Helpful Hints, Tips, & Tricks



 Auto Form Fillers:
Auto Form Fillers are programs that allow users to input their data with a single click into various fields. You can include your address, phone number, name, birthday, etc. Auto Form Fillers are great for quickly filling in your information for free samples and sweepstakes. It reduces the amount of typing you have to do, the risk of typos, and reduces your amount of time spent. 

Extensions:
Coupons:
Coupons are the reason for a lot of free items. However, instead of just buying the newspaper every weekend and hoping for the best when it comes to coupons, you can find out what's being released early. The two main newspaper inserts Redplum and Smartsource often release information on their upcoming coupons a week or two early. Many stores do this early as well.

Early Ads and Deals:
Publix
 
Reward Programs: 
 Now a days most stores have rewards programs. These programs vary greatly and can offer a customer many great discounts and even free items. Typically, a store will either use a points system (the customer gets points per purchase they make), coupons (offering some form of discount), or prizes (enter codes and get free items). Many of the programs are free to join but a few are pay to join. Some of them offer various levels depending on how much you spend or stay at their location.

List of Reward Programs Coming Soon
 
 Secondary Email Addresses:
 When signing up for freebies and other such deals, I encourage creating a secondary email address. The reason behind this is due to the fact that many companies like to send emails to your address, share it, or even spam it. By creating a secondary email, you don't have to worry about your main email address being spammed and having to sort through hundreds of messages daily. Instead, you can simply log onto your secondary email and search key words such as the name of the business you are looking for or "congratulations" to see if you have won anything, "gift card," etc.

I strongly suggest using a Gmail account for your secondary email as it allows more versatility than Yahoo or Microsoft mail. Instead of having 5 accounts you can simply use your Gmail account multiple times for websites that require different email addresses. For example, JillOfAllDeals@gmail.com can become J.illofalldeals@gmail.com or Ji.llOfAllDeals@gmail.com or Jil.lOfAllDeals@gmail.com, and so forth. You can simply period in between your username and have several different addresses in the eyes of companies but all emails sent to them will arrive in your normal address (JillOfAllDeals@gmail.com for this blog).

Self Check Out:

 For coupon users, I strongly recommend using the self checkout if a store has it available. Since the introduction of shows like Extreme Couponing, it has been getting harder to get stores to take normal coupons. Many clerks assume everyone who uses a coupon is out to get items for free instead of simply trying to get the best deal possible. As a result, many stores have tightened their coupon policy, clerks call managers regularly on coupons and have them "verified" with accounting, or simply reject the coupons because the photo doesn't match the product even though the coupon clearly states "any" product as long as it is that brand. 

To use coupons at a self checkout, simply scan your purchase. Then the coupon and insert it in the drop box/slot the store has for coupons. Do this with each product and you will be on your way with as little hassle as possible. 





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