How did she do that?

As I walked away from the very friendly cashier at Borders, I heard the women in line behind me ask him…How did she do that!? With both amazement and jealousy in her voice. I left the store with one of my self satisfied grins knowing I just got $20.98 worth of stuff for $1.60!!! Including a new day planner that I have been wanting for the coming year. How DID I do that you ask?

First thing is to sign up with Borders for their free borders bucks award program. You get one of those customer loyalty cards that you put on your key chain. Traditionally you need to spend $150 to earn a $5 Border Bucks awards ….NOT ME!!! Here’s my little trick! I joined e-rewards, it is a survey web-site that will “pay you” to answer their surveys….Wait….I know what you are thinking…..and most of those types of sites ARE spam but I have found this site to be one of the better ones. I don’t get but a few surveys a week and most of them are centered around my interest. Plus I have found that it takes very little time and the rewards are pretty good. (Since the summer I have redeemed my e-reward$ for a years subscription to both Home and Gardens & T.V. Guide magazines plus my $15 Borders Bucks)
Since I am signed up with Borders I get emails (in my “junk account” for coupons all the time) I printed off my 30% coupon and off I went. Using both my coupon AND the Borders Bucks from e-rewards that was on my account “waiting to be redeemed” I went to the store. Perusing my favorite sections including the discount area I found the puzzle for my princess (a Christmas present I have already stuffed in my hiding place) orig. $14.99 discounted to $5.99 and the date book that I have been eyeing for awhile. At the counter I told the clerk I wanted to cash in my Border Bucks….He was as excited as I was when he saw how much I saved! He was glad to tell the story to the lady behind me as he tallied up her books (not one coupon in site as she handed over her credit card).

I love books and get most of them from the library, but every now and again I just have to “have it" for my collection. So I wait until I get a coupon and only then will I buy myself a book…..Coupon tip #3 NEVER EVER PAY RETAIL!!! There is always a coupon / discount to be had. Plus if/when you start stockpiling (we will talk about that later) you will never HAVE to pay retail again.

How do you do that?!? I hear this often from my friends. Most have started using coupons them selves and are sharing their own savings stories with me :-)