In my last post I mentioned having some rewards money from a couple of stores and how I strategized getting even more of a discount. Well, here's another thought. Just because you have a coupon or rewards dollars doesn't mean you have to use it. This is about being smart, savvy and saving money wherever you can. Buying things 'just 'cuz' you have a discount is not smart or savvy.
So I was ready to use my rewards from The Children's Place which was $10 off a $40 purchase. Now that's only 25% off. I also accessed their website via Upromise for an additional 5% cash back. I wasn't able to find a discount gift card so to get my preferred 70% off, I was going to need to find some hot sales too.
I did find some things I liked and we could use. In the end I only had $30 worth of items in my shopping cart. I was going to need to spend another $10 on something I didn't really need in order to use my $10 rewards. That doesn't make any sense. It's not savvy or smart. So I just let it go.
That reward expires on 1/31 so I can check back in a couple of weeks. But what if I can't use it then? Just leave $10??? Nope...coupon karma. There are countless couponing forums where you can sell or share codes that you're not going to use. If you're not familiar with those, use www.retailmenot.com. Give it to someone who can use it and one day when you're looking for a code you'll find someone else who is sharing one they don't need.
Showing posts with label smart. Show all posts
Showing posts with label smart. Show all posts
Sunday, January 5, 2014
Monday, July 8, 2013
Never Pay Retail - Even at a Thrift Store
Do you think of shopping at a thrift store as paying retail or getting a great buy? For me it's a little of both.
When you're at a thrift store, you're considering the deal you're getting comparable to a full-priced brand-new item, but that is not what you are buying. There are even better deals to be made at thrift stores if you see them as another retailer (of used, donated merchandise) and you will not pay full-price (as your personal mantra).
How do you do it? Well, the same as everywhere else. Shop the sales, use the coupons, sign up for rewards and work their system to your benefit.
At my Goodwill stores, they have different colored price tags and to keep inventory moving they mark down a new color each week by 50% and the previous week's sale color gets marked down to $1.29 on Sunday and Monday. That's when I go shopping!! I want those $1.29 deals. Yes, there are fewer items to choose from, but there are still plenty of treasures to be found.
My Goodwill also gives out a 30% off one item coupon for every donation. I continually have a box tucked in a closet that I'm filling with unused and outgrown items that need a new home. I'm helping keep my hosue organized and have a coupon on hand for those days when I find a must-have item that isn't market down to $1.29.
It takes patience and control, but when you're aware of the deals and looking for them, you find them.
When you're at a thrift store, you're considering the deal you're getting comparable to a full-priced brand-new item, but that is not what you are buying. There are even better deals to be made at thrift stores if you see them as another retailer (of used, donated merchandise) and you will not pay full-price (as your personal mantra).
How do you do it? Well, the same as everywhere else. Shop the sales, use the coupons, sign up for rewards and work their system to your benefit.
At my Goodwill stores, they have different colored price tags and to keep inventory moving they mark down a new color each week by 50% and the previous week's sale color gets marked down to $1.29 on Sunday and Monday. That's when I go shopping!! I want those $1.29 deals. Yes, there are fewer items to choose from, but there are still plenty of treasures to be found.
My Goodwill also gives out a 30% off one item coupon for every donation. I continually have a box tucked in a closet that I'm filling with unused and outgrown items that need a new home. I'm helping keep my hosue organized and have a coupon on hand for those days when I find a must-have item that isn't market down to $1.29.
It takes patience and control, but when you're aware of the deals and looking for them, you find them.
Thursday, May 9, 2013
thredUP Update - New Customer Promo Code - SAVE35
If you haven't tried www.thredUP.com yet, now is the time. New customers only, use the promo SAVE35 for 35% off your first order + free shipping.
If you already have an account, use the code LADY15 until tomorrow for your first purchase from their new women's line.
If you already have an account, use the code LADY15 until tomorrow for your first purchase from their new women's line.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
thredUP Women's Line is Here!
thredUP is an online consignment store that has just expanded from childrens to womens clothing. Great buys and $15 off your first purchase!
Thursday, May 2, 2013
What Goes Around Comes Around
It's true that a huge community consignment sales means money in your pocket from savings and/or selling, but you're also contributing to something much bigger. Just Between Friends in Tacoma has 600+ consignors. This is putting more money into all of their pockets; money that is supporting the well-being of their family/home and will be spent elsewhere supporting the economy and local businesses.
In turn, this means businesses can remain open, are more prosperous, busier, possible hiring more staff. Then the business owners and previously unemployed people have more money to put into the economy... And so the cycle goes....
Volunteering at the sale puts a little extra money in your pocket, but your time is also a valuable investment in this cycle. In the end, we all benefit, but I always like to believe that when you put good out into the world, you'll get more good back at you.
The economy has forced most of us to spend less, but we have already learned to spend smart and savvy. JBF is a perfect example of smart and savvy.
In turn, this means businesses can remain open, are more prosperous, busier, possible hiring more staff. Then the business owners and previously unemployed people have more money to put into the economy... And so the cycle goes....
Volunteering at the sale puts a little extra money in your pocket, but your time is also a valuable investment in this cycle. In the end, we all benefit, but I always like to believe that when you put good out into the world, you'll get more good back at you.
