Frugal Tips

Since my friends and family consider me being an expert in finding the cheapest deals online and always ask me how in the world I sometimes get a pair of VS jeans for $7 shipped, or what is my secret to getting freebies, I decided to write this post to help them and everyone else who loves to save money.

First of all, while bargains are great, remember not to get carried away and buy stuff just because it is on sale. It is hard to pass on something when it is dirt cheap, but unless you are planning to resell it, be careful not to get carried away. Even if you are buying a pair of $90 jeans for $10, but don’t need them, remember: YOU ARE NOT SAVING $80! YOU ARE LOSING $10!!!

If you passed the first test and decided that you really need something, here is how to make sure you are finding the cheapest deals on the Web.

1.    If you haven’t done it already, join deal communities such as Slickdeals.net or FatWallet. These sites are free to join and the benefits are fantastic! I’ve been a member of Slickdeals for 3 years now and I saved so much money because of it.

On Slickdeals frugal consumers share their best finds, shopping tips and coupons. The site consists of different forums and threads. Some of the threads are dedicated to specific stores, such as Target Clearance Thread, or Kohl’s Thread. Other forums and subforums are dedicated to specific deals, whether it is a freebie or simply a hot deal on a pair of shoes. Slickdeals might seem a little overwhelming at first, but after awhile you’ll get used to it and I am pretty sure, will love it. Slickdeals community is a very friendly one ad if you have any questions, there is always someone to help.

If you are looking for something specific, there is no need to read the entire forum in hopes of finding what you need. All you have to do is type what you are looking for in their search and see if there are any deals available at the moment.

2.    If you were lucky enough to find what you needed on Slickdeals or Fatwallet, good for you. If the hot deal is listed on one of this websites, there is probably no way you can get it cheaper. Many Slickdealers are professionals and they know what they are doing. If the coupon for a certain deal exists and it combines with clearance and the other discounts, you can be sure that it is already included in the hot deal.

If you didn’t find what you were looking for, it is time to look for coupons by yourself. To look for the cheapest deals, you can use good old friend Google and simply type the item you are looking for + coupons. Or you can go to places like RetailMeNot.com and search for coupons there. Never ever underestimate the power of coupons. Even if you are buying a really inexpensive item, look for coupons as well. If you shop a lot, you will be surprised how quickly these small savings add up and how much you can save in a year or even a month.

To be continued…