The Website Trick That Saved Me $27 on a Single Purchase (It’s Automatic)
The ‘Effortless’ Coupon Finder
I love a good deal, but I hate searching for coupon codes. I installed a free browser extension called Honey. It works silently in the background. I was recently buying a new pair of shoes online, and when I got to the checkout page, a little box from Honey popped up and said, “We found 3 coupon codes!” I clicked “Apply Coupons,” and it automatically tested them and applied the best one, saving me twenty-seven dollars. It’s a brilliant tool that does all the bargain hunting for me.
I Never Pay Full Price for Gas Anymore. Here’s the App I Use.
The ’30 Cents a Gallon’ Secret
With my fixed income, the price of gas really matters. I started using a free app called GasBuddy. Before I even start my car, I open the app and it shows me a map of all the nearby gas stations and their current prices. The other day, I was about to pull into my usual station, but the app showed me another one just three blocks away that was 30 cents cheaper per gallon. On a 12-gallon fill-up, that’s a saving of three dollars and sixty cents.
How I Read Bestsellers and Watch Movies for Free (Legally) Using a Library App
My ‘Entertainment’ on a Budget
I love to read and watch movies, but the cost of buying books and renting from streaming services adds up. My library card has become my most valuable possession. Using a free app called Libby, I can borrow an unlimited number of e-books and audiobooks directly to my tablet. And with another app called Kanopy, also linked to my library card, I can stream thousands of classic films, documentaries, and independent movies for free. It saves me hundreds of dollars a year.
The Browser Extension That Tells Me if an Amazon Price is Actually a Good Deal
The ‘Is It a Real Sale?’ Detector
I was looking at a kitchen mixer on Amazon that was listed as being “on sale.” I used a browser extension called CamelCamelCamel. It adds a little button to the Amazon page that shows me the entire price history of that item. I could see that the current “sale” price was actually higher than the regular price from two months ago. It’s a powerful tool that helps me know if a sale is genuine or just a marketing gimmick.
I Cut My Grocery Bill by 20% Using My Store’s Digital Coupon App
The ‘No-Scissors’ Savings
I used to spend my Sunday mornings clipping paper coupons. It was a hassle. Now, I use my grocery store’s app. Before I shop, I spend 10 minutes scrolling through the “Digital Coupons” section and tapping to “clip” the ones for products I normally buy. When I check out and enter my phone number, all the savings are applied automatically. Combined with their weekly ad, I’ve consistently lowered my grocery bill by about 20% with very little effort.
The App That Pays Me Real Money for Scanning My Grocery Receipts
From ‘Trash’ to ‘Treasure’
I started using a free app called Fetch Rewards. It’s incredibly simple. After I go grocery shopping, I just open the app and take a picture of my receipt. The app gives me points for every receipt I scan, and extra points if I bought specific brand-name products. Over a few months, those points add up, and I can redeem them for real gift cards to places like Amazon or Target. It’s like getting paid for my trash.
How I Found a Cheaper Cell Phone Plan for Seniors That Halved My Bill
The ‘$60 a Month’ Mistake
I was paying over sixty dollars a month for my single line of service with a major carrier. I realized I was paying for a huge amount of data that I never used. I went to a website that compares cell phone plans and discovered carriers that cater specifically to seniors, like Mint Mobile and Consumer Cellular. I switched to a plan that offered plenty of data for my needs for just thirty dollars a month. I cut my bill in half without noticing any difference in service quality.
The Website That Finds All the Senior Discounts I’m Entitled To
My ‘Discount’ Detective
I always knew to ask for a senior discount at a restaurant, but I had no idea how many other discounts I was missing out on. I found a website called TheSeniorList.com. It has comprehensive lists of senior discounts for everything from grocery stores and drugstores to cell phone plans and travel. I learned that my local grocery store offers a 10% discount on Tuesdays, and my cell phone provider has a special plan. It’s a fantastic resource for making my money go further.
