How to (kind of) be a bargain girl...or guy...

So, I thought I would share some sites, strategies, deals with you that I use to save money.  We are forever trying to be better stewards of our money.  I've always been a bargain-shopper.  The problem is usually that I buy things that are such smokin' deals, but I never really needed them in the first place!  Ha!  I guess it comes down to the difference between "need" and "want".  Well, that is another discussion.

Here are just a few ways I save money:

-Google!  This seems silly.  But, it's not!  No matter where you shop...go to Google and type in "coupon code for _____________(whatever store you are shopping)."

-Sign up for daily deals at Brads Deals (you'll find stuff here you never knew you needed, LOL)

-Go to Free Birthday Treats and sign up!  You will eat for free at every restaurant in your area for your entire birthday month!

-If you eat out regularly, check out Restaurant.com for your favorites.  And, make sure you Google "restaurant.com coupon codes" because they almost always have an 80% off coupon for this site.  You will often pay $2 for a $25 gift certificate!

-The new group buying sites are pretty good:  Groupon, BuyWithMe, Plum District and Snag and Save

-Check out RetailMeNot for free shipping and some really good discounts at well known stores.

-Try SwagBucks you'll have to check it out for the details.  You can earn some awesome stuff and cash by shopping and searching for things through this site.

-And, I think I've blogged about this before, but Ebates is A.W.E.S.O.M.E!  Not only can you find tons of coupon codes and discounts, you will receive cash back on every purchase that will be sent to you quarterly via check or directly deposited into your Pay Pal account (you just need to specify your preference when you create an account).

I won't even go into the grocery store coupon/saving thing.  A.  I hate grocery shopping and B. I would be lying if I told you that I used coupons and such at the grocery store.  I'm just terrible about that.  I'm not good at saving when it comes to this type of shopping.  I am willing to spend more money to just get in and out of there as fast as I possibly can.  Well, now that I say that I guess I have found a way to make grocery shopping and saving less painful.  You've probably seen me post on Facebook about E-Mealz.  I am saving, spending less time in the nightmare-we-call-a-grocery-store and I do not have to come up with meals on my own.  OK, why didn't someone create this sooner?  This is life-changing for me!  :)

Happy Shopping!  Remember though:  NEED not WANT, NEED not WANT, NEED not WANT.  There you have the key to all savings!  LOL  Now, if only I could practice what I preach.