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4 Ways Coupons Manipulate Spending Habits — Watch Out!

By Frugaling 13 Comments

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Every Wednesday and Sunday — if you subscribe to a paper — you generally receive a healthy dose of coupons. Everything from soups to toilet paper to deli meats are frequently included in the pile. With open arms, many clippers sift through the mass to find a couple deals.

Some people collect them, place them in binders, and combine coupons with store deals. Websites and shows like The Krazy Coupon Lady and TLC’s Extreme Couponing examine, research, and find incredible coupon-based deals. Everyone seems to love coupons!

You should be concerned.

Coupons are developed by vast marketing and advertising teams for corporations. The advertising industry as a whole is estimated to be in the hundreds of billions, and a significant portion is outlined for couponing. But subtly, clipping those weekly coupons affects the psychological decision making in the supermarket. Here are 4 ways that coupons manipulate your spending habits.

Watch Out! Coupons Manipulate Spending Money Cash1. Clip, cause cognitive dissonance

Every time you clip a coupon, your mind buys a product. Even though you haven’t gone out and purchased the item, to clip a coupon, it’s a commitment of time and action. This has a direct effect on your wallet.

A powerful psychological effect that can occur when you clip a coupon: cognitive dissonance. If, for instance, you decide to clip a coupon and then later question whether you really need the product, this may lead to dissonance. Essentially, this is a distress associated with spending the effort to clip a coupon that you now might not use. For many people, they’ll use a coupon just because they clipped it — regardless if it’s the cheapest option once they get to the store.

2. Exposure predicts spending

Exposure is the key to purchasing a product. What a simple conclusion, right? Well, stores know that the more face time you have with a product, the more likely you are to buy it. If the exposure begins prior to entering the store, you’re effectively being primed for the future purchase.

With coupons, your eyeball sees the product at home. If you clip it out, you are further intensifying the duration of the exposure. More time in front of you equals more money for the grocer and advertiser. How easy!

3. Is that really any cheaper?

One of the most important reasons that people clip coupons is to save money. Ironically, this may not actually lower your shopping bill. Coupons are not usually offered for generic, store-brand merchandise or fresh produce. Instead, they’re frequently marketing name brand items that already have a built-in premium. This added cost often voids any discount associated with using a coupon.

It’s very important to pay careful attention to the coupon you’ve clipped out. At a store, you need to look for generic items, and then compare them to the name brand item for the coupon. All of this takes a level of vigilance and time that many don’t have or care to have at the grocery store. For both time and money, just buying generic items is normally the best bet.

4. Coupons are getting smarter

Smartphones, apps, and online coupon sites are increasingly digging into your spending habits. Your rewards credit card, frequent shopper card, and web browsing history may be leeching your data to third-party companies. These organizations then will compile and predict what you want. They’re so accurate that Target can tell when you’re pregnant, about to have a child, and/or the ages of your children (read Brandwashed for more on this tactic).

By using these predictive tactics, companies can practically read your mind. If they know all your purchases and habits, coupons can be created that make you look at new, similar products. These choices may cost more over time, but offer a great deal at first. If you like the newer product more, the system has worked and you’re hooked. Now, the money is theirs to reap.

It’s not that coupons are always bad or more expensive than generic brands, but they can sometimes change your spending habits for the worse. Moreover, think about all the time that’s necessary to clip those coupons and find the special savings — this adds up. If you spend your time making more money and buying generic, this could actually be smarter in the long run!

Filed Under: Save Money Tagged With: Budget, Card, Consumer, Consumerism, coupons, Food, Freebies, Frugal, generic, Save Money, spending, supermarket

5 Tricks To Save Money At Starbucks (Updated)

By Frugaling 34 Comments

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5 Tricks To Save Money At Starbucks (Updated). This is really helpful because I love Starbucks!

Updated: Unfortunately, Starbucks reduced certain benefits, and is making it more difficult to find these powerful savings. I’ve changed a couple points to reflect the shift.

Starbucks is a favorite scapegoat of budget-minded personal finance gurus. Spending $4-5 on an espresso drink is unfathomable. The basic understanding is that if you spend that much every day or even a few times a week, it adds up. Spend $5 for 120 days (1/3 a year) and you’re looking at a staggering bill of $608. For someone on a strict budget that can really hamper your goals. Few people who are frugaling would argue that they have an extra $608 lying around for coffee.

Today, I’m presenting a slightly different angle. As a student, I’m often away from home for extended hours. I frequently make coffee before I leave, but I like to have a cup in the middle of the day, too. This presents a budget versus energy conundrum: To have the coffee and get my rocket fuel, or save money and feel tired.

