You too, can buy an expensive handbag for less than half its price, and then overfill it until it looks like a garbage sack anyway.
Source: Barrie Hardymon
So, you've spotted something gorgeous online while working. (Sometimes Bluefly gives me story ideas!) And let us also suppose that you are quite deserving of a little soupcon -- an eensy lagniappe that would make you work even harder in the future. (I've picked something very extravagant, yes, but that's because I've been working reeeeaaaally hard.) But no way are you going to pay upwards of five bills for that thing! Here's how:
1.) Get a pen and pencil. And maybe a cup of tea! (You have to keep your strength up.)
2.) Find five websites that carry it. Or ten! (It depends on your stamina.) Do a bunch of searches for the different names of the item -- and keep those windows open in tabs, or if you prefer, write down the websites.
3.) Note which websites have free shipping standard (many of them do now), or which have free shipping over a certain amount.
4.) All right, people -- here's the thrilling bit (Take a bracing sip of tea): Head for the coupon meccas of the web! My favorite is this one: RetailMeNot. I usually hit it first, and find what I need. And check the comments section there too -- the community is really great at pinpointing how to use codes properly. I really like NaughtyCodes, which collects coupons that are sent to select customers only. Of course, there's always DealCatcher, Currentcodes, Couponmountain, and the active folks at Fatwallet.
5) Now start comparing prices! And don't forget to include shipping. A 20% off coupon doesn't mean anything if the store is going to nail you on the taxes and shipping (I'm looking at you, RH).
6) Bingo! Found it for 30% off, free shipping! Now that nasty $528 purse is a cool $369. Wait. That's still kind of expensive. Sigh.
7) Do this every time, for every thing! You will save so much money. I don't buy cat litter without comparing online coupons -- and I'm getting to the point where paying shipping costs seems idiotic.
8) Waterproof your fancy new bag as soon as you get it. (You can find a coupon for leather treatments, too.)
9) Repeat.
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