Supermarkets, retail chains, and cereal manufacturers are trying to attract customers with perks everyone seems to want while gas prices remain high: discounts and freebies at the pump. Here’s a look at five promotions promising free or discounted gas, including how much you could save, as well as how much of a hassle each program is.
It’s a classic retail technique: Attract shoppers by lowering prices on certain items, with the idea that once customers are in the store, they’ll buy full-priced items as well. The product being discounted in Walmart’s new “Rollback” promotion is an unusual one, though.
The smartest shoppers are aware of the games being played at the supermarket. Higher-priced items tend to be stocked in aisles right at eye level, so that consumers must crane their necks or bend down to find deals. The milk and eggs are way at the back of the store, forcing consumers to walk past [...]
The most obvious upside to being a consumer this year was that you felt wanted, and you felt appreciated. In a bad year for business, retailers were very, very happy to have yours. You felt the love—though sure, they only “love” you for your money. It wouldn’t be the first time somebody was happy to [...]
People will pay for quality. Even during an economic crisis. Even when the people involved are self-described cheapskates.
Even a cheapskate has to spend money sometimes. I’ve asked various frugal folks—bloggers, writers, money-saving and consumer experts—to compile personal, totally subjective lists of the products, services, experiences, and other “things” they’re willing to shell out good money on. Because if a cheapskate is willing to drop cash on something, you know it’s worthwhile.
