How to save on everyday stuff this fall
Here are smart ways to save on everything from bulbs and bouquets to boxes of Cheerios
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It’s not always the big-ticket purchases like BMWs and Bermuda vacations that sink a budget. (Sane people usually plan for those.) Instead, it’s the cumulative effect of those little extras like the bulbs and trees you’ll be planting this fall or the $20 that vanishes every week for a movie and popcorn. We dug up ways to save on a handful of these stealthy money-munchers. And no, they don’t involve giving up your daily latte. (Hey, we like a lotta latte!) For ideas on how to get a break on all kinds of other stuff, see “Talk down the price on practically anything,” below.
fall plants and trees
Sign up: Join the National Arbor Day Foundation for $10 and get 10 free trees. Go to www.arborday.org.
Go wholesale: Look in your phone book under “wholesale plants.” Some outlets catering to landscapers are also open to the public and offer cut-rate prices, says Lance Walheim, a garden expert with Bayer Advanced, a garden products company in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
Use four-season plants: Buy tropical plants such as bougainvillea and passionflower now to beautify your home during the cold months, then rotate them outside in the spring instead of shelling out for annuals, says Alissa Shanley, a garden designer with B. Gardening in Denver.
Go hardier: Choose bulbs that are plump, not overly dry, light in color, and have no soft spots. Look now for sales: Check at www.brecks.com and www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com.
groceries
Be a Web-coupon queen: Sites such as www.coolsavings.com and www.smartsource.com can save you time and money. But use them wisely; they won’t save you anything if you buy stuff you don’t need. About 25 percent of coupons issued last year required a multiple-item purchase, says NCH MarketingServices, a coupon-processing firm.
Do a supermarket tour: Try hitting a couple of area stores and grab only items on sale. You’ll chop an average of $15.05 off your weekly grocery bill, according to one study.
Don’t fall for fake bargains: Items showcased at the end of aisles aren’t always on sale as they may seem to be.
gifts
Cut flower-delivery costs: Go to Yahoo’s Yellow Pages to locate a florist in the recipient’s ZIP code. You’ll save at least $5 in fees tacked on when an order is sent from one florist to another. But make sure the florist has a local address; some use phrases like “serving this area” but are really out of town and add the charge. Or go direct-from-grower via www.montereyrose.com or www.expressroses.com.
Widen your wine search: Ask your local merchant to recommend wines from emerging wine-producing countries, such as Argentina, Chile, Israel, and South Africa, and southern Italy. They’re a lot cheaper than comparable wines from California and France. If you’re ordering by the case, check out sites such as www.wine-searcher.com and www.winezap.com, which can save you a bundle.
movies and theater
Join the club: Some theater chains offer frequent-customer programs that give you rewards. One example: Regal Entertainment Group’s Crown Club doles out free popcorn every Tuesday. Sign up at www.regalcinemas.com. AMC/Loews also has its own program. Go to www.moviewatcher.com for details.
Go last-minute: If you’re catching a live show and you’re not picky, see if your city has half-price ticket booths for that night’s performances. Go to www.tdf.org.
Buy the book: If you’re a film buff, get an Entertainment Book. They’re now $12.50 to $22.50, depending on where you live. That’s half off the normal cover price because it expires on Nov. 1. You’ll get coupons for movie admissions with discounts averaging $1.50 to $3 per ticket. Go to www.entertainment.com.
Talk down the price on practically anything
It may seem strange to dicker over a dentist visit or a diamond ring at a fancy jewelry store, but these days everything is negotiable. In one poll 63.4 percent of consumers said they’d recently asked for a discount. Hate haggling? Then try out these easy starter tips:
- Ask whether the item will be going on sale soon. The seller might take the hint and offer the discount now--or let you in on an upcoming sale.
- Surf online to find out what other retailers are charging for the same item. Show the results to the salesperson--he may be willing to
match or even beat the price.
- When buying multiple items, get the seller to sweeten the deal with a “volume discount” or ask him to throwin a freebie, like a carrying case for a laptop
computer.
- If you have a coupon that has expired or one offered by a competitor, don’t toss it. Ask whether the retailer will still honor it.
- Offer to pay cash. This one works really well with contractors, doctors, and other service providers who need the money to pay employees and keep their businesses running.
| Want more? Click any of the links below for more articles from the first issue of ShopSmart;) Vintage values A high price doesn’t always mean a better wine. Check out these great whites for as little as $8. 11 smart buys that will make your home safer Your room-by-room guide to averting household disasters Where to find the best travel deals With so many online booking sites, you can never really be sure you’ve nailed the lowest price. Follow our tips to find the best deals. |
