No matter what it’s for or what you buy, going shopping is always fun to get out of the house for something to do. Whether you’re picking out your preferred computer model, trying on new outfits or contemplating what kind of coffee to buy, there’s a right and wrong way to shop.
Unfortunately, prices have skyrocketed since the pandemic hit, so it’s easy to overspend when you didn’t intend to. That’s why you need to know how to save and still buy everything on your list while avoiding continuing to click the "buy now" button at home in your pajamas. Here’s how you can save money going forward when shopping for the necessities.
Go Back to Clipping Coupons
A common misconception about coupons is that people think it makes them frugal and cheap. However, that’s not exactly a bad thing. Being frugal is more than just buying things at the lowest price possible. It shows that you’re resourceful and know how to properly handle your finances. Clipping coupons is a great way to save money on items that you wouldn’t afford otherwise.
Read more: Back To School Supplies: 6 Top Tips Using Coupons To Save Money
Take Advantage of Rewards Programs
Just like coupons, most establishments offer special reward programs for their customers. Even various apartment complexes offer residents a select few programs. How these programs work depends on the company, but they usually have the client accumulate points through their purchases. The number of points they acquire depends on how much they spend. To give an example, Old Navy has a program where they give you a special currency known as super cash. Super cash is how they allow their customers to save money on clothes. For every $25 you spend from your initial purchase, you get $10 in super cash. So, if you spend $125, you would be given $50 in this exclusive currency. Be sure to research each store you go to and see what they have to offer. You could save every time you shop.
Consider Getting a Snack Subscription
Whenever you go to the grocery store, you may feel obligated to load up on snacks in addition to your primary meal plan. However, as tempting as it may be to purchase a small stash of snacks, they can rack up the grocery bill very quickly. You may think that coupons can help mitigate the issue, and while you’re right about that, they’re not the only way. Why spend $30 to $40 on snacks when you can get a snack box subscription instead? A snack box subscription is when you pay a certain amount of money to get snacks delivered to your home every month. The price of the subscription depends on the company and the size of the package. There are plenty of subscriptions to choose from including one that allows you to try out various snacks from around the world. Not only does it add a bit of culture into your life, you get snacks that are both tasty and healthy.
Use Price Matching
Price matching is the process in which you show a product another store has, which is usually at a lower price and get the same product for the price listed. This method is commonly seen when buying a computer, gaming console, laptop and smartphone. Technology, like the ones we just listed, can be expensive. Gaming consoles are usually $300 to $600 while computers can range from $450 to over $1000. Price matching can help you bypass these high prices. However, there are a few things you need to know. First off, not every store does price matching. So, if you show a store that their competitor's price matches and they don’t, you won’t be able to do it. Also, they won’t honor it if their competitor isn’t local. You’ll know a store has price matching when it’s listed by the product on their website. Second, it can be difficult to find a store that actually uses price matching as a marketing strategy. Many companies have refrained from this strategy because it reduces their overall revenue. It may take a while to find a store that price matches, but it’s worth it if it means getting something for a lower price.
Invest in Discounted Gift Cards
Gift cards are similar to a credit card where it has a limit of how much you can spend with it. But unlike a credit card, a gift card can only be used once after you deplete the amount. It’s not like a prepaid card, which can be continuously recharged with funds. Instead of purchasing a gift card at full price, there are people who sell unused gift cards at a discounted price. This means you can potentially get a $50 Starbucks gift card for only $30. You can find these types of listings on websites such as Raise.com and CardCash.com.