It's my goal to help you save money year-round, and especially during the coronavirus pandemic. So, I caught up with an expert for some insider tips.
Sara Skirboll, Shopping and Trends Expert at RetailMeNot, put together insight by category.
WORKING FROM HOME:
If you're working from home and need some kind of desk setup, Sara told us, "I recommend heading over to places like Office Depot, and Staples even. That's where you're going to find really great deals, upwards of 25 percent off. And you can find everything from desk lamps to computer stands, even desk chairs that are going to keep you productive."
PETS:
Sara, what about resources for pets?
"So, places like Petco are offering 35 percent off pet medication, and free delivery for first-time customers. That's a really great deal. Also, PetSmart is offering 15 percent off certain items. Again, it's all about the essentials. What do you need right now and not over-indulging," said Sara. Not over-indulging is vital for all items and all family members in my book.
KEEP KIDS ENTERTAINED:
Many kids are doing virtual, from-home classes. What about ways to keep them entertained when homework is done?
"Yes, we can consider toys. Target has up to 50 percent off on toys. If you're interested in video games, just taking their mind off school, up to 50 percent off games at Gamestop," Sara continued. "But, something I'm really excited about is Udemy. So, Udemy offers online skill-sharing courses, offering new opportunities to learn a different language or public speaking. So, it's great for kids and it's also great for adults. What I love about Udemy is that they're offering up to 75 percent off on certain courses. So, it's a great way to keep your kids entertained and educated all at the same time."
FREE STREAMING OPTIONS:
If you're looking to unwind and try a new streaming service, remember that options like Netflix and Hulu offer the first month FREE! That's right. Thirty days FREE! Just don't forget to cancel the subscription, so you don't get an auto-renew fee.
FREE TOOLS:
Sara also told us about Headspace, offering free tools to meditate. CorePower Yoga also has eight free classes. And maybe you're doing like we are in my home. If you're looking for workouts, you can follow along with thousands of free workouts on YouTube.
TRAVEL TIPS:
This time of year, we're normally talking about spring travel and the deals on cruises, airfare and more. However, Sara suggests and encourages you to wait on making travel plans until later in the summer. She did said it is a good time to buy luggage though, as there are plenty of deals right now. Those can potentially last for years to come.
WHAT TO AVOID:
"A couple things you should avoid buying include TVs and summer apparel. So, try to stay away from TV's. I think we'll find better deals around Amazon Prime Day, which might be extended into August. But, Prime Day is a great time to buy TV's. Summer clothing. You'll find deeper discounts later into the summer. But, winter clothing, you'll find clearance right now. Anywhere between 50, 60, 70 percent off on winter apparel like coats and boots," said Sara.
STORES OFFERING CURBSIDE PICKUP:
There are so many stores offering curbside pickup. After placing your order online, it may be faster than delivery, and it's contact-free! Sara said, "Most places are catering to curbside pickup within two-to-four hours."
SARA'S THREE TIPS TO SAVE MONEY:
"Number one, always try to find a coupon code or cashback offer. That's going to save you money and keep money in your pocket, which is the most important during these uncertain times. Number two, wait 24 hours. So, if you think you really need something, wait 24 hours. This is going to give you an opportunity to determine if you really need this. Plus, you can spend a few minutes looking across the internet to see if you can find a better deal. And then, last but not least, pause before you press purchase. This is again, just going to give yourself a different mindset, whether or not you really need the item, whether you want the item, or if you need it right now. Pause before you purchase. That's going to keep things really in perspective as it relates to your spending," said Sara.
How are you saving money? If you have any tips you want to share, click here. We would love to hear from you!