Perhaps the best and easiest way to save money when shopping is using social media. The main players are Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. By using all 3 on a regular basis you can almost guarantee you’ll never pay full price. In many cases, you’ll also learn to make something (or fix something) yourself to save even more money on out-of-pocket expenses. Retailers are finally wising up to the incredible reach they have with social media, and as consumers we need to use this knowledge to our advantage. Here are five ways to make it happen, starting today.

1. Learn to Save Money Via a Twitter Conversation

In recent years, Twitter (it will always be Twitter to me) has become a great tool when it comes to saving a buck.

The obvious way is to follow all of your favorite retailers as many constantly update their feeds with things like exclusive coupons and a early sneak peeks on upcoming sales and promotions.

The “gee whiz” way to save money (that most consumers don’t know about) is having a Twitter conversation with companies when you feel they have done you wrong in some way.

Perhaps you had a terrible customer service experience or were ripped off.

Or maybe you are not happy with what you are paying for your cell service or cable/satellite TV.

The bottom-line is that most companies have an ear to the ground and are looking to be proactive on Twitter when they find a customer who is not happy.

This personally happened to me when I made an “off the cuff” comment on Twitter about how much a pay Verizon every month.

Within minutes, Verizon tweeted back to me and offered to help me get my bill lowered.

The fact of the matter is companies have employees trolling Twitter this exact moment looking to right a wrong and even help you get your monthly bill reduced.

Use this information as a money-saving tool in 2024 and I think you can definitely get some bills lowered.

Especially bills like your cell phone, land-line (AT&T), Charter Cable, DirecTV, and Dish Network.

See Also: Learn to Negotiate with Dish, DIRECTV, AT&T, Verizon, and Comcast

2. Become a #Hashtag Pro and Quickly Find a Deal

So a hashtag (#) is used to narrow down searches and categorize popular searches on social media sites including Facebook and Twitter.

For example, someone on Twitter might post a coupon for Macy’s and include the hashtag #Coupon, #MacysCoupon, #MacysDeal or #MacysCoupon – so if you are looking for a coupon to use on your next purchase, just do a quick search on Twitter or Facebook for those hashtags.

It will allow you to quickly sift through the social media rubble and find any possible coupons or deals you can use to save money.

The mighty hashtag can easily become your money saving best friend.

Always search for # followed by whatever deal you’re looking for.

Examples include #HawaiiDeals, #GapCoupons, #SpringBreakBargains, #ValentinesCoupons, #HotelDeals, #BlackFriday, JCrewDiscounts, etc..

3. Become a Loyal Facebook Follower

If you’re not following your favorite stores and retailers on Facebook you’re potentially losing out on a lot of savings.

This trend really took off last year as most popular retailers starting using their Facebook feed as a way to grow brand loyalty.

What’s one of the best ways to grow brand loyalty…by offering exclusive incentives, early details on flash sales,  and exclusive coupons to followers.

Real world example: Just last week I took to the Old Navy Facebook page before I did some shopping and ended up saving $35 as I was able to use a Facebook exclusive 50% off in-store coupon on my purchase.

Be sure to “Like” your favorite retailers on Facebook and the savings will sure to follow.

4. Become a Pinterest DIY’er and Save $$$

Pinterest is a frugal persons dream come true.

The site is stuffed full of great tips on saving money at home and learning how to re-purpose clothing, furniture, and home décor.

Also, you can easily track down pin boards on things like home remodels, new hairdos, and DIY projects that include plumbing, home decorating, and fashion tips. All of which can save you significant money by helping you learn to do and repair things yourself.

5. Track Down Killer Travel Deals on Twitter

Twitter is no longer just for keeping track of your favorite celebrities and athletes. Nowadays you can use it to track down some pretty killer deals, especially on travel.

There are some very popular Twitter accounts set up to track and share travel deals for airfare, hotel, and vacation packages.

Here are a few Twitter accounts that are my personal favorites when looking for travel deals.

You definitely need to be following them in 2015 if you plan to look for travel bargains of any kind.

