Frugal Living Tip #50 - ShopAtHome.com

ShopAtHome.com

 

I mentioned in two posts last week about ways to save by shopping on-line. In case you missed them you can find them here under tips #44 and #45.

Shopathome.com is a site that offers you a rebate that is a percentage based on the amount you purchase from the on-line retailer. The amount varies, but once you have accumulated $20 in your account they will send you a check. You are really getting paid to shop on-line. I looked back at my account and I primarily used it for holiday shopping. Over the last 2 years I have earned almost $100 back!

It is as simple as going directly to their site - shopathome.com - look for the retailer you were planning to shop with - click on the retailer's icon and start shopping in the window that pops up. I always like to double check the discount code to make sure it gets applied at checkout.

Do you use shopathome.com or a similar site to get cash back on your purchases? Please feel free to share any experiences you have had with these type of sites.

***The link above is my referral link, thanks if you click on it and sign-up through me. My opinion is based on my personal experience and not on any additional compensation from the site.***

 

Frugal Living Tip #49 - Restaurant.com Certificates

Restaurant.com Gift Certificates

If you haven't checked out restaurant.com yet, you need to. They offer gift certificates to local restaurants at discounted prices. The inventory changes periodically, and so do the prices. Several times a year they will offer $25 vouchers for only $2! I have snagged a few of those over the years. Make sure you subscribe to their site to find out when they are going to have those deals.

As with any type of deal make sure you check the fine print on your voucher, how your savings will be deducted. Please don't forget to tip your server based on the original amount before the gift certificate was applied.

 

Frugal Living Tip #48 - Grocery Store Fuel Discounts

Grocery Store Fuel Discounts

I have vivid memories from the summer of 2008. I was home adjusting to life with a newborn and a very active 2&1/2 year old. I was going stir crazy in the house - it was too hot to be outside for long with a newborn. Gas was hovering close to $4 a gallon. It cost me over $60 to fill up my SUV. (I know some things have a way of repeating themselves.)

Well, my trip down memory lane has to do with the introduction of a fuel savings program in Richmond. Ukrop's Supermarkets and Uppy's Fuel Centers combined forces and introduced fuelperks! to us. The concept was that when you spent a certain amount you received a set credit off a gallon of gas.

It was a great idea - two things you had to buy groceries and gas!

In the last 5 years, we have lost Ukrop's to Martin's and Uppy's has been bought by another company, but the opportunity to buy groceries and save on gas is still available. In Richmond, Kroger also offers a discount at their fuel centers based on the amount you spend on groceries.

Do you take advantage of the fuel discounts available at the grocery store? Are there other stores that offer this type of discount?

 

Frugal Living Tip #47 - Use a Water Filter

Use a Water Filter

This is a topic that can cause great dissension, because it comes down to personal taste.

Steve has no problems drinking the tap water at our house. I swear it has a "taste" to it and can't drink it unless I get it from the refrigerator water filter. I can even tell when it is time to change the filter before the light comes because the water starts to get a taste.

Using a water filter for people like me, who swear they can taste a difference in tap water, can save lots of money compared to buying bottled water. Bottled water can range from ~$0.50 a bottle to over $2 a bottle! I am not saying to never buy bottled water, but for everyday use buying bottled water can be a huge expense.

I have several reusable water bottles that I fill-up almost daily. I try to use one even if I am going to be home for the day so that I can make sure I am drinking enough. I take one with me when I am out running errands, I take one to the YMCA, I take one to work, I have even been known to take one to church.

I will admit that if you were to visit my house you would find a case or two of bottled water. I keep it on hand in case we are traveling to keep in the car, or in case of an emergency and we don't have access to clean water. But, the bottom line is that a small investment in a reusable water bottle and a water filtration pitcher or faucet attachment can save you money in the long run.

 

Frugal Living Tip #46 - Produce Box Delivery

Produce Box Delivery

I have mentioned several times over the last few years about my bi-weekly produce box delivery from Dominion Harvest. I love it!

I first met one of the owners about 2 years ago at the expo for the Ukrop's Monument Avenue 10k. He explained to me that his business is a little bit different than a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) co-op. The biggest differences are that you don't have to buy a certain number of shares, and they deliver it to your house as opposed to you having to be at a certain location during a certain time frame.

I have had a wonderful experience with them over the past two years. This winter is actually the first time that I have experienced a price increase -not surprising the way gas prices have risen.

I personally get the cardinal box every other week. I have a small container garden over the summer so I supplement with that or a trip to the store. That is what works out for our family. The great thing about Dominion Harvest is that you can pick what works for your family and choose add-ons if you want to try something new.

I feel like purchasing the produce box is a savings. I save money because It comes from a local farm - less travel means lower shipping cost. It gets delivered to my door - I save on gas and avoid picking up other items while I am shopping. The best part is that I am also helping to support local farms.

Do you get a similiar produce delivery? I know there are similar businesses so please share their name and info if you use them.

***Please note this is truly my opinion of a service that I subscribed to for my family. I pay for a bi-weekly delivery and have not been compensated by Dominion Harvest for this or any previous posts on Ann’s Crazy World.***

 

Frugal Living Tip #45 - On-line Coupon Codes

On-line Coupon Codes

I mentioned in my post about prepaid phone cards that by purchasing them from an on-line site that I get them for less than the actual value. I also discussed the pros and cons to on-line shopping in the previous post.

If you have ever made a purchase on-line you have probably seen a box when you are entering info at check-out asking for a promo or discount code. It only takes a few minutes to look for the code and if you find one it can mean free shipping, an upgrade to a faster shipping option, or a discount on your total purchase. You can go to a few sites that provide a database for these codes such as retailmenot.com or couponcabin.com. The other place to look is an Internet search engine. (This is a great way to try to get more Swagbucks!). You can just enter into the search engine "promo code", "coupon code", or "check out code" and the name of the retailer you are shopping with.

Do you try to look for an on-line code when you are shopping on-line? Do you have other sites that you like to search for check out codes to save on on-line purchases?

Frugal Living Tip #44 - On-line Shopping

On-line Shopping

Shopping on-line can save you money compared to shopping in a store. This can be because of the ability of the on-line retailer to purchase in bulk, and not having to operate stores. Just like so many things there are pros and cons to on-line shopping.

Pros:

• It can be less expensive
• More selection
• You don't have to go to multiple stores looking for an item or to compare prices
• You can also get a gift sent directly to someone for a wedding, new baby, birthday, or other special occasion
• You can also get free shipping from some sites or free shipping if you pick it up from the actual store

Cons:

• You can't see the item in person
• You have to wait to receive the item
• You may have to pay for shipping
• You have to leave information like an e-mail or telephone number in addition to your shipping address which may lead to future solicitations
• For some people making an on-line payment can be an issue.

I like to try to support local businesses, but sometimes the deal at the on-line retailer are almost impossible to beat. It is also nice to not have to make an additional trip with kids in tow. How about you do you buy things on-line? Do you have a favorite place like amazon, or eBay that you buy from regularly? What kinds of items do you buy?