Deals and Steals

I rarely shop in stores, I prefer online shopping much more! No driving around, finding a parking space, dealing with crabby cashiers, or employees who know nothing about the stuff they are selling. Why would I want to do this if I can shop 24/7 online, no lines, no waiting! Plus when shopping online, you can compare prices at many different stores instantly and get reviews from products from people who actually have the product and have used it, not the guy at who works at the store who will say anything to make a sale.

So where are the best places online to find deals you ask. It depends on what you are looking for. But, here are some I use a lot.

Ebay-new and used stuff. You can find some pretty good deals here. Just make sure you read the descriptions carefully and check out the seller's feedback rating. If you buy or sell on here, be sure to use PayPal as your method of payment, they offer protection to you if something goes wrong. I've had great luck on Ebay, both as a buyer and seller.

Amazon.com-they tend to have pretty low or average prices on anything you could want or need. Plus, since you don't pay tax you will save money over the competition. And many items are eligible for free shipping(with a minimum $25 purchase).

Ben's Bargains- a neat site with tons of deals! This website loaded with freebies and coupons, plus get reviews on items and ways to save more money.

Ebates- Get paid for stuff you are buying already. Sign up for free and link through their site to many different stores. Earn a percentage of cash back on purchases. Even refer friends and you both get $5 when they sign up.
http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=O5mcuavIKzr8iIypwuhw4g%3D%3D

REI.com-Check out their major sales usually held twice a year. Items ending in .83 will have an additional 50% off. Plus they will ship to the store for free, which saves you a lot on shipping. They have a great return policy. Become a member and earn dividends on your purchases.

When I do go to the store to shop I stick with my short list:

Menards- Great for lawn and garden items, but also other household needs. They offer a lot of free or reduced price items with their rebates. The only catch is you have to use your rebate check to shop there.

Walmart- Low prices! One stop shopping, especially if it is a Super Center. They have good prices on most grocery items (I tend to stay away from their produce, because it's not the freshest and it is pretty expensive)as well as baby needs and medications.

Target- I like Target for clothing. But wait for it to go on clearance! Walmart is generally cheaper for all other things.

Costco/Sam's Club- I love the warehouse clubs for grocery staples like milk, eggs and bread. Beware some bulk items are not cheaper, but if you like the idea of shopping less often, it may be worth it in the long run. Costco also has great coupon books they will send out about 4 times a year. Most warehouse clubs also have gas stations, look for savings of up to 20 cents a gallon.

Lowe's/Home Depot- They tend to be a bit pricier than Menards but if you have a 10% off coupon(they will accept competitor's coupons)it can even things out. You can sometimes find great clearance deals!

Cub- I do most of my grocery shopping here. They have a large selection of food. Watch for their great 10 for $10 deals and buy one get one free. You don't need to subscribe to the paper either, because they have their coupon books and ads in store. Plus earn 1 cent off per gallon of gas off Holiday with every $10 spent.

Now that you know where to shop for savings, here are some ways to save even more.

Coupons- There are many ways to get coupons. Signing up for mailing lists, or email newsletters to your favorite store is one way. Better yet there are many websites dedicated to coupons/promotional codes. The easiest way to find what you are looking for is to do an internet search. Some stores even let you "stack" coupons. Or purchase coupons from Ebay. And don't forget a lot of retailer's will accept competitor's coupons as well as expired ones, so always check to find out their policies.

Comparison shop- Always check the price at as many places you can. And keep an eye on the price after you buy it. You can usually get the lower price of an item if it goes onsale within 30 days of purchase.

Sign up for rewards- Some stores offer special bonus sales or rewards for shopping with them. Be sure to ask the cashier. Take advantage of these free programs.

Price matching- You might already know that many stores have a price-matching policy. But you might not know you can use a coupon on top of this. If they are hesitant to do this for you ask to speak to a manager or take your business elsewhere.

Haggle- Yes, it is possible to haggle. Not necessarily the price of the item, but things like shipping.

Some of the best places to find deals are second hand stores. One major benefit is tht you can find many different name brands under one roof. Another benefit is being able to shop for everyone in your family at the same store. And you can usually find clothing for all seasons year round. Second hand stores often run sales and offer additional discounts throughout the year, which makes it even more affordable.

Best second hand stores:

Goodwill- Offers clothing, household decor, housewares, sporting goods, toys and more. Usually have discounts throughout the week.

Savers- Pretty similar to Goodwill, good sales.

Once Upon a Child- Great for baby furniture, maternity clothes, children's clothes (sizes newborn to 12/14), toys and books. Some clearance items, coupons, and frequent buyer stamp card.

Clothes Mentor-a new kind of RESALE STORE for women's clothing (sizes 0-26, including maternity), shoes, accesories, and designer purses. Best selection of used women's clothing I have seen. Everything is in style, and they even carry designer jeans!

Instead of buying something when you need it, try and be proactive. Buy things at the end of the season for much better deals. When shopping for kids just make sure to buy clothing a size or two bigger so you make sure it fits. Also stock up on items when they are cheap, buy the same item in a variety of colors.

Sometimes however it is better to wait. For instance around the holidays, since stores are trying to compete, they will offer additional incentives like free shipping.

Also, if you are buying gifts it is best to do it within 3 months of the occasion. Most stores will only honor the receipt that long.

If there is anything thing I love more than getting a great deal, it's getting something for FREE!!!! Here are a few places to find free samples:

Walmart.com- Click on "In Stores Now", and scroll down to "Free Samples". Many different item samples like makeup, lotion, pet food, baby care, and much more! No need to sign up for anything.

StartSampling.com- Choose from different samples and coupons. Free to join, plus earn reward points for signing up and being active on their site.

Free downloads and activities:

HP Activity Center: Hundreds of free print projects and online classes.

FamilyFun.com-Great family activities, recipes, and crafts.