Oh summer, prepping for you has been quite an expensive feat! Good thing I know a few tricks to save as much money as I can; as I find new espadrilles, maxi dresses and baubles.
While most people enjoy walking a cool mall while they hunt for their accessories, I am a strong proponent for online shopping.
Whilst it is true you can’t touch or try on the item, you can get better deals overall. In addition, most online retailers with local brick and mortar establishments offer free returns in store. So if it doesn’t work, you just have to make a quick trip.
Couponing is huge with my family. The general rule of thumb is, if I don’t have a coupon for it, I don’t need it.
Now the opposite argument is a lot of places increase the cost to cover the discount of the coupon, and I am sure that is true to a certain extent, but when you can get items for free a with coupon, that seems like a win-win. So how can you get more coupons for the items you buy? Sign up for your favorite stores email or text alerts. Most stores I frequent that have a mall front have both types of communication. You will be alerted to the establishment’s sales, but in addition, retailers include a coupon for in store or online use. You can also check out the store’s social media feeds including Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. A lot of stores target their audience with secret or flash sales with these networking gems.
Other ways to save include Living Social or Groupon. These are online based companies that offer discounts on popular items. Living Social promotes discounted things to do locally to your city. Groupon gives you daily deals on gift certificates from things like massages to restaurants. Both have websites as well as smart phone apps. Depending on where you live and your buying habits, these two may offer a lot for you.
I saved my favorite for last: Retail Me Not. You can find a coupon for almost anything relating to an online retail or a brick and mortar store on Retail Me Not. This is the simplest, easiest and best way to score a coupon code or bar code for in store scanning. Type in the name of the store you are looking for and within seconds, coupon codes will populate based on popularity and success. As I said, if I don’t have a coupon for it, I don’t need it. I need a lot of things. I will find a coupon.
My other favorite way to save is on the rebate side of things with programs such as Ebates, Mr. Rebates or Lucky Rewards. These are online programs that promote shopping based on a rebate program. Online retailers partner with one of these companies (or all three) and give a percentage back when you purchase through their link. For example, let’s take HSN. HSN currently has a 3 percent rebate program through Ebates. What this means for you is 3 percent of your purchase price (less shipping and handling and tax) is rebated to you in a quarterly check. So if you purchase a $50 item, you are rebated $1.50 amount. This accumulates over the quarter and you are issued a check or gift card (depending on the program). All of these programs will have fluctuating rebate amounts based on incentives and the retailers they work with. I have seen percentages from 1.5 percent all the way to 8 percent. All three sites offer coupon codes as well, so you can really get a good deal for your purchase.
Happy shopping!
Denise Bennett maintains a fashion blog on Perfect20.co and is a regular contributor to SpotlightNews on Living.
