|
If you really want to
learn the secrets of any subject, you need to consult an expert. Learning
to save the most money with coupons and refunds is no exception. Donna
Montaldo now operates the About Couponing and Refunding site and is offering
her expertise in garnering big savings. You will find many places that
charge big bucks for the kind of advice that Donna will be providing for
free. I had a chance to interview her. That interview is posted below.
Be sure to visit the About Couponing
and Refunding site after reading this, for even more money saving
wisdom.
| Q.
|
What
kind of things can users expect to find on your site? |
| A.
|
I
am on a constant search for the best bargains, deals, coupons, codes,
and rebate offers available for online and in-store shopping. When
I find them - my community will get them! I also want to pass along
the many "tricks of the trade" that myself and others have
learned over the years. The forum and chat will be an excellent resource
for everyone to trade their information on deals, trade coupons, and
just get to "know" each other. |
| Q.
|
Is
it possible to save a lot of money with coupons and bargain hunting?
Is it really worth the time you need to invest? |
| A.
|
Absolutely!
My way of looking at it is like this; if you are walking down a street
and you find $10.00 lying on the sidewalk, you feel it is your lucky
day! Well Couponing is the same principle but each day can be "your
lucky day" with just a little extra effort and organization.
It always makes me chuckle to myself, when friends say they just don't
have time to mess with coupons and rebates yet when they purchase
a scratch-off lottery ticket and win $5.00 they get so excited! To
me, using coupons and rebates is a scratch-off ticket that has much
better odds because I win every time! |
| Q.
|
What
are your favorite types of money making strategies? |
| A.
|
I love what is
called double dipping. That is when you find an item on sale online,
use a money saving code to purchase it, and then send in a rebate
for additional savings. Example - If I find a software program on
sale for $40.00, and I purchase with a code of $10.00 off of a $40.00
purchase, then I send in the rebate offer of $20.00, I ended up
getting the item for $10.00.
I use this same
basic concept when grocery shopping. The $2.00 rebate checks can
really add up over a month's time!
Finally, I love...absolutely
love...end of the season sales on clothing and accessories. I have
a wonderful wardrobe full of well-made, top of the line items all
purchased at rock bottom prices. With my slight (err...maybe not
so slight :-> ).. case of "shopalholism" ... I only
purchase items when they reach 75% off retail. This means off-season
buying, but that is okay with me! If you stick to basics, who can
tell if that navy blazer is this years or last years?
|
| Q.
|
Is
it becoming easier or harder to save money with coupons and refunds?
|
| A.
|
I
find it much easier. The Internet has brought this kind of promotional
adventure out of its closet! So many people now hear about deals via
newsletters and forums. We are no longer totally dependent on our
Sunday paper for coupon deals and offers. Plus, the entire retail
world has become aggressively promotional. The companies who choose
not to participate in this type of marketing truly do lose out in
getting major exposure. |
| Q.
|
What
would you say is the biggest problem people have with using coupons
or refunds? |
| A.
|
I would have to
say organization and follow-up. Far too often I read distressed
e-mails from folks that forgot to mail in their rebate form on time,
or they are angry because they did not receive a rebate check simply
because they forgot to complete the form properly. I cannot stress
enough to people that timelines and accuracy are the two things
companies are betting that the majority of people won't do when
they offer these great rebates. All it takes is one little "goof"
and some companies will not send you the rebate check! So I always
tell people, if accuracy, detail, and follow-up are not their strong
area, then don't look to rebating as an avenue to save money.
The second area
that people run into problems is in the organization of their coupons
and rebate offers. I have suggestions listed on the site to help
people, especially newcomers, on how to "keep it all together".
The most discouraging thing is to spend time cutting coupons, then
when you get to the store, you cannot find what it is you wanted
to use.
The third area
is directed to those people who love deals so much, they will make
a purchase because of a deal and not because it is something, they
really need. For example, one time I got my hands on several $1.00
off coupons for dried nonfat milk. Well, I do not like dried nonfat
milk but I used all the coupons and ended up with several boxes
of it! Two problems occurred, first I had to find a place to store
it, and secondly, I never used it. Did I come out ahead? Nope! However,
I did learn an important lesson - A good deal is only good if you
actually use the product!
|
| Q.
|
How
long have you been "serious" about using and refunds and
generally bargain hunting? |
| A.
|
I
thank my Mother for teaching me to never settle for retail. She was
a volunteer in the church rummage room when I was young and I remember
how excited she would get when she would come home with a "treasure."
When I moved out on my own many of my household items were purchased
from "rummage room" type stores. After I landed my first
job in a fashion-related business, the pressure was on to look the
part. I also made around $3.50 an hour :) and things like the rent,
telephone bill, and car expenses took priority over my rather pathetic
wardrobe. I learned very quickly to appreciate what other people grew
tired of in the way of secondhand clothing and household items. There
are times, still today, that I find a really great bargain, and think
to myself, "Hey Mom, check this out!" Therefore, in answer
to your question, I would have to say, I have been pretty darn thrifty
my entire life. |
| Q.
|
What
is your biggest motivation in couponing, refunding and bargain hunting
- saving money or the satisfaction of getting the best deal? |
| A.
|
Hmmm...This
is a tough one. The two are totally intertwined for me. The saving
money part satisfies the more sensible side of my character. But there
is a real thrill in seeing the UPS man drive up, bring a big box to
my door, and inside is something new that I have been wanting and
it only cost me in shipping cost! To me, that is just pure fun. But,
again, I have to maintain some control because even shipping cost
can add up so my more prudent side kicks in many times and just says,"No!"
|
| Q.
|
Do
you ever go to every grocery store in the area to get the best deals
or just pick the one with the most bargains? |
| A.
|
There are factors
other then good deals, that are important to me when I pick the
grocery stores that I buy from. I want a clean environment, nice
employees, coffee, nice music, and good deals. If a store offers
all of that, then I may travel from one to another to take advantage
of their particular incentives. But I weigh it out in terms of gasoline
and time. My time does have value and I calculate that in before
I spend a day going from deal to deal.
There have been
occasions when a deal is just too good to pass up because I have
the correct coupons or rebate forms and can make a real killing
by going after it. When that is the case, a few extra miles and
minutes are definitely worth it to me.
|
| Q.
|
Do
you have any other comments or tips you would like to pass on here?
|
| A.
|
Yes,
and that is to save money and to have fun doing it! |
|
