Kate’s Tips for Saving Money on Pets, Clothes, Food and More! – Corporette.com

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Note from Kat: I first asked my fellow writers here at Corporette if we could team up on our favorite money saving habits and tips and tricks — and everyone’s advice was so good I thought I’d make a series out of it! (‘Tis the season, right?) Today, editor Kate is sharing her money-saving habits with us.

Here are Elizabeth’s money-saving habits and Ann’s great tips on saving money on airfare and more, in case you missed them!

Kate’s Money-Saving Habits

Memberships and Subscriptions

In general, even though I realize I’m giving up my privacy (sometimes it feels like a lost cause, right?), I’ve signed up for many free store memberships to get coupons and earn rewards. These include Wegmans, Sephora, Cinemark, Regal, CVS, Walgreens, Michaels, and chain pet stores. (CVS has such ridiculous prices that I try to never buy anything full-price there. And if I’m considering it, I first check the prices against the grocery store and Amazon.)

The basic AAA membership is worth it to me, so I renew every year. For example, when I’ve have a dead car battery, I get free service right at home. I often let my gas get seriously low (oops), so it also gives me piece of mind that they can help me out if I totally run out and get stuck.

The basic AAA plan is $65/year plus a one-time $15 enrollment fee. I really need to more frequently take advantage of the retail and service discounts, though (movie tickets, etc.). And though I’m only in my 40s, I recently joined AARP during a membership sale — there’s actually no age minimum for membership! — because it has some great discounts at local restaurants and beyond.

I almost never sign up for extended-warranty policies for electronics, appliances, etc., because I’ve frequently read they’re almost never worth it. I did pay for Apple Care for my last phone, which came in handy when I needed my screen and display replaced after dropping my phone on concrete (face-down, naturally). But because my current iPhone is refurbished, it’s not eligible. (That’s why I must have an OtterBox and ZAGG screen protector. That’s its own tip: If you register your ZAGG screen protector and it cracks, you can get a replacement for free!

When I buy subscriptions for the online versions of magazines and newspapers, I try to always subscribe during sales. For example, I paid $5 for a year of WIRED.

If you belong to a professional association, check if your membership makes you eligible for discounts for products or services at retailers or for other memberships.

{related: money challenge: review your renewing subscriptions}

FOOD

I admit we need to reduce our grocery costs, especially with inflation (too many processed foods, mainly, eek). I’ve never shopped at Aldi, but because one being built five minutes from my house, I’ll check out the prices when it opens. But anyway, If I’m deciding between the store brand and a name brand, I’ll often buy the store brand. I don’t buy store brands across the board, though; some items are just no substitute. (Hey, Wegmans, how do you mess up generic Cheerios?)

In general, I often compare unit prices (per oz., etc.) of different brands/sizes of the same packaged food. This probably sounds basic, but I don’t think everyone does it. Also, while I hate grocery shopping in person, we never do delivery or pickup. *sigh* I’d LOVE to but it’s not worth the added costs for us.

For restaurant delivery, we simply rarely get it anymore, and when we do, I use GrubHub+ rather than Uber Eats or DoorDash because our Amazon Prime membership includes a free membership to it. The delivery fee is waived and the service fee is 50% off.

And when my son asks for fast food, like McDonald’s or Burger King, I will never pay for delivery. (I don’t understand why people get fast food delivered anyway!) Instead, I’ll order online and pick it up even if I’m changed into my pajamas for the night. There are always coupons available in the app, too. Fortunately, I’m never tempted to spend money on a meal for myself, because I’m a vegetarian — well, OK, sometimes I’ll tack on McD’s cookies or an apple pie. Mmm.)

{related: tales from the wallet: how to save money on food}

Clothes

I don’t buy a lot of clothing, uh, because I currently have PLENTY, but when I do, I buy things on sale whenever possible. This is not the BEST example, but the other day I bought this pretty Vince Camuto top at Nordstrom that was on sale for $40, originally $80, and I NEVER would have bought it at full price. While I admit it was basically an impulse buy, it DID fill a gap in my wardrobe, so I didn’t just buy it to buy it.

This was easier when my son was a little kid and didn’t have strong preferences for clothes (he’s a teenager), but when I’m looking for a specific item for him, like tall winter boots or shorts with a drawstring, I invest a bit more time online to find a sweet spot for price and quality, rather than buying one of the first things that pops up, including checking the reviews.