• @JetBlueCheeps – This is the official Twitter feed for JetBlue airlines which they update daily with exclusive deals and coupons. Currently they are promoting $32 fares to NYC and Chicago. Awesomeness.
• @AirfareWatchDog – “The only low airfare alert site that covers all airlines.” They tweet new airfare deals every 10-20 minutes. They allow you to stay in the know of any amazing airfare price drops so you can jump on them quickly.
• @FareCompare – “FareCompare presides over a kingdom of sophisticated software to find you cheap flights.” They also post some really useful articles for booking travel deals like the Cheapest Days to Fly in 2024. Answer: When traveling in the U.S. fly Tuesday, Wednesday or Saturday.
• @FlyerTalk – “Sharing tips & tricks that we can use to see the world at prices we all can afford!” Be kept in the know of awesome travel deals as well as cool tips like the best day of the week to book hotel rooms. The writers of FlyerTalk.com also help readers get free upgrades as well as teaching folks how to use credit cards to churn free travel points and rewards.

Let me know if you have any questions and I’d love to help you personally.

Happy savings.

By Kyle James

Photo credit to HowToStartaBlogOnline.net.

Have you ever been stuck with something that’s brand spanking new that you know you’ll NEVER need or use? Whether it be that Tiger King t-shirt your Mom gave you, or that 2nd crock pot from the in-laws, there is always something you wish you could return if you just had the dang receipt. Well, now you can. I researched a bunch of popular retailers that will happily take back items without proof of purchase.

Costco

Because Costco keeps track of all your purchases in their computer system, they don’t require a receipt to make a return.

As long as you have your membership number they can look up your buying history and verify the purchase.

Pretty handy, especially since they allow you to return items at practically any point in the products lifespan.

The only exception is electronics which has a 90 day return policy.

I have personally returned a Keurig coffee maker without a receipt over a year after I originally purchased it. They took it back with no questions asked.

Dick’s Sporting Goods

According to the Dick’s return policy, “If you no longer have your receipt from an in-store purchase, contact our Customer Service team by phone at 1-877-846-9997 or chat now to have a copy of your receipt sent to you, if available.”

If they can’t find it, they’ll ask for a photo ID and issue you store credit for the lowest selling price.

See Also: These Stores Let You Keep Some Items You Try to Return

Home Depot

If you try to return items to The Home Depot sans receipt you won’t be completely out of luck.

According to their return policy, “Returns made without a valid sales receipt or an expired receipt may be exchanged or refunded to a Home Depot store credit or a Home Depot Commercial Account for the lowest advertised price.”

Store credit is WAY better than being stuck with a set of wrenches that you’ll never use.

HOME DEPOT’S STORE CREDIT SOLUTION

After buying a set of wrenches from Home Depot, I realized I didn’t need them. But being the dummy that I am, I had lost the receipt.

The store associate informed me that without a receipt, they could offer store credit for the lowest advertised price which fortunately was the same price that I had paid.

I did have to provide my ID, but they issued the store credit, allowing me to purchase other stuff I needed.

Home Goods

If you lose your Home Good receipt you’re not completely out of luck.

They’ll give you merchandise credit buy you’ll have to show them your I.D. so they can track your return history.

Their website also states that the name on the merchandise credit must match the name on the photo ID if you ever want to actually use the credit in-store.

Kohl’s

According to the Kohl’s return policy, if you don’t have you receipt, no problem.

From their website, they can “cannot locate your original purchase and/or for non-receipted returns, information from your valid ID will be stored to monitor your return activity.”

Kohl’s won’t give you cash back, but they will give you merchandise credit based on the lowest price of the item in the past 13 weeks.

Lowe’s

According to the Lowe’s website, “In most instances, your receipt can be retrieved by using the original credit card, checking account number, MyLowe’s card or by your phone number.”

Lowe’s also leaves the option open to only give store credit (at the current selling price) on returns without a receipt in case they are unable to retrieve it.

5/15/20 Update: I received a comment from someone saying that Lowe’s has placed a $100 limit on items you can return without a receipt if you’re requesting CASH. Any truth to this? Let me know in the comments.

Macy’s

Macy’s claims they will take back items without a receipt as long as the product still has the original tags or price stickers on it.

As I wrote about here, they can also look up your purchase using “the credit card you used to make your purchase, your return label, packing slip, order or shipping confirmation email or registry number.”