Rather than choose one option, I’ve decided to save money at Starbucks and reduce the amount of times I frequent the major coffee chain. When you look at the prices at your local Starbucks, you probably see a variety of high-priced, calorie-packed drinks – all exorbitantly indulgent and painful to your pocketbook. But the way I see it, I immediately take 12-13% off that price – every time.

Save Money at Starbucks Storefront Store Logo Flickr
Photo: shinji_w/flickr

Here are 5 tricks for staying frugal at your favorite coffeehouse:

1. BYOT: Bring Your Own Tumbler ($0.10 discount)

Anytime you bring your own mug or tumbler, Starbucks rewards you with a $0.10 cup discount. Filling up a 16+ ounce tumbler should cost you over $2, but the discount helps keep it under that. I always carry mine around, as it’s far greener than using and throwing away paper cups every day. An added perk of using a tumbler is that it stays warmer for longer and you drink slower.

2. Use, Register Your Starbucks Card (8.33% discount)

This is pretty simple: Get a Starbucks card and register it online. Yes, you’ll sacrifice some privacy and Starbucks will have a rough estimate of every location you could possibly be in (just think how many Starbucks there are in the world). In exchange for this location information, Starbucks rewards you with 8.33% (or more) and free refills on brewed coffees.

Basically, once you register the card and start using it, you’ll collect drink points. For every 12 drinks/food items, I get a free one. When I bring my own tumbler ($0.10 discount) and use that with my Starbucks card, I’m actually receiving an additional 8.33% off the final price in the form of a future reward. The best part is that the reward can be for anything. Once you collect your twelfth bonus drink, you can use it for a venti whateverfrap at $5 or buy a bacon gouda sandwich (like I often do). These both cost more than my traditional morning/afternoon coffee, and effectively cause your total discount per order to be even more than 8.33%!

3. Order The “Short” (cheaper and you still get free refills)

What’s a “short”? Well, it’s an off-the-menu drink size that every Starbucks employee knows about. Instead of the tall size, which is 12 oz, the short is a measly 8 oz. Now, if you’re on-the-go and a regular coffee drinker like me, it’s hard to fathom drinking such a paltry sum (am I right?). But if you’ve got some time on your hands and you’ll be hanging out at Starbucks, it’s by far the best deal.

Order a short coffee with your registered Starbucks card and you’ll pay a face value of about $1.65 (depending on the location). Based on the 10% discount from before, your short, brewed coffee will ring in around $1.49. At that price, you’re likely to beget the myth that Starbucks is a super expensive coffee chain. The best part is that you can still get free refills on these drinks, too! I regularly get a refill, which effectively halves the price per cup at $0.75.

4. Use A Rewards Card To Pay Your Starbucks Card (2% discount)

I’m back to using credit cards after a brief experiment only using cash. When used responsibly, credit cards can maximize your savings for purchases you were already going to complete. When you refill/top off your Starbucks card using a rewards credit card, you still get the bonus points that the credit issuer pays out.

Let’s say I use a rewards credit card to refill my account. By doing so, I get an immediate 2% discount to the Starbucks refill/order. If you follow the previous method, you’re actually going to be paying only $0.73 per cup!

Animated Coffee Gif Save Money At Starbucks

5. Buy Starbucks Coffee At A Grocery Store ($5 per pound)

This is one of the simplest methods to save when you’re out and about and need a coffee fix: Buy a pound of Starbucks coffee at your local market. On the front of every bag of Starbucks coffee nowadays should be a coupon for a free tall coffee. To be honest, Starbucks coffee is hardly ever the most inexpensive, frugal choice at the supermarket, but when you combine free drink deals and maybe a coupon from the Sunday ads, you’re in serious business.

Starbucks regularly offers a $2 off coupon on the purchase of 2 one-pound bags of coffee. Let’s say one pound is $8 – multiply that by 2 and you’ll get $16. Use your coupon and the price gets knocked down to around $14. The two bags will include two tall coffees, as well. That is a value of about $4. Effectively, this brings your grand total for the 2 bags to about $10 after all your savings ($5 a pound).

Unfortunately, the free coffee for a bag of coffee is actively being phased out. Scoop up some of the last bags with the old design, and you’ll still get a free cup!

Filed Under: Save Money Tagged With: Bonus, Card, Coffee, Cup, Discounts, Espresso, Free, Freebies, Mug, Refill, Save Money, savings, Secrets, Starbucks

The 5 Minute Guide To Reading Credit Card Terms And Conditions

By Frugaling 7 Comments

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Flickr Photo Creative Commons
Photo: Philip Taylor PT

What Are Terms And Conditions?

