Tips & tricks for making your money stretch further

Sales Savvy

We’re about to head into sales season. And while it’s tempting to jump on those big discounts, you still need to be cautious. Retailers often hike prices ahead of time so they can mark them “down” during the sale season!

Did you know that influencers often earn a commission from the links they share? That’s why we advise you to double-check to ensure it’s really the best deal before you buy something via an influencer’s link.

MommyLifeSquad

Three great tools to help you find a real deal:

1. PriceBlink Chrome Extension

PriceBlink is a handy Chrome extension that searches other online stores and displays for any better deals or available coupons. It’s basically a built-in price-checker that ensures you’re getting the best price without having to bounce between websites.

2. Rakuten (Cash-back App)

Rakuten is a cash-back app that rewards you for shopping through its site or app, and with major retailers like Walmart and Target on board, you can often earn up to ten percent back. During sales season, Rakuten tends to increase these rewards, so you get an even bigger kickback on things you’d buy anyway. Just make sure you start your shopping trip through Rakuten, and you’ll see the cash-back rewards added to your account, which they’ll send to you by check or PayPal.

3. BlackFriday.com

If you’ve got specific items on your wish list, BlackFriday.com is a great site to use. It pulls together all the Black Friday and Cyber Monday ads from major stores, letting you compare deals on the exact items you want. You can plan ahead, avoid impulse buys, and make sure you’re really getting the lowest price for what you need.

Faigy Rabinowitz, shopper extraordinaire, shares:

“If you’re purchasing a luxury brand item, consider looking at European-based websites. They often offer current season styles at lower prices compared to US-based retailers. And shop with us at Metziahs.com because we’re in the know about the current sales and have already done the groundwork for you (shameless plug).”

Budget Beauty

Struggling with acne? Your friendly neighborhood CVS or Target carries Differin adapalene gel 0.1% acne treatment, which is an over-the-counter product to try. You can also find generic brands of adapalene gel 0.1% on Amazon, which are even cheaper than Differin.

How do you use adapalene gel?

First, only use it at night, never during the day. Cleanse your face. Ideally, after patting dry, allow your skin to air-dry for a few minutes. Then apply a basic moisturizer, like CeraVe or Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion (I get mine in a two-pack at Costco), followed by a pea-sized amount of adapalene gel. This is vital. Don’t go overboard by slathering it on. Then top with another layer of moisturizer. During the day, diligently apply SPF, since the adapalene can make skin sensitive to sunlight.

It can take a few weeks to see results. Additionally, there may be a “purge period,” where latent acne and blackheads will come to the surface, so your skin may look worse before it gets better. But it will get better. Really better. Stick with it, be consistent, and trust the process!

Lea Pavel

Oldies and Goodies

New gadgets always go on sale at this time of year, but when you shop for electronics, don’t forget about the older versions. Older headphones, cameras, or laptops may do the job just as well — and be even cheaper than the shiny new item being offered on sale.

Shop Safe

Spending money on sales is one thing — losing money to a scammer is quite another. Last year, Americans lost over $95 million to scammers during end-of-year sales. AI’s made it easier than ever for criminals to defraud innocent shoppers. Some ways to keep safe: If you get an email or text about a deal, don’t click the link — go to the website instead. If you haven’t heard of a retailer before, search for reviews before placing any orders. And shop with a credit card, which offers more protection against fraud than other payment methods.

(Originally featured in Family First, Issue 920)