Three Easy Ways To Save Money On Everyday Purchases

With Christmas approaching, here are a few things to consider before breaking out the dough in the checkout line. These are some simple techniques that could help you save a bunch. I like to refer to them as an easy “Double Dip“.

Tip #1: Do you have a Target Red Card? Chances are you've been asked by the checker at Target if you'd like to sign-up. Before you jump to “no” you might want to hear the spchill, this is not ANOTHER store credit card.

NOT A STORE CREDIT CARD.

Okay, so when you apply, you can apply for a credit card. But, if you have a checking account and that is most often how you pay for your items, you have can just link your current checking account to the Target Red Card. When you use the Red Card to pay the funds will come directly from your checking account. JUST LIKE YOUR DEBIT CARD. If  you normally pay with your debit card, this is the route to go.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES?

Every time you pay with your Target Red Card in-store or online, you get an automatic 5% off your purchase total. NO waiting for a store rebate, just an instant 5% off. You also get FREE shipping on any purchase at Target.com. The Target Red Debit Card is free, there are no monthly or yearly service fees and you don't need to set up any special bank account, it works right along with your current checking account.

Next time you are at Target, you may want to say “yes” to that Red Card offer. Read more about Target's Red Card here.

Tip #2: We've all seen them. The rows and rows of gift cards for sale at Smith's. They have virtually every card you can think of. You'll find gift cards for Mall shopping, like Kohl's, JC Penney, SEARS, box store shopping, like Best Buy and Target, Restaurants gift cards, like Olive Garden, Friday's, Outback, McDonalds and YES, there are gift cards for online shopping, like eBay and Amazon.

Of course these make handy gifts, But, here's a little something to chew on. If you are going to shop at any of these stores, pick up the gift card at Smith's first.

This can be particularly useful, for large ticket items, like Home Improvement  purchases at Lowes or Home Depot. If you are going to purchase a TV at Best Buy, stop by Smith's first and pick up the gift cards needed for that purchase.

WHY?

Points, points and more points! You earn Smith's rewards points on these gift cards just like you would with the rest of your grocery purchase. Sometimes they offer double or even triple rewards for gift card purchases in their weekly ad. (See Comments below!) The points can then be used to save at the pump or they'll add up for the Gold Envelope we all look forward to.

Tip #3: Check the bottom and back side of your receipts before you toss them out! Many stores have special intensive offers on the bottom. These are usually in the form of a survey and can be anything from a percentage off, a giveaway entry or, sometimes a completely free item.  Simply call the number listed and answer the brief survey. The pictured receipts above all had some kind of survey offer on the bottom.

Just the other day I received a coupon for a free entree item from Panda Express for taking a quick survey. I usually take these surveys right away, if the hub is with me, I'll complete the survey in the car when we leave so I don't forget. Also, don't forget to look on the back of the receipt for coupons.

Implementing these simple little tricks can ad up and leave you with a lot more dough in you pocket this Holiday Season.