Nordstrom

Nordstrom should be able to help you find your purchase but they’ll probably need your original form of payment to do so.

If they can’t find it, they’ll ask for a valid ID, track your return, then give you credit via a Nordstrom gift card.

Office Depot

The folks at Office Depot will work with you if you don’t have a receipt but there are a bunch of caveats.

First, all returns without a receipt require a valid ID card and tech products without a receipt are NOT returnable.

From the Office Depot website, all other items returned without a receipt “that are active in our computer system will be refunded in the form of an Office Depot or OfficeMax Merchandise Card in an amount equal to the lowest retail price during the preceding 90 days.”

REI

Not only will REI let you return something for up to a year after you bought it, but you don’t even need your receipt to make it happen in most cases.

If you’re a REI member they can look up your purchase easily, if you’re not, they can use your original form of payment to track it down.

You might be stuck with store credit but that ain’t so bad.

ROSS – Dress for Less

While it can be a bit tricky to return an item to Ross without a receipt, it can be done.

From their website, “Merchandise returns without a receipt will require a valid picture ID and if approved by the refund system, will be refunded in the form of a store credit or exchanged at the item’s current selling price.”

Hey, always worth a shot. Return items sooner, rather than later, as stuff gets lowered in price quickly at Ross and you’ll want to get the highest price-point possible.

Sam’s Club

Similar to Costco, Sam’s Club has some solid ways to find your receipt so you can make a return.

First off, you can visit this page, login using your membership number, and print any receipt from the past 3 years.

In most cases, you can also show up at a Sam’s location and they can lookup your purchase history so you can make a return without your receipt.

Worst case scenario you’ll get store credit or a partial refund if they can’t find any proof of purchase.

Staples

Staples will do their best to try and find your purchase using your debit or credit card.

If they can’t find it, and the item is still in sell-able condition, they will issue you store credit for lowest price in the past 30 days.

They reserve the right to say “no return for you” if they feel you are abusing their “no-receipt” return policy.

Target

Target has the ability to look up your purchase, making an original receipt totally optional.

If the item was a gift, and you don’t have a receipt, you are going to be stuck with store credit.

But if you made the purchase with a Target RedCard, Visa, MasterCard, AmEx, or Discover card they can usually find your purchase.

If they can’t find any evidence they will deny the return or give you store credit.

RETURNING GIFTS WITHOUT A RECEIPT

My wife got a gift recently from Target but it was the wrong size so she decided to test out their policy.

Here is how it went, “I received a Target gift without a receipt and wanted to exchange it. The store associate informed me that without proof of purchase, they could offer store credit for the current price. I provided my ID, they processed the return, and I was able to exchange it for the correct size. Couldn’t be easier.”

TJ Maxx

TJ Maxx will happily give you store credit if you return items without a receipt but a valid ID will have to be provided.

Your store credit is redeemable both online or at any retail location.

If you’re returning an online purchase you can use your email confirmation if you lost your packing slip.

Tractor Supply Co

Tractor Supply has no problem taking your return if you don’t have the receipt, but be prepared to show a valid ID as they’ll track your returns that way.

If it’s a large order it will require manager’s approval.

You won’t get cash back but they’ll give you store credit for the item’s current price.

Walmart

Walmart also has a fairly liberal return policy when you return items without a receipt.

With NO receipt, Walmart gives customers the option of a cash refund (if the purchase was under $25), or a gift card (if it was over $25), or an even exchange for an identical product.

It has also been suggesting in the comments that the number of allowed “no receipt” returns at Walmart varies from state to state.

ALWAYS TRY TO MAKE THE RETURN SANS RECEIPT

From blog reader Tina, “I bought a kitchen gadget from Walmart but decided it wasn’t necessary. Without the receipt, I was concerned about returning it. Walmart offered a cash refund for items under $25 or a gift card for items over $25.

I provided my ID, and they issued a gift card for the item’s current price, making the return process convenient.”

Ask the Reader: Do you know of any other popular stores who will take something back without a receipt? Let me know in the comments and I will check them out.

