More Ways to Save
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
In my mind, you should never have to pay full price for anything. So far I’ve given you some ideas for affordable family entertainment, and I’ve given you a list of great e-clubs to join for money-saving coupons. Now I’d like to tell you about a few more great ways to save money.
Entertainment Books are one of my favorite ways to save. For a low price ranging from $30-45, the book gives you premium 50% off and 2-for-1 coupons for just about anything you can imagine. My favorites are the coupons for museums, the opera and other major attractions because those events often suck your wallet dry. With the Entertainment book, you can save big on swanky date nights or everyday essentials right in your neighborhood. Plus, with each book purchase, you get online access to hundreds of additional printable coupons and incredible online shopping discounts not found in the book. *Note these books are usually marked down to at least 50% off by March.*
Loyalty Programs are also a great way to cash in on discounts. Many credit card companies, insurance providers and retailers offer additional discounts for consumers who are members of their loyalty programs. If you’re interested in finding out which deals you might be missing, just pull out the cards in your wallet and call to the 1-800 number on the back. Here are a few good programs I’ve found so far:
AAA: In addition to 24-hour roadside assistance and a full-service travel agency, AAA offers remarkable discounts at thousands of restaurants, retailers, hotels, attractions and more. Visit discounts.aaa.com to find out more.
Geico policy holders can sign up for free access to Geico Privileges to gain discounts at restaurants, retailers, hotels, attractions and more.
Visa card holders can browse the latest Visa deals here or sign up for the Visa Discounts newsletter for more ways to help stretch your dollar.
MasterCard offers discounts on travel, retail and entertainment for MasterCard cardholders of all types. Sign up to enjoy this FREE access to discounts at thousands of your favorite stores just for being an eligible Debit or Prepaid MasterCard cardholder.
American Express cardholders are eligible to receive special discounts through American Express Selects. Visit the site to find a wide range of exclusive offers from around the globe in travel, dining, shopping, and entertainment.
RetailMeNot.com allows consumers to find and share coupon and promo codes for great discounts at thousands of online stores. Before making any purchases online, just key in the retailer’s URL to find your savings opportunities.
Restaurant.com provides certificates for thousands of restaurants across the country at significant discounts. Typically, a $25 certificate sells for just $10. But, if you sign up for their email reminder program, or go through Visa Discounts, you can reap even higher discounts. It’s a great way to visit an old favorite, or try out a new restaurant for little financial investment. The certificates also make great gifts for teachers and babysitters too! However, there are some things to remember:
- You can only use one certificate per month, per restaurant.
- The certificates cannot be combined with any other offer.
- Only one certificate per party can be use even if there are separate checks.
- The Certificate usually does not include alcohol.
- A minimum purchase must be made and an 18% gratuity is typically added to the pre-discounted check amount.
Rewards Programs offer you a chance to get free stuff or even cash just for shopping online. Here are a few examples:
ShopatHome, Bing Cashback and Ebates allow you to earn 1-30% cash back just for shopping through their sites. Membership is completely FREE and you also gain access to thousands of coupons, FREE samples and more.
MyPoints is similar, but instead of earning cash, they reward you with points for doing what you already do online: shopping, reading emails, playing games, searching the web, taking surveys, and more! Use your points to get gift cards for nearly 100 different stores and restaurants — or enjoy gas cards, airline miles and hotel discounts. Membership is totally FREE and you pick the rewards you want.
Leave a Reply