7 Tips to Finding Great Deals
Good deals don’t just happen; you have to look for them. To help you find great deals at your favorite stores, we’ve compiled these seven tips.
Follow them, and you’ll soon be racking up rewards points left and right.
#1: Sign Up for Store Loyalty Programs
Most major retailers offer loyalty programs that allow you to earn points by shopping with them. The more points you collect, the more discounts and perks (such as free shipping) you get from that store.
Even if it takes a few months to rack up enough points for a big discount, it can still save you money in the long run.
And if you shop at multiple stores, consider signing up for each one’s program—you might even be able to use multiple cards on one purchase!
#2: Take Advantage of Promotions
Stores often run promotions on specific items or categories of items. If there are any products you regularly buy from that store, keep an eye out for those sales and promotions so you can take advantage of them when they occur.
This can mean huge savings over time, especially if you’re buying larger-ticket items like appliances or furniture.
#3: Shop During Non-Peak Hours
Many stores are busiest during peak hours – usually between 10am and 2pm. But what many people don’t realize is that prices tend to be lower during off-peak hours, such as early mornings before work or late evenings after work.
So if you can, avoid going to stores during their busy times and opt instead for times when traffic is lighter.
#4: Buy Generic Brands
While most generic brands are made from exactly the same ingredients as their name-brand counterparts, they cost less because they aren’t marketed as heavily.
That means higher profit margins for companies who sell generic brands, which translates into cheaper prices for us consumers.
#5: Look for Deals Online
Most online stores offer sale prices on select items throughout the year. Some also offer coupons and other promotional codes that you can enter at checkout to save even more money.
These promo codes change frequently, so it pays to check back frequently to see if there are any new ones available.
#6: Consider Buying Used Items
There are plenty of sites where used goods can be bought cheaply, including Craigslist and eBay.
Just make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into first. For example, eBay has buyer protection programs that make it safer than Craigslist.
Also, remember that used goods will likely need some kind of maintenance or repair down the road. Still, buying used items can be a good way to save money without sacrificing quality.
#7: Plan Your Meals Ahead of Time
Meal planning isn’t just about saving time and energy; it’s also about saving money.
