Saving Money the Modern Way

It wasn’t that long ago that the biggest and best way to save money came rolled up in a rubber band at the end of your driveway on Sunday morning. The Sunday newspaper was the biggest savings day of the week for consumers. It didn’t matter if you wanted to get a discount on your bathtub cleaner or a free appetizer at your favorite restaurant; if there was a deal, it was probably going to be in the Sunday circulars. Newspapers held a near-monopoly on the coupon business, but no more. Now we’re in an age where the Internet is available with the push of a finger on your smartphone. There are more options than ever for saving money at your favorite local business or chain store, and it can all be a bit overwhelming.

One particular area of explosive growth has been the mobile app. Businesses work with developers to connect with their customer base in a way that makes sense. Obviously a local Tex-Mex restaurant is going to have different needs than a designer shoe store, but the one thing all business owners have in common is a desire to get you in the door. Then, once you’ve visited, they want to make sure you’ll keep coming back.

A few years ago, you had to keep track of a piece of paper with hole punches dutifully made by an already-busy employee, but now, many companies offer deals like “Buy 5, get the 6th free” on their mobile app, no paper required. It’s easier for both the consumer and the people running the business. Some places will even offer a free or discounted item just to entice you to download the app. If they’re going to take up space on your phone, they want to make it worth your while. To that end, many companies also allow you to shop from an app and check the inventory of a local store once you find that perfect item. Looking to save calories as well as money? Apps can let you view menus and nutritional information for that hot new bistro downtown.

But maybe you’re new to a business and not yet ready to commit by downloading their specific app. Or maybe you’re looking for an item in a specific category rather than a specific store. Often people shop by thinking, “I’d like to look for a gift for my dad,” or “I want to find the right kind of outfit for a summer wedding.” In that case, a coupon site with multiple offers from multiple businesses may be just what you’re seeking. That sort of format allows you to explore more options and more retailers. It can be a great way to find a new company that could quickly become a favorite place to shop. Such sites often have coupon codes you can copy and paste into your virtual shopping cart when you check out. The thrill of the chase may take you to to several different retailers, but there’s nothing like the feeling of satisfaction you get when you hit the “apply coupon code” button to see a final total that’s way less than most of your fellow shoppers are paying. Everyone likes to get the best deal possible.

The Internet has come a long way in the past couple of decades. The Internet used to be a novelty to play around with, but now it’s essential to the way people live their lives. That includes shopping. Newspaper ads aren’t the only game in town anymore, and while that may not be great for the print media business, it is undoubtedly a good thing for the modern consumer.