I Put My Vacation on “Price Alert” and Saved $300 on My Flight
The ‘Patient’ Traveler’s Reward
My wife and I wanted to fly to see our grandkids, but the ticket prices seemed high. I went on Google Flights, entered our desired route and dates, and instead of buying, I toggled on the “Track prices” feature. For the next few weeks, I got an email whenever the price changed. One morning, I got an alert that the price had dropped by one hundred fifty dollars per ticket. I booked it immediately. A little bit of patience and a simple price alert saved us three hundred dollars.
The App That Finds All My Unused Subscriptions and Helps Me Cancel Them
The ‘Zombie’ Subscription Killer
I was looking at my credit card statement and saw a few small, recurring charges for services I didn’t even remember signing up for. I downloaded an app called Rocket Money. I securely linked my credit card, and the app immediately identified all my recurring subscriptions. It found a $9.99 charge for a streaming service I hadn’t used in a year. With one tap in the app, it helped me cancel the “zombie” subscription and stop the money leak.
How I Use Facebook Marketplace to Find Incredible Deals on Second-Hand Goods
My ‘Digital’ Yard Sale
I needed a new bookshelf for my office but didn’t want to spend a lot of money. I went on Facebook Marketplace and searched for “bookshelf” in my local area. I found a beautiful, solid wood bookshelf that someone was selling for just forty dollars because they were moving. I was able to message them, and I picked it up the next day. It’s like a giant, city-wide yard sale that you can browse from your couch.
The Secret to Getting Promo Codes That Actually Work
The ‘Automatic’ Deal Finder
I used to waste so much time searching for promo codes online, only to find they were all expired. I installed a free browser extension called Capital One Shopping. Now, when I’m shopping online and get to the checkout page, it automatically searches for and applies the best available coupon codes for me. It’s a “set it and forget it” tool that has saved me money at dozens of different stores, and I never have to manually search for a code again.
I Compared Prescription Prices with GoodRx and Saved $80 on One Refill
My ‘Pharmacy’ Price Checker
My doctor prescribed a new medication, and when I went to my usual pharmacy, they told me it would be over one hundred dollars for a one-month supply. I pulled out my phone and opened the GoodRx app. I typed in the name of the medication, and the app showed me the price at every pharmacy in my town using their free coupon. It found the same prescription at a grocery store pharmacy for just twenty dollars. That free app saved me eighty dollars.
The “Buy Nothing” Group That Furnished My Guest Room for Free
The ‘Gift Economy’ in My Neighborhood
When my daughter moved out, I had an empty guest room. I joined my local “Buy Nothing” group on Facebook. The group’s purpose is to give away things you no longer need. Over the course of a few weeks, I was able to get a beautiful, gently used armchair from one neighbor, a nightstand from another, and a lovely lamp from someone a few streets over. I furnished the entire room for free, all while building connections with my neighbors and keeping good items out of a landfill.
How I Lowered My Car Insurance by Taking a Defensive Driving Course Online
The ‘Easiest’ 10% Discount
My car insurance company sent me a notice that if I completed a recognized defensive driving course, I could get a 10% discount on my premium for three years. I found a state-approved course online for twenty-five dollars. I was able to complete the video modules at my own pace over a weekend. I sent the certificate of completion to my insurance agent, and the discount was applied to my next bill. The course paid for itself almost immediately.
The App That Rounds Up My Purchases and Invests the Spare Change
The ‘Digital’ Change Jar
I wanted to start saving a little extra, but I’m on a fixed income. I signed up for an app called Acorns. I linked my debit card to it. Now, when I buy a coffee for three dollars and fifty cents, the app automatically “rounds up” the purchase to four dollars and invests that extra fifty cents for me. It’s a completely painless and automatic way to save. At the end of the month, I’m always surprised to see I’ve saved an extra thirty or forty dollars without even noticing.