I applied for my first credit card in 2007. On that fateful day, I was approved for a cash back card, a small signup bonus, and given a starting credit score – all with no annual fee. The glory days were here! I was finally an adult, with a credit card.

But it wasn’t until I received the credit card in the mail that I finally spent some time reviewing all the fine print – the terms and conditions. Printed on fine, tissue-like paper was a series of rules – all in small, black font – that extolled the consequences of misuse and the agreements that I must follow. What had I signed up for?!

Now, as a frugal, thrifty, and penny-pinching maverick I’m here to tell you a simple truth: You need to read the terms and conditions before you signup for a credit card. Isn’t that simple? When you signup for a credit card, you’re entering a formal contract with a bank to repay all debts – no matter what. As a member of this contract, it’s important to spend some time reviewing these documents to make sure it’s a fair deal.

The Schumer Box

The Schumer Box for Terms and Conditions
The Schumer Box for Credit Card Terms and Conditions

In 1988, Senator Charles Schumer from New York introduced the concept of a box (“The Schumer Box“) that would graphically outline the details of credit card agreements and accompanying materials. The Senator’s idea became a law and took effect in 1989. Essentially, the Senator was pioneering what education and literacy experts were arguing for: An easier way to read financial documents.

Included in the Schumer Box:

  • Any annual fees
  • Annual percentage rate (APR)
  • Other APRs (i.e., balance transfers, cash advances, default APRs)
  • Grace period
  • Other transactions fees

Jargon and complicated contract law had largely prevented people without excessive degrees – or letters behind their name – from understanding what the heck was being said. The Schumer Box was an easy interface for everyday people, and it increased comprehension across socio-economic divides.

But in 2007, as I applied for my first credit card, the Schumer Box didn’t help me.  I wasn’t paying attention, and was just too “grateful” to realize I need to critically evaluate the documents in front of me. These days it’s easier to find out more information online. For example, you can read a review of the Chase Sapphire Reserved card and get some critical details at a glance. This is key: Better to prepare than react when it comes to finances and debt. Actually, it’s better to prepare in every facet of life – finances should be no different.

The Credit Card Act Of 2009

In 2009, the Credit Card Act was signed into law. The goal of the legislation was to

“…establish fair and transparent practices relating to the extension of credit under an open end consumer credit plan, and for other purposes.”

With the lofty desire to enhance the transparency of credit card terms and conditions, the CARD act encouraged companies to create shorter documents that were easier than ever to understand. A variety of stipulations such as overlimit fees and distress-inducing repricing actions were nearly eliminated. These fees normally hit low-income and lower-middle-class households. They were being nickel and dimed by a variety of these increases and fees – with a seemingly unregulated market for swift changes that targeted consumers trying to pay off credit card debt.

Isn’t it ironic that a law aiming to increase transparency used direct financial jargon to explain the purpose? Nonetheless, “open end consumer credit” is a credit card and/or revolving line of credit that is issued by a bank to a consumer (you). The Act told credit card issuers to find ways to explain their products, terms, and liabilities in plain English. But like so much legislation in Congress, it didn’t have teeth.

“One of the expressed goals of the CARD Act was to improve transparency in the credit card market, but the Act did not explicitly mandate any changes in the length and form of credit card agreements.”

Despite the cautious recommendation to streamline and enhance comprehension, credit card companies actually conformed to these new standards and tended to aid in the presentation of credit card terms and conditions. Between 2008 and 2012, the average word count of agreements fell 24.4% (see picture below).

Average Word Count Decreased Between 2008 To 2012 For Terms And Conditions
Average Word Count Decreased Between 2008 To 2012 For Terms And Conditions
Flesch-Kincaid Reading Analysis of Credit Card Terms and Conditions
Flesch-Kincaid Reading Analysis of Credit Card Terms and Conditions

Along with shorter agreements, the banks issued terms and conditions that were easier to read. In 1948, Rudolf Flesch introduced a simple mathematical formula that suggested a grade level equivalent for the amount of text, sentence structure, and word choice. Using this method of analysis, the credit card companies have lowered the average reading level from 11.5 to 9.8 from 2008 to 2012. By doing so, the banks made agreements more accessible and easier to understand; frankly, they became fairer instruments, as both parties could better understand what they were agreeing to.

What Does This All Mean For You?

