Ok, first... There is the SHOPPING side of things:1. Always compare prices. Get to know store's price matching policies. And sign up for their sale circular emails. Keep coupons. You can compare store prices online for most items. Such as with Petsmart, Petco, Walgreens, RiteAid, Walmart, CVS and Target. Once you know the lowest list price, check their circulars for a sale and your stash for a coupon.
2. I don't have any credit cards. But some stores have useful rewards programs. Victoria's Secret has a card thats pretty useful for building credit (but you need credit to get it). It allows you to buy the item on the card (thus getting points) and immediately pay off the card balance in cash right after the transaction so you don't carry a balance, but the transaction and timely payment will be on your report.
Nordstroms has a card that gives you two points back for every dollar spent at Nordstroms and Nordstroms Rack. Sales days provide double or triple points per dollar at times. As you earn these points, you get access to special sales, services and receive Nordstrom Notes to spend at Nordstrom. You also get 1 point per dollar on this card for shopping anywhere else.
3. If shopping online, always check google for e-coupon codes for the retailer and then check BING.com, EBATES.com and MYPOINTS.com before making a purchase. These three sites give you a little kick back for shopping. Anywhere from 2-25% back for bing and ebates. And Mypoints will give you points per dollar back, which can be applied toward purchasing giftcards to retailers like Amazon, Barns&Nobles, Walmart, Target and such. Sometimes, the kickbacks are paired with free shipping. Simply search the store on all three sites, choose the better deal, do your shopping and use your coupon code. You can even get rebates from shopping on ebay.
4. CVS, Walgreens and RiteAid have great rewards programs and sales promotions. Pair these up with coupons and you can get some great deals. But I don't recommend buying products that don't have a promo going. These stores generally cost more than target or walmart. But when they have a sales promo going, you can get an amazing deal. Like $30 worth of shampoo and conditioner for a mere $8 out of pocket.
5. Check out Discount retailers first. TJMaxx, Marshalls, ROSS, Nordstrom Rack and such usually have much better deals regardless of where you like to shop. They have everything from the EXACT same clothes Forever21 carries to the designer goods high end retailers carry (like Juicy Couture, Dooney&Bourke, Coach, Burberry, D&G, True Religion, Seven for all mankind, ect)And they usually have very full clearance racks. TJMaxx/Marshalls and Nordstrom Rack also have rewards cards.
5. When grocery shopping. Try and plan a menu around what you already have, whats on sale and what you have coupons for.
6. Petfood companies issue a lot of coupons. Some of them you need to request though. Blue Buffalo and Innova/Evo coupons can be requested through the company websites. As can samples. Purina and Iams coupons are EVERYWHERE. PetSmart usually accepts competitor coupons and is willing to price match. They also have nice sales now and then.
7. Craigslist: If you're looking for furniture, car parts, a fence or any large items. Check Craigslist first. There are many free and inexpensive finds on craigslist. And you can even barter for what you want.
8. If you like to eat out, look for coupons for the restaurant (on-line and in-print) and check out restaurant.com for significant discounts on restaurant gift-cards.
9. If you can't find a coupon for what you want, contact the company. Ask for a free sample while you're at it. Save the samples for when you're running low on something or for traveling.
The SAVINGS side of things:1. At the end of the pay period, add up what you've saved with in-store coupons and add that amount to savings.
2. Allow your e-savings to build up. You can allow these to be paid directly to paypal or request a check. Let your mypoints build up and get yourself a gift-card.
3. At the end of the day, if you have any loose change or $5 bills in your purse/wallet... Take them out and tuck them in a jar.
4. Of course: Budget a specific amount of money to go into savings each pay period.
How to make a little extra spare cash:1. Use Ebates, Bing and Mypoints.
2. Do a few online surveys and mypoints emails while you have your morning coffee or tea.
3. Don't toss out old clothes and jewelry. First consign them, consignments can usually give you a much better pay out than a yard-sale. Whatever doesn't sell at consignment, then try and yard-sale it or donate it and get a tax receipt.
4. Furniture: Sell/barter on craigslist or donate and get a tax receipt.
5. Books: Some dealers will buy books off you. You can sometimes make more selling them to a dealer than you will at a yard-sale. For textbooks, try cash4books.com. You can also list the books on Amazon.com or bonanzle. I wouldn't bother with ebay since you have to pay even if it doesn't sell. And if it does sell, you end up paying three different fees total: One fee to list. One final value fee and One paypal sellers fee. If they don't sell, again: Donate and get a tax receipt.
