QotD: Penny Pinching

What are some ways you save money? 
Submitted by Pixiemom.  

I do a lot of my shopping online, mainly it's good for comparing prices and also reading the reviews on each website. For example, 80% of all my purchases from REI are from their online store, because there's always some sort of discount code available, plus they ship it for free to the store.

Other tools I use:

1. Mypoints.com - This one is my favorite. I've been a Mypoints.com member since 2001. You accumulate points for reading and clicking on the junkmail they send you, answering surveys, and buying stuff.  Sometimes the junkmail is pretty good, like you can get a 1 month subscription to New York Times for $4 and get 2000 points, or you can subscribe to Earthlink DSL for $34.99/month and get 500 points. When you shop with one of their affiliated merchants like J Crew, Banana Republic, Target, REI, even plane tickets from Travelocity, etc, you also earn points per dollar spent. In other words, if you go through Mypoints for spending money online, you earn points that can be redeemed for gift cards. I've probably redeemed enough points for around $75 in gift cards this year alone to REI and Target. It's free money.  Let me know if you want to join, so I can refer you and get more points. I'm a MyPoints whore.

2. E-rewards.com - It's all about answering surveys. The surveys can be long or short. In this program, you earn dollars that can be redeemed for frequent flyer miles, credit to Border's, discounts to other stores, free magazine subscripions, etc. Again, free money for a little bit of your time. I redeemed the balance for credit to Border's, and used it to buy Tim's Christmas present (+25% off coupon) and a book for myself at the total cost of $2.75.

3. Mailing lists/Loyalty memberships - Get on the mailing lists for Bath & Body Works, Victoria's Secret, also loyalty clubs like Aveda (one time $10 fee). I get coupons for free stuff from these stores all the freaking time, at least once a month. The only trick is to exercise self-restraint when you go into the store, but once you're there, there really isn't pressure from the sales people as much temptation to buy fabulous stuff. I also like AMC awards, you earn two points per person per movie, every 10 points gets you a free popcorn/soda/movie ticket. Border's Rewards is worthwhile, it's tough for me to buy enough books to earn credit for more books, but the coupons are really good. Sephora also has a really good one.

4. Discount codes - Retailmenot.com has all the discount codes, their restrictions, and data on how often the codes have worked. Always check Retailmenot before you make a purchase online.

5. I never buy clothes, shoes, or accessories at full price, and it's usually at least 25% off.