As hopefully you know by now, I’m officially debt free! Woo hoo! While I plan on writing more in-depth posts on how I did it, it comes down to two things: spending less and earning more. You know I’m all about that side hustle, but it’s important to save money when you can.
But if you’re like me, you hate clipping coupons or spending too much time trying to save money. It feels counterproductive, right? Why would I spend so much time searching just to save a few bucks?
Luckily, there’s one thing that can completely revolutionize your savings strategy: CouponFollow.
CouponFollow is a real-time savings engine, aimed to help consumers find discount savings in the form of coupon codes. You can go on their site and search coupons from your favorite stores. You can also see what codes are trending and even submit a code if you found something and want to spread the love.
To make your life even easier, you can try Coupons at Checkout, which is a browser add-on that helps you uncover coupons automatically. So instead of searching for the code, your web browser finds it for you. All you need to do is click “Find Coupons” upon checkout and score some big savings.
For someone like me that really doesn’t like couponing very much, this is an effortless way to save money. The best part? You don’t need to register or create an account and it’s super easy to use. Check out this video that explains it all.
Imagine what you can do with the additional savings — pay off debt, save for your emergency fund or even create a fun fund.
If the coupon codes don’t exist, I’ll turn to Swagbucks. I’ve searched the internet and made money using Swagbucks and have also gotten points from shopping online. These points can then be redeemed for Starbucks gift cards, Amazon and more. There’s no greater way to fuel my coffee addiction than to score some free gift cards.
I love that there are two simple methods to saving and earning: Coupons at Checkout and Swagbucks. While of course, these are great options for holiday shopping, you can also use them any time.
It’s incredibly easy and useful, especially if you do the majority of your shopping online.
I’m curious — how do you save or earn when you shop?
I’m a partner of CouponFollow and Swagbucks, but as always I only write about things I use and love. There are some affiliate links in this post, which means I’ll receive a bonus if you use my links, which helps support Dear Debt.
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11 comments
I didn’t know that you reached your goal of being debt free! I’m in Japan doing back flips (well in my mind) for you. Congrats! I am so happy for you. Can’t wait to see the great information you will share of the process.
Thanks Petrish! I’ve missed you! Happy to hear from you and I know you’ll get there soon too! May all your debt free dreams come true.
I have been reading your blog for the last few weeks and I can honestly say I was inspired. To kick my own fight to the debt off (small pun there), I started by paying off one of my smaller student loans last night!
Thank you for your inspiration!
Robert Flood
That’s so awesome, Robert! Keep it going, you can do it!
When shopping*, I’ve reprioritized where I search to start in the areas that are most likely to save me huge amounts (50%+) without any effort. That effort usually begins with asking on Facebook if anyone I know is looking to get rid of whatever I’m looking for. Often someone is and is happy to unload it for free, next to free, or very reasonably priced. Next I turn to Craigslist, which in the large city in which I live, has an overabundance of people looking to get rid of stuff (recently equipped the whole family with very nice bikes for < $200). Failing those methods, I frequent websites or stores that have consistently below retail prices—which usually means Amazon for most consumer goods, Costco for bulkier but frequently used household items. And if it's entertainment I'm looking for, I start with my local library—which is free every time.
*by shopping I mean deciding I actually want something and then searching only for that item; I basically never go "shopping" in the recreational consumerist sense used by most people.
That’s a great strategy!
I think this is a fantastic idea. When I do shop (not often and has to be for something specific) I love to have those promo codes, so I am glad this app supplies them.
It’s so great!
I cant wait to read about how you overcame your debt! it should be good… thanks for the tips too, im going to look into using couponflow as a way to save a bit more.
Your article The Best Savings Secrets To Help You Save Money On Everything is really amazing it is very helpful for us. I am also using Promo O codes for shopping there are very interesting deals and coupons for shopping. I also got my saving you may also get your saving for your products.
I think this is a fantastic idea