if that must have item is really a "must have". Often times it was not.
By Greg
Post Feedback: Click Here
Buying Products with Blemishes
We've all probably shopped at a Factory Outlet Store before, knowing all the time, you're purchasing second quality products, that save us a lot of money. This can be done at the regular malls or stores, as well, ask if they have any of the products that you're looking for, but with blemishes.
My husband has bought Red Wing Brand work boots, with blemishes. The boots are going to get scratched up even more, the longer he has them, so why not save us some bucks, this way? My husband saved us about 30 dollars by doing this and the company paid shipping to our home!
By Terri
Post Feedback: Click Here
Store Brand vs. Brand Name Products
Tips and opinions about Brand Name products versus their store brand counterparts. Post your thoughts and tips.
Read These Tips Here: Click Here
Thrift Store Shopping Tips
Tips for getting the most out of thrift store shopping. Post your ideas.
Read These Tips Here: Click Here
Creating Your Grocery List
To keep from over buying at the store I always make a list the night before buying groceries. My husband and I do it together, we make sure all staples are covered and the meat and the veggies. We then check all the non food items and write them down. We then estimate the cost of the items including tax and then add about 5.00 in case of low estimating. If I don't go over the estimate I use that 5.00 for any extra items I might have forgotten or just want. More often than not I have more than 5.00 to spend on extras.
By RoseMary B.
Post Feedback: Click Here
How Much Work Does It Cost?
Before buying a big ticket item or anything that might not need, calculate how many hours it will take you to earn the money to buy the item. It helps me put the cost of purchases in perspective.
By Beth
Post Feedback: Click Here
Today's Sponsors
Coupons for Brand Name Items
Print brand name coupons and use them at your favorite store! Sign up to take advantage of over 81 money-saving offers inside.
http://www.thriftyfun.com/lk/print_coupons.lasso
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