Queen of the Discount

Well, almost!  I know it's just Christmas Eve, but that really also just means we're a week away from New Year's Eve, and as someone who loves to plan-and when it comes to shopping, I always plan.  So, I for one have already started thinking about 2026! In particular, I've started to think about a few large (think: over $100-at least to start! :)) purchases that I want to consider for next year: one or two future cruises, an immersion blender, and an inversion table.  A random assortment for sure. Follow me over the next few months as I start to refine what I'm looking for and then start to track prices for a few weeks (maybe months...) to better understand what a good sales price would look like, and what a good discount/cash-back offer could look like.

 'tis the Season...for gift certificates!  Raise your hand if you've received at least 10 emails in the last week asking you to buy a gift certificate?  All of you?  Yep!  That sounds about right-and, it's only Thursday! :) ...and if, like me, you have received an email asking you to buy a gift certificate, my next question is:  Did you notice if there was an offer associated with that gift certificate?  Typically, I have; I've noticed over the years that it's not uncommon to get Gift Certificate emails that offer me a discount or a bonus gift certificate for a certain amount purchased-and the past few years in particular, *some* of those incentives have become attractive enough for me to not only purchase a few gift certs, but also to actively seek out gift certificates from other companies that I regularly spend money at. What are some of these incentives?  Well, the two most common that I've seen so far is a straight-up X% discount on the gift ...

Like many of you, I started going my grocery shopping online during the 'Covid years'...and I personally haven't stopped doing my grocery shopping online since!  I found the time savings of the shopping itself to be considerable-no more walking the isles with my grocery list (a massive $$ saver!!!), no more standing in line to check out, no more circling the parking lot when I arrive trying to find a halfway decent parking space. This probably all saves me an average of 30 minutes every time I do a grocery shop--and certainly time IS money.   In addition to this time savings however is another substantial benefit that I've come to realize:  No more impulse buying!  No more buying because I'm hungry or have a craving, no more buying because the display looked cute.  No more buying because there was a tasty free sample.  None of it.  Now, I shop the digital coupons to see what I can save for what is on my list, shop what's on my list-plus any additi...

While I do love the Thrill of the Hunt when it comes to finding a good deal-or doing anything to save money on a purchase, there is a reality of my privilege that I should mention to initially level-set what I am able to do:  I have the luxury of time, and I have the luxury of money.  Let me explain-as it's worth the reality check to understand my perspective and provide a level of transparency on who I am and what I do from the beginning. Time I retired a year ago.  I'm young by most standards, but between not having children (the biggest money saving tip I can ever give-and I say this with no judgement), and doing the very thing this blog is about (saving money on as much as possible-or said another way, spending as little money as possible whenever I do spend money), I now have the luxury of time on my side to spend my days looking for the best price, the best deal, the best coupon...or finding new ways to save on the purchases I make. ..and for this, I'm incredibly lu...

Welcome to my blog, Queen of the Discount! Why 'Queen of the Discount?' you ask?  Two reasons. First: I love a discount.  Who doesn't, right?  But, I mean I *REALLY* love a discount.  To me, getting a good discount on an expense-whether it's a discretionary purchase (like clothing or travel) or even a regular, household bill (like Energy or a household repair)- is like a sport, a hobby, a dance, a thrill-ride, and a passion all rolled into one.  And, second:  I used to work in a profession that regularly created and amplified discounts for the consumers of the brands I worked for.  ...and I loved my job.  Doing this professionally allowed me to see the 'other side' of online couponing/cash back/discount website operations, and I learned a lot in the process. I know the games that brands-and deal and discount sites play because I played those very games. This knowledge is something I've applied to my regular life, and the rest as they say is histor...