Rochelle White gave us great tips for retail and travel savings. Jennifer Deliskave described the coupon program she uses to save lots of money on groceries. Karalee Roylance shared tips on buying gifts off season and reducing stress at holiday time. Ann Kocherhans showed us how you can eat out cheaper at almost any type of restaurant. Lola Bird is a member of the Community Food Co-Op of Utah, described to us how it worked, and was enthusiastic about her family's participation. Teresa Love directed us to The Salt lake Tribune's Lesley Mitchell's blog "One Cheap Chick," which has a whole variety of deals, freebies and financial advice; also provided an article at time.com about "Recession Shopping:10 things to Buy Now."
The following are my notes from the evening. Feel free to comment on the posts to include things I've inadvertently omitted, or to share your own ideas. Also, nobody is officially endorsing anything, just passing on their personal experiences. So, buyer (and web surfer), beware!
The Community Food Co-op of Utah: Crossroads Urban Center
http://www.crossroads-u-c.org
Jennifer's program: You should call Jen to get the details, but here is info to get you started: www.weeklyshoppingguide.blogspot.com
One Cheap Chic (Also a Money reporter for the Trib) http://blogs.sltrib.com/cheap/
Rochelle: Retail and Travel
- Use the web (GOOGLE) to get to know your retail prices
- Use your phone, and call early in the day before the store gets busy. They will be able to locate other store that have what you need. But if they are too busy, don't hesitate to call several locations to find the product. Often they will ship it to your local store free of charge. If you have to return it you can just return it to the local store.
- Price match. Walmart and Nordstom are especially good at this. Rochelle just takes her ads to the checkout at Walmart and if it's lower, the cashier just gives the lower price.
- Use coupon codes for web purchases. Research before you "checkout."
- currentcodes. com retailmenot.com couponcodes4u.com discountcodes.com dealtaker.com naughtycodes.com keycode.com couponsaver.com
- Does it have to be brand new? check out E-bay, KSL Classifieds, Savers, Deseret Industries, etc.
- Re Travel: Use all your sources. Price compare. See what is offed on the net and call the hotel directly to see if they will match that price. This way you'll skip fee that the website sticks in and it is easy if you need to cancel. Deal directly whenever possible.
- Do they offer AAA, AARP, government discounts
- Priceline.com (great site but be aware of the conditions of use)
- Use Trip Advisor for advice on what to do, where to eat, best deals, etc...
- Hotel vs. Condo vs. House: homeaway.com or vacationrentals.com
- Other Deal websites: bensbargains.com dealsofamerica.com mybargainbuddy.com slickdeals.com fatwallet.com
- To price compare: shopzilla.com pricegrabber.com mysimon.com shopping.com
Karalee: Shop in Jan and Feb (sales) for Christmas next year. Extended family draws names, so you already know who you will be giving to. Does the same for birthdays, so Karalee keeps a birthday closet. It is essential to keep your list current and label the items (wrapped or not.) You think you will remember, but you won't! This advanced planning saves so much stress, not to mention money, as you are able to take advantage of sales.
Using only what comes in the mail, or newspaper, just to show us how nearly effortless it can be, Ann showed us all many two for one deals, free entree with purchase of an entree, etc. at restaurants ranging form fast food to mid- price sit down chains. Frankly, there is no reason to eat out at most places of these without a coupon deal.
Other odds and ends:
- Tuesday Morning didn't close. It moved to about 7000 S and Redwood rd.. Lots of closeout deals
- 1650 S 1750 W Market Square for fresh produce deals
- Airfarewatchdog.com for air fare info
- broken bags of potting soil etc., go for much less at Lowes etc.
- Check the states' lists of unclaimed money. Look under all your relative's names, etc.
- The LDS cannery dry pack staples are much less in price than retail food storage outlets. Limited items, but if you need what they have, it's a real deal
- JCPenny has been having a deal a day promotion online
- The Ross at 123rd So. is especially good
- And the TJ Max at the Brickyard (?) is good too. Nice home goods.
- Save your furniture warranties! Judy McArthur did and got a brand new couch!
