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We all know about the bulk buying aspects of shopping at Costco. But did you know that many Costco locations let you buy meats, bakery items, and even some fruits and veggies “by the case” or in “cryovac bags” at highly reduced prices? If you have the freezer space, this Costco hack can really save you and your family some money. Here’s how the whole dealio works. Many Items Can Be Bought “By the Case”I recently had a Costco employee tell me that many items come into the warehouse frozen and are thawed and repackaged for sale. She went on to say that many of these items can be bought by the case before they are repackaged for BIG savings. What types of stuff you’re probably asking…well let’s break it down. Think Bakery and Deli ItemsDid you know that most Costco locations actually post the price for buying the original box items arrive in? The employee showed me the “Bakery by the Case” board posted in the bakery which breaks down the price for buying items this way. I was immediately intrigued as the savings on most items was in the 20-40% range on various breads and bakery items. Look for this posted information the next time you’re in your Costco, and IF you have the freezer space at home, it just might be a great way to save money. Or better yet, go in with a family or 2 and buy the entire base box and split it among yourselves. She also told me that Costco does a similar thing on some meat and deli items. Ask about it! Give Me Some Specifics…After some further research, I discovered a Reddit thread where Costco employees talked about this tip too. One Costco employee, Reddit user 84awkm, used the cookie example. He said you can buy a box of 24 for $7.99 ($0.33/cookie) or a case of 180 frozen cookies for $34.99 ($0.19/cookie). The frozen cookies come raw and you just bake them at home when you want them. He said similar examples for savings exist with bagels, baguettes, and bread too. See Also: 7 Ways to Essentially Get a $60 Costco Membership for Free Costco Deals on Bulk Meat TooMany Costco locations (NOT ALL) sell meat in bulk as well. Costco sells very high quality meat and many locations let warehouse members buy the entire “Cryovac” bag. The cryovac bag is what many meats are delivered to Costco in and you can buy the ENTIRE bag for a reduced price. Cryovac is a vacuum sealed bag that allows meat to be frozen for a longer period of time and keeps it freshness when thawed. If they are not in the cryovac bag, they are in a “case” which is usually also available for sale. Could be a case of rib eyes, case of new york, case of crab legs, etc. BUT…according to one employee, you’ll get “3 or so times the meat for the same price.” Great deal for sure if you have the freezer space. Keep in mind that the meat will be untrimmed and you’ll have to do that yourself. Bottom line: Ask if your local Costco sells in bulk like this and save BIG money in the process.
The post Costco Hack: How to REALLY Buy in Bulk and Save Money appeared first on Rather-Be-Shopping.com. from https://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2019/04/16/costco-hack-how-to-really-buy-in-bulk-and-save-money/ The only piece you need to reset your style… from http://thegirlfrompanama.com/matching-sets-for-a-wardrobe-refresh/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=matching-sets-for-a-wardrobe-refresh The Target employee discount is one of the best perks they give their workforce. As a matter of fact, you probably found this article because you’re considering applying for a job at Target, or maybe you’re a new hire seeking more info. But like any discount that retailer’s hand-out, there are certain caveats and hacks that you should know to maximize your savings. With that in mind, let’s break down the employee discount at Target and answer all your burning questions. What is the Target Employee Discount?Target hands out a 10% employee discount. This discount is good for both in-store purchases as well as stuff you buy at Target.com. Also, according to this Target employee, workers get an extra 10% off fresh (and frozen) fruits and veggies bringing your discount to a whopping 20%. What Form of Payment Can You Use?In order to get the employee discount you must use either cash, a Target gift card, or a Target REDCard. I highly recommend using the REDcard (either debit or credit card) as you’ll score an additional 5% discount, bringing your total discount to a solid 15%. Are Items Not Included in My Discount?Yes, there are quite a few items that aren’t eligible. Here are the big ones… – Alcohol – Don’t go buying booze with your discount. – Gift Wrapping – Gotta wrap your own gifts at home. – Hunting/Fishing License – Have to pay full price to hunt or fish your neck of the woods. – Target+ Items – Not sure what these are but you can’t get 10% off when you buy them. – Gift Cards – This one makes sense as it would be easy to make money off gift cards. – Stuff you Sell or Exchange for Profit – This one seems a little open-ended and left for the manager’s discretion. See Also: 7 Target Clearance Tips That’ll Save You BIG How Do I Get My Discount?When shopping in-store, just go to any open checkout lane and present your Target team member card which has all the pertinent info on it. To get your online discount, you’ll have to create a Target.com account and enter your Team Member number in the About Me section of your account. Can Family Members Use the 10% Discount?Only the employee and their spouse are eligible for the employee discount. Don’t go shopping with your mom or boyfriend, use your discount, AND let them pay. This is a bug no-no and can get you reprimanded or fired. Of course you can always buy something for someone with your discount and have them reimburse you. Is There a Maximum “Dollar Amount” Discount?I asked a couple of my Target contacts and none of them were aware of a max “dollar amount Can I Get the 10% Employee Discount on Black Friday?Yes. Black Friday. Cyber Monday. Arbor Day. It doesn’t matter, you still get your 10% off. See Also: 5 Target Shopping Hacks Guaranteed to Save You Money Hack Alert: Double Your Discount!Open a Target REDcard credit card and they’ll mail you a 10% discount on your REDcard anniversary every year which you can STACK with your employee discount. For those non-math majors like me…that’s a 20% DISCOUNT. Not too shabby. Ask the Reader: Do you work at Target? If so, how often do you take advantage of the employee discount and what’s the most money you’ve saved?