I Use a “Refurbished” Tech Website and Get Apple Products for 40% Off
My ‘Good as New’ Secret
I needed a new iPad, but the price of a brand-new one was too high. I went to Apple’s official “Certified Refurbished” online store. They sell products that have been returned and then professionally inspected, repaired, and certified by Apple. They come with a brand new battery and the same one-year warranty as a new product. I was able to get the exact iPad I wanted for almost two hundred dollars less than the new price. It looked and performed exactly like a brand-new device.
How to Find the Best Time of Year to Buy Major Appliances Using Online Data
The ‘Seasonal Sales’ Calendar
My refrigerator was on its last legs, but it wasn’t an emergency. I wanted to buy a new one when it was on sale. I did some research on a consumer website and learned about the sales cycles for appliances. They told me that new models are often released in September and October, so the previous year’s models go on deep discount then. They also said that big holiday weekends like Memorial Day are great times for appliance sales. I waited for a sale and saved about four hundred dollars.
The App That Gives Me Cash Back on My Online Shopping
Getting ‘Paid’ to Shop
I do a fair amount of my shopping online. I started using a cash-back website called Rakuten. Before I go to a store’s website like Macy’s or Target, I first go to Rakuten and click their link to that store. I then shop as I normally would. Because I went through their link, Rakuten gets a small commission, and they share a piece of it with me in the form of cash back. Over the course of a year, I get a check for two or three hundred dollars, just for my regular shopping.
I Found a Cheaper Internet Provider by Using a Comparison Website
The ‘Competition’ Check
I had been with the same internet provider for years and my bill kept creeping up. I went to a comparison website and entered my address. It showed me all the internet providers that serviced my area and what their current promotional rates were. I found that a competitor was offering the same speed for twenty dollars less per month. I called my current provider, told them about the competitor’s offer, and they agreed to match the price to keep me as a customer.
How I “Cut the Cord” and Replaced My $150 Cable Bill with a $20 Alternative
From ‘Cable Clutter’ to ‘Smart Streaming’
My cable bill had ballooned to one hundred fifty dollars a month, and I only watched a handful of channels. I decided to “cut the cord.” I bought a forty-dollar Roku streaming stick. For my local news, I use a simple digital antenna. For my favorite shows, I subscribe to one or two cheap streaming services. My total monthly bill for television is now less than twenty-five dollars. It was a little bit of a learning curve, but it’s saving me over one thousand five hundred dollars a year.
The Best Websites for Finding Free Stuff in Your Neighborhood
The ‘Curb Alert’ Online
Besides my local Buy Nothing group, I’ve found that the “Free Stuff” section on both Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace is a treasure trove. People are constantly giving away perfectly good items—furniture, garden supplies, books—because they are moving or upgrading. You have to be quick, and you have to arrange for your own pickup, but it’s an amazing way to find useful things for your home at the absolute best price: zero.
I Use a Budgeting App to See Exactly Where My Money is Going Each Month
My ‘Financial’ X-Ray
I felt like my money was just disappearing each month. I downloaded the Mint app and linked my bank account and credit cards. The app automatically categorized all my spending. For the first time, I could clearly see in a pie chart that I was spending over four hundred dollars a month on “restaurants and coffee.” Seeing the actual, hard data was the wake-up call I needed to create a more realistic budget and be more mindful of my daily spending habits.
How to Find Restaurant Deals and Coupons on Your Phone
The ‘Dine Out for Less’ Guide
My wife and I love to eat out, but it can get expensive. I use a website called Restaurant.com. You can often buy a twenty-five-dollar gift certificate to a local restaurant for just five or ten dollars. I also have the apps for my favorite chain restaurants, like Chili’s or Panera, which often have special “app-only” deals and loyalty rewards. A little bit of searching before we go out can often save us 20% or more on our meal.
I Sold My Old Clutter on eBay. It Was Easier Than I Thought.
From ‘Attic Junk’ to ‘Vacation Fund’
I had a collection of old model trains in my attic that were just collecting dust. I decided to try and sell them on eBay. I was intimidated at first, but the app made it surprisingly easy. I just had to take a few good pictures with my phone, write a clear description, and set a starting price. The trains ended up selling for over three hundred dollars to a collector in another state. It was a great way to de-clutter my house and make some extra cash.
