8 Money Saving Tips and Free Products
Just a few years ago, women were the chief buyers of hair and skin products. This is not the case anymore. More and more, men are becoming a large percentage of the buying population in these categories. Realizing that their skin and hair are just as important, and looking fresh and vital can give them an edge in a competitive market, they are becoming more aware of their appearance other than apparel. How can you pick the best products and when can you shop for the best deals?
For men and women, trying samples is your best bet to begin saving money. If you don’t know which product works with your skin and hair, you may end up with a closet filled with products you spent money on, but will never use. Free samples allow you to find out if the product works for you. E.g. do you like the smell? Does it cause reactions in your skin? Does it work? Samples allow you to try the product free before you pay large amounts at the drug store, bargain store, department Store or beauty supply shop.
Tip 1 My motto is,"Before you buy, definitely try." Use your favorite search engine and type in the phrase"free samples." Check sites that offer free samples for the cosmetics, hair and skin care you're interested in. (Never pay for a sample.)
For men and women, trying samples is your best bet to begin saving money. Purchasing products you aren't sure of, may give you a closet filled with products you spent money on, but might never use.
Free samples allow you to find out if the product works for you. E.g. do you like the smell? Does it cause reactions in your skin? Does it work?
Website examples: www.walmart.com has a"featured free samples" section on their website. Frizz-Ease, John Frieda Hair care, Always Clean and many more are available to try for free.
www.freakyfreddies.com has Schick Quattro razor samples, Olay, Curel, Lancome, L'Oreal, Mary Kay, Revlon and more. Once you make a decision on the brand and type of product that works well with you, it's time to shop and save a lot of money. Listed below are a few stores and when their best sales happen.
Tip 2 Before you go to the store to buy anything, check their online website.
Go online to the products website to find any coupons they offer. Many times you can get even further discounts. Often, their websites have a one day deal, coupons and buy-one-get-one free offers. These deals are not offered it in the stores, only on their websites.
Tip 3 Freshness counts in the cosmetics isle. Department stores are the best place to purchase cosmetics and special skin care products. Plan ahead so you can purchase the products when they are deeply discounted during special store sales. (See the list below.)
Cosmetics have a shelf life and do expire. It's always best to go to department stores for these types of products. Department stores will also have free samples and they will demo products on your skin. Most stores have their best sales in August and the day after Thanksgiving.
Tip 4 My motto is,"Why pay more for less?" Skin and body lotions can be purchased at drug stores such as Walgreens, Costco, Sam's Club or Wal-Mart for a lot less. Keep a look out for"25% - 50% bonus amount" marked on the bottles (these are usually hidden behind other bottles.) The retail price will be the same. Get what you pay for.
Tip 5 Professional shampoos and conditioners may seem more expensive, however in the long run you use less product and it's less expensive. Beauty Supply Stores are always the best bet.
Shampoo is not always a good buy at a drug store or department store. To verify my statement, I did my own study.
Step 1. I had several family and friends purchase regular shampoo, on sale at a drug store and kept track of how long a 12 oz bottle lasted. In most cases, the shampoo was used up in two weeks. One person lasted a month, another family less than a week. Average price for the shampoo was $6.45 per bottle on sale.
Step 2. Head to the beauty supply store (not a beauty salon. A beauty salon will cost more. Most states have beauty supply stores that are now available to the public). The cost of the shampoo from the beauty supply store was $21.95 for 33.8 oz bottle. Each person poured the shampoo into the 12 oz used shampoo bottle. In most cases the 12 oz bottle of professional shampoo lasted five weeks and their hair was shinny and in better condition.
In conclusion products purchased at a beauty supply store were ultimately less expensive, lasted longer and achieved better results.
Tip 6 Hair coloring products can be purchased anywhere.
The best deals I have seen for hair coloring products are at Wal-Mart (consistently) and Rite Aid, which has periodic sales of 50% off. Look for these deals and stock up.
Tip 7 Coupons, frequent buyer cards as well as going to the store during their blow-out sales are really your best friends when shopping.
Would you throw a $1, $5 or $10 bill in the garbage can? Using a frequent buyer card, sale or coupons puts the money back in your pocket and out of the trash can.
Tip 8 If you like a product or are unhappy with one, call the manufacturer up. In many cases they will send you coupons, free goods and even prepaid cards to use in their stores.
Recently I received over $65 in prepaid cards for 15 minutes of my feedback to the manufacturer.
Here are a few stores to check out best times to buy.
Kohl's
http://www.kohls.com/
Kohl's has great savings during Back to School time; most prices are 50% - 70% off. On their website, in the store locator section, you will find a button that says "today's ads." Click on it and it will show you the current specials as well as in store or online specials and savings.
They have sales every week, in addition to "BOGO's" (Buy One Get one Free.) They have night owl specials from 3-11 PM (extra discounts during that time) or early bird specials from 7-1 PM. At least once or twice a month is senior citizen day (usually on Wednesdays), this is usually advertised in the newspaper and it usually offers an over all purchase savings of at least 15%.
Once a year they have a "Lowest Prices of the Season Sale," which vary depending on retail changes. Watch for ads to come out a day or two in advance. They also have a price adjustment deal for their customers. That means if you purchased a product on a Monday, then on Wednesday it went on sale, bring in your receipt and they will refund the difference.
K-Mart
http://www.kmart.com/
Always-tremendous sales, sometimes three events a month. They also have KAP events. In May, they have a Memorial Day sale for 30-50% off. Their 'Back to School' sale offers 30-50% off. Almost every holiday they have sales. Always look for remolding and clearance sales that offer 50-90% off.
Mervyns
http://www.mervyns.com/
Their biggest sale is the 'Back to School' sale in August; it usually starts in the 3rd week of July and lasts through the entire month of August. In February, there is a Valentines Day sale. They have pretty aggressive sales. Their Memorial Day sale offers 10-60% off. There are door buster items that will entice people to come in at 4 or 5 AM in the morning the day after Thanksgiving. Clearance is 50% off the red tag and another 25% during the holidays. Periodically 10% coupons can arrive in the paper, and you can use and combine any coupons.
Macy's
http://www.macys.com
Sales run in line with Mervyn's. Their day after Thanksgiving and Christmas sales are the best.
Sears
http://www.sears.com
"Super Saturdays" are once a month. You can get clearance items at 50-75% off at the end of each season. Their End of Season Sales is at the end of summer and the end of winter.
Victoria's Secret
http://www.victoriassecret.com
Semi Annual sale in January and again in June. All of their discontinued items, colors and bras ½ off some 75% off panties (some as low as $2.99 and up!). The semi annual sales are the biggest sales of the year. Occasionally they have a Memorial Day sale. The angles credit card offers you 1/2 off bras and free panties when you sign up, and throughout the year. A different coupon comes in the mail each month for a savings of over a $100 a year. Your first year you get a huge booklet of savings,
Target
http://www.target.com
Weekly ad Sunday through Saturday. Two-day sale after Thanksgiving. January White Sale and Christmas Sales vary. On Targets web site, you can also find additional savings of up to 75% off at times. Additionally, scroll down to the bottom where it says "coupons and specials". You will find great coupons you can print out for cosmetics, hair care, food and more.
Be sure to take advantage of the free gifts from Procter and Gamble on my website and tune in when I'm on because P&G has given me great gifts exclusively for the audiences.
Read excerpts from Shop for a Day with Jaci Rae
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