Permalink I'm a Deal Lover
I like getting things cheap. We don't have a lot of places where we can maximize coupon usage where we live, so I shop online a lot. I'm always looking to compare shopping prices. I like using those sites that have similar items listed, with their overall cost, including things like tax and shipping if applicable.
Shopping deals really aren't hard to come by if you know where to check. Many times if you're part of a bigger online community like forums, or twitter you will often find people sharing deals of things you've been looking to buy. Likewise you can use a search engine to find coupon codes or ways to get free shipping.
It’s the big things that are sometimes hard to save money on though. Last year we replaced the dishwasher in our home. In order to cut our out of pocket expenses on that as much as we could, we used gift cards that my hubby had gotten from work, and ones that I had received from various online resources. We also purchased it at a time where there was a promotion to have the delivery fee rebated. So even with large purchases like that it is possibly to save some money.
We usually buy the extended warranty on appliances too. Hubby isn’t handy with repairs like that, and we don’t live close to any family that could fix them if they broke. Still, I debate whether or not that is a wise choice. In the 10 years that we’ve owned new appliances we’ve never had the occasion to use the extended warranty. I kind of view that as one of those catch-22s. You know, because we bought it and never used it we could have saved the cash. But I just know that if we don’t buy it, after that first year is up, it will break, and then we’ll probably be out even more money with labor and parts than what the extended warranty cost us!
Besides using coupons, how do you save money on your purchases? Especially large ones like refrigerators or washing machines? Do you buy them new or used? Do you buy extended warranties or do you have a handy person around to fix them if they break?
This was a sponsored post by UrbanStone.co.uk. The words and opinions are mine.
Reader Comments (9)
Hi, I recently had my dryer die. My husband is good at fixing things and this was the second time something went wrong with it. This time when he took it apart and found that the major bearing was shot, he said it wasn't worth fixing. It just so happened that Sears was having a sale. A Maytag dryer under $300 and free delivery with removal of your old unit. So I jumped on it. I have to admit it's a no frills model but it works. So yes I use the internet for the best deals I can find.
I understand about not having places close to shop. It's 100 miles either north or south to hit the city. We do have a hyvee where I shop the adds and a walmart. The best thing I've found is the printable coupons on the internet. Some of the brands I use most have regular coupons to print off. Sometimes I save $25 or more on coupons at the store.
Those of us in outlying areas really need to consider the cost of going to the city in our shopping decisions. Driving to the city, with eating out etc, can run an extra $50 and on-line shopping frequently has coupons for free shipping and money off.
I feel blessed to have a husband who is handy. That is why we don't purchase extended warranties. To save money on purchases, I compare adds and will wait for certain items to go on sale before buying them.
Hi~ generally I just watch the papers and the internet so I know what the prices are for whatever we need. I think information is the best thing you have, so you can spot a really good deal when you see it.
I dont generally buy the extended warranties.
I'm glad you liked the Math Teacher joke! :)
I like 'buy one and the second is 1/2 off'. By going in Jansport factory store yesterday, I bought two really nice heavy zip-front sweatshirt with collar (no hood), with a quilted lining for my dh...for a total of $15.00. First off, they were on sale for $10.00...then the second one was only $5.00. There were two bins full of t-shirt $1 each, also. I like BOGO even better. We do that with BK whopper coupons, so that makes a pretty inexpensive meal for the two of us. The best deal is when a BOGO product is already on sale, making the total cost for 2 products really sweeet! My dh is very handy so we don't have to buy appliances very often. Our appliances tend to last 20+ years because of his handiness! As far as buying used/new...it depends on the price of the used. If it's a really low price, it's worth the gamble of the appliance needing a repair soon after purchase, because some parts can be very costly. This got a little long...but deals is a favorite topic of mine. :)
I'm with you on saving money...why not make the most of the resources you have?
I am with you on saving money,I use coupons and compare shopping ads and even rebates.As far as
warranties go if it is under 300.00 we don't buy an extended warranty.Always make sure you read that
warranty,sometimes it excludes certain parts.
My husband and I have found in our experience that it's always best to buy the appliance priced in the middle of the road--not the most expensive and not the cheapest--and we buy new, since neither of us has any handiness skills whatsoever! We have bought and used an extended warranty in the past, although we typically do not purchase them. We save our money or buy on credit when we can get a no financing for 6 months offer or something like that, and we look high and low for rebates. We have also discovered that some online stores, such as Sears, will ship your product to a store for you to pick up free if you order online--combine that with a discount coupon code from www.retailmenot.com and you got yourself a bargain!