Move over, Sunday coupons: Retailers dangle discounts in other ways these days. But to get the deals, you have to give something in return. Here’s our take on when the trade-off is worth it.
Become an e-mail subscriber. Worth it, but wait until you’re buying a big-ticket item, says online shopping expert Michelle Madhok. You get a discount of, say, 10% or more, but the coupon is good only once, and only for a limited time.
Connect on social media. Worth it for retailers where you shop frequently. By “liking” stores on Facebook or following them on Twitter, you get early access to sales or special discounts. The same goes for downloading a store’s mobile app. For example, Gilt.com, a flash-sale Web site, runs mobile-only sales.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
Get a store credit card. Not worth it, especially if you carry a balance. The average interest rate for retail cards is 23%, compared with 15% on general-purpose cards. The interest you pay will quickly wipe out the discount of 15% or more you get when you open the card. Instead, use sites such as GiftCardGranny.com to find discounted store gift cards. The savings can be as much as 20% or more.
-
Stock Market Today: Have We Seen the Bottom for Stocks?Solid first-quarter earnings suggest fundamentals remain solid, and recent price action is encouraging too.
-
Is the GOP Secretly Planning to Raise Taxes on the Rich?Tax Reform As high-stakes tax reform talks resume on Capitol Hill, questions are swirling about what Republicans and President Trump will do.
-
Five Ways to Save on Vacation Rental PropertiesTravel Use these strategies to pay less for an apartment, condo or house when you travel.
-
How to Avoid Annoying Hotel Fees: Per Person, Parking and MoreTravel Here's how to avoid extra charges and make sure you don't get stuck paying for amenities that you don't use.
-
How to Appeal an Unexpected Medical Billhealth insurance You may receive a bill because your insurance company denied a claim—but that doesn’t mean you have to pay it.
-
Amazon Prime Fees Are Rising. Here’s How to Cancel Your Amazon Prime MembershipFeature Amazon Prime will soon cost $139 a year, $180 for those who pay monthly. If you’re a subscriber, maybe it’s time to rethink your relationship. Here’s a step-by-step guide to canceling Prime.
-
How to Haggle for Almost AnythingSmart Buying Learning how to haggle is an invaluable skill. These strategies will help you negotiate a better price for just about any product or service.
-
Disability Insurance Can Provide COVID CoverageCoronavirus and Your Money If you are concerned about long-term complications from COVID-19, consider disability insurance coverage.
-
21 Things You Can't Return to Amazon — Either Online or In-StoreDid you know there are things you can't return to Amazon? Before adding these 21 items to your cart, be sure to read Amazon's return policy first.
-
How to Avoid a Charity Scampersonal finance Scammers never quit, even when you're trying to be altruistic. But you can avoid getting duped if you do your homework.
