***Edited to add…I am not perfect, I make mistakes too! This post is not meant as criticism, but as a teaching tool.***
You all know by now that I am a teacher. I have been frustrated here lately by some other deal finders lack of math skills.
I know lots of blogs calculate final price for every deal they post. I am not criticizing them, but I like to think that adults out there know how to do the math which is why I don’t usually calculate final price. I do, however, like to calculate final price for triples deals, because they are easier to organize that way. Just my honest opinion. If you like someone to do the math for you, I understand (and some days feel the same)!
Here is an example of some bad coupon math I saw recently. (If you do this too, I am just trying to be helpful.)
Calculating Savings (the wrong way):
I spent $3.21 out of pocket and saved $27.46. Plus I got $5 in Extra Care Bucks so it was a $1.79 moneymaker!
Next trip:
I spent $1.21 out of pocket and saved over $12, because I used my $5 in ECB.
This sounds great, but this shopper made an important error. She counted her ECB twice. She considered them in her savings when she received them, and she also counted them as savings when she spent them.
Calculating Savings (the right way):
You need to decide whether you are going to count ECB, RR or Catalina coupons when you spend them or when you receive them. I find it a lot easier to calculate them when you spend them.
I spent $3.21 out of pocket and saved $27.46. Plus I got $5 to use next time I shop!
I used $5 in ECB and paid $1.21 out of pocket.
In the example above, I count the coupon in the percentage saved when I spend it.
This may be confusing to some, but it is really helpful when you start calculating what you spend and save on each trip.
I hope this helps and clarifies why I write up deals the way I do!
How about you? Are you good with math or you do prefer someone else do the work for you?
I found this great new company! You may have already seen the advertising on my sidebar, so you know that I approve. I won a gift card on another blog, but it was for a store that we don’t have around here. I didn’t feel right just giving it away on my blog, so I looked into selling it. Plastic Jungle paid me $45 for my $50 gift card. I thought that was pretty good considering the gift card was useless to me! I also had the option to take a little bit more money to get an Amazon gift card. I had to mail the gift card to them, but I received my payment within one week.
I think everyone has received a gift card or two in the past that we really can’t or don’t want to use. Here is a good solution.
Not only do they buy gift cards, but you can buy gift cards at a discounted price, too! I will be keeping this in mind for those Christmas gifts that just require a gift card.
Happy Shopping!
I disclose: I earn a small amount when you buy from Plastic Jungle, but I did not receive compensation for this post. I was just very satisfied with my transaction.
*I am writing this post in hopes that I can start practicing what I preach.*
We all know that reusable bags are the best for the environment, but did you know that they can also save you money (especially when used consistently)?
- CVS-Green Bag Tag gives you $1 every four times you get your tag scanned.
- Target-Bring a reusable bag to get $.05 off your order.
- Lowes Foods-Get $.05 FRC for each green bag you use.
This is by far a short list! I highly recommend purchasing a few inexpensive sturdy bags to keep in your car. These will pay for themselves quickly with use!
What other stores do you shop at that have advantages for going green?
Just a quick tip today! Sign up online for newsletters for each store near you. I get coupons from CVS, Riteaid, and Walgreens in my email all the time! I also get the Harris Teeter e-vic ad, and I am signed up for Lowes Foods Instasave. I keep several email accounts to avoid inbox overload. (One for blogging, one for surveys, one for work, and one for stores and offers.) That way I know what I need to check each day.
Do you have any tips for email organization or newsletters that are great to receive? If so, leave me a comment!
Happy Shopping!
I disclose : There may be affiliate links in this post.