By Kyle James

Procrastinating your Christmas shopping just might save you a BUNCH of money this year. Well, now that you have found this article anyway. While shopping year-round and only buying when you find screaming deals is typically the best way to save on your shopping, these 6 tips just might help you save even more money. Use them wisely, protect them closely, and unleash them often young Jedi. May the force (and savings) be with you…

1. Learn to Negotiate a Great Deal

Shopping in-store between now and Christmas and the things on your list all seem to be marked at full price? Don’t fret as you can still score a deal by negotiating with the employees on the floor.

I have done this successfully at Best Buy, Home Depot, Lowe’s, Sears, and even Costco. Look for things like flooring models, display models, damaged packaging, and don’t forget to become a price matching ninja.

Start by asking for 20% off and be prepared to meet in the middle. Also, try the bundling technique where you ask for a discount when buying 2 or more significant items.

Example: Bundle a TV and a Bluray player and ask for a discount. Be polite and you’ll be surprised with how well it works.

More Info: Talk Your Way to a Deal: How to Negotiate at Major Retailers

2. Abandon Your Virtual Cart

If you’re making a significant purchase like a new TV, computer, riding lawn mower, Les Paul electric guitar, treadmill (you get the idea) try this tip to score a coupon.

Just register with the website where you plan to purchase, login to your account, add the items to your virtual cart, then when you reach the payment page, instead of entering your credit card info simply log out of your account and abandon your cart.

This will trigger an email by many large online retailers enticing you to come back to your virtual cart by offering a coupon code to complete your order.

Popular retailers where this often works include JCPenney, Best Buy, Guitar Center, Bass Pro Shops, Babies R Us, Dick’s Sporting Goods, and Macy’s.

Sure, it’s a bit passive aggressive, but who the heck cares, save money any way you can!

More Info: 17 Online Retailers Who’ll Bait You Back with a Coupon

3. Shop on the Right Day of the Week

Were you aware that many popular retailers do their clearance markdowns and add new items to the clearance rack on certain days of the week? Yep, it’s true!

I actually wrote an article recently on 12 Insider Tips on Store Markdowns that will help you shop on the right day and save some serious money when finishing up your Christmas shopping.

After all, there is nothing worse than shopping in the clearance section and finding if completely picked over.

In the 10 days leading up to Christmas be sure to shop the following days to score the best clearance deal at the following stores:

• Sunday: Joann Fabrics & Crafts
• Monday: Gap, CVS Pharmacy
• Tuesday: Macy’s, Anthropologie
• Wednesday: Ross, Old Navy, Best Buy
• Thursday: Babies R Us
• Friday: JCPenney
• Saturday: Kohl’s

See Also: Here Are the BEST Days to Shop Between Now and Christmas to Save

4. Free Shipping Day (December 14th)

When shopping online perhaps the best day to procrastinate, and still score a deal, is Saturday, December 14th, also known as Free Shipping Day.

A day when over 1,000 online retailers come together to offer guaranteed Christmas Eve delivery with NO minimum purchase required.

A few retailers that are offering free shipping, that typically don’t, include Cabela’s, Bass Pro Shops, J.Crew, Crutchfield, and Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Most retailers will offer free shipping with NO coupon code required so be to sure to look for an online coupon to stack on top of the free shipping offer to score the best deal possible.

5. Shopping Online? Hit Up Live Chat

This tip is one of my favorite ways to score an online deal when no coupon is available and you seemed destined to pay full price.

Hit up the live chat feature that many online websites employ and politely ask for a coupon for free shipping or a percent off your entire purchase.

A large percentage of live chat operators have coupon codes ready to hand out to encourage shoppers to complete purchases and build brand loyalty.

Start taking advantage, like right NOW.

More Info: Frugal Hack: Use Live Chat To Score Deals

6. Buy Discounted Gift Cards

Perhaps the best (and most popular) gift idea for procrastinators is the gift card.

The gift that says you spent as little time as possible shopping for someone. Kidding.

That is not always the case as gift cards are often great ideas for folks who are impossible to shop for.

Let them pick out something they actually want.

But why pay full price for one when you can buy discounted gift cards for most popular stores?

Did you know you can typically pay 8-20% less for gift cards by using websites like Gift Card Granny.com,  GiftDeals.com, and GiftCards.com.

Check them out and save yourself some money when buying last minute gift cards this year.

Happy savings.

By Kyle James