Watch Free Movies in Theaters

Have you heard to Gofobo before? No? Well let me tell you what it is and how to take advantage of it for some free movies/date nights/get-togethers. Gofobo is a site that manages pre-release screenings of movies so they can generate some feedback and hype for the movie before it even comes out to the general public. It's literally free. You sign up, you show up, you get in, you watch movie. You can even buy some popcorn if you want. What they get out of it just some hype and advertisement so when the movie actually opens, people will want to go and see it. Some screenings will actually pay you $10 to show up. I went and watched Last Vegas before it came out in 2013.

Too good to be true? What's the catch. The only thing is that the movies are never on a popular theater-going day = Friday, Saturday, Sunday. The movies are really only Monday-Thursdays sometime between 5pm-11pm or so. Not easy to do if you have school or work. Also, the movies are shown at specific theaters so you will have to go to them; they will not be going to you. Lastly, there are some age restrictions to the movies. For example: some must be 18+ for R movies, some require you to bring a teenagers 13-17 in order to qualify.

To use this, just go to Gofobo and put in your zip code. You can also sign up for emails that are tailored to your area. Just make sure you make note of date, time, instructions, print out the ticket, and show up early. If it gets full, you're not getting in of course. But last time I went, I went kind of late but still made it in before the movie started. It just depends how full it gets when you get there. That's it! Have fun.

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How To: Instant In-Store Savings

Today I will be going over a super quick way to save money on your purchase without any couponing, any printing, or any time spent at home. The key is utilizing what the stores are already offering to you right through your phone.

What happens a lot of the times is that I end up going shopping and wanting to buy something that I wasn't able to plan for ahead of time. This was especially true when I went holiday shopping this year. I was browsing through the stores at the mall to figure out what gifts to get so I wasn't able to look up any deals ahead of time since I didn't even know what to buy or what store to buy it from. But this method I will teach you doesn't really matter what store you are in; you just have to know the name of the store you're in.

One method you can use is to go to the stores's website on your phone and look for a link that says something like Coupons or Deals & Promotions. You can also just Google it too. You can utilize that time spent in the long checkout lines to grab yourself some savings. Here is an example. The other day I ended up at Kohl's. Before checkout I went to the Kohl's website seen here. I clicked on Today's Deals and managed to get to their Coupons & Sales page. The blue part I circled is what I got to use in store. Since I wanted to use it in store, I clicked on "get your pass", the yellow part I drew that looks like a bacteria.

Clicking it gives me this here---->
I showed it to the cashier, she scanned it, and BAM! I got 15% off my purchase. All it took were a few taps on my phone.
















Here's another example. I used this when I went to Macy's. Again, I went to their website, clicked on "deals & promotions" and the first thing on that page is what I needed (circled in blue). I then clicked on the blue bacteria part for the actual savings pass.

This is the savings pass that I got ---->
This one doesn't have an actual barcode to scan but that's alright. It has a code on it that the cashiers punch in. But really, they already have a hidden coupon with barcode behind the counter next to the register that they can use. They know the coupon exists already, they just don't advertise it, and they usually don't. Despite the deal being online, the retailers like to hide it when you are in stores in hopes of making a few more dollars off of you.












Another good site to use is RetailMeNot and looking for the In-Store coupons that you can use immediately. This site is a good Plan B if the website doesn't offer anything. This site is a bit more tricky but there are some good deals to be had. Here's an example:

Now keep in mind, this method really only works in major retail stores, ones that generally do not sell food so this doesn't apply to grocery stores or drug stores. This works mostly at malls, plazas, and an other place with a major American storefront. But if you're unsure, there's no harm in giving it a try. And if you're worried about data usage, many of these stores and malls have free wifi anyways. Just sign on before you search.

Any questions? Feel free to email me with the handy email box at the bottom of the page!

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How to: Surveys = Free Gift Cards/Money

Today I will be presenting you with an easy opportunity to make a little bit of extra money when you have a few minutes to spare. It's perfect for those long bus rides, boring class lectures, etc. The key is surveys.

