Shop strategically
I started this
strategy back in about 2011 on a whim, now we live by it - I started by using
sites like ebates.com and fatwallet.com. You earn cash back for purchases you
are already making - it is a way to have you money go a little further.
As of now, 2015,
between the 2 site our family has earned approx. $700 in cash back between the
2 sites. They are both free to sign up for - if you refer people you can earn
money by referring others - family and friends, etc.
So let's use Best Buy
as an example - some stores are on both cash back sites, (meaning on fw.com and
ebates.com) - some are not - If you know you will be purchasing a needed item -
router, TV, or monitor - for example - go to fatwallet.com and check the cash
back for the item there - and check ebates.com as well. One site may show 1.5%
cash back on what you purchase and the other site may have 3% cash back.
We are in the habit
now of checking both sites - we make these purchases by thinking forward and
now our dollars go a little further as a result of these 2 sites and other
sites and strategies as well.
Another gem of a site
we found recently is giftcardgranny.com. It is an aggregate site for gift cards
that you can buy at a discounted rate. I got a $100 staples egift card for $85
back in Oct. or so. We were purchasing a backup hard drive via Staples - I
saved $15 there and then made my purchase via ebates or fatwallet and earned
additional cash back (3 or 4% for that item) for my purchase.
Ebates and fatwallet
pay out quarterly - I recommend that you track your purchases to be sure you
get credit for your cash back - ebates I find is better w/tracking than FW -
but you can always open a support ticket on either site if there are any
issues. Both sites are good with looking up and resolving issues.
GCG (gift card
granny) also has discounted gas cards, grocery cards (they sell out quick so
you have to be on the alert for those). Also with GCG be careful to choose
'egift card' - unless you want a physical gift card (but you have to wait
longer for that to be delivered) that option is on the left side of the page of
the main page of the GCG site you can uncheck the box for 'physical gift card'
- that will be delivered via email - and make sure you can use the egift card
at the store online or in the store as well. Sometimes there are restrictions -
read the fine print.
I am not sure if you
have an Aldi's grocery store in your area - we have one here in NC - we save 30
- 50% on groceries shopping there. Shop sales - make a list and stick to it -
buy what you need and get out - emotional buys can be expensive.
FYI - Fatwallet.com
has a great forum - very active with members and lots of good tips for saving
money and good buys, etc - GCG recently started a forums page on their website
too - from what I have seen it looks pretty good.
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