While many people enjoy the act of shopping in brick and mortar store locations, billions of people do the majority of their ‘non grocery’ shopping online. If you’re a hardcore bargain shopper, finding the best deals in an online setting can be a bit of a challenge but with a bit of practice, online bargain hunting becomes an art. Here are just a few tips for getting the most bang for your buck.
Make Saving a Habit! While bargain hunting does take a bit of shopping around - there are steps you can take to save automatically every time you shop. First - use website resources to find special deals and promotional codes. Sites like GiveMeDeals or RetailMeNot for example allow you to peruse hundreds of stores, deals and coupons. Apply these deals at stores you normally visit to really lock in some extra savings. Additionally - there are numerous websites, like Ebates, online that you can create an account with that if you enter online stores through their website you get a percentage of cashback on each purchase. With Ebates, I've earned almost $100 in cashback just from shopping this holiday season! While this type of resource doesn’t necessarily fall under bargain hunting - it does create savings that do add up for people who do a lot of online shopping. Compare Compare Compare Comparison shopping is as important in an online setting as it is when shopping in physical stores. Many stores often carry the same exact brands at different prices and doing a bit of legwork can definitely save you some cash. The upside is - comparison shopping is a lot faster online than in store. So it will definitely save you some gas money. When comparison shopping, remember to check in with both large stores and smaller sellers. For example - if you are looking for a deal on a high end shampoo - of course you are going to check your normal retailers, Walmart, Target, Etc. - which is good BUT remember to check places like Amazon (which also offers lightning deals! and Ebay - both of these sites welcome individual third party sellers - these sellers have lower overhead and often offer better deals to bump their sales. Remember - when you do find the deal that looks most appealing, try finding coupon codes and additional discounts for that product or retailer to lower your cost even more. Consider Comparable Products Another way to save money while shopping online is to consider products that you wouldn’t normally buy. No matter what product you are looking for - there are more than likely several different companies that manufacture nearly identical products under a different brand. If you are unsure about trying a new brand try doing a bit of research and always be sure to read retail customer's reviews and blog reviews if they are available. Brands that emulate larger brands are often nearly identical in make - the only difference is they are slightly cheaper to attract customers away from bigger brands. Also - if you really don’t like it - most companies have a return or money back policy - so be sure to use those as well. You’ll never find new brands if you don’t branch out - so don’t be afraid to try something new! Finding the best deals online does take a bit of practice - but once you find a couple of amazing deals, you may find that you prefer online shopping to traditional in-store shopping. Less crowds, no gas costs and hey, no one gives you dirty looks for shopping in your PJ’s. Making a habit of utilizing these simple steps will save you money each and every time -- and that is a deal we’re all down for. What deals have you found? Share with us in the comments below!
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Food Dehydrating is a fun and versatile skill that no food enthusiast should lack. Whether you are making homemade meat jerkies, drying herbs for cooking or dehydrating fruits for tasty snacks -- this method of preserving food is simple and the possibilities are truly endless. Here are a few tips and tricks to get your started on your journey. Choose the Right Dehydrator! While some people may choose to go 1960’s hippie compound and open-air dehydrate.. It’s must faster if you don’t. As you search stores and online sources for your electronic dehydrator keep in mind that there will be an overwhelming number of choices. Here are a few things to keep in mind when choosing. -Make sure the unit you pick has a temperature setting! Different types of plants, fruits and meats dry at different rates and dry optimally at varying temperatures! A lot of units do not have a temperature setting and dry everything with moving air- but these machines are much harder to time and it is much harder to get the result you are looking for. -Multiple trays are your friend. If you plan to dehydrate snacks and herbs in bulk, having multiple drying racks in the same unit is key. Even if you are only doing smaller batches - having empty racks in between the ones you are using can help the food to dry more evenly by allowing for better air flow. Start off Simple! Like any other skill - dehydrating is a learned process - so it’s best to start off with easy projects and work your way up. Gourmet seasoned turkey jerky is likely not going to be a winner on your first go with a dehydrator. Here are some simple foods to try that tend to come out well -- even for beginners.
Don’t Rush! Before you begin dehydrating you want to do a bit of research on your intended project. Find out what the most commonly used temperature and time frames are for the plant, fruit or meat you are using. It is a common mistake to increase the suggested temperature in an effort to shorten the time it takes to dry the food thoroughly. Unfortunately - what ends up happening is that the outside of the food dries first and creates a seal over the item that often prevents the food from drying out completely. The main appeal to dehydrating food is that it preserves them and they stay edible for long periods of time. Trying to speed through leaves moisture inside that will cause the food to rot long before it should. If done right, dehydrated foods can help you stockpile non-perishables, tasty meat treats, fresh spices and tasty snacks for the whole family. Once you learn the basics, there’s no end to what you can create! |
DisclosureFTC guidelines mandates that I inform you that I may have received products either discounted or free in exchange for my honest opinion. This in NO way affects what I recommend or what I write. All opinions are my own. ShopClick Here To Purchase Items That I Have Reviewed!
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