I started taking survey a few years ago and have tried a variety of sites. A year or so ago I discovered www.e-rewards.com and I'd like to recommend it to you today. It's been one of the easiest sites I've used. How it works is that the site will send you an email every few days or so notifying you of an open survey. You then complete the surveys as best as you can. If you satisfy the requirements and fully complete the survey, you earn a few dollars of e-reward credits. And unlike some other sites, even if you don't qualify for the survey, you still get $0.25 of e-reward credits just for trying. None of your time is wasted. Sometimes, it only takes a few seconds to get through 4 of them earning $1 in credits in no time.

When you earn enough credits, you can cash in and redeem some prizes. It's like getting tickets at the arcade and getting a prize. Except in this case, you don't have to spend any money! I recently just cashed in my earnings for a $25 Walmart gift card. They have many stored and categories to choose from so there buond to be something that interests you.

Now don't worry about your personal information getting stolen. They are a legitimate company and they never ask you for personal information. The most they'll ask you is your birthday, gender, city, etc. They will never ask you for credit card or banking information. They really just want your opinions and to measure consumer awareness. Companies use that information to see how well they are doing compared to other companies, or they'll try to see what new products that can come up with. So go ahead and start earning!

Here are some other sites I have to recommend to you:

E-Poll - Collect points and redeem them for gift cards

Esearch - Complete offers to have money sent straight to your PayPal account. Just make sure you use an email address that has a PayPal attached to it. They also offer certain product testing opportunities. So not only will you get a product for free, you get paid to use it!

Here's what some results look like:

(Disclaimer: I am in no way sponsored by any of these sites I've mentioned. I've just tried many and know which ones are the best and want to share them with you.)

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How To: Target Mobile Coupons

Target Mobile Coupons is a program under Target that allows you to get Target exclusive coupons through text messages on your mobile phone. They have a new set of coupons every couple of weeks. Once you are enrolled in the program, Target will sometimes automatically send you a link via a text message when there are new coupons out. Other times, you have to request a coupon link by texting them a special keyword. That link leads you to a specific mobile website that has a bar code (see image above.) The website shows you what coupons are available as well. To use any or all of the coupons, you just have the cashier scan that one single bar code. If you want access to these savings, follow these quick steps:

1. Text the word OFFERS to 827438
2. You should receive a text back from Target. Click on the given link and follow the webpage instructions to sign up and accept the Terms and Conditions of the program.
3. Once enrolled, if you don't get another link from them, text the word OFFERS to them again.
4. Click on the new link to reveal coupons and bar code.

Now because they do occasionally send you text messages, make sure that you are comfortable with receiving them in the first place. I have unlimited texting/data so it's not a problem for me but standard messaging and data rates do apply otherwise. If you do enroll but no longer want to receive correspondence from Target anymore, just text the word STOP to 827438 and that will un-enroll you from the program.

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How To: Credit Cards - Saving $ On Everyday Purchases

Background

Cash is out, credit cards are in. For those of you that are unfamiliar with the concept of credit cards, let me give you a quick overview. If you are already familiar with them, just jump down to methods for some extra tips/tricks on how to maximize your savings on every day purchases.

So credit cards are an electronic way of paying money but are different from debit cards. Debit cards are associated with a checking account. When you buy something from the store, instead of physically handing cash to them, you're electronically handing cash to them. The money is immediately withdrawn from your checking account and given to the merchant. There are no interest fees associated. As long as you have money in your checking account, you will have no problems using your debit card.

