This morning on KSTP Eyewitness News I mentioned four websites that will help you save a money. For even more ideas check out the more money-saving websites page, where I include a more extensive list.
Swagbucks. Swagbucks is a search engine that rewards you for searching. Create an account, search and win. It’s that easy. If you really get into it you can download the Swagbucks toolbar, read their blog and follow them on Facebook to hear about Swagcodes, which are promo codes you can enter to win more Swagbucks. Learn more about the plethora of ways you can earn and win with Swagbucks.
Based on my experience, an average family could earn a $5 Amazon gift card every couple weeks. Those are nice for buying bulk groceries when they go on sale or to save up and use at Christmas.
Restaurant.com. If I told you that you could spend $2 to save $25 eating out, would you think it’s a great deal? I would. Restaurant.com is the place to do it. You can buy a coupons for restaurants nationwide. It is like a modern version of the Entertainment book (formerly Happenings book) that is chocked full of dining coupons. The beauty of Restaurant.com is that you only buy for the places you plan to eat and then print the coupon on the spot. Read more about what Restaurant.com is and how it works.
The best part is that they run sales throughout the month that give you 80% off their already-low prices. For instance, right now use the code FLAG to get any $25 off coupon at Restaurant.com for 2 bucks.
Coupon Database. If you aren’t into coupon clipping and the Sunday paper, but would be willing to see if there any coupons online for the groceries on your list, then check out the coupon database at PocketYourDollars.com. Select the coupon type as “printable” so you don’t get overwhelmed seeing every coupon that exists. Then type in either the brand name of the product or the type of product you are looking for. For instance, you can look up “Betty Crocker” or “olive oil” to see coupons that contain those words.
Ebates. Ebates is a cash back shopping site. Think of it like an online mall or portal through which you do your other online shopping. For every purchase you make through the Ebates portal you will earn a percentage back in cash deposited into your Ebates account. They will cut you a check every month when your balance is $10 or more. Your first bonus, you’ll get $5 for signing up. I am fond of Cashbaq and Shop At Home too, which are two other popular cash back sites.
Your turn: Which of these four do you like best?
**Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Read Pocket Your Dollars’ disclosure statement for more information.
I don’t understand about Restaurant.com, why it is a good deal. It says I can buy a $10 g.c. for $4, but it requires a $20 minimum purchase, and an 18% gratuity is automatically added. So that puts me at spending $4+$10 (extra min purchase)+$3.60 (tip)=$17.60 for a $20 purchase. That doesn’t sound like 80% off to me. I don’t get the math–does someone want to help me out?
Let’s say you are a family that would normally spend $35+ eating out. Instead of paying $35 + tip you pay $2 for a $25 off coupon so it’s like $12 ($2 for coupon + $10 extra to reach for minimum purchase) + tip. So you spend $12 instead of $35. That is better than buy one, get one free, which is what we usually get for restaurant coupons in the mail. Just my two cents. But like anything, they might not be for everyone.
Wait, I just read a little closer, and you said a $25 g.c. for $2? That would be a better deal:
$2+$10+$6.30=$18.30 for a $35 meal. It’s still only about 50% off, though, overall, because of the required minimum purchase, right?
P.S. – I wouldn’t count tip because you’d pay tip either way and I usually give at least 18% anyway.
Jessica – Don’t forget that you are factoring in tip into the Restaurant.com scenario and need to do that for the $35 meal too. I tip 20% so that’s a $42 meal for less than $20 (and they auto-charge me 18% tip which saves me over what I would have otherwise given).
I’ve used restaurant.com certificates around a dozen times and have never seen the 18% tip auto-charged.
Doesn’t really matter much since I’m an appreciative ex-waiter ;-)
Jessica –
Minimum purchases are set by the participating restaurants, and as a result the limitations vary.
And again, using those codes like Carrie listed above is the best way to get extra savings at restaurant.com. Last year, they even had a 90% sale for a couple of days — I think my family bought 25 $25 gift certificates at $1 per purchase, and ate out for months. :D
Okay, I see now how it can be a better deal than 2 for 1. Thanks for explaining it to me! :-)
A new idea – if you want the better selection of restaurants from the first of the month, but the sale price of 80% off, then get a Dinner of the Month membership when they are on sale and pick a new restaurant each month.
Definitely Restaurant.com. I’ve just started using swagbucks, but you can’t use their toolbar with Google Chrome (which is my preferred web browser) so I don’t always remember to use them.
I use Swagbucks with Google Chrome. Just set it as your preferred search engine under Chrome. Then Swagbucks does the search unless you opt to go to Google or Bing manually.
I love Swagbucks, I am going for a Free Christmas for my kids. I also love Ebates, we went to my inlaws for Christmas this year, bought most things online, had them shipped down there, and got cash back. A couple of times I have gotten better deals by buying online through ebates than going to the store, throw in free shipping and the cash back, and I saved even the gas money!
I like Ebates the most. As a frugal online shopper, I use several cash back sites like Bing, AAfter Search, FatWallet along with my favorite Ebates.
Swagbucks is cool….and sometimes they have mega swagbuck days. I scored 100 swagbucks a couple weeks ago. They do add up!!!
100 Swagbucks. Wow, you rock! Every Friday is a Mega Swagbucks day. Maybe I’ll start reminding folks about that. Even if you only occasionally use Swagbucks, Friday is the day to do it.
I tried the Organic Grocery Deals site – love it! Thank you for sharing this :)
Ebates is the BEST!!! If memory serves me correctly, I think I passed that deal on to you Carrie :)
I also love dealnews.com as you can find some great deals in their listing.
retailmenot.com is a great place to check to see if there on any on-line disount codes out there as well. I usually check there for my codes (copy/paste) and then link to the retailer via ebates.
I was just recently read about freeshipping.org, promotionalcodes.com and RedPlum.com (on-line and local merchants disounts)
I haven’t used the above 3 yet but will be checking them out.
I love this quote I recently read from a family circle article, “I laugh when people say, ‘I never pay retail.’ I never pay sale price.”
Have checked out Restaurant.com again recently. Do not see a good selection of restaurants to use in our area or Minneapolis so does not appeal to me.
There are other cash back portals like Bing, AAfter Search, BigCrumbs and FatWallet that I take advantage of along with my favorite Ebates.
Saw you do your talk during the 8am hour and wondered how you could be so vibrant and perky at that time:). Great info but have question on swagbucks-it sounds as though you can plan on making 5dollars every two weeks-that is what I am currantly doing-but how is that enough to make a difference or buy all ones Christmas presents? Do people actually make more money?
PJ – I spent $150 total last year for a ton of presents for my two daughters and husband, including three stockings full of goodies. So, $130 in Amazon gift cards goes a long way in my world :)
Just remember that Sawgbucks collects all of the info. you search. So, keep this in mind for privacy purposes.
What does the “Join Free and Pick Your Bonus” with a picture of 5 different gift cards to choose from mean? I signed up but was thrown off by this message when I clicked on the link through your site…do I really get one of those gift cards??
Amber – Where did you click or sign up? I am not sure exactly what you are looking at.
Carrie – when I click on the Ebates link it brings me to that screen….