The Secret to Negotiating Your Cable and Internet Bill Over Online Chat
The ‘No-Phone-Call’ Negotiation
I knew my cable bill was too high, but I dreaded the thought of calling and waiting on hold to negotiate. I went to my provider’s website and opened a “Live Chat” with a customer service agent. I politely explained that my bill was too high and that a competitor was offering a better deal. Because the agent is often trying to handle multiple chats at once, they are sometimes more willing to quickly offer a discount to resolve the issue. I was able to lower my bill by twenty dollars a month without ever picking up the phone.
I Used a Travel App to Find a Last-Minute Hotel Deal for 50% Off
My ‘Spontaneous’ Steal
My wife and I decided to take a spontaneous overnight trip. We used an app called “HotelTonight.” It specializes in offering unsold hotel rooms for the same day at a big discount. We were able to book a room at a beautiful boutique hotel that was normally three hundred dollars a night for just one hundred fifty. The hotel would rather get something for the empty room than nothing at all. It’s a fantastic app for last-minute travel deals.
The Best Apps for Comparing Prices When You’re in a Store
My ‘Is This a Good Deal?’ Scanner
I was in Target, about to buy a new toaster. I pulled out my phone and opened the Amazon app. I used the camera scanner feature to scan the barcode on the toaster’s box. The app instantly showed me that the same toaster was twenty dollars cheaper on Amazon. I showed the Amazon price to the cashier at Target, and they have a price-match policy, so they sold it to me for the lower Amazon price. That simple scan saved me twenty dollars.
How I Found Free Community Events and Entertainment Online
My ‘Fun on a Budget’ Calendar
My wife and I wanted to get out of the house more, but we’re on a budget. I started checking the online “Events” calendar on my local library’s website and my town’s official website. I was amazed at what I found. We’ve gone to free outdoor concerts in the park, attended guest lectures at the library, and visited local art fairs. There is a huge amount of free, high-quality entertainment available in most communities if you just know where to look online.
I Track My Utility Usage with an App to Find Ways to Save on Energy
My ‘Energy’ Detective
My electric bill seemed to be creeping up. My utility company has an app that shows me my daily and even hourly energy usage. I was able to look at the data and see a huge spike in usage every afternoon. I realized it was my old, inefficient second refrigerator in the garage running constantly. I unplugged it, and I saw my daily energy usage drop significantly. The app helped me find the “energy vampire” in my house.
The Best Online Outlet Stores for Brand-Name Clothing
My ‘Designer Deals,’ Delivered
I like to buy good-quality clothing, but I don’t like paying full retail prices. I’ve discovered the online “outlet” or “factory” stores for my favorite brands. Websites like J.Crew Factory or the Saks Off 5th website sell last season’s items or items made specifically for the outlet at a huge discount. I can get the same quality and style that I love for a fraction of the price, all without having to drive to a physical outlet mall.
How to Tell if a “Deal” is Actually a Scam
The ‘Too Good to Be True’ Test
I saw a sponsored ad on Facebook for a popular brand of walking shoes for 80% off the normal price. It seemed too good to be true. I did a little investigating. I noticed the website’s URL was slightly misspelled. I also saw that the website had no contact information or physical address. This was a classic scam site designed to steal my credit card information. The oldest rule of shopping still applies online: if a deal seems way too good to be true, it always is.
I Use Slickdeals to Find the Hottest Bargains on the Internet
My ‘Community’ of Deal Hunters
I use a website and app called Slickdeals to find great bargains. It’s a community-powered deal site where users post the best sales they find online. The community then votes on the deals, so the very best ones rise to the front page. It’s how I found out about a one-day sale on my favorite brand of coffee and a pricing mistake on a tool I wanted. It’s like having a million friends all searching for the best deals for you.