Next time you’re thinking about signing up for an awesome rewards credit card, think about the terms and conditions you’re ultimately agreeing to. Scientifically speaking, it’s easier than ever to understand and comprehend what a credit issuer is offering. By taking some time to critically evaluate what’s being shared, you can save yourself lots of heartache down the road. Use the Schumer Box to check for ancillary fees and exorbitant annual percentage. Use the CARD Act’s regulations to read carefully through the agreement and don’t hesitate to ask the issuer questions before you sign the dotted line.

Do you read the terms and conditions before you signup for a new credit card?

Filed Under: Best Credit Cards Tagged With: Banking, Banks, Card, Conditions, Contract, credit cards, Guide, Help, Information, Reading, Regulations, Rules, Schumer Box, Signup Bonus, Terms

Why Google Wallet Needed To Release An Offline Debit Card

By Frugaling 4 Comments

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Google Wallet Card Balance Phone DebitLast week, I wrote an article bringing attention to the Google Wallet Card. This decision to print and give away a free debit card will usher in a new epoch of payments, banking, and budgeting. But when I finished writing the story, I realized there was a missing piece to all of the current press: Why did Google release an offline debit card in the first place?

Google Wallet was announced in 2011, and released as a smartphone app in September of that year. After over two years of development and company expenditures, critics suggest the experiment has failed:

…Google Wallet is a dud, at least to date, despite the company’s expenditure of an estimated $300 million in real money on its development… (USAToday)

Earlier this year, rumors began swirling that Google would be releasing a physical debit card to be paired with its Wallet service. Unfortunately, ahead of the company’s major press event, Google I/O, they scrapped the release and went back to the drawing board. Despite being considered a “dud” by some analysts, Google Wallet was already beginning to catch on – largely credited to the payment processing of Android apps and Google Play purchases.

Google is already sucking in that purchase data on many fronts — between Google Play payments, Google Checkout on the Web and also advertiser payments — in addition to the dedicated Google Wallet project. (AllThingsD)

Google Wallet Debit Card Swipe Image

On November 20, 2013, Google decided to follow through with the release of a physical debit card (issued with a Mastercard logo). Commentators and speculators suggest that the Google Wallet platform needed to increase users’ payment options. As much of what we buy in stores takes a physical swipe of a card, these stories suggest that the debit card would help pay for physical goods. But tech writers have questioned Google’s decision to enter the physical world:

It’s surprising because Google exists to get people off physical media and into virtual digital everything. They’ve also been a leading force in mobile payments with both Android and Google Wallet. (ComputerWorld)

The persistence of plastic suggests we’re a lot farther than we think from a world where true mobile payments are the norm. (Washington Post)

Thus far, the primary hypothesis seems to center on the idea that Google has admitted to the failure of its online-only payment platform – it’s kowtowing to the payment processing gods and issuing a physical card. These articles and writers don’t give enough credit to this decision or Google’s business acumen. The company is in the payment processing business for the long haul. Much like their advertising platform, which is considered to be the best ad system in the world, payments give vital details about user habits, transactions, and life outside Google. There’s money in that big data and Google is about to start drilling.

With the release of a debit card, Google Wallet is not admitting defeat nor is it suggesting we have a “lot” further to go before mobile payments become the norm. Rather, the Wallet platform is injecting itself into the current psychological modality for purchasing goods for evolution down the road. Users of the product will begin to natively track and spend via the online platform. This will likely cause people to start defaulting to this payment system.

Meanwhile, Google has laid a diverse framework and future for the payment system by interlinking it with Gmail, Google+, and a growing number of online services. Now, you can send money via Gmail, swipe for gas, and receive a payment – instantly and securely. But Google needed a card to segue purchasers to this mobile platform. Eventually, when people are convinced that the online, digital model works better than physical, debit card swipes, Google will win.

Every recent service Google has announced has required a segue from the search model. From Drive to Plus to Wallet, these services have been built-in to a diverse set of products. Drive is now caked into Gmail attachments. Plus is a necessity for YouTube comments. And now, Wallet… Necessary for Google Play purchases and about to grow into another multi-billion dollar industry for Google. Making a physical card was just another segue for Google to make users’ switch to a mobile payment model more seamless.

An era of mobile payments is nearly here. In the next 4 to 5 years, we’ll likely see a massive switch to digital payments. Just like the banking industry today, there will be multiple players and competition. The major difference will be that tech behemoths will compete directly with big banks. What’s clear is that the players that can create a natural blend of on and offline payments now will win later.

Filed Under: Best Credit Cards, Save Money Tagged With: Banking, Bitcoin, Card, Debit, Gmail, Google, Google Wallet, money, NFC, PayPal, Plus, Youtube

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