Bargain Puzzler: Which is the Cheaper Scenario?

Bargain Puzzler of the Week:

 With or Without Coupon, Which is Cheaper?

I need a tattoo that says "Always Follow Your Money".  I seem to post this again and again. But, it is pretty important. There is so much to distract and dazzle us these days, we seem to forget this simple fact. Like when you go to one store and go "WHOA! I am NOT paying $12 for THAT!" But then, we go into a higher end retailer, see the same thing or something similar and it is MARKED DOWN to $12, and suddenly, that same item is a steal... whew. That gets me sometimes!  If $12 is too expensive in one place, it is STILL too expensive in the place that was selling it for $40 originally, you know? Follow the money, lose the dazzle.

Anyway, along the lines of following the money, I present you with the Bargain Puzzler of the Week:

A)  You see an item that was $5 originally, but it is marked down to $2.  AND you don't have a coupon to use to buy it, so it would be a straightforward $2 cost on the item.

B)  You see an item that is $5.  You have a coupon that makes it  $2.  

Which scenario is the better deal? Which one comes out cheaper? Or, are they both the same... you know, 6 of one, half dozen of the other? 

Answer:  A is USUALLY the Cheaper scenario.  Yep. Shopping WITHOUT coupons to get the same price can be cheaper.

Here's why: An item selling for $2 gets taxed on the $2 amount.  So, you spend $2.14 in scenario A.

In scenario B, SOMETIMES and MOST TIMES, you get taxed on the PRE Coupon amount. Your taxable total, even though you got the item down to $2 using a coupon, is $5. You usually will pay tax on the $5 amount.  So, you will pay $2.35 for the same item you would pay $2.14 otherwise.

In this example, it isn't so much of a big deal.  BUT, you just need to stay savvy.

Quick Tip:  See those discount sites like Zulilly and such? There prices seem pretty low sometimes... Then, look at the shipping.  Many times you can go to like Amazon.com or somewhere else and see a higher price, but lower shipping. Then, it actually works out that regular sites can BEAT the discount sites once you add in all the costs.. shipping,etc.  Follow Your Money, Folks!!! :)

Quick Tip: End of the Month = Print Those Coupons!

It's The End of the Month

Time To Print, Print, Print!

End of the month is the time to make sure you go print all the coupons you are interested in. Usually, the sites such as Coupons.com will change out their coupons with the new month. They change them out regularly as well, but especially at the end of the month. I am always super excited to see what coupons I will find on the sites at the beginning of each month.

*A Word on Printing Coupons:  Don't Get Too Print Happy.  Paper, ink, toner, etc costs money.  Every time you print coupons, you are spending money whether you realize it or not.  Some folks still print every coupon "just in case".   You need to find your own stride. The worst thing is to print a bunch of coupons you don't end up using.  (But don't use a coupon solely bc you printed it.)  I seem to type it all the time, but follow the money.  A good thing to remember is that, when you are printing multiple coupons at once, they usually print 3 to a sheet.

Quick Tip: When Considering Tips and Deals, Even Mine, Follow The Money!

Quick Tip for the Day:

Follow the Money on Deals and Tips

Make Sure the Money Saving Deal You Are Getting REALLY is a Good One

Recently, I was browsing around online.. reading other blogs, checking out tips and deals, looking for tidbits to share with you all.  I ended up finding a post about saving money on things like utilities and services.  Some of the tips were your average tips we all hear.. unplug chargers, etc to save from "vampire electronics", turn off lights, take shorter showers, call your service providers and simply ask for a lower rate or a better deal, etc.

You know, the basic tips we see over and over again.  

Then, I saw one tip in particular: To save money change your phone plan to a simpler plan with less minutes or features, etc.   The idea with this tip is to save some money by cutting out "extras" from your cell phone plan.. and just take advantage of stored roll over minutes and such.

This idea is interesting. And looks good on paper. But, it also raised an issue that inspired this tip:  When deciding whether or not to snag a deal or follow a money saving tip, FOLLOW YOUR MONEY.  Make sure it will really save you money.  Don't just take a tip or deal at face value, whether the tip comes from me, or any other blogger, or even a store with a sale!