The Best Way to Get Free or Discounted Museum Passes Through Your Library
The ‘Culture Pass’ Program
My wife and I love visiting museums, but the admission fees can be expensive. I discovered that our local public library has a “museum pass” program. I can go to the library’s website and reserve a free or heavily discounted pass to a dozen different local museums and cultural institutions. We just have to print out the pass and show it when we arrive. It’s a fantastic, and often overlooked, library perk that saves us a lot of money.
I Swapped My Unused Gift Cards for Cash on a Website
From ‘Useless Plastic’ to ‘Real Money’
I had a drawer with a few old gift cards to stores I never shop at. It was like having frozen money. I used a website called CardCash. I was able to enter the gift card information and they made me an offer to buy it from me for a percentage of its value. I was able to sell a fifty-dollar gift card for about forty dollars in cash, which they sent to my PayPal account. It was a great way to turn my useless plastic into money I could actually spend.
How I Saved Money on Theater Tickets with a “Lottery” App
My ‘Broadway’ Bargain
My daughter wanted to see a popular Broadway show, but the tickets were hundreds of dollars. We downloaded an app called “TodayTix.” It has a feature for a digital “lottery” for many big shows. We were able to enter the lottery for free every day for the week leading up to our trip. We got lucky and won the chance to buy two fantastic orchestra seats for just thirty-nine dollars each. It was a thrilling and incredibly affordable way to see a world-class show.
The Best Time to Shop Online Sales (Black Friday, Prime Day, etc.)
My ‘Strategic Shopping’ Calendar
I’ve learned to be a strategic shopper by timing my big purchases around major online sales events. For electronics and gifts, I always wait for Black Friday and Cyber Monday in November. For anything I’d normally buy on Amazon, I wait for their “Prime Day” sale in July. And for things like linens and towels, the “White Sales” in January are a great time to find deals. Knowing this sales calendar helps me save a lot of money on big-ticket items.
I Use a High-Yield Savings Account I Found Online to Earn More Interest
My ‘Money’s’ New, Higher-Paying Job
I had my emergency fund sitting in a savings account at my big, traditional bank, and it was earning virtually zero interest. I did some research on a financial website and learned about high-yield savings accounts from online-only banks. I was able to open an account in 15 minutes that paid an interest rate that was more than 20 times higher than my old bank. My money is still FDIC-insured and just as safe, but now it’s actually earning a respectable return.
How to Get Student or Teacher Discounts for Your Grandkids Online
The ‘Educational’ Edge
My grandson, who is in college, needed a new laptop. I learned that most major tech companies, like Apple and Dell, have an “Education Store” on their website. By verifying his status as a student, he was able to get a one-hundred-fifty-dollar discount on a new MacBook. Many software companies and even streaming services also offer significant student discounts. It’s always worth checking for that “Education” link at the bottom of a website.
I Found a Free Version of Almost Every Paid Software I Use
The ‘Open Source’ Alternative
I needed a good word processor and a photo editor, but I didn’t want to pay for a Microsoft Office or Adobe Photoshop subscription. I discovered the world of “open-source” software. For word processing, I use Google Docs, which is free and works in my browser. For photo editing, I downloaded a powerful and free program called “GIMP.” For almost every major piece of paid software, there is a free and surprisingly capable alternative if you do a little bit of searching.
The Best Websites for Printable Grocery Coupons
The ‘Old-School’ Savings, Found Online
While I love digital coupons, sometimes I still like to have paper ones. I use websites like Coupons.com and The Krazy Coupon Lady. I can browse through hundreds of coupons from major brands, select the ones I want, and print them out right from my home computer. It’s a great way to get high-value coupons for products that might not be featured in my store’s digital app that week.
How to Avoid Airline Baggage Fees with a Simple Luggage Scale
The ‘$60’ Surprise at the Airport
I was checking a bag for a flight and was shocked when the airline agent told me my bag was three pounds over the 50-pound limit and I would have to pay a one-hundred-dollar overweight fee. I now have a simple, ten-dollar digital luggage scale. It’s a small handheld device with a hook. Before I leave for the airport, I can just hook it to my suitcase handle and lift, and it gives me a precise weight. It’s a simple tool that helps me avoid very expensive surprises at the check-in counter.
