IRMO (WACH)—The simple words “I left with over $100 of merchandise for 25 cents” rang loud and clear from Jenny Martin, founder of www.southernsaver.com.
Martin, mother of 3 daughters, started using coupons after her twins were nearly a year old and the family faced a leaky roof. With the influx of bills, she started looking for ways to save “only until the roof was paid off,” however, after 1 trip to CVS where she walked out a bounty for less than a dollar. Martin has perfected the saving technique, has cut her monthly food budget by $400, and started a website designed to help other shoppers save that receives over 1 million hits a month.
Martin says that many drugstores offer "store bucks," which are often a dollar for each dollar spent. "If you spend 2 dollars, you get 2 in store bucks, which can then be used to buy more. Even those purchases qualify for more store bucks," Martin says.
As Black Friday approaches, Martin offers several tips for shoppers to make the most of their holiday budget:
- Go prepared with a list of what you need and the best deals around. “Do your research, as a bad product is a bad deal no matter how cheap it is,” Martin says.
- Retail store price guarantees will help you get a great deal now without standing in line. Stores like Wal-mart will match any advertised sale price now through December 25.
- Shopping online allows shoppers to take advantage of great deals without the long lines and headaches of busy stores.
- There are many mobile apps that provides exclusive coupons and sales offers. Martin suggests sites like www.shopkick.com will allow shoppers to save right on the spot.
- Using coupons still offers great deals, and can also lead to other savings in the store.
Martin’s website includes links to retailers, specific sales, coupons and other information to keep shoppers savvy.
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