The post Target Employee Discount: Here’s How It Works So You Don’t Get Busted appeared first on Rather-Be-Shopping.com. from https://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2019/04/05/target-employee-discount/ Endless ways to style this wardrobe staple… from http://thegirlfrompanama.com/ways-to-wear-a-blazer/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=ways-to-wear-a-blazer Dating back to the Civil War, money orders are a fast and secure way to pay an individual or business. They’re a piece of paper similar to a check, but unlike a personal check, they’re considered guaranteed money. Maybe you don’t have a checking account, or perhaps you’re buying a used vehicle from a private party, whatever the case, you stand a great chance of needing to buy a money order from time to time. It’s with this in mind that I researched the 11 best places to buy a money order near you, as well as the costs associated with each. I also breakdown what to do if you lose a money order and how to spot a fake one from a mile away. Why Would You Need a Money Order?A money order is a great way to pay someone or have someone pay you. Here are the BIGGEST benefits. – Guaranteed Funds – A money order is issued with NO bank information on it and is backed by a 3rd party issuer like Western Union or MoneyGram. To get a money order issued, you have to use cash or have the money taken directly out of your bank account making the funds “guaranteed”. This makes for a great way to collect payment on a used vehicle for example. The buyer doesn’t have to withdraw a large amount of cash, and the seller can avoid collecting payment via a personal check. – Very Convenient – Anyone can get a money order; no bank account required. Plus, the number of establishments that will issue a money order has also grown substantially, more on that later. – Money Orders are Traceable – When you buy a money order you’re given a receipt with all the pertinent information on it to trace it (if needed). If a money order is lost or stolen, it can be easily cancelled and replaced (unlike cash). What Does a Money Order Cost?It completely depends on the store or business you buy the money order from. Fees currently range from $0.70 all the way up to $1.60. Important note: The largest money order you can purchase is $1,000. If you need more than that you’ll have to buy multiple money orders or use a cashier’s check. The 11 Best Places to Buy a Money Order1. WalmartWalmart money orders are pretty cheap and convenient since you’ll probably be shopping their anyways. Cost: $0.88 (up from $0.70) The $0.88 fee is the max fee and pricing varies by Walmart location. Only money orders that were created at Walmart can be cashed at Walmart. 2. PublixWhen it comes to grocery stores, Publix is one of the cheaper places to get a money order. Here are the details. Cost: $0.89 It should also be noted that while Publix sells money orders, they do not cash them. 3. CVS DrugstoreCVS recently joined the ranks of drugstores offering money orders. Cost: $0.99 Just walk up to any open checkout register at CVS and you can buy a money order. Be sure to bring a photo I.D. to make it happen. 4. 7-ElevenDid you know you can grab a Slurpee and a money order on the same visit to 7-Eleven? Here’s the scoop. Cost: $0.75 Since 7-Eleven locations are open 24 hours a day, they make for a great place to score that 2 a.m. money order you might need someday. 5. KrogerHere’s what you need to know about getting a money order at Kroger. Cost: $0.70 Similar to Publix, Kroger is a great place to buy your groceries and money order all in the same trip. 6. K-MartAs long as Kmart stays in business they’ll offer money orders. Cost: $0.70 At $0.70 each, Kmart money orders are some of the cheapest around. But keep in mind that you CAN’T use your debit card to score one – cash only. 7. MeijerMeijer has one of the cheaper money order services around. Cost: $0.65 8. WalgreensDid you know that your local Walgreens offers money orders too? Here’s the skinny… Cost: $0.65 – $1.00 Update: Unfortunately Walgreens doesn’t offer money orders anymore. They now offer Western Union Money Transfers instead. A WU money transfer allows you to use your debit card ($15 fee), credit card ($15 fee), or bank account ($0.99 fee) to send money to anyone at any time. 9. Rite-AidYou can also get a money order at your local Rite-Aid drugstore. Cost: $0.99 It’s worth noting that Rite-Aid will NOT cash money orders at this time. 10. Local BanksYou can also go to your bank and ask for a money order. While the fees may be higher, it will be much easier to have the money taken directly out of your bank account and turned into a money order. Bank of America: $5 fee, $1,000 limit. 