In this instance, cutting back on our cell phone "extras" has been something we have been discussing in our home.  This seems like an excellent idea. However, to temporarily cut back on our plan before our contract is up would either cost us money in fees and/or sign us up for another 2 yr contract. Usually when you make changes to cell phone, cable, etc services, you are basically renegotiating your contract with them. There can be fees or renewed commitment involved.  Over time, that money saving tip can cost you more than you think.

What to do? Just call your provider before you make changes and discuss it with them. What are the penalties? Will it renew your contract for another 2 years? If you cut back and then decide to add features, minutes, whatever, what are the repercussions of doing that?   Always follow your money BEFORE you take a tip, so that you know it is a good one for your particular needs and situations.  

Another example is from a different blogger.. They were promoting a discount site that offers different deals on items, mainly children's items.  This other blogger was promoting the Disney outfits on sale at this site.  A follower of the blogger mentioned that they saw the same outfits at a local retailer for about $3 cheaper with no shipping charges since you could just go buy them.  

My point is that us bloggers do our best to help you save money.  We really work hard to think of tips and deals to share.  In this economy, we have to stick together and cooperate.  But, don't get too comfortable with thinking we have all the BEST Tips and Deals. We try hard, but sometimes, even we don't find the absolute bestest deals and tips.  Always follow your money and critically examine our deals and tips, THEN decide to follow them!

I love my fellow bloggers! A special thank-you to Totally Target, Coupon Katarina, and especially Couponing to Disney. You guys rock!  Go follow them on Facebook! They get more comprehensive than I can even dream to think about being! Supplement with my blog. And, as always, let me know what deals or tips you guys are looking for.

Quick Tip for a Reader: Stock Up!

Quick Tip From a Comment From a Reader:

Stock Up 3 Months Worth

A reader left a comment under one of my posts with this comment:

fezfreckles said...

Anyone know of any mayo coupons I'm all out! Here's my tip- when you see a good sale on an item you use frequenly STOCK UP for at least 3 months. Usually after that time period the same deal will come back around. That way you don't go out and buy $4 mayo like I'm about to have to do! 

This made me chuckle and is very true.  When I first started couponing, all of a sudden, my eyes were opened to a world of being able to get items cheaply if not free. I immediately took for granted that free toothpaste would be a regular occurrence with my coupons. Of course, it isn't.  I didn't realize that sales went through cycle periods and I let a few good ones go.

I figured a similar coupon would come next week, or a similar sale, etc.  This is not always the case.  

I don't want to get more than my fair share at sales times. And, I don't want to turn into a hoarder (which is why I give, donate, or sell when my closet is too full).  But, this is a very good point my reader made:

Stock up at least 3 months, if not 6 months worth of items you love and use!  

Not only will this get you through to the next time this item cycles onto the sales, but it will also give you some breathing room.  If you get sick or burned out and want a break from the coupons, you will have your mini stockpile to draw from while you take a break from finding and working the deals.  

And, you will never run out and have to spend $4 for your next beloved condiment!! 

Thanks so much for the comment!!

Great Tip From a Reader About Picasa

Love to Order Stuff on the Cheap Online?

Want an Easy Way to Keep a Copy of Payment Confirmation When You Pay Your Bills Online?

One Reader Says Picasa is the Answer!

This tip I got from a reader is soo easy and simple.  I love it! I am always printing out invoices, payment confirmations, etc and then getting annoyed. More paper is more to organize and less to use to print coupons with later.  

Crystal T. Says the way to keep it all straight is to use your Picasa! I love love love this idea!  It would also be a handy way to keep up with rebates and such.

She writes:  "PICASA RULES!!! If for no other reason than this, I often buy things or pay bills online (whenever I possibly can). When you complete your transaction, they always give you that "Print this page for your records" notice. If you have Picasa running (not minimized) & that confirmation screen open, just press "Prt Sc" on your keyboard and BAM! you have a digital copy of the confirmation info"

 Great tip, Crystal!  I always say follow your money. Know when a deal is a good one and keep track of all of your expenses, orders, and receipts, etc.  

