Guest post from Jamie
No matter how bad economic times are, there are some things we need to (or want to) buy — whether we can find a great deal or not. Of course, it’s always a pleasant surprise when we find these things for less than expected!
Whether you’re buying necessities, or simply things that make life better, everyone loves bargains… right?
Here are 10 ideas to help you find bargains on those unexpected items.
1. Airfare
It’s good advice to buy airline tickets in the morning, before business travelers start shopping. Buy tickets as far out as possible before your travel date as they are cheaper and probably won’t change much in price. Saturdays are good days to fly while Sundays and Thursdays are often the most expensive.
2. Event Tickets
When clubs or theaters have unsold seats, they rely on websites like Goldstar or resellers like Stubhub to fill those seats. Great deals are available — especially close to, or on the day of the show. Some of the hottest events can now be seen inexpensively.
3. Coffee
For some, coffee is a MUST in the morning, or all day. However, expensive brands aren’t always better. Cheaper brands like Dunkin’ Donuts are popular and sell for less than brews from couture coffee houses like Starbucks. Better yet, buy the beans and brew your own at home.
4. Prescription Eyeglasses
If you have a prescription from the last time you saw your eye doctor, use it to order inexpensive glasses from Eye Buy Direct. When you’re using glasses as a complement to contacts, it “pays” to spend less on them! Prices begin around $40.
5. Gift Cards
Find unused gift cards cheaper at websites like Gift Card Granny. Many options are available at an average of 15% off — so, for example, you could get a $100 gift card for only $85. Now that’s smart!
6. Computer Software
Websites like Royal Discount sell new software (that is guaranteed to work) at bargain prices. Students love getting deals on things like software, so they have extra money for the really important things.
7. Cosmetics
Websites like Noveau Cheap help fashionistas find all the best deals in one easy-to-search spot. Look your best every day, for less.
8. Clothing
Ladies clothing is available for bargain prices when you know where to look. Places like the 10 Dollar Mall and 6pm help shoppers find prices that are up to 75% off.
9. Designer Shoes
Everyone needs shoes, right? Bluefly, 6pm, and Zappo’s are great places to find deals — when you want great looks at lower prices, you’ll be amazed at what you might find.
10. Sunglasses
Places like Sunglass Hut and Sharp Shades are great places to find amazing deals on designer-inspired sunglasses.
See, there are bargains everywhere!
Bargain hunting has never been more fun or exciting. Since you might buy many of these things anyway, why not be smart and save as much as possible?
Saving money is always such a great feeling!
Jamie is a not a mom but a sister of two younger brothers. As the oldest in the house, she always felt the need to help out by taking on an extra job searching for the occasional deals. Since her recent move to Colorado, Jamie fell in love with hiking. She also loves live music, spending as much time with the family as possible and puppies (who doesn’t – smiley face!)
Susan I says
We mostly fly to visit relatives, both domestic and international, and I would agree with the comments from people below. Here are some things I either now personally or have read.
1. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are thought of as “light” travel days, so you can save money flying on those days. Also once you are in the market for flights, check in on Tuesday afternoons as airlines typically start sales on Mondays, so other airlines will follow suit.
2. Get alerts to track prices. You can also sign up for alerts from such websites as tripadvisor.com and expedia.com and they will tell you if the ticket price is going up or down.
3. be flexible. Lots of websites now will tell you that you can fly cheaper if you go to another nearby airport and you can also search
4. wait “last minute” and not book until about 2 weeks out from your travel time. Or book about 4 months out. It’s nerveracking to wait until the last minute, but airlines do want full flights so close to the date s they do sometimes lower prices.
5. Even if you are traveling in a group, check out prices for single seats. wierd, but it can work where its actually cheaper per seat to purchase them individually than in the small group.
Cheryl says
Great ideas, I just thought that I would let you know Jamie, that the plasticjungle.com has closed its site.
Marciana says
Don’t buy your airline tickets too far in advance. There is a perfect window for both domestic and international flights., about a month and a half for domestic and 3 months international. Sites like kayak and airfare watchdog will send you fare alerts to help.
Cynthia M. says
If you are like me and wear an unusual shoe size (12) online shopping can be a life saver. But shoes aren’t one of those things you can tell by just looking at them if they will fit. My word of advice is stick with shops that have free return shipping. I find Zappos to be the most hassle free and quickest delivery. I’ve also found some really good deals on Amazon, and for some shoes – not all- they do have free returns.
