Cool Mommy Product Reviews

Recently, I was chatting with a friend who purchased some slipcovers for her couch and loveseat. She considers me a bargain shopping guru, so she asked if the price paid was a good one. I almost fell on the floor when I heard the outrageous dollar amount she spent. My first words (after I recovered from my fiscal seizure) were, “Didn’t you compare prices?” 

This was followed by a lengthy explanation on my part. This poor friend had no clue how to bargain hunt online, at all. She had heard of “coupon codes” and “points back” but never used codes, nor signed up for reward programs, fearful of “junk” email or internet fraud creeping into her life via disclosing information. Egad.  Bye, bye money.

In light of this, and an informal poll of other friends and family, (even my own mother doesn’t use coupon codes!) I am tossing out some ideas on “online bargain hunting for dummies” today.

1. Be a store tramp. Don’t be faithful to any store or any brand. (This is one area being unfaithful is virtuous.) Always check prices before you buy, even if it’s a store you always shop with for their deals (such as Wal-Mart).  For example, starting Sunday,  Staples is offering a 15” 2 gig Compaq computer for only $349.98, which trumps Wally world as far I see online at this moment.  I hardly purchase from Staples all year, unless they are having a super sale. But I’ll gladly cheat on my lovely Wal-Mart to save a buck. It’s ok to be a bargain floozy.
2. How to compare prices? Do a Google search for starters. Type in the item you are looking for and add the words, “clearance” or “sale”. See what pops up. Be prepared to investigate at least five or more sites. If it’s something I know goes on sale often, I may look at more than ten sites to comparative shop. This takes time, folks. However, you may save hundreds if not thousands a year, doing so.  
3.  Fall in love with rewards programs and cash back credit cards. Nearly everyone has a rewards program these days. I almost hate it when filling out forms or applications, but then come the points and I fall hopelessly in love again… Tomorrow when I shop at Staples, not only will I save upfront, my planned purchases will earn an estimated twenty dollars in rewards. Double the ardor (and earnings) by combining with a cash back credit card. This is money in the bank to use like cash toward other purchases! I have received a random spam email here and there by signing up for programs. Isn’t earning a ton of cash worth hitting “delete” on your keyboard a few times? 
4.  Using codes equals cash. Maybe you just like giving your hard earned dollars to retailers. Because if you don’t search for coupon codes or offers, that is what you are doing. Like handing over your paycheck in small bits, you’re giving up the dough gladly. Once I compare prices over all, I do a second search for codes. Type in “coupon codes,” “coupons” or “rebates” coupled with the retailers offering the product you want.  Hunt for codes because retailers may have advertised them a few weeks ago, or they may not show up on the pages you’ve viewed. J.C. Penney’s is currently offering free shipping if you enter COUPON CODE: JCPCAGST.  I didn’t see it on several pages I viewed, but it’s a valid code on select merchandise.

Then, consider the deals again. You may find the savings have changed significantly (or conversely, not at all).

Example:

Retailer A-15% discount on a $100.00 item, but pay $20 for shipping, (cost before tax $105).

 Retailer B- $10.00 off a $100.00 product, and free shipping code, (cost before tax, $90).

Retailer C- Clearance product price on same $100.00 item is $90.00, plus special $5.00 shipping, (cost before tax $95.00).  But this retailer offers reward points equal to cash back of $4.50. And it’s a store your cash back credit card or rewards credit card gives double points for. You’ve saved twice, which makes this one the better buy. You may spend a bit more up front for the item, but the long term savings are fabulous.

 If there were no rewards offered, or if you want to spend less “now” money, you’d choose Retailer B.

Invest time looking at the angles on purchases. Learning to do this and modifying behavior pre hitting the “pay now” button takes discipline. It is, however, a worthwhile practice.  Saving money has not been a cultural virtue for many years. However, in the current economy it’s become vital. I think though, thrift has been long overdue. It’s exciting to save money! Don’t be an online bargain dummy.

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