This is a great way to keep your electronic receipts.  You don't have to waste paper or rely on the accurate information being kept in your online account. I have had such info get "lost" somehow.  Take two seconds and make a record for yourself, the easy way. Use Picasa! 

**PLUS, you can then tag the things you save in Picasa for handy reference later!

Always Follow the Money... Even When Buying Fruit Snacks

I Almost had a D'OH Moment of My Own

A Well Meaning Lady At Winn Dixie ALMOST Had Me Convinced to Pay Too Much for the Kids' Fruit Snacks This Week!

In today's hectic world, it is very very easy to fall for a good "deal" that really isn't that great.  This past week, I had to run in to Winn Dixie real quick.  I almost fell for a not so good deal.

I was standing in the fruit snack aisle with my kids. Since they were behaving in the store, for once, I was letting them choose a fruit snack box.  They picked out Phineas and Ferb by Kelloggs. Normally, these are pricey. This week, they were $1.99 for 12.  Not great, but better than normal.

As I was heading to the checkout, this lady glances in my buggy and says "OH! Did you see that the Winn Dixie Brand is only 99c a box? They are cheaper and just as good."  And, I have indeed found that most store brand fruit snacks ARE just as good as name brand. SO, about face I go. I bet I could convince the kids to swap the Phineas and Ferb they were going to share if I let them each pick out a box.. twice as much for the same price, after all...

Then, I decided that was a good stock up price. So I threw about 5 boxes into my buggy before I stopped and actually LOOKED at the boxes. They were about the same size as the Kelloggs boxes. But, sneakily on the bottom, they were printed that they only had 6 packs per box. 

So the sneaky store brand fruit snacks really weren't on a great sale. They were the same cost (less one penny..) than the name brand! Back onto the shelves went the store brand.  My kids rejoiced as their Phineas and Ferb fruit snacks went back in.

They almost had me... ALMOST!   

So when you think you are getting a deal.. store brand or otherwise, follow the money. Always follow the money.  Price it per ounce, pack, whatever.  Don't have a D'Ohment.

*It would have been worth buying two boxes for the same amount and price as the Kelloggs fruit snacks had the kids wanted different shapes..but they both wanted Phineas and Ferb anyway.

**ALSO, a couple days after this experience, I worked a coupon deal at Target to pay around 89c or less a box of 10ct Market Pantry fruit snacks. That was the best deal no matter how you did the math. I bought 4 boxes.

Trial/Travel Sizes- Don't Pass These Freebies Up

Change Your Perspective:

"Buy" Trial/Travel Sizes

Many times I have come across folks, in conversation or otherwise, that seem to have an automatic aversion to buying Trial and Travel sized items.  The arguments are usually the same:  They run out faster. They aren't good value for the money. They are hard to store versus a traditional sized item that stands on its own more easily. ETC.

I say those of you that automatically dismiss the travel/trial sizes are missing out on some really nice deals in the long run. Should you waste that $1 or $2 off coupon on the smaller size? Sometimes, yes. It is totally to your advantage to do such a thing.

Why You Should Buy Travel/Trial Sizes:

• They can be moneymakers. If the trial size is 97c, and you have a $1 off coupon, most stores have the policy to "value the coupon down" to 97c, making the item free.  However, a lot of time, I have found clerks that don't care or pay attention (even after I make sure to point it out to them. I like to coupon with integrity.) and they accept the $1 off. You just got a 3c moneymaker.  Ok, so 3c doesn't do it for you? I just bought 2 Secret Clinical Trial sized, and one 1 load Tide. I used manuf and store stacked coupons worth $7.25. The items cost $6.12. The clerk accepted the coupons' full amounts, and these items ended up to be moneymakers for me.
• They fit more neatly on your shower racks or in drawers. You can also get bins to put in your closet to hold them.
• If you find yourself with an overstock of these items, shelters, etc accept them easily as donations to hand out to those in need.
• Certain kinds of product have readily available coupons without size exclusions that make getting them free every week a reality. This means you may never have to pay for deodorant again.
• When you are too tired to work a drugstore deal, or your coupons you have been holding "just in case" are about to expire, turning them into actual product by buying trial/travel sized is quick and easy.