Diane says
I also have a large shoe size for a woman so I feel for you on that end. But to complicate it for me is that I usually would wear a 10 1/2. Most all shoe companies stop making half sizes at 9 1/2 so I either have to get a 10 and be a little snug or an 11 and have them a little large. Guess that’s one reason I hate to shop for shoes and don’t have that many.
Lea Stormhammer says
I guess I, too, would be wary about buying eyeglasses online. I much prefer to have an optometrist and a shop where I can take things to if something goes wrong. My cousin has had great experiences with her local Wal-Mart optometrist and got a full, nice set of glasses for under $20 and had the availability of the local shop if needed.
I usually shop clearance at discount shoe stores for shoes – I prefer to try them on first rather than ordering online – and have found some terrific bargains (Naturalizer shoes new for $14, etc.). And for clothes I typically shop the $2 sale at my favorite consignment shop or the additional 50% off the already 75% off sales. You would be surprised at how inexpensive things can be just on a traditional clearance sale! If you’re shopping online, combine with free shipping to get the best deal.
Great ideas, Jamie!
🙂
Lea
Brighid says
Great deal on shoes! Where did you find them?
bit says
I believe this article is the study I heard about the online eyeglasses site’s accuracy: http://newsfromaoa.org/2011/11/09/half-of-online-eyeglasses-fail-rx-or-safety-specifications/
Rachael @ Thriving on Thrifty says
Thanks for the tips! I agree with the comment above about checking out gift card granny for buying discounted gift cards. They will actually compare prices of various places selling the gift card you are looking for to try to help you get the best deal.
bit says
I’d like to offer a warning about the discount eyeglasses sites -> I asked an optometrist’s office about this at one point, and while they obviously want to sell glasses, they quoted a study that said something like 60% of all glasses made through online vendors were not the correct prescription. I’d instead suggest saving by only getting the inexpensive (often fully covered by insurance) frames every other year and reusing your frames from prior pairs if posisble, and perhaps taking your prescription to places like Costco to have them made. I have a complicated prescription and at least once prevented prevented mistakes in determining my current prescription at a new optometrist’s office.
Cynthia M. says
I remember once in a study by Consumer Reports, years back now… they found that Costco’s eyeglasses were very accurate…
Jennifer says
We will no longer be buying and selling gift cards at http://www.plasticjungle.com. For more information, please click here
deseray says
plastic jungle says that they are no longer buying and selling gift cards. Gift card granny is another one, although I havent personally used them
Erin says
Yeah, I think this post is dated. My favorite coffee is Dunkin Donuts but I’ve stopped buying it because it is too expensive. Starbucks coffee has been much cheaper for at least a year. Bummer for me, as I don’t really like Starbucks all that much.
Ann says
My husband LOVES Dunkin Donuts coffee. Our CVS has it on sale every 6-8 weeks for $5.99 for a 12 ounce package, which lasts us about a month. I set aside some ECB and buy a couple of packages when they have it at that price. I enjoy spoiling my husband! Also, especially at Christmas the Dunkin Donuts stores will have specials. I think one year I got two one-pound packages for $10.
Unless you are talking about buying the actual already made coffee at the shop, in which case this reply is meaningless! lol
Erin says
My price point for coffee is $3.50-$4 per 12 oz package. I stocked up after the last Starbucks gift card deal. Recently, I got Archer Farms coffee between $2.50-$3 after clearance, coupons, and Cartwheel. It’s pretty good coffee. I like it much better than Starbucks. I haven’t seen DD anywhere near those prices for a long time, and their coupon values are so low now!
Emily says
For eyeglasses, my husband and I use Zennioptical. We bought 3 pairs of prescription glasses, shipped for around $60.
Colleen says
Always – I recommend Coastal Contact for glasses/contacts. They’re frequently running the “free glasses” deal and have awesome savings for contacts.
bettdev says
I’ve bought glasses from Coastal Contacts several times. GREAT prices, quick ship, and very high quality stuff. I’m loving them!
Sakura says
I fly for business once or twice a month and find that on Southwest tuesdays are the best day to buy.
Stephanie @ Mrs. Debtfighter says
Great suggestions! I enjoy the challenge of finding ways to never pay full price for anything! 🙂