Credit cards are like mini-loans. Every time you buy something from a merchant, you are taking out a loan from the bank and using that money to pay off the merchant. It's equivalent to an "I owe you" or "IOU" as I like to say. You not actually using any money from your own pockets or accounts but using the banks' money. This is where interest come in. The bank will give you a certain time to pay them back without charge but because they are loans, the bank will charge you interest if you don't pay them before the deadline listed on the statement. Just like any other loans, like students loans, they will start to charge you money after your grace period and your balance will start growing. To prevent them from charging you any money at all, pay off the full amount of the bill every month. Never ever just pay the minimum amount off unless you are seriously broke and have no money to your name. Even if you pay off the minimum, the remaining balance if subject to interest. So just pay it off!!! Interest is how banks make money, it is how they're profitable. They are a business afterall.

Now it seems that credits cards are just a way to lose money but there's actually a way to use credit cards to save/make money. That's because of market competition. There are so many credit card options out there that these banks and companies have give you some kind of incentive to join them. By taking advantage of these programs and tailoring them to the way you shop, you'll be able to save quite a good amount of money. You're going to have to pay for food, groceries, and utilities. Why not save some money on the things you already buy?

Methods

1. Bank credit cards - Bank credit cards are the most common credit cards out there. If possible, get one with a program that will suite your shopping needs. If you travel a lot, there are frequent flyer programs where you can collect points on your purchases to get free flights. If you are like me, and don't travel often, I suggest you go for cards that offer direct cash back. An example is the Chase Freedom Card. It's a card that gives you 1% cash back on anything and everything that you buy. You get a bonus certain months out of the year where you get 5% off certain categories like restaurants or grocery stores. The points you earn turn into money that you can literally deposit right back into your bank accounts. Like I said, if you are spending money anyways, why not get some money back from that. Unfortunately, if you are new to the credit world, you might not qualify to get one of these cards yet. If you haven't had a credit card before, of haven't had your first credit card for a long time yet, or if you have a history of having poor credit, you are too inexperienced in the eyes of the bank. They do not trust you yet and will not let you get one. Just keep using your old credit card, build up your credit score, and try to apply for one as soon as you can to stay getting back those dollars.

2. Store Credit Cards - Is there one particular store that you love and shop at often? If so, see if they have a credit card program associated with their company. For instance, Target and Macy's both have their own credit card program. Why might these cards be better than bank credit cards? These programs often have incentives that are larger than those of the bank. These stores want you to keep returning to their store and keep spending your money there. For example, I shop at Target often because of all the coupons I can use there. If I used my bank credit card, all I get is 1% cash back on my purchases. However, when I use my Target Red Card, Target's credit card program, I get 5% off all my purchases. Thats's 4% more than what I would get with my bank card. In these situations, I save much more when I use my Target card. Thus, although I have both, I would of course use the one that saves me more money.

3. Credit Card Adjustment - This credit card trick is something that I discovered accidentally. I was buying something with coupons one month and it came out to a bit less than a dollar. I decided to charge it to one of my credit cards. I didn't charge anything else to the card for the rest of the month so my final balance was still less than $1. Interestingly enough, my bank did an automatic adjustment and it automatically paid for the charge; it adjusted my balance to $0. I did not have to pay a penny. What I found out was that it would cost the bank more to charge me than to not charge me at all. Just mailing out my statement to me and running the transaction costs more than what the bank could collect from me. Thus, every month, as long as I charged less than $1, I was able to get my items for free. However, my bank stopped credit adjusting beginning November or December of 2014 and I am no longer able to enjoy this benefit. I'm not sure if it will kick back in but I recommend you trying it with your bank credit card to see if you can make use of this credit card trick.

Conclusion

No matter how much you try to save money, there will always be things that you have to pay for. With these credit cards you'll be able to save money on every thing you buy, including utilities that there are never coupons for. Although some of you might not qualify for one yet, one day you will so keep paying off those balances, pay your bills on time, and get your credit score up so you can get one of these credit cards. But even if you get one of these credit cards, don't get rid of your old credit cards. Having a credit card for a long time is actually good for your credit. It shows history, experience, and self control - things that will get banks to trust you with their money.

