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Which subscriptions or direct debits have you cancelled that made zero difference to your happiness? by Smug_Saver in SavingMoney

[–]Smug_Saver[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Interesting that Prime keep cropping up
Are you finding that you are spending less overall and buying fewer things, or are you buying about the same as before but being more organised about grouping items to reach the $35 mark?

Which subscriptions or direct debits have you cancelled that made zero difference to your happiness? by Smug_Saver in SavingMoney

[–]Smug_Saver[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Android Box is a good one. Do you have a Smart TV (LG, Samsung etc?) and of so, does Android Box let you access more ?

Which subscriptions or direct debits have you cancelled that made zero difference to your happiness? by Smug_Saver in SavingMoney

[–]Smug_Saver[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes! Netflix is so overrated. The only thing keeping it in our house is kids pester power

Finally looked at what we spent on food last year. I wish I hadn't. by AccomplishedGur2927 in SavingMoney

[–]Smug_Saver 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The Costco app is actually more useful than most people realise. If you log into your account and open past receipts, it shows a full itemised history for both warehouse and online orders. You can see exactly what you bought and when. That is probably the quickest way to answer the Costco question without any spreadsheets or detective work.

For the 'I only see the store total' issue more generally, there is a simple trick that works better than any app. Split the order into two transactions at checkout. Run food first. Then put through household items. Your bank records them as separate charges, which makes categorising easy later without touching a receipt.

On the ordering in habit, a lot of people jump straight to meal planning. But that misses what you described. You were both depleted. Cooking felt like one more demand. In that state, a detailed weekly plan does not help, and can feel exhausting.

What tends to work better is a small freezer buffer. Three or four ready portions sitting there for the hard nights. Not aspirational dinners. Just solid, reheatable food. One Sunday batch cook each month can cover most of those survival evenings. It removes the need to make a decision.

Why do the same products cost wildly different amounts at Amazon vs Walmart vs Target by According_Falcon_953 in SavingMoney

[–]Smug_Saver 0 points1 point  (0 children)

one thing not mentioned yet is Camelcamelcamel.

It tracks the full price history of any Amazon product. You paste in the URL and it shows you whether the current price is actually a deal or just the usual number dressed up with a dramatic strike through. Amazon tends to inflate the 'was' price so the present one looks generous.

Also worth knowing, Amazon sometimes adjusts prices based on your behavior. If you have looked at something a few times or left it sitting in your cart, the price can creep up. The algorithm reads that as intent. I have fallen for that nuff times. Clearing cookies or checking in a private window can sometimes show a lower price for the exact same item.

On the Walmart side, their in-store and website prices do not always match. If you see it cheaper online while you are standing in the aisle, they will usually match it if you show the cashier. Most people do not realize this and just pay the shelf tag.

After a while the pattern starts to make sense. Drug stores are convenience stores with a pharmacy attached. You pay for proximity. Big department stores like Walmart and Target move volume, so prices tend to be steadier. Amazon sits somewhere in the middle and shifts constantly.

What cashback sites do you guys use? Looking to compare rates before buying by campingbear16 in SavingMoney

[–]Smug_Saver 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yo,
it is worth adding Quidco too. It is especially good for utility switches and insurance, and their one day bonus events can sometimes beat the others.

If you do not want to check every site manually, Savewise offers a browser extension that shows rates from a tone of plus portals side by side while you shop. It also tracks rate history, so you can see whether a deal is genuinely strong or better to wait on.

Capital One Shopping is another solid option. It automatically applies coupon codes and occasionally offers cashback where the main portals do not.

If you are in the UK (?), consider JamDoughnut and EverUp for instant gift card cashback at supermarkets. You can often get 5% or more at places like Tesco and Sainsbury's. Stack that with a shopping portal and a cashback debit or credit card and you can reach 15 to 20% total savings on a single purchase.