11. Post Office (USPS)The United States Post Office is a tried-and-true way to get a money order created. Cost: $1.25 for money orders $500 or under, $1.70 for $500.01 to $1,000. USPS also lets you create international money orders with a $700 limit on each. You can also cash in your next money order at the post office, which was something I was not aware of. How Do I Spot a Fake Money Order?Keep in mind that a thief can buy a money order for $1, then try to tamper with it to make the amount larger. Or they can create a completely fake money order and try to pass if off as real. When it comes to spotting a fake money order, there are 2 important things to be aware of. 1. Check the Dollar Amount – Does the dollar amount on the money order appear to be fuzzy or discolored? If it does, then there’s a good chance someone tried to erase the number and replace it with a larger number. Also, if the amount is over $1,000 it’s probably a fake. This is because domestic money orders have a maximum value of $1,000 and international money orders have a maximum value of $700. 2. Examine the Paper – Hold the money order to a light (or at an angle) and check for a watermark. If you don’t see a watermark you know it’s a fake. USPS money orders have a watermark of Ben Franklin on the left side. MoneyGram has a “logo” watermark on it as well as a heat-sensitive stop-sign that changes color when you put your finger over it. Western Union also uses a watermark along with ink that will run when the money order is altered. If you suspect a fake, you should call the company that issued it before trying to cash it.
What Should I Do If I Lost a Money Order?There are 2 scenarios at play here…you either lost the money order before giving it to the recipient, or you lost it after it was given to you as a form of payment. Let’s break down both scenarios… 1. You Lost a Money Order Before Giving it to Recipient If the money order has yet to be cashed, you’re going to want to cancel it ASAP. First call the issuer and explain the situation to them. This is where the importance of KEEPING YOUR RECEIPT comes into play. Your receipt will have all the pertinent info needed to cancel the money order or to see if it’s been cashed. You’ll typically be asked to fill out a cancellation request form, be sure to attached a copy of your receipt to it. The issuer will give you instructions on how to return the form and you’ll be hit with a cancellation fee. Cancellation fees vary from $6 all the way up to $18 or more. You’ll be given the option of getting a refund for the amount or having another money order issued. Be warned that it can take 1-2 months for your cancellation request to be processed. If you don’t have your receipt, it could cost you upwards of $30 to try and get your money order cancelled. If the issuer comes back and tells you that the money order was cashed, you’ll have to take the evidence to the local authorities so they can investigate further. 2. You Lost a Money Order Given To You as Payment Contact the person who gave you the money order and get a copy of the receipt if you can. Next, call the issuer and they’ll help you through the process of regaining your cash. The takeaway here is to cash or deposit your money order as soon as possible. Where Should I Cash My Money Order?When cashing a money order you’ll have to show a valid I.D., endorse it with your signature, and possibly pay a small fee before you get your cash. When it comes to cashing or depositing it, here are the best places to make it happen.
Ask the Reader: Where do you usually buy money orders? Do you prefer a specific business because of the location or because they have small fees?