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How To: Target Cartwheel

Background

Welcome to another How To from me. This time, I'm going to talk about Target and a savings program they have called Target Cartwheel. Now, I personally love Target. It's a great store, good variety of items, more high end and nicer than Walmart, yet there are always deals to be found. Target has a lot of good sales going on that can be combined with coupons making it a great place to gets things for cheap or for free. So what is this Cartwheel that I speak of? It's a savings program that gives an extra percentage off certain products. It may be as low as 5% off but I've seen 50% and possible even 75-80% off an item before. If you're shopping and decide to by an Up & Up product or Archer's Farm product (which are the names of the Target store brand items) then you are actually guaranteed at least another 5% off the in store price. Store brands are already cheaper than normal. Cartwheel now allows you to save even more!

Methods

1. Online or App - First thing you should do is decide if you want to do this via the online website or via it's mobile app (available for Apple and Android products.) What I personally recommend is to get the app. This is because I often don't plan on purchasing a product until I'm actually at the store. Let's say I see aluminum foil on sale and realizes that I'm actual running low. That's when I can pull out my mobile device, look the item up in my app, and add it to my Cartwheel. If you're worried about data usage, no need. Target has free wifi service and it's not too shabby either. It's slow if you want to surf the web, but plenty speed for Cartwheel to run. Sure, you can use it online, but you'd have to add all your deals before you head to the store and you could miss out on a lot of savings.
2. Get Bar Code Ready - If you use Cartwheel via your computer, you will have to print out the bar code associated with your account on a piece of paper before you go to the store. The cashier has to be able to scan it in order for you savings to go through. If you are using the app, you can just pull it up on your device and have the cashier scan the bar code right off your device. (Another reason why I advocate the app; it saves paper and ink too!)
3. Forgot to scan it? - Let's say you forgot to bring up Cartwheel during your purchase cause you were too overwhelmed by all your coupons. No need to fret! Target has a great coupon policy. If you forgot to ring up a coupon or your Cartwheel, just head over to the customer service desk at the front of the store with your items and receipt and let them know you forgot. If you forgot a coupon, they'll make sure it works first, then give you the worth of the coupon in cash. If you forgot to use Cartwheel, they will calculate the percentage and give the savings back to you in cash. Another reason why I love Target; so hassle-free.

Conclusion

I will be posting deals on the site that will sometimes require the use of the Target Cartwheel savings program so make sure you get it. It doesn't matter if you sign up with Facebook, your Google account, or make a brand new Target account to use it, just get it. This is a must have for any Target customer.

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How To: Freebies

Background

Getting stuff for free is the best, especially when it's something you can actually use. Or if not, it's still just super fun to get things for free anyways. Here I will tell you two ways to get things for free, and maybe even make a little money too just by "buying" something. [If you haven't seen my how to on coupons yet, click here and read that first before returning to this post.]

Methods

1. Samples - Companies give out free samples in the hopes that once you get exposed to their products, you will end up buying them. They are small, but are generally useful and a great size for traveling. These types of giveaways really just ask you to fill out your information so that they can send the product to you. It is very similar to entering sweepstakes so please read this before heading out and filling out any forms. This is also great for those who love receiving mail. You never really know when they will arrive at your mail box so it's like getting a little surprise present in the mail every so often. How fun.
2. Coupons - You can end up getting things for free if the timing is right.. Let's say a store has a sale on product A that's $1.50 but you actually have coupons worth $2. Voila! It's free! At certain stores like Target and Walmart, if you are getting something else like product B at the same time, that extra 50 cents gets deducted from product B so you are actually getting extra savings. Even after tax, it's like making money off of product A and spending it on product B. Essentially, buying product A helps to make the rest of your purchase cheaper than if you didn't buy it!

Conclusion

Keep tuning in to the site to make sure you don't miss out on a dealicious freebie.

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How To: Coupons

Background

You are aware that stores often hold sales. But did you know that manufacturers themselves also hold sales on their products independent from stores? These sales come in the form of coupons. They are really just like cash except that there are some terms and conditions you have to follow in order to use them. If you combine them with the store sales that's when you can get some dealicious savings. There are two forms of coupons: ones you print at home and ones you obtain already preprinted. 

