We all know that money doesn’t grow on trees. The best way to keep money in your pocket is to save it. If you’re looking for ways to save your money, check out this list of the top ten things to never pay full price for and get started saving today.
Most everyone likes to save a buck, especially if you’re on a budget. Although I believe there are some items you may need to splurge on when making purchases (think medications, eyeglasses, doctor visits), there are some items you should never buy at full price. In today’s Friday’s Top 10 list, I’m sharing my list of top 10 things to never pay full price for.
#1 Craft Supplies
Sometimes it amazes me how expensive some craft supplies can be when you purchase them full price at a craft store. I always use coupons when shopping for supplies at stores like Michaels, A.C. Moore Arts and Crafts, Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft and Hobby Lobby. All of these stores match competitor’s coupons, so I never have trouble finding one to use. Make sure you get on their mailing list and use an app like Retail Me Not to get the best deals.
#2 Furniture
I believe in having furniture pieces you love. Whether you love shabby chic pieces with some character, or high quality pieces that are built to last, who says you have to pay full price? I’ve purchased most of the furniture in my home from Craigslist, thrift stores or discount stores like TJ Maxx which saved us a ton of money. If you decide to shop at a furniture store, pay with cash and ask for a discount. It works! Get an even deeper discount by purchasing the floor models. The best time to buy? January and July.
#3 Books
I absolutely love to read. If I paid full price for all the books I read, I would be in debt for sure! I find a lot of deals on books at thrift stores and pay less then $1 for them. Amazon and Ebay are also good sources for used books. I really do prefer to read eBooks on my Kindle, though, and I’ve discovered that my local library has a wide selection that I can check out for free. They get delivered to my Kindle and I don’t even have to visit the library. Check your local library to see what they have to offer.
#4 Music
I used to purchase a lot of music, but I don’t anymore. I can listen to music through apps like Pandora, Spotify, iHeartRadio and even YouTube without paying a penny.
#5 Pets
I bet you weren’t expecting pets to make the list. So many people pay big bucks for purebred pets when there are so many in adoption shelters waiting for a forever home. Most of these pets are offered for a small fee that supports the shelter. Visit www.petfinder.com or your local animal shelter today to find the perfect pet for you.
#6 Magazines
When was the last time you looked at the price of a magazine? You can easily purchase an entire year’s subscription for the price of a few magazines. Save even more money by subscribing electronically and get magazines delivered to your iPad, Kindle or other device.
#7 Groceries
You don’t even have to use coupons to save money on groceries. Check your local newspaper and shop the sales each week to stock up your pantry at a reduced price. The Favado app will compare local sales for you so that you get the best deals. You can use apps like Ibotta or Checkout 51 to get rebates on the food you buy, too. All of this without clipping coupons!
#8 Hotels
There are so many websites that have hotel deals, so why would you ever pay full price???? My favorites are Hotwire.com, Expedia.com, Hotels.com and Priceline.com.
#9 Appliances
Always buy appliances after the new models come out when stores offer big discounts on the older models. This is typically in the fall months of the year, September through November. You can check out scratch and dent models for a deeper discount since many times the cosmetic flaws won’t show once the appliance is installed in your home. Don’t be afraid to haggle and ask for a free extended warranty or free installation, the least they can say is no.
#10 Cars
Yes, everyone knows you should never pay sticker price for a car. The best times to purchase cars are at the end of the month, in the fall once the new models are out. Do your research and haggle, haggle, haggle until you get a deal you’re comfortable with. Don’t overlook used cars for deals. I once bought a car with just a few thousand miles on it for a greatly reduced price, and it was perfect!
There you have it! You should never pay full price for craft supplies, furniture, books, music, magazines, groceries, hotels, appliances and cars. Got it? Good! I hope this advice helps you build up your bank account and find financial freedom today.
I’d love for you to check out my other money saving tips:
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