When to Use a Coupon on a Trial/Travel Sized Item:

• When the item is free or a money maker, use the coupon.
• When you are working a rebate deal that does not exclude trial/travel sized items, use the coupons. For example, I recently worked a rebate offer that said "Buy $50 worth of P&G product, get a $20 rebate check." The rebate took the full pre-coupon amount towards the $50 you had to purchase. I bought TONS of trial/travel sized items for FREE.  If it was a 97c item, it took 97c off the $50 I had to purchase, even if I got the 97c item free after coupon. I spent less than $5 out of pocket working that deal, and got my $20 rebate check in the mail.
• When you have a decent coupon without size exclusion and it is about to expire, go ahead and buy a travel/trial sized item.
• When you do the math and it is really cheaper. For example, when I am stocked up with laundry detergent.. enough to last two months... I will take every $1 off any Tide coupon I can find and go buy Tide 1 load in the travel area.  Sometimes, this sized Tide is $1.12. The couponer's stock up price on detergent is 20c or less a load. $1.12 is WAY too pricey. But, if you have enough laundry detergent on hand already, go ahead and "burn" those $1 off Tide coupons on the travel size. That leaves about 12c or less, depending. 12c a load is an AMAZING stock up price! 
• When you can get nicer products that last a while FREE... and you would have to pay for generics. Every time I get a $1 off any Olay Bar, Wash, etc coupon, I take it to the travel section and get 1 bar of Olay Soap for free. Soap lasts a while, so this is one of my fave finds in the travel section.

Things to Consider When Buying Travel/Trial:

• Make your life easier:  point your travel/trial sized items out to the clerk when they are checking you out.  Most coupons "beep" when you try to use them on trial/travel sized items. Pointing the items out can save you time and aggravation later when the coupon beeps and the clerk has to verify whether or not you have the item(s) on your ticket. They have to verify by scrolling through your purchase on the computer, or they (you) have to dig through all the bags to find those small items to prove you bought them.  Most clerks are so happy that you saved them time and aggravation that they will usually just automatically accept your beeping coupons after this.
• Make sure you KNOW what the coupon states in the fine print. Make sure it does NOT exclude the trial/travel sizes or specify a larger size.  
• Know and carry the store's coupon policy with you.  When you are using coupons on trial/travel sizes, it is very important to know the store's policy ahead of time. Most stores will value the coupon down if it is worth more than the cost of the trial/travel item.  Some stores, like Walmart now, will allow coupon overage, thus ensuring a few moneymakers in your buggy. When I was really green at couponing, I went to use a $1 off Johnsons coupon on a 97c Johnson's Buddy Soap.  The clerk REFUSED my coupon, stating that the purchase had to be MORE than $1 to use the coupon. I was annoyed, but didn't know the policy for sure. So, I went and grabbed another Soap and bought both for 49c ea after the coupon. Still a decent deal. But when I got home and called my coupon mentor, she laughed at me a teensy bit.  I should have known the policy and stood my ground. Their policy was to value the coupon down and give me the item free at 97c off. The clerk was wrong. Often, especially since then, I have found that the clerks really don't know their own policy. 

WHEN YOU GET A CLERK THAT DOESN'T KNOW THE POLICY AND/OR GIVES YOU A HARD TIME:

1. Explain their policy to them nicely. THEN
2. Offer to SHOW them their policy. THEN
3. Politely Beg to Differ when they say they know the policy. THEN
4. Ask for a manager to come clarify the issue so you know the actual policy for in the future. (See, you are being nice and putting it on yourself. We all know YOU know the real policy. While the manager is walking over, pull out your copy of the policy. The manager will come get the story on the issue. 9 times out of 10, they will tell the clerk you are right. Because we know you are. Couponers study the policy better than clerks most times. If you stay nice and pleasant, it will be easy to get your coupons accepted. Or easier, anyway.  You do coupon with integrity, after all.  If you get an attitude, no amount of being in the right will help you. The manager will go along with the clerk if you tick them off.)

