I was grocery shopping the other day at Stop and Shop in Orleans.  When I was checking out the cashier asked me if I wanted to cash in my points for a 10% reward coupon.  I had no idea what she was talking about, she then explained to me about this new program for the holidays.  I obviously accepted the 10% coupon and I now have it in my wallet for the next time I go shopping.  It is exciting when you save money for doing something you have to do anyways. More info below….

• AC Moore 40% Off Coupons
• Save Money Online….Use Coupons!

I was given the task of shopping for some new outfits for myself and my husband for work this Fall.  At first thought I was like, “Wow, Woohoo, FUN!” and then I realized it would be more challenging.  My husband and I work 9-5, we have two little kids and a budget.  I had to pick just the right time to head to Hyannis and get my shopping done and get home in time to make dinner for the family.

I started by browsing online for clothing designs and styles that would be flattering on myself and my husband for the Fall season.  I checked out websites that had models actually wearing clothes so I could get a sense for what would look good on each of us, as well as what the new trends and styles are for this Fall.

Then I decided on a time for my Shopping Spree.  I would leave home just after our two girls went down for their nap, at about 3pm.  Then I would head to Hyannis, shop, then head home by 7pm for dinner.

So, on Friday the 11th I left home at about 3:30 (just a tad later than I had hoped) and headed for the big city, Hyannis.  I made a game plan in my head of where I would shop first, this way I could get the best savings possible.  I decided to start my shopping at Old Navy.  They have causal clothing as well as dressy clothing, great prices, and they have jeans that are my size (short).  I grabbed all the clothes I thought would look great on my husband and myself and then headed to the register for checkout.  When I was checking out the lady at the register said ” would you like to sign up an Old Navy card and save 20% on this purchase?”.  At first I was going to say no thanks like I always do, however today was very different.  I knew that I would be doing more shopping and that this could save me some big bucks.  I said “Sure, why not” and then I was approved for my Old Navy Credit Card.  I ended up saving a total of $35.00 right then!  $35 was taken off of my total and I was very pleased to say the least.

My next stop was going to be Filenes Basement in the Kmart plaza, however on my drive over I realized they were closed for good!  I was very disappointed as they usually have some good options at great prices.

Next stop, Gap, and only because when I got my New Old Navy credit card I was also given coupons for Gap and Banana republic for 10% off my purchase.  I headed straight for the Clearance section, I mean why spend full price when you can save big bucks with a clearance item!  It just so happened that the sport jacket that I saw on a model in a photo on the wall in Gap was on the clearance rack! I was ecstatic.  They even had the right size!  I headed to checkout and used my 10% off coupon and saved an addition $4.00. Keep in mind the jacket’s original price was $88.00 ( which I would have never paid) and was marked down to $48.00 and then I got an additional $4.00 off, what a steal!

Next stop American Eagle.  I purchased 1 pair of jeans and 1 vest (On SALE) for my husband.

Next stop Marshalls (start the heavenly music please…). Marshalls and TJ Maxx are two of my favorite stores of all time.  Not only do they have great clothing and stylish clothing but it is all at GREAT prices.  You cannot beat the prices that they put on their clothes!  Just a quick story about shopping at Marshalls: My Mother recently bought a pair of PJ’s at Marshalls for the low low price of $17.99 that she was going to wear to a pajama party.  When she arrived at the party she noticed a friend of hers wearing the exact same Pj’s.  She asked where she bought them and found out that they were purchased at a high end shop on the upper Cape and she paid more than double what my Mother did. So I ended up leaving Marshalls with some great finds needless to say.

Last stop was at a new store in the mall called FOREVER 21.  I know this store is more for teenagers, but it sucked me in and the prices were fabulous!  I actually ended up buying a couple of nice business tops each for less than $15 too.

While I was in the mall I did quickly browse through some of the other stores, however they did not have what I was looking for and the prices were just not right for me and my budget.  Overall I was very pleased with my shopping spree and I think I shopped with good caution and did a good job of saving some money along the way.

P.S. I cannot forget to pay off my Old Navy Credit Card when I get the bill and then cancel my account.  I never use credit cards to buy anything, unless I KNOW I will pay it off right away.  I do not want to be stuck with paying interest on my purchases.  My philosophy is that if you can’t pay for it now, do not buy it!  Unless it is a house or a car of course!

• Shop Secondhand
• Credit Cards are BAD…and sometimes Good.

Although Cape Cod has a great selection of stores for most all of your shopping needs, sometimes it is just more exciting and easier to shop online.  Best of all, you do not even have to leave the house to shop online!  No waiting in lines at the Cape Cod Mall and no sitting in traffic along suicide alley.  All you need is a computer, the Internet, a comfy chair and of course some money to spend!  When I go shopping online I always make sure to look for online coupons so I can get the best deal I can find. One of the web

sites that I like to use is the Coupon Chief.  They have a huge selection of coupon codes for all of the big and small retail shops online and they are updated on a daily basis.  The best part about the Coupon Chief is that it is FREE to use and you do not even have to sign up if you do not want to.

Whenever I shop online and I am at checkout I always look for the box that says “coupon code” or “promo code”. If I see that box I immediately do a Google search for a coupon code.  Most times I find a code that works and I save some bucks!

If you are a Cape Cod business and you have an online store you can submit your website to Coupon Chief and add coupons so your online shoppers can save a few bucks at checkout.  Why not increase your online exposure and market your online store to people from all over the country.  It is FREE and easy to sign up too.

I was browsing the Coupon Chiefs homepage today and I was looking for promo codes for stores we have here on the Cape, I saw codes for Best Buy, Home Depot, Kmart, Ace Hardware, Sears and so many more.  The list goes on and on.  Recently I purchased a laptop on the Best Buy website, used a promo code, and then I picked up the laptop at Best Buy in the Cape Cod Mall. I saved money, did not have to wait in line and I got the product that I wanted when I had time to pick it up.

Shop smart, save money…use coupons!

This is a sponsored post, however I DO use online coupons regularly and I recommend that everyone do the same.

• Money Saving Coupon Websites
• AC Moore 40% Off Coupons