I’ve compiled a list of my favorite resources to use when I need to buy something. I use these because they offer some type of reward, convenience, and/or a cheaper price than I’d normally find at a Walmart or other large stores.
Evreward
This website will search the internet’s top rewards programs to help you find the absolute best deal to save money and earn rewards every time you shop. I always start here because it lists all of the other resources I use and I can pick which one offers the most bang for my buck. You can search for cash back programs, credit card offers, and even airline rewards programs all at once. Their slogan is “One search. Every reward.”
Ebates
Here you can shop at your favorite stores online, and get cash back on your purchases if you go through the link they provide. Yes, you get money back for basically nothing. They’ll even automatically apply any eligible coupons automatically. I like Ebates because it’s extremely easy to use. You can download an extension on Google Chrome so you will be notified when you are on a site that offers coupons or cash back and how much they’re offering. There is also an app that is really awesome too. Get a bonus $10 cash back on your first purchase here.
Mr. Rebates
A lot like Ebates, Mr. Rebates gives you cash back and coupons when shopping at your favorite stores. The amounts sometimes differ so be sure to check Evreward first to see which one gives the most. Join here.
Gift Card Granny
At GCG, you can buy and sell unused gift cards at a discounted price to just about any store, restaurant, airline, or whatever else you can think of. You can’t actually buy the gift cards from here, but you can think of it as the ultimate gift card search engine. With one simple search for a store, GCG will list the best options available across multiple other sites to ensure you get the best deal where you can then go buy from. You won’t always be able to find amazing deals for pennies on the dollar (especially at popular stores), but even if you save a few bucks here and there it will be worth your time after awhile. Popular sites you will see are Raise, Cardpool, Gift Card Zen, and GC Spread.
Groupon
Groupon is a huge marketplace that offers discount prices on goods, activities, services, food, and travel to subscribers from local merchants. I use Groupon several times a month for an array of things, especially when I travel and am looking for fun things to do or great food to eat without breaking the bank. Another similar, yet smaller site is Living Social.
Slickdeals
The largest deal-sharing community that relies primarily on user-generated content. Basically, it’s a crowdsourced website that features couons and deals from large retailers. People share deals, other members vote on it, and then the deal editors curate the best deals based off of votes and feedback. Categories vary from electronics, apparel, health & beauty, pets, entertainment, and they even have a killer travel section that offers unbelievable flight and hotel deals.
RetailMeNot
The largest coupon site in the US that consists of over 500,000 coupons from over 50,000 stores ranging in just about all categories you can think of. Be sure and search for a coupon on this site before you make a purchase online.
Buy Used Items
If you’re in the market for a new item, and don’t mind a used item then there are a handful of places you can buy locally at a significant discount. Everyone knows about Craigslist, but there are alternatives that you can find great deals on as well. They are LetGo and OfferUp. These two apps are basically a virtual flea market where people post pictures, price, and condition of items they wish to sell and recieve messages in the app by potential buyers. Very easy and very convenient to use. You can also use them to sell your old things you no longer need on here as well. Check out my blog post Make Money Selling Your Stuff for more information on how you can make money selling your old stuff.
