Secret savings codes!
Just because it’s the season to shop ’til you drop doesn’t mean you have to drop a bundle on your gift list! From strategic tips to savvy savings tools, it’s easy to save more online and in stores!
✤ Get coupon codes automatically with the Honey browser! Want to score the best online coupon codes without having to track them down yourself? Download the free Honey browser extension (Joinhoney.com), urges shopping pro Kyle James (Rather-be-shopping.com). “It’ll change how you shop,” he promises. “When you visit a retailer’s website—say, Macys.com or Target. com—that has a coupon code, the Honey browser will notify you by lighting up the Honey logo at the top of your screen. Just click on the little ‘H’, and it’ll show all the coupon codes for that store and do the math to find the best deal. For example, if there’s a coupon code for $15 off and one for 20% off, Honey will calculate the coupon that’ll save you the most on a specific product and apply it at checkout!” Also try Invisiblehand (Getinvisiblehand.com) to automatically link to the lowest price option. ✤ Pocket even more cash back with Topcashback.com! “What makes this site different is that they offer the highest cash-back rates in the country from over 3,500 retailers,” says James. “For example, you can get 10% back at Amazon and Groupon, up to 6% back at Walmart and 8% back at Gap brands and Macys.com. You simply start all of your shopping at their website or via their app. Make a purchase, and your account will get credited with a cash-back percentage automatically.” Tip: “Double dip” your savings by purchasing discounted gift cards, advises James. “Buy discounted gift cards for hundreds of top stores at Raise.com,” and Topcashback will give you 2% cash back on your $20-plus gift card purchase.
✤ Snag hidden coupons by hitting the chat button!
Ask and ye shall receive . . . free shipping and more! “If you hit the ‘live chat’ button while you’re shopping online, you can often score free shipping and coupon codes just by asking, especially during the holidays,” reveals James. “In many cases, the live chat operator has coupons sitting right on her desk available to you if you simply ask politely. Just let them know that you couldn’t find, say, a free shipping coupon and that it would really help you out.” Photos: yayayoyo/crestock/masterfile; istockphoto/getty Images (3); Superstock; Illia Uriadnikov/alamy; amazon.com. Score in-store savings! ✤ Ring up discounted toys on December 16th! That’s the day you’re most likely to find the most in-store savings on toys for your kids and grandkids, says James, who pinpointed this super-savings day by researching retail patterns over the last nine years. “Unless you have a hot, must-have toy on your list that you need to buy early before it sells out, you’re better off waiting until December 16th to see the most discounts.” Tip: Your best shopping days for electronics? “Typically around the second weekend in December is when you’ll see better-than-black Friday deals on TVS,” reveals James. “You’ll get 20% to 25% off what you’d pay the following weekend.” ✤ Steal savings by bundling! “At big-box stores like Best Buy, be on the lookout for a reason to ask for a lower price,” suggests James. “For example, if there’s a slight scratch on a Blu-ray player, ask if they’ll shave off a few dollars because of the imperfection.” Better yet, bundle items for savings: “A few months ago I did this at Best Buy,” says James. “I was buying a TV and a stereo, and I asked the manager if he could give me a discount since I was buying more than one item— and he took $15 off!”
After a few “badeating” weekends, Chicago event planner Taylor Staus, 26, didn’t feel her slimmest. “I was excited to give this plan a try,” she says. And she wasn’t disappointed. “The food was good. It was easy. I felt great.” And it was like the fat just melted off. She shed 7.6 pounds in five days. Her best advice: “Just do it. You won’t regret it!”