Here are 5 simple tips to save money next time you head to the store:
1. Buy discounted gift cards online. If you know you have to buy something from Target or Best Buy, visit a site, such as plasticjungle.com, and buy a gift card for less than the face value (for example, a $30 Best Buy card sells for only $28.20). Only caveat is you have to buy the gift cards ahead of time (so you need to plan your purchases).
2. Use your cash back card (but pay off the full balance each time). Using your cash back card can help you save on things you buy, but only if you pay off the balance in full each billing cycle. Otherwise, you are just wasting more money by paying the extremely high interest rates the credit card companies charge. By paying off the full balance, you pay zero interest and improve your credit score in the process.
3. If you shop somewhere frequently, it might make sense to sign up for the store credit card. An example is the Target credit card, which saves you 5% off everything. Since many people by a wide variety of groceries, home goods, etc at Target (or a similar store), it makes sense to get a credit card from here since you can get 5% off (again, it only makes sense to do this if you pay off the balance in full each month). However, make sure you only sign up for a card you shop frequently already before you have the store credit card (not one you convince yourself that you will shop there more now that you have a credit card for that store).
4. Use online coupons. Most all stores accept online coupons now (unlike before when there was a lot of fraud), so visit sites like Coupon.com or Coupon Mom to print out free coupons to save you on a wide variety of things. It's basically giving you a free discount.
5. Use the ship to store option. If you live near a store or will be driving near a store where you bought something online (e.g. from WalMart.com or BestBuy.com), just choose the ship to store option and you save on any shipping costs. If you'll be passing by that store on your way home from work or from the grocery store, just stop by there and pick it up, and you pay nothing for shipping. Added bonus: many credit cards give you more cash back or extra airline miles for buying things from certain stores, but only if you buy online. So just buy the item you need online, and have it shipped to the store, then you save on shipping (shipping to store is usually always free), and get the bonus airline miles, points or extra cash back for free.
1. Buy discounted gift cards online. If you know you have to buy something from Target or Best Buy, visit a site, such as plasticjungle.com, and buy a gift card for less than the face value (for example, a $30 Best Buy card sells for only $28.20). Only caveat is you have to buy the gift cards ahead of time (so you need to plan your purchases).
2. Use your cash back card (but pay off the full balance each time). Using your cash back card can help you save on things you buy, but only if you pay off the balance in full each billing cycle. Otherwise, you are just wasting more money by paying the extremely high interest rates the credit card companies charge. By paying off the full balance, you pay zero interest and improve your credit score in the process.
3. If you shop somewhere frequently, it might make sense to sign up for the store credit card. An example is the Target credit card, which saves you 5% off everything. Since many people by a wide variety of groceries, home goods, etc at Target (or a similar store), it makes sense to get a credit card from here since you can get 5% off (again, it only makes sense to do this if you pay off the balance in full each month). However, make sure you only sign up for a card you shop frequently already before you have the store credit card (not one you convince yourself that you will shop there more now that you have a credit card for that store).
4. Use online coupons. Most all stores accept online coupons now (unlike before when there was a lot of fraud), so visit sites like Coupon.com or Coupon Mom to print out free coupons to save you on a wide variety of things. It's basically giving you a free discount.
5. Use the ship to store option. If you live near a store or will be driving near a store where you bought something online (e.g. from WalMart.com or BestBuy.com), just choose the ship to store option and you save on any shipping costs. If you'll be passing by that store on your way home from work or from the grocery store, just stop by there and pick it up, and you pay nothing for shipping. Added bonus: many credit cards give you more cash back or extra airline miles for buying things from certain stores, but only if you buy online. So just buy the item you need online, and have it shipped to the store, then you save on shipping (shipping to store is usually always free), and get the bonus airline miles, points or extra cash back for free.
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