Cheap
Let's assume you use a medication that requires 2 pills a day (60 a month). By doing a little research with my health insurance provider I found out that they will pay for up to 100 of these pills per month. My doctor now writes me a script for 100 pills and as a result I do not have to pay as many co-pays nor do I have to go to the pharmacy as often. Note: This works for many medications, check with your health insurance provider to find out if you can benefit from this tip. Additionally, you can ask your doctor if a higher dose can be prescribed and the pills can be split. Many times the prices of the medications is nominal from the 50mg to 100mg pill.
Suggested by: Dr. Savealot
Next time you want / need to buy flowers, place your order with Bloomstoday.com. When they get to the part where they tell you shipping & handling is $15.99 immediately tell them that is too high. The telephone agents have the ability to cut this to $7.99 without a supervisor's approval in order to save the sale. Note: Many local florists have websites, and if you order through the website rather than over the phone or in person, delivery charges are often waved. For best results, always deliver in person (when possible).
--www.bloomstoday.com
Suggested by: Send Me Flowers
I have done this twice so far -- it works for persistent people. Call Comcast customer service and ask to be transferred to the department that cancels accounts. When you get a person on the line kindly tell them that Verizon is offering you [fill in the blank with a Verizon offer] and that since it is so much cheaper, unfortunately, you are going to have to cancel your internet access with Comcast. The customer service people are paid bonuses to retain customers and will generally drop the bill price for a year by $10 a month. That's a $120 a year! Remember to be nice! I work in customer service (not for Comcast) and if you are rude or arrogant I can assure you the bonus for keeping you isn't worth the aggravation. You'll get more flies with honey than vinegar on this tip!
Suggested by: Randall Gooding
Do you love getting your newspaper(s) delivered at the extremely low "introductory rate" but hate it when that rate doubles/triples upon expiration? Simply call the newspaper's billing department before your introductory rate expires and ask to extend it (or threaten to cancel). Make sure to find out when the extension will expire so you can extend again, and again, and again! This works, we checked with a few inside sources and given the world of hurt the newspaper industry is in, they are willing to keep subscribers at any cost.
Suggested by: CB in Redondo
It's simple! Just hold your coupons for a month before using them. That's right, put them in a stack and come back in 4 weeks. Promotions are generally structured so that a product will have a printed coupon and then go on sale in a few weeks. The purpose of the sale following the coupons is twofold: (i) on the books sales will increase and level out instead of showing a steep spike followed by a sharp decline; (ii) physiologically, coupon users are more likely to re-buy the same product when they come back into the store and notice it on sale. Don't be a sucker to marketing, Clip and Save!
Shout-out: thesimpledollar.com
It's terrible when you ruin or chip a recent manicure or pedicure! Don't fret, most nail salons offer a "nail polish touchup" service that is cheaper than a regular manicure or pedicure. Go to your salon with your chipped nails, bring the bottle you used and they'll do it on the cheap and make everything better. Never pay full price to get your nails done again!
Suggested by: Julie
When ordering your side at Panera Bread - apple, bread or chips - ask for the apple. Then when you pick up your meal, act surprised and say, "Oops! I actually wanted bread (or chips)." Boom you'll get both because they aren't allowed to take the apple back for health reasons. Happy Munching!
Suggested by: John Nelson
Threaten to stop using your cell phone company for service and let them know exactly why you are unhappy. Some examples: cell phone company B is offering me [fill in the blank], I don't want to pay for text messages or my phone is acting up a lot. Nine times out of ten you'll get transferred to a salesperson in the retention department who has the ability adjust pricing and create a "custom" plan --all this just to keep your business!
Note: This really works best when your not under contract.
Suggested by: Dave
Do you want custom clothes on the cheap? Can't find jeans that fit? Want a perfect suit, fitted shirt or unique prom / wedding dress? Go to craigslist.com and post an ad under "creative gigs" (it's free to post) and ask for a fashion student or "new" designer. Generally, if you offer to cover the cost of materials, you can get great quality custom clothes made at a huge discount. We posted and got a ton of responses!
Suggested by: Julie
Certain locations give you a free small blizzard when you buy a $20 gift card. You can purchase a gift card to pay for your meal / treat and still receive the free blizzard! Additionally, if you are craving food, order the kids meal for $3 and get a adult-size cheeseburger, small order of fries, a drink, and a treat. Happy eating!
Suggested by: Tabby
Once you graduate and enter the real world make sure to bring your student ID with you. You'll be surprised how much you can save over the years just by flashing your student ID. Get discounts on everything from haircuts and movie tickets to restaurants and museums. Just because you graduated last year doesn't mean that you can't save money on your next purchase.
Ramen noodles, typically associated with college life and poverty, can be part of a yummy and cheap meal. The thing that makes ramen noodles gross - and unhealthy - is the seasoning packet that you add in afterward. Otherwise, it's just super cheap noodles. Try adding peanut sauce, marinara sauce, soy sauce, chicken, beef, or vegetables for a quick, easy, and economic meal!
Suggested by: Julie
Chances are you and your friends can't pull off buying childrens tickets at the movie theater ticket window. However, if you purchase your tickets ahead of time using Fandango.com, you can buy any type of ticket you want. Nine times out of ten, the person ripping the tickets isn't paying attention and you can walk straight through (note: this usually works best if you buy at least one adult ticket and have the childrens tickets underneath). Now that you saved a few bucks, you can buy some over-priced movie theater food.
Don't waste your time scrubbing silver with store-bought tarnish remover because there is a much easier way. First, fill a pot with hot water and add a tablespoon or two of salt as well as a bit of water softener. Now drop in a sheet of standard aluminum foil and dunk the tarnished silver into the water for a few seconds (make sure the silver is touching the foil) -- the tarnish will disappear. Pull it out when the tarnish is removed and it will shine like new thanks to a simple chemical reaction.
When ordering a frappuccino at Starbucks don't order by the promotional name, think like a barista and order its components. For example, next time you want a raspberry mocha frappuccino order a "mocha frappuccino with a shot of raspberry." You will get the same drink 10-20% cheaper.
Suggested by: Mariam
Craving some of those world famous Teuscher champagne truffles but don't want to lay out all the cash? Walk up and ask if there are any broken pieces stashed behind the counter. They don't display them for "image" reasons, but once you pop them in your mouth they taste just as delectable. Make sure to thank your gracious server - it is hard work making something so small taste so good.
Shout-out: teuscherlasvegas.com
Suggested by: Josh Pasternak
Most restaurants know you better than you think and they play it to their advantage. They know that you don't want to seem cheap when ordering because generally people never order the least expensive bottle on the menu. But think twice before ordering the second least expensive bottle of wine... It's usually the most ordered and most profitable for the restaurant. Restaurants One, First-daters Zero!
Most restaurants have lunch specials that are identical to the dinner menu, aside from the cost, which is usually about half the price at lunch time. Buy your dinner at lunchtime, put it in the refrigerator, and microwave it in the evening.
Shout-out: borrowmybrain.com
