Never Pay Full Price Part II: Beyond Online Deals.

I wish this was my purse.  (Photo: self.com)

There are other great ways to be sure you never pay full price beyond the daily deal and coupon sites online.  Here's a few different ideas of how to find those deals.  Remember, if you ever pay full price for something that means that you're paying more than other people. 



(Photo: superstock.co.uk)



1. Check Your Receipt.  Often times restaurants and retail stores will have discounts at the bottom or on the back.  Sometimes you just have to go online and enter your email address to get a discount, other times you have to fill out a survey.  And, even better, sometimes you just have to hold on to your rceipt until your next purchase for a discount.  If you don't want everyone in the world having your email address, just create one through yahoo or hotmail just for this kind of stuff and your normal email won't be all cluttered with junk. (Note: Panda Express and Jewel almost always have coupons or discounts on their receipts. Mmmm Panda.)



2. Join Rewards Programs and Email Alert Lists.  Join any establishment's rewards program if, a) they don't ask for your phone number or social security number; b) you will be back there again; c) it is free to sign up; and d) it actually has some sort of reward associated with it...sometimes it's just a scam to get your information and then sell it to other places.  If all of the aforementioned apply, then there's no reason not to join.  Hotel programs can get you discounted rates on stays, grocery store programs get you cheaper food and retail store rewards can get you discounts on future purchases and even free gifts.  It would be unintelligent to not sign up.  You can also sign up for "email alert lists" and stores will tell you when they have a good deal going on.  Sites like http://www.livenation.com/ will let you know when certain deals are available on activities you are interested in.  About once a month I get an email from Live Nation telling me that for a limited time I can get certain concert tickets for really cheap.  For example, I could have bought Deftones concert tickets for $10 by using the code they included.  The only way to find out about these specials is to join their email lists.  Again, you can just use a junk email address to keep from getting annoyed with the emails.

3. Pay Attention to Commercials.  That's right, I said it.  And I meant it.  You will catch a lot of deals you would not otherwise know about.  For instance, Dominos, always has certain specials going on.  If you don't pay attention to their commercials, you will never know!.  And, as a side note, for those of you who have not tried the new Dominos, you should, it's actually pretty good.  But back to the point...there are a lot of specials on things like food that you're going to need in your daily life.  Why not go to the place that has a special going rather than pay full price somewhere else? 

(Photo: phawker.com)

4.  Pick up the Phone.  When your cable or phone bill is getting out of control or the cost of your gym membership just isn't affordable anymore, it's time to make a phone call.   Don't be afraid to ask for a better deal.  What can it hurt?  So call the cable company or your cell phone provider, explain your situation and see if there is a better package that they can put together for you.  If you're a good customer, chances are they will do something to keep you with them.  I've learned over the past year that saving money can take a lot of time and effort, but it really is worth it in the end.  I was able to get about a 30% discount on my gym membership while in law school, just becaused I asked.  Otherwise, I would not have known there were scholarship options.  Most places do not advertise that sort of thing.  You just have to ask and then fill out the paperwork.  It's worth the work.

So, go set up your junk email address today and get to work so you can start saving money.  Good luck.

Super Savings Alert!! $1 Jimmy John's Today!

Today until 3pm, you can get some of Jimmy John's 8-inch sandwiches for just $1.  Chicagoland locations.  Check it out!

http://leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/thestew/2010/06/jimmy-johns-selling-1-sandwiches-june-10.html

Weekly Bet Ya Didn't Know: The Great Tipping Debate.

(Photo: crystaltipjar.blogspot.com)

How much should I tip my server, hair stylist, valet, delivery guy and cab driver?  Some of life's mysteries!

I feel like I often over tip out of fear that I will tip too little and offend the person or make them feel like they did a crappy job.  But I also don't want to go broke.  My mom was a waitress and has always been a big tipper because she knows how hard it is to work for tips and that people remember both the good and bad tippers.  But what exactly is the proper amount to tip?  I needed to find out some guidelines and of course share with you what I found to be agreed upon by multiple sources.

(Photo: malys-midwest.com)

1. Server or Bartender.  15-20% for adequate to good service and no less than 10% for bad service is agreed upon to be appropriate.  And remember if the food was bad, don't take it out on the server, it's not their fault if the kitchen messes up.  If you use a coupon or gift card of some type, be sure to tip on the price before the discount.   When ordering take out, think about giving a few dollars to the person that got your order together.  Often times, they have to do a lot to put your order together so a little something is much appreciated.

2. Hair Stylists and other Spa Services.  15-20% is also standard for these services.  If someone different shampoos your hair, you should give them a few dollars in addition.  I like to give a little extra tip around the holidays.  

3. Valet and Coatroom Attendant.   $2 or more for the valet that brings your car to you.  Some sources think you should tip the person that parks your car as well.  $1 per coat for coatroom attendant seems to be standard.

(Photo: dixieyid.blogspot.com)

4.  Food Delivery Person.  10-15% is generally sufficient.  However, if the delivery is difficult, like in bad weather, adding a bit more is a good idea. Plus, that delivery person may be back and you want to get your food hot next time as well, don't you?  Also, don't assume that the delivery charge goes to the delivery person, ask when ordering before you include that when calculating your tip. 

5. Taxi Driver.  15% is standard and add more if he has to help with bags.

And there you have it, some guidelines for surviving in the tipping world.  Now, if only I was good at math...

Sources: http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/tipping/, http://artofmanliness.com/2008/06/24/gentlemans-guide-how-much-should-tip/,  http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2006/10/12/basic-tips-on-tipping-how-much-and-to-whom/

Super Savings Alert!! $10 for $50 worth of Office Supplies!

Today Living Social, an online daily deal website, has an offer through Vista Print for $50 worth of office supplies for only $10.  That's quite a deal.  It looks like you can use it for business cards, calendars, etc.  Take note that it expires September 3, 2011.  Check it out by clicking the link below. 

http://livingsocial.com/deals/50829-50-to-spend-on-office-supplies-and-business-cards?msdc_id=6&ref=Deal060211_107_7849email