I Used a Service to Lower My Property Taxes After an Online Assessment
The ‘Digital’ Appeal
I received my annual property tax assessment, and the value seemed way too high. I used an online service that, for a small fee, analyzed recent home sales in my neighborhood and helped me prepare a formal appeal. The service provided me with all the comparable sales data I needed to make my case. I submitted the appeal online to my county assessor’s office, and they agreed to lower my home’s assessed value, which will save me several hundred dollars a year.
The App That Let Me Rent a Designer Dress for a Wedding
My ‘Cinderella’ Moment
My wife was invited to a fancy black-tie wedding and was stressing about having to buy an expensive new gown she would only wear once. We used a service called “Rent the Runway.” She was able to browse through thousands of designer dresses. She chose a beautiful gown, and they shipped it to her with a backup size included. She wore it to the wedding and felt like a million bucks. Afterwards, we just put it in a pre-paid envelope and mailed it back. It was a brilliant, affordable solution.
How I Furnished My Patio with “End of Season” Deals I Found Online
My ‘Patience’ Paid Off
We needed a new set of patio furniture, but the prices in the spring were astronomical. I decided to wait. In late August and September, I started checking the “Outdoor” sections of the websites for Target, Home Depot, and Walmart. As they were trying to clear out their summer inventory, the prices started to drop dramatically. I was able to buy a beautiful six-piece set for more than 50% off the original price. A little bit of seasonal patience saved me hundreds of dollars.
The Best App for Splitting Bills with Friends or Family
The ‘End of the Awkward Math’
I went on a weekend trip with my children and their spouses. We were constantly trying to figure out who owed what for meals and activities. It was a headache. My son had us all download the Splitwise app. Anytime someone paid for something, they just entered it into the app. At the end of the trip, the app did all the complex math and showed us exactly who owed who what amount. It made settling up simple, transparent, and completely argument-free.
I Found a House Sitter for Free Through a Trusted Website
The ‘House Swap’ for Pet Lovers
My wife and I wanted to go away for a month, but the cost of boarding our dog was prohibitive. We joined a website called TrustedHousesitters. It’s a community where homeowners can connect with verified, reviewed sitters who will watch your home and your pets for free, in exchange for a free place to stay. We found a lovely retired couple who wanted to visit our city. They took wonderful care of our dog and our home, and it didn’t cost us a penny.
The “CamelCamelCamel” Trick to Track Amazon Prices
My ‘Amazon’ Price Watchdog
There was a specific brand of vacuum cleaner I wanted to buy on Amazon. I used a website called CamelCamelCamel. I just had to copy and paste the Amazon link for the vacuum. The site not only showed me the entire price history of the product, but it also allowed me to set a price alert. I told it to email me if the price dropped below two hundred dollars. A month later, I got the email and bought it instantly, knowing I was getting a great deal.
How I Traded Skills with a Neighbor Using a Local App (My Baking for Their Tech Help)
The ‘Barter’ System 2.0
I love to bake, but I’m terrible with technology. My young neighbor is a tech whiz, but he can’t cook to save his life. We connected on a local neighborhood app. We now have a regular barter arrangement. Once a month, I’ll bake him a batch of his favorite cookies, and in exchange, he’ll come over for an hour and help me with any computer or phone problems I’m having. It’s a wonderful, community-building way to trade skills without any money changing hands.
The $1,500 I Saved Last Year Using These 5 Simple Apps
My ‘Digital’ Dividend
Last year, I decided to track how much money my simple money-saving apps actually saved me. By using my grocery store’s digital coupon app, I saved about four hundred dollars. By using Rakuten for cash back on my online shopping, I got a check for two hundred fifty dollars. By using GasBuddy to find cheap gas, I saved about one hundred fifty dollars. By using my library’s Libby app instead of buying books, I saved at least two hundred dollars. And by using GoodRx, I saved over five hundred dollars on prescriptions.