So, give Trial/Travel sizes a chance!
I haven't had to pay for Head and Shoulders, Secret, Olay Soap, etc in a very long time!

Save Money, Time, and Aggravation: Organize!

Planning a Big Trip?

Know What Type of Deals You Will Score This Week?

ORGANIZE BEFORE YOU SHOP!

This seems like a pretty basic "duh" kind of concept. But it is my "aha!" moment for the day.  

I spend all this time looking at circulars, clipping coupons, etc to get these awesome deals. And, often, the way the deals work is for you to buy in multiple quantities. The toothpaste I bought last week is a good example. I bought about 5 tubes of toothpaste for FREE. Some were even moneymakers. It might be several months before another good toothpaste deal comes around to work. SO, you do need to strike when the iron is hot, so to speak.

Nothing ruins the high of freebies more quickly than getting home and going "Crap! Now where to put all this??!"  I am constantly annoyed with myself and organizing and reorganizing. Now, I keep my stock to reasonable levels and am often giving friends and family members my overstock.  But even so, it is such a chore to have spent a few hours shopping, just to come home and shuffle it around and make room.  

Today, I had my "aha!" moment. See, I know I have this HUGE deal in the works for later this week. A local store, only our location, is having a BIG sale AND I have an additional 45% off... This means I will be buying a LOT of great products.. as in I could theoretically take $400+ worth to the register and only pay $100.  It hit me that I will need a place to store my items.  

So, with that deal coming up in mind, and my Target run for tonight looming on the near horizon, I thought "aha!" I will clear out my pantry and reorganize today so that my items can just go right in the pantry. No muss, no fuss, no messy clean ups. ;)  

It will also refresh you on what you need, and what you have a lot of already.  Also, be sure to organize dated items so that you will use the one that expires earliest, first!

SO, I leave you with a tip of the day to keep your deal scoring high going a few minutes longer... ORGANIZE your closet/pantry/etc BEFORE you go shopping!  (You all probably had this figured out... you smart cookies!) 

Quit Tip: Change Your Coupon Perspective & Get What You Really Want

Take a Moment, Run the Numbers, and Work the Deal to Get What You Really Want!

Did you know that you can turn seemingly random and unrelated deals into the things you REALLY want? All it takes is a little creative thinking. Change the way you coupon. You know, the straight-forward perspective, and really think about what you could do with any given deal.

Recently, I turned my cereal coupons into a free date night with my husband. Date night comes few and far-between. A usual date night to the movies, for example, can run us more than $66! With three small children to care for, that is an indulgence we don't often enjoy.

However, I found that Kelloggs had a really wonderful promotion going on: Buy specially marked boxes of cereal, enter the code inside the packages into your account online, redeem for prizes (including various movie tickets and concession cash). I checked the list of participating movie theaters, and mine was one of them!! So, I set out on a mission.

And, Target came through for me, big time! They ran a whole bunch of "Buy 3, Get the 4th  Free" on the Kellogg's cereals. Since this was a store promotion, you could stack a Target coupon and a Manufacturer's coupon on these cereals. I bought tons and tons of different Kelloggs cereals. This was fine, because my family of 5 eats a lot of cereal, and everyone has their flavors.  I made sure to buy the cheaper boxes and use lots of coupons. I ended up spending about $9, getting my cereals for 75 cents a box, or less. 

Then, I went and redeemed my codes for 2 Free Movie Tickets and $20 in Concession cash to buy popcorn with! We waited for a visit from Nana so that we could get free babysitting too.

We paid another $2 to cover the extra candy my husband wanted to go with his popcorn. (I think we used the tickets and such to go see Inception).

Summary: We spent a total of $11 out of pocket. We got more than 10 boxes of Kelloggs cereal, and about $38 worth of movie theater money. Had I not used coupons, all that would have cost us $25 for the cereal and $38 for the movie = $63 (oh and another $2 for the candy, so $65.)

What if you don't eat cereal? Do the math: Spend $9 on Cereal, get $38 worth of Movie Tickets and Concession Cash, FREE!  Why wouldn't you work that deal? Donate the Cereal! You still "make" $29 working a deal like this. 

All it takes is a little creative thinking!