Favorite Ways to Save

Groceries: I almost exclusively shop a Kroger and use their Kroger Plus Card. I have my card registered online and load coupons easily via the Kroger website. 
*I grocery shop on Sundays when the new weekly sales flyer is available online and my finance and I base the weeks menu on what is on sale. Meal planning and creating the grocery list all done in one step that saves time and money.
*I use Coupons.com to find additional coupons that I can print out.
*I pay with my Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express to get 3% cash back.

Fuel: Using the GasBuddy app or website in central to all my fuel saving strategies.

 *By shopping a Kroger I earn Kroger Fuel Points which translates to 10 cents off a gallon for every $100 spent on groceries.

*When the savings don’t favor purchasing fuel at Kroger I am a loyal Speedway customer. I have had my *Speedy Rewards Card since I was 16 and have used my points to buy around $150 in fuel gift cards over the years. I wish I would have tracked all the 3 to 7 cent fuel discounts that I have saved with since I have been driving.

*I pay with my Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express to get 2% cash back.

Online and In-store Shopping: I pretty much always pay with my Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express to get 2% cash back at department stores and 1% everywhere else.

*I like shopping online for the convenience and I think is offers better ways to save. I can shop multiple stores and sites to compare prices and the discounts I can find.

*I never buy anything online without looking for a promo code first. I am almost always able to find a code to get some percentage off or free shipping. I few minutes of research can save big money.

*Before I buy online I always look to see if the site is listed on Ebates or Speedway Mall. If they are I can earn extra cash or Speedy points on a purchase I was going to make anyway.

*I always look on company websites for email list which give an instant discount. I have a separate email account where I sent such emails to keep my primary email clear.

 

Pets: We adopted our awesome dog Ellie almost a year ago and while we love her to death, she costs money.

*When we first got her I shopped around several pet stores to compare prices on dog food. I found that the small but more convenient pet store was slightly cheaper than the huge Pet Smart down the road. The best part is that the store has a customer loyalty card that gives you a free bag of dog food after you purchase 10 bags, a $40 savings.

*I started an account on the Hills.com (makers of Science Diet) which has provided awesome coupons on occasion.

 

Rewards Programs:  

*Coke Rewards: I have been collecting and using Coke Rewards for a while, but I rarely buy Coke products at the grocery store. I get most of my points from family and friends that save them for me. In fact, my brother works at a law firm where everyone guzzles down Coke which means a ton of points for me. I have gotten several things with my Coke Points like two sets of headphones that I needed and we used the points to get a Shutterfly photo book that we are going to use as our guest book at our wedding, saving us over $30!

*Recycle Bank: I discovered Recycle Back from another personal finance blogger and really like this site. I’ve learned a ton about recycling and easy changes I can make to my lifestyle to be more environmentally friendly. Plus, the reward points can be racked up easily for some great prizes.

Coffee:

I love coffee, period. Folks who can’t live without their cup of java hopefully notice what an expensive indulgence it can be. The coffee habit is a favorite of personal finance writers who point out the math of redirecting the morning expense into a retirement account. While I won’t sacrifice coffee altogether I have found ways to save. Home brewing is probably the most noted way to save which I agree with. I have an espresso machine and a regular coffee pot which I use a lot. I mostly buy Starbucks brand coffee at the grocery for the espresso machine which is often on sale and sometimes there is a coupon. The quality is good and it saves a lot compared to buying coffee in store. Additionally, Starbucks coffee bags can be turn in at any Starbucks shop for a free tall coffee. I also have a Starbucks reward card which after just making a few purchases I can now go into Starbucks and purchase a bottomless cup of coffee to help me work away on my thesis. Having a rewards card also makes you eligible for some great coupons.

Other Ways to Save:

Groupon

Craigslist

Public Library