Methods 

1. Preprinted coupons - The most important preprinted coupons you can get are those that come with the free Sunday newspaper that's delivered to your house on Saturdays. The coupon packets will come from one of three companies: P&G, SmartSource, or RedPlum. In LA you don't get very many free coupons that are free; you'll have to get a paid newspaper subscription to get more. However, in SF, you get tons for free. Sometimes, I find a whole stack of the newspaper coupon combos on the corner of the block sitting there for anyone who wants them. Collect them and date them. I will be referring to them via their Sunday date.
2. Print at home coupons - To start you will need a computer and a printer. I will link you to the site where the coupon is found. If it is the first time you are printing from the site, you will need to install a couponprinter plugin. Just make sure your browser allows pop up windows and follow the prompts to install. Each different site only requires you to install it once unless you use more than one computer. (The more computers you have, the more coupons you can print. Yay!) Before printing, make sure your printer is turned on and hooked to your computer. If you use more than one printer and switch printers often, make sure you select the correct one as your default. Each computer can print 2 of the same coupon. (That's where the plugin comes in; it doesn't allow you to print an unlimited number of coupons but this will at least allow you to use a deal twice.) Use the back of scratch paper to save some trees. Snip, clip, and use.

Conclusion

Combining these coupons with store sales will allow you to save and save, and even get things for free. Write little notes on the tops of them to remember what the deals are when you are at the store. If you have any computer troubles, let me know so I can make a detailed post for it. Happy couponing and keep checking back for some oh so dealicious deals.

Here's an example of couponing in action.

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How To: Sweepstakes

Background:

Before I started this hobby of mine, I was always a skeptic when it came it sweepstakes. Who wouldn't be? These sweepstakes ask for personal information and most of the time, people are afraid these are scams out for our money. However, I can tell you that there are sweepstakes that are absolutely real. I have entered and won multiple sweepstakes with prizes including a Keurig coffee brewer, an iPad Mini, and a Xbox One console with a Kinect. To date I have gotten over $1000 worth of prizes so don't be afraid to enter sweepstakes!

Methods:

1. Fill out the form - Do NOT fill out the forms with fake information. The address you put down will be where the prize is mailed to you. If you put a fake address, you will not get your prize even if you win. I have never gotten spam in my mailbox before so you don't have to worry about that.
2. Have a semi-junk email address -  I do not recommend using an important personal email to enter sweepstakes. Some companies will require you to subscribe to a newsletter as part of the entry process. These aren't spam but they can still be annoying if you don't shop with the company often. However, you can't just use a junk email and never check it. If you win a prize, companies will use your email to get in contact with you. If you do not respond to them by the deadline, you will not get the prize. Someone else is going to get it instead.
3. Unsubscribe - If you like shopping at that company, go ahead and keep the emails. They often send out coupons and notify you of their sales. However, if you don't want to get these emails anymore, just look for the unsubscribe button at the bottom of the email. Companies are legally required to include one. This will declutter your email so you don't end up losing important winner's notification emails.
4. Facebook/Twitter - Some sweepstakes require fb or twitter involvement. On fb, you just have to Like them; no big deal. Just make sure you read the windows before authorize anything to prevent auto posting. Some will require you to post a tweet. I don't use twitter personally so I just have one for sweepstakes. If you don't have one, make one. If you already have a personal twitter, make a new one.
5. Enter daily - Sweepstakes are drawings. The more entries you have, the more likely you are going to win. Enter daily if you can to increase your chances of winning. Use the autofill option on your internet browser to your advantage. It will save your info and you can fill out a form often with just a few clicks of the mouse. Once you get use to it, you can go through a bunch of sweepstakes within a matter of minutes.

Conclusion:

Don't be afraid of entering sweepstakes. Although there are some scams out there, I will help you sort through them and present you with the good ones only. Let me know if you win anything! =)

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