I constantly have people asking me how I get stuff for so cheap. I began really digging into extreme couponing in July 2013. I have learned so much since But, it is a learning process. I learn new stuff everyday. No one hands it to me, I have to find it. No one can "teach" a person how to coupon. I got tips, read, googled, read, youtubed, read, etc. Couponing, serious couponing, is like having a job. I spend hours and hours studying and looking for deals. People who do this for a living can easily spend 60+ hours matching coupons with deals and chasing these deals. It's not something you can spend 10 mins doing and save 90%. Like anything else, you must apply yourself if you wish to do it well.
That being said, they are several ways to save $ that take little time or preparation. You still have to do some work but the savings are definitely worth it. Here are some quick, easy shopping trips that I've made within the last week and saved a good amount of money.
1. Bath & Body Works. Ladies, we all love it and they always have sales but be patient and wait for the best ones. I got 7 hand sanitizers, regular $6.50 each, 2 mason jar candles, regular $12 each, 1 full-sized lotion, regular $12.50, 2 wallflower single bulbs, regular $6.50 each and 1 wallflower holder which was $8.50. Retail total before tax was $104.50, I paid $51.90 and that's including tax. The sanitizers were 7 for $24, the candles were on sale for $5, the bulbs were on sale for $3, I paid full price for the bulb holder and I had a coupon that got me a Free lotion. This made my purchase more than 50% off even though I paid full price for an item.
2. J.C. Penney. Rarely shop there but I needed some clothes for work. I had no time to wait for a sale so I had to deal with what they had. I bought a pair of khaki shorts, regular $30, a pair of capris, regular $44, a top, regular $24 and a polo, regular $18. My retail total was $116 before tax. I paid $53.72 including tax. The shorts were on sale for $19.99, the capris on sale for $24.99, the top on sale for 12.99 and the polo on sale for $8.99. I googled J.C. Penney coupons on my cell phone and found one for 25% off. They wrote down the coupon code and it took an extra $16.75 off my total. I saved 55% on this transaction and there was no preplanning. Side note-it kicked out a coupon for $15 off when you spend $50 in their home department. Always watch for coupons and stuff on your receipt. They can come in handy!
3. Finish Line. I never go here but my son had outgrown all of his shoes and needed some asap and I found a decent pair for work. I got him 3 pair, normally $40 each and my pair were normally $70. His shoes were on sale for $30, all 3 pair and mine were on sale for $40. I had $20 off if you spend over $100. My retail price before tax was $190, I paid $117 including tax. Almost a 40% off savings. Pretty good for Nike, Pumas, and Under Armour shoes.
4. Aeropostale. I usually only shop here for my nieces and nephews but needed work shirts. I bought 2 polos, regular $29.50, 1 shirt, regular $34.50, 1 tank, regular $24.50, 1 polo, regular $9.99, and 2 pairs of flip flops, regular $15 each. 2 polos were 50% off, 1 polo was 30% off, the shirt was on sale for $12, the tank was 60% off and the flip flops were on sale 2 for $10! That's a Great deal considering 1 pair is normally $15. The retail price was $158 before tax, I paid $73 after tax. Plus I got a free pair of sunglasses, retail $19.50, for Free for spending over $60. If I add in the sunglasses, I saved over 60%!! I had no coupons, didn't plan for this trip, I just went in because I needed a few shirts.
Here's a few tips: Always google the places you are planning to shop or even eat at, they often have coupons.
Sign up online for places you regularly shop at and even not so regularly shop at. Most send emails out all the time with coupons and sometimes even freebies.
Look for sales! I never buy anything at full price, idk why anyone would. Our economy is on the rocks but it is fairly easy to save some $.
Look at the ads in the paper or online. Often they have stuff there that is not always advertised in the store.
Take your time if you can. I know most of us have kids and jobs etc. And shopping can be a down right pain. Drop the kids off at a friends and spend an extra 20 mins looking around. It is worth it if you save an extra $40.
*Remember, there will Always be another sale. Do you really need the 72 inch big screen right now if you can save $200 on it in 2 weeks? The choice is yours but I prefer to leave a store with money still in my pocket.
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OneLove~Andi ☆
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