10 Ways to Spend Less in Stores
Don't head to the mall until you read these tips
1. Subscribe to your local mall's e-mail newsletter. You'll be alerted to upcoming sales and may receive e-mail coupons you can then use at the stores.
2. Get even better deals at outlet stores by going to their mall's Website to print out coupons or a voucher for a coupon book you'll find at the mall. You can also buy coupon books online for $3 to $5.
Related: 20 Best Toys of 2011
3. Use coupon Websites for other stores. Two good ones: keycodecoupons.com and couponcabin.com.
4. Don't forget warehouse clubs like Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's. Costco. And look for warehouse-store deals on digital cameras and jewelry this holiday season - perhaps 30 to 50 percent below retail. If you aren't a club member yet, your gift savings may justify buying an annual membership.
5. Be crafty. Clip crafts stores' weekly newspaper coupons (often 40 percent off). Most crafts outlets accept competitors' coupons, so you may save yourself a trip by bringing all the ads with you to one store.
6. For stocking stuffers, take advantage of "free after rebate" items at office supply stores. Betsy Kiger of Arlington, VA, does this every season at Staples. Last year, her freebies included software and pens.
Related: Gifts Under $5
7. Convert credit card rewards into gift cards. Discover Card holders can get 80 retailers' gift cards worth up to double the standard cash rebate value. (Suggest the recipient hold off using his or her card until January, when many stores drop their prices.)
8. Use your cell phone to sleuth for bargains. When you're in a store and you see an item you want, check ShopLocal Mobile (sign up at shoplocal.com) for the price at other nearby retailers. Then, if your store has a policy of matching competitors' prices, you'll get savings on the spot.
9. Buy last year's electronics models. They may cost 25 percent less than newer versions, and you probably won't have to wait in line to get them.
10. Ask for a refund if prices fall after you've made a purchase. Many stores will provide one if the cost of an item you bought there drops within a specific time period.
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