Photo credit to Marcin Wichary. The post 11 Best Places to Get Money Orders Near Me (With Prices Too) appeared first on Rather-Be-Shopping.com. from https://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2019/03/28/find-money-orders-near-me/ Time to build your blazer collection! Here's how… from http://thegirlfrompanama.com/choose-best-blazer-body-type/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=choose-best-blazer-body-type Thinking of applying for a job at Best Buy? One thing that might sway your decision one way or another is the Best Buy employee discount. Here’s everything you need to know about their discount, including items that are excluded and some insider tips that will maximize your savings. What is the Best Buy Employee Discount?The standard employee discount at Best Buy is Cost + 10%. So if an item’s retail price is $100, and the retail price is $60, you’ll get it for $66. It should also be noted that you won’t qualify for their employee discount until you’ve worked at Best Buy for at least 3 months. Do Some Products Not Qualify?Unfortunately, yes. You WON’T be able to get a discount on Geek Squad services, Apple products, most computers and tablets, movies, and smartphones. See Also: 7 Mind-Blowing Ways to Save Money at Best Buy What Items are a “Must-Buy” for Employees?Because the discount is cost + 10%, the secret for scoring a great deal is knowing which items at Best Buy have the largest profit margin, which means they have a “low cost” to Best Buy. Buy those and you can REALLY save some money, easily up to 50% off the retail price. These items are not laptops and name-brand HDTV’s, but rather things like headphones, cables, cases, and other accessories. Especially look for deals on Best Buy’s branded items as they have big margins. These include Insignia and Dynex HDTVs, Rocketfish cables, Geek Squad flash drives, and InIt cases. Do Geek Squad Employees Score the Same Discount?Yes, they’ll score the same discount as regular BB employees. Is There a Maximum Discount Percentage?Best Buy recently topped their employee discount at 50%. Anything Else You Should Know?Why yes, there are several things worth knowing… – Brands Can Limit Discounts – Brands that sell at Best Buy have the authority to limit the discount employees receive. – Questionable Best Buy “Cost” – I’ve been told that you have to take the word for what Best Buy says is their “cost” on an item. Some employees have questioned their “cost” as inflated. – Some Products Have a Smaller Discount – Be aware that some stuff has an employee discount, but it might be lower than cost + 10%. It will often be cost + 5% or 8%. – Look for Free Stuff – Perhaps the coolest thing about working at Best Buy is the free stuff stores hand out to workers from time to time. Could be stuff that doesn’t sell, or new items that the brand is trying to promote. Ask the Reader: Do you work at Best Buy or have you in the past? If so, what’s the largest Best Buy employee discount you’ve received?
Photo credit to Mike Mozart. The post Best Buy’s Employee Discount: Here’s What You Must Know appeared first on Rather-Be-Shopping.com. from https://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2019/03/25/best-buy-employee-discount/ As I’ve talked about before, the Savings Catcher program at Walmart has been making a bunch of changes in recent months. Well, I have some major news on this front…the program is going away FOREVER. Here’s what you need to know. Why is Savings Catcher Closing?According to Walmart, their “efforts to lower prices upfront on thousands of items across our stores is working.” So they feel the program is no longer needed. As a shopper who’s earned close to $100 via the Savings Catcher program in the past 2 years I find this hard to believe. I know for a fact that Walmart does NOT have lower prices on some items when compared to Costco, Target, and even local grocery stores. When’s the Last Day?The program’s official last day is May 14, 2019. After that date you will no longer be able to submit receipts to Savings Catcher. But you WILL be able to keep your Savings Catcher balance until you spend it and it will NEVER expire. You’ll also still be able to scan your receipts into the Walmart App as I way to keep track of your purchases. See Also: The 19 Stores That Will Price Match Walmart’s Low Prices How Are Customers Reacting to the News?As you might have guessed, not well. Many loyal Walmart shoppers have taken to Twitter to voice their outrage…
Moving Forward, Will Walmart Price Match at All?So out of curiosity, I called my contact at Walmart and asked if they would be going back to a standard price match policy like they had in-place before Savings Catcher. Regrettably, I was told they would NOT have a Walmart price-match policy moving forward. Maybe this will change in the future, but for now the price you pay at Walmart should be considered the final price. Ask the Reader: Are you going to miss the Savings Catcher program as much as I will? By Kyle James Photo credit to Mike Mozart. The post Walmart Is Closing the Savings Catcher Program Forever (NO, I Say!) appeared first on Rather-Be-Shopping.com. from https://www.rather-be-shopping.com/blog/2019/03/22/walmart-closing-the-savings-catcher-program/ |