This post is brought to you for the purpose of sharing helpful ways of saving that I have found over the past couple of years. Although thrifty, I admittedly am a big spender when it comes to good deals that I feel I can’t pass up. I greatly enjoy buying and reselling, with an online selling account and a flea market booth. Being married to someone who is quite my opposite has helped me to be more conscious of my spending habits, but of course it’s an area in which I can always improve. With that being said, here’s my list.
(Please be aware that I have shared a few links and referral codes, which if you use, may provide me some monetary benefit! Lol)
- Meal Plan – shop the ads
> Grocery ads change every Wednesday (in Missouri at least), so making note of sales and planning meals accordingly can help save sooo much! We enjoy seasonal fruits and veggies, stock on canned goods, and buy staples when they’re on sale or when we need them. Scoping out the ads each week and prices in store also helps to gain a good sense of when you’re getting a good deal.
Stores such as Sam’s Club and Costco make buying in bulk easy. Their rotisserie chickens also make tasty meals (and who doesn’t love a mega slice of pizza for lunch or $1 frozen yogurt while you’re out shopping?). - Use Apps and Loyalty programs
> Many stores, gas stations and restaurants have apps or websites where you can find discounts and accrue points. Take advantage of these! Just a few that I use frequently include Casey’s (referral code: Reb7Hi4727), McDonald’s, Ihop, Sonic, Chick-fil-A and Hawaiian Bros. - Find cash-back deals
> Rakuten has an extension for your browser that will alert you when you’re on a site that has cash-back deals. They have a mobile app you can use in-store as well. Use this link to get an extra $30 after you spend $30!
> Upside has a mobile app that has great deals on gas and many restaurants. You can use my referral code (YBF7DC) to get a one time 15ยข/gal bonus!
> I also found out recently that my bank offers cash-back when using my debit card at select locations. - Thrift & Garage Sales
> Secondhand stores are excellent for finding new and gently used clothing, household items, decor and more at affordable prices. There are quite a few in the KC Metro that support local ministries. Beware though, some stores charge as much as buying new! - Bin Stores
> If you enjoy a good treasure hunt, there’s much to be found if you’re willing to dig for it. Bin stores like Retail Rebel offer bargains on Amazon returns and overstock items. This is my favorite place to find items to resell for a decent profit. Just watch out for sharp objects. - Get rid of stuff you don’t need
> Have a garage sale, list things on Marketplace or use sites such as eBay or Mercari to sell your stuff. If your goal is to resell and make a profit, be aware of the percentage that reselling sites will take out of your cut (sometimes it’s upward of 20%).
> Donate your extra clothing to a shelter, thrift store or a family with kids.
> Sell your stuff with Mercari (use referral code: NJUYMC). This is my favorite buying/selling app to use, as it’s user friendly and they offer shipping protection for lost/damaged goods. If you dislike packaging your items, this option may not be for you (but shopping is still fun). - Don’t buy stuff you don’t need
This one seems to be an obvious one. But as an avid shopper and deal-finder myself, I know how hard it is. Just say no! And put it back! - Don’t get scammed
> There are a lot of pesky scammers perfecting their evil ways. Be aware, be vigilant to spot scams, and if something seems too good to be true, believe it!!
> Emails, phone calls, and text messages are the most common methods of gaining access to your personal information and even your electronic device(s). If you are sent a link to enter information (even if it seems like a legitimate source), Always DOUBLE CHECK! Never ever give out banking numbers, passwords, gift card codes or your personal identification information. NEVER withdraw ridiculous amounts of cash to send to someone who claims you owe them! Be vigilant, be informed.
> If you’re a Facebook user, be aware to keep your account information and personal posts private. Hackers/scammers can access any of your public posts, photos, contact information and friends lists to duplicate your account, send requests to your contacts, and then scam your friends (sometimes without you even realizing it). Report suspicious profiles and make your friends aware if you think something looks off.
Another common scam is Facebook pages that mimic real businesses claiming to give vouchers for free meals or drinks. Don’t click the links! Don’t share the pages! If in doubt, contact the REAL business page and ask them about the promotion in question. Here’s a screenshot of one such example:
This is by no means an exhaustive list. I hope it helps or inspires you to save some money and be a better steward of your finances.
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