I thought I'll continue the theme of "bargain hunting" from the last post and talk about coupons and promo codes. I mentioned how the stores here are really good at "enabling" you to shop. If it is the first time you shop at a store, they'll cajole you to join their mailing list and send you coupons or codes for online shopping to get you to go back.
If you ever watched "Extreme Couponing", you'll see how some of these ladies spend hours clipping coupons for groceries and they'll pay almost nothing when they leave the supermarket with carts of stuff! That is the extreme but I learn a thing or two watching the programme, like what it means to "stack" your coupons, or get a "rain check" for out of stock items. I also always Google to find a promo code before I "check out" when I shop online. Sometimes I'll find a code that gets me free shipping.
Just the other day at a store selling kids' clothes, I mentioned to the cashier that I didn't bring along the coupons they sent me and she immediately suggested that I pay for the item at full price and then do a price adjustment at any of their outlets later with the coupons (get the discount after the purchase). Music to my ears...