My target is somewhere between crappy brands that won’t last (like those random fast-fashion brands on Amazon) and more expensive brands that he doesn’t need and will grow out of soon anyway. I eventually buy moderately priced brands that are “good enough,” or those nicer brands on a big sale. While I never buy extreme fast fashion brands like Shein or Temu, I do shop mass-production brands myself at the next one or two levels up, like Loft.

I regularly keep an eye out for online sales at my family’s go-to stores, like Columbia (for my comfy winter hoodies), Old Navy (deeply discounted short-sleeved tops, usually), and Lands’ End (tees for my son, and outerwear for both of us). Those stores always have big sales, like 50% off.

I put myself on a break from buying the following, because I have more than enough: sweaters, coats/jackets, handbags, tees, socks, bras, and workout clothes. Sometimes I do slip; I mean, I’m human.

Besides Nordstrom, largely for its free shipping/returns and great sales, I often shop at the TJX family of stores (Marshalls, TJMaxx, Sierra) plus Goodwill and Poshmark. I have a TJX card (no annual fee) that I pay off monthly and earn $10 certificates with. I’ve also found some nice stuff on my town’s Buy Nothing-like Facebook group, including a new-with-tags Ann Taylor sheath dress!

Also, to snag significant savings, I frequently buy clothes off season. I’m a really impatient person, so I don’t like waiting months to wear them, but of course it’s worth it. (Here’s a guide to buying off season, which, uh, I should actually look at one of these days.)

{related: what’s YOUR annual clothes budget?}

Household & Beauty

For various household items (tchotchkes and decor, practical stuff like office and craft supplies, etc.), I love my local giveaway Facebook group I mentioned above, plus Target (pre-DEI-ditching) and Goodwill. Our furniture is mostly from a local upscale furniture consignment shop, garage sales, estate sales, or my parents (hand-me-downs, including antiques). We also have 20-year-old IKEA pieces that are still going strong!

For beauty items, I buy drugstore brands at the grocery store, where they’re reasonably priced, and when I shop beauty/skincare at CVS, I always use a coupon from the app. For non-drugstore products, which I don’t buy much, I save those purchases for things I would rather buy at higher quality, like this shampoo or these pimple patches.

I’m also signed up for the free Insider membership at Sephora to get free shipping, earn points, etc.

Holidays

Decorating for the holidays brings me joy, so I don’t mind spending money on it. However, when I buy decorations, wrapping paper, and gift bags, I try not to pay full price. I’ll stock up when I get a good deal on wrapping items, too. Good bets are that Facebook free group, Goodwill (both used AND new stuff), and sales at HomeGoods, and At Home — plus the CVS and Walgreens post-holiday sales when holiday items are 50-75% off, including gifts for the following year.

TJMaxx and Marshalls sell discounted-but-pretty gift wrap/bags/tags, holiday paper napkins, and greeting cards.

Since I’ve amassed a ton of rubber stamps, decorative paper, etc., over the years, I’ve been meaning to get back to making my own cards! I even bought an inexpensive online class (50% off) to inspire me. Um, yeah, one of these days?

Pets & Animals

We currently have two cats, a young one and a senior kitty with a few chronic diseases, and I feed wild birds year-round (another things that brings me joy). Here’s what we do to cut down on prices:

Buy birdseed in bulk. Our neighborhood wild birds go through seed quickly, and we have three feeders, so we buy big bags and shop at a store that has seed punch cards and mails coupons. I invest in squirrel-proof feeders to conserve seed.

Buy medications and supplements at Chewy (amazing customer service), where they’re usually cheaper than at the vet. Prescription food costs less there, too. (Your vet office does need to send an Rx for both, though.)

Use autoship at Chewy and Petco, and watch for good sales (via email or ad circulars) at our local Pet Supplies Plus store. We use autoship for cat litter, high-quality food, Fortiflora (probiotic), and Revolution.

Maintain pet insurance. The ins and outs of pet insurance would fill up their own post, and there are several companies out there — and I’m not an expert. (We have Fetch and it’s OK.) When you’re stuck with an unexpected $4,000 vet bill, you’ll be glad you have a safety net. Here’s a key tip: If you get a new pet, sign up ASAP if your chosen company doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions.

Readers, what are your top money-saving habits?

Stock photo via Deposit Photos / johnkwan.