Where You Can Use Your Job Status To Get Discounts

On top of making your paycheck, you can use your job status to gain some healthy returns on your money from entertainment to food & drink. You just have to do the leg work and see if your job will accommodate any such discounts. They are out there, it's you chance to get them.


1. Restaurants - If you are ever in your local Chili's, tell them you work in town and would like to get the local discount that is available. I do this every time I go there but be aware that you might have to show proof like an employee card or business card to receive the discount. Also, be understanding that this will vary based on location so it makes sense to ask before hand.

2. The Gym - Local gyms will love to have your business as membership specialist have a quota to meet. Talk to someone who at your work who already has a gym membership and ask what kind of discounts they're getting. Better yet, ask your boss or manager if there are any special discounts you get at the gym just for working there. Most likely there will be so I suggest you check it out if your interested in pumping some iron while you beef up your wallet.


3. Financial Products & Services - Almost all banks and credit unions will offer low cost or free checking to those who work for a company that is affiliated with that institution. For example, Citibank has something "bank at work" where they offer a free account if you work at a company that Citibank manages accounts for. Also, if you're having trouble making your money readily available after you deposit your check into a bank, it's best to choose the bank your company uses so they can verify funds right away and your money will be ready as soon as your deposit your check.

4. Entertainment - At my job, there is a website that is provided to all the employees where you can get discounts on all sorts of stuff. For example, I can get movie tickets for the nearest AMC Theater for a discount if I buy in bulk of 8 tickets that will last until they are used. The cost comes out to $6.50 each ticket. With the current prices at the movie theaters, I would say that is one hell of a deal.

5. Department Stores - I once worked at an outlet mall and I was able to get different kinds of discounts for shopping at other stores just because I worked at the mall. Some of you might already recognized this but sometimes people don't even think about doing it. Make your move for your next Christmas presents!

6. Cell Phone Plan - Sprint, At&T and Verizon are just some of the names that offer employee discounts to qualified companies. Check and see if your company is one of them by either calling the wireless company themselves or talking to your manager.

Please let me know what you guys think. What are some discounts that your job has to offer?

Tip #6: Save Money On Beer

I just got back from the grocery store to do a little shopping and I picked up some of my favorite beer while I was there. It wasn't on sale but 5.99+taxes and crv isn't bad for a six pack. That comes out to $1.14 a beer after taxes and crv, pretty cheap if you ask me. Now there are ways to stretching your dollar even further. Here are somethings you can do to save on beer.

1. Look at different stores - This one is probably a no brainer to you but most of the time beers are almost always on sale. I tend to find a beer I drink on sale at one store but not at others but something that other store will be on sale when the other isn't.

2. Shop Online - That beer that I bought today at the grocery store was $5.49+ taxes and crv at BevMo! online for a pickup order at my local store; a 0.51 cent savings. Note: Sometimes your beer will not be available to purchase online.

3. Search for Coupon Codes - After a quick search at RetailMeNot, I found a coupon for 5% off an order online at BevMO! This brought the price down to $5.22+Tax and CRV; a total of 0.77 cents savings now.

4. Join The Club - When you sign up for a free membership at BevMo! and spend over $250 you get a 5% discount on your next purchase. That's and additional 5% if you find a coupon code.

5. Earn Rewards Points - When you purchase you beer, you want to earn rewards points don't you? The money you'll be earning plus the money you'll be saving after all the discounts already makes it worth it to use your credit card.

6. Buy Big - Ok, so I bought a six pack but unless you don't drink that often, you should go for that 24-pack or 30-pack. If I would have bought an 18-pack of my beer It would have come out to 0.99 cents a beer after taxes and crv. Add that 5% coupon code I found and it's down to 0.94 a beer.

7. Sharing Is Caring - If you and your friends are planning to have a BBQ or going to watch the next football game at your house, share the cost of the beer. I do this all the time with my friends because we all end up saving money while hanging out.

8. Brew Your Own - There is a simple way to brew your own way but you need time. Watch a great video below to learn more about that. I never tried it myself but it can save you a bundle by doing this.



9. Pre-game your Night Out - I don't know about you but where I live, it is so expensive for just one beer at a bar. It cost $4 a beer or more there! Try to drink with your friends with the beer you guys pitched in yourself at home and have a designated driver take you to the bar and back home. If you drink more at home, you drink less at the bars.

Tip #5: Save Stamps by Using Online Banking

I don't really use stamps or envelopes for that matter because I do everything through my banks online banking feature. Most banks now a days offer this feature for free but check with your bank for more details. I even have an automatic payment come out every 1st of the month for rent. There is so much you can do with online banking like transfer between accounts, transfer between accounts at different banks, order new checks, money orders and statements, view statements, pay bills, view a spending report, set goals, set budgets, open a new account, apply for loans, nickname accounts, categorize transactions, view balances, consolidate accounts from other banks to one page, trade stocks, and more.

