3 Ways to Avoid Paying Retail

Getting by on less has become the status quo in recent years. Now, there's a bonus to that: Smart penny-pinchers have figured out the twists on savings strategies that make a tight budget work in their favor, shaving up to 50% (and sometimes even more) off retail.
Get set to benefit from their expertise: Here are some newfangled tricks that require only basic Web-surfing or smartphone skills. Use them not just on life's must-haves, but also on little rewards for your bargain-hunting expertise.

Related: 7 Ways to Save More at Outlets

1. Work Your Social-Networking Sites
Even if you're not interested in tweeting random thoughts or "liking" other people's status updates, there's still reason to sign up for sites like Twitter and Facebook: Doing so will fatten your wallet. Some of your favorite brands and retailers offer coupons and discounts there that you won't find anywhere else, such as a recent 20% off American Eagle Outfitters apparel or a full-size pack of Tide laundry capsules for free as part of the brand's Stain Release Challenge. To get the deals, "click the Like button to follow your favorite brands," says Dianna Baros of thebudgetbabe.com, a fashion blog site that compiles Internet bargains. Then, whenever you visit social-networking sites, any updates from your chosen companies will show up.
But that can be a double-edged sword if you're already an avid Facebooker: Sign up for more than a few favorites, and their posts can outnumber those from friends and family. Another approach: Check the brand's Twitter feed or Facebook page before shopping online or at the mall, says Ashley Nuzzo, founder of frugalcouponliving.com, a blog site devoted to money-wise shopping. Deals may be on the main page or in a Coupon or Special Offers tab.

Related: 40+ Ways to Survive a Recession

2. Snag the Deal of the Day

Wouldn't you prefer to spend $25 - instead of $75 - for two hours of bowling, plus shoe rental, for five people? "That was my idea of a great Friday night," says Gillian Small of Madison, NJ, who bought the deal online at Groupon. Such amazing low-cost offers are the hallmark of Groupon, LivingSocial, Tippr, and other sites that offer limited-time (usually 24-hour) windows to buy discount vouchers for local businesses - typically restaurants, spas, boutiques, and gyms. Deals of 50% or more off are common. Sign up for free at individual sites to get their daily e-mails, or visit dealradar.com or 8coupons.com, which will send you a daily e-mail for all the offers near you - in a city, there can be hundreds.
And you don't have to use your vouchers on yourself; you can spread the wealth, as Christina Gray of Centreville, VA, did. Last year, she shopped daily-deal sites to buy half-priced vouchers for flowers, gift baskets, and other online wares to give as presents to extended family. "The year before, I gave similar gifts and paid full price, so they have no idea what I'm up to," she says with a smile. But there may be a benefit to going public with your savings plan: Small has earned several bonus vouchers from Groupon by enticing others to buy.

Related: 125 Ways to Manage Your Money

3. Find a Flash Sale
If you've saved your pennies and are ready to splurge on, say, a great little black dress for the upcoming holidays, check out flash-sale sites that offer a twist on the daily-deal scheme. Gilt City, HauteLook, Beyond the Rack, and others frequently debut new sales, which stay available on the site for two or more days or until the wares sell out, whichever comes first, Baros explains. Usually, it's the latter, says Danielle Moehler of Westbury, NY. Discounts can run as high as 70%, and hot sales - like the 40%-off designer shoes Moehler bought last year - are gone in minutes. Just be wary of impulse buys. Refunds aren't always an option.

Read on for more ways to live well for less. And tell us your favorite ways to save in the comments!

- By Kelli B. Grant

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Reprinted with Permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.