The economy has forced most of us to spend less, but we have already learned to spend smart and savvy. JBF is a perfect example of smart and savvy.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
'Like' Facebook Deals? One for Old Navy Now!
More and more organizations are using Facebook to get their deals to you. Usually you just need to 'Like' them on Facebook and the deal becomes available to you. This is one source I check before a shopping trip when I'm looking for a coupon.
Here is one example: Old Navy is offering a coupon in their Reveal a Deal section for $15 off a $75 purchase. This one is in store only so you can't stack it with a cash back site, but if you're already buying on sale or clearance, the savings start to add up!
Here is one example: Old Navy is offering a coupon in their Reveal a Deal section for $15 off a $75 purchase. This one is in store only so you can't stack it with a cash back site, but if you're already buying on sale or clearance, the savings start to add up!
Monday, April 15, 2013
Reselling at Community Consignment Sales
There are all kinds of creative ways to resell your kids clothes and 'stuff'. Large-scale community consigment sales are becoming more and more popular (and a great way to find good deals too). Google 'kids consignment sale' to find one near you.
I go to two sales each season in my area that are Just Between Friends franchises. Usually in the Fall and Spring, there is a scheduled sale in a community center or public venue and you can sign up to be a consignor for free. Once you sign up, you use their system to create tags that identify your items and you set the price (remember you want them to sell!). The websites have excellent guidelines and video tutorials that are quick to review so you'll have an idea of what sells and how to prepare your items. You will need some minimal supplies and I recommend this tagging gun because the fine needle is less likely to cause damage.
You canvolunteer at the sale and earn a better commission. I volunteer for 4 hours and earn a 70% commission on my items. Volunteers also have the priveledge of shopping early before the main sale and discount sale!
You'll see a schedule of when to drop off your items and they do the rest. You'll be able to login to your account and see what has sold (through your bar-coded tag and wait for a check to arrive in the mail in a week or two. You can pick up the items that didn't sell (and save them for the next sale) or just let them be donated.
Don't have time for tagging? You'll earn less commission, but many sales will do the tagging for you too. Easy breezy! How much time you spend on this is really up to you.
I go to two sales each season in my area that are Just Between Friends franchises. Usually in the Fall and Spring, there is a scheduled sale in a community center or public venue and you can sign up to be a consignor for free. Once you sign up, you use their system to create tags that identify your items and you set the price (remember you want them to sell!). The websites have excellent guidelines and video tutorials that are quick to review so you'll have an idea of what sells and how to prepare your items. You will need some minimal supplies and I recommend this tagging gun because the fine needle is less likely to cause damage.
You canvolunteer at the sale and earn a better commission. I volunteer for 4 hours and earn a 70% commission on my items. Volunteers also have the priveledge of shopping early before the main sale and discount sale!
You'll see a schedule of when to drop off your items and they do the rest. You'll be able to login to your account and see what has sold (through your bar-coded tag and wait for a check to arrive in the mail in a week or two. You can pick up the items that didn't sell (and save them for the next sale) or just let them be donated.
Don't have time for tagging? You'll earn less commission, but many sales will do the tagging for you too. Easy breezy! How much time you spend on this is really up to you.
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Reselling...you have options!
If you automatically think eBay and a lot of work, think again!
For kids clothes and toys, reselling is one of the final possible steps in the cycle. I'm not familiar with anyone who makes money on their kids toys, but if you have an item that is pristine or never opened and ends up hot and hard to find, you may be in luck.
Clothing...well, for my toddler/preschool-aged girl, she has a better quality/bigger wardrobe than ever before and I likely make money on it after I resell it. I've shared one tip for buying quality at deep discounts in my stacking blog with the Gymboree example and more tips will be coming. Reselling is an essential part of the cycle. There are endless options that are quite a bit of work or nearly effortless. You have plenty of options depending on the time and payback you want:
For kids clothes and toys, reselling is one of the final possible steps in the cycle. I'm not familiar with anyone who makes money on their kids toys, but if you have an item that is pristine or never opened and ends up hot and hard to find, you may be in luck.
Clothing...well, for my toddler/preschool-aged girl, she has a better quality/bigger wardrobe than ever before and I likely make money on it after I resell it. I've shared one tip for buying quality at deep discounts in my stacking blog with the Gymboree example and more tips will be coming. Reselling is an essential part of the cycle. There are endless options that are quite a bit of work or nearly effortless. You have plenty of options depending on the time and payback you want:
- eBay/Amazon/other online selling
- consignment: online or brick & mortar stores, or big seasonal sales
- garage sales
- tax deductible donations
- Facebook trading pages
- Craigslist and similar sites
- the list is endless...
Monday, April 8, 2013
Only Buy What You Need
This is a quick and simple reminder to only buy what you need. To make the most of all these savings tips, you need to plan and be smarter than the advertisers who are experts at trying to entice you to buy things you don't need. It's also so easy when you see a great deal to think, "Wow, that's such a great deal, I should get it!" You hadn't even thought of getting it before you saw the deal and you don't really need it. So, you didn't really save anything...that was the advertisers candy and you were the baby!
Focus, keep your eye on the prize, remember you are paying special attention to these money saving techniques to be wise and savvy and benefit you and your family.
Focus, keep your eye on the prize, remember you are paying special attention to these money saving techniques to be wise and savvy and benefit you and your family.
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