I don't really see a need for stamps and envelopes unless you are sending something other than a payment which isn't the case for me. If there is a document I need to send somebody I either go through email or fax to complete this task. I recently heard something about forever stamps and how they can save money because these forever stamps are good at the price you bought them for even if stamps increase in the future. The going rate is 44 cents a stamp starting Mother's Day up 2 cents from 42 cents a stamp ending today. I can see how this will save a small amount of money ONLY if you use a lot of stamps but Nathaniel Rich at a daily magazine company Slate answers the question "Should I Invest In Forever Stamps?"

Tip #4: Take Your Own Lunch

Sometimes we are all too often busy to make ourselves lunch for work and sometimes too busy to eat breakfast in the morning for that matter. Taking your own lunch to work can save you some serious money if you are consistent. I usually spend somewhere between $8-$12 on lunch somewhere when I could have brown bagged my lunch. If that is true then I could be saving somewhere between $40-$60 dollars a week that can be used to earn interest through bonds or buying some more stocks in my portfolio.

My History
I worked very close to restaurants, grocery stores and of course a Starbucks so it was very hard for me not to give into temptation and buy a cup of coffee or choose a pastry from the grocery store. At first, I was making small purchases on drinks and snacks at the store and going to restaurants almost every day; there rest of the time I would buy sandwiches I could have made at home myself. I took a look at my bank account statement and it showed I was making transaction after transaction purchases at the grocert store; it almost looked like an error on my statement because of multiple display name and the purchase price

Tip #3: Ask For A Break

I just called my wireless cellphone provider and told them that "I really like the service I'm getting and would like to stay with you guys as much as possible but I found another provider offering me the same plan for much less". I told my carrier that "times are tough and I certainly don't want to switch unless I have to and if I can just save some money then it would certainly help". The customer representative who I spoke to sympathized with me and tried to see if there was a better plan for my situation, but there was not. I then said "well times are tough for me right now and even a small $10 credit to my next bill would work out for me, do you think that's possible"? The customer representative replied and said "Sir, I understand you are going to some difficult times as everyone is and I can certainly take care of that $10 credit for you......that wont be a problem". I then replied with "We'll thank you very much you guys have always been good to me, I appreciate it".

It doesn't matter if it's your wireless carrier, you can ask for a break anywhere. Think about it, if you were to do this with your wireless carrier, gym membership, insurance provider, cable provider, telephone, internet and credit card companies interest rates, you would have saved a good amount of cash! I recommend Ramit Sethi's advice on negotiation at one of my favorite blogs "I Will Show You How To Be Rich".

Tip #2: Start a side busines

If you are down and out like most people are today, then get out there and make some money! There is a huge pie of money out there waiting for you to get a slice of so starting your own side business is a very good way to get a slice of that pie. Some people might have a problem choosing what to do for a side-business, but you should always concentrate on what you are good at. Can you fix a sink? Maybe you have a great lawn mower in your backyard that has not been used in weeks and someone out there is dying to find someone with a hefty lawn mower to pay them to do a job. Whatever it might be, starting your own side business can bring in some extra cash to pay some bills, expedite your savings goals, or to invest and earn more. Here are some suggestions on what you can do.

- Dog Walking - Great for exercise and your pocket
- Handy Man - Fix a leaky faucet
- Babysitter Services - Change a diaper
- House/Building Cleaning Services - Wash windows
- Pool Maintenance - Clean some water
- Garage Sales (Once a week if possible) - sell for neighbors and get a percentage
- Car Washes - Start one NOW in your city, I know I need mine washed
- Landscaping (mow lawns) - pick some weeds
- Post Cards or make Invitations - Eat your heart out Hallmark
- Bird Houses (Make them and sell them) - get a how to book from the library
- Scented Candles (Make them and sell them) - Mmmm.....I smell profits
- Blogging - Type, Idea, Type, Idea
- Aquatic Maintenance - Take care of other peoples gold fish
- Arts and Crafts - You did it in elementary, now make them for money

You might have a lot of ideas brewing in your head but be good at it and you'll do fine.....hey! I forgot translation specialist!

Tip #1: Buy A Phone Online, Not A 2 Year Contract

I currently have a contract with a wireless company and I noticed on my online account that I was eligible to upgrade my cellphone for a shiny brand new one only IF I signed up for another 2 year contract agreement with my carrier. At first I asked myself "why not"? but then I asked myself "What if I get laid off or fired from my job"?, "What if I like the phone I have now"? I found out there is a month-to-month option under my wireless company, not to be confused with a pay-as-you-go plan. A month-to-month plan is basically the plan you have now but contract-free and you usually pay full retail price for any phone you want in the future instead of getting the discount pricing under a contract. A pay-as-you-plan is when you pay for what you use like $0.50 a minute or $0.10 every text message.

I decided I will not be getting the upgrade I am eligible for and wait until my contact is over in the next 3 months so I can go into the month-to-month program. Some people might argue that if I do this, I will be spending more money because I have to buy any phone under the retail price. That's true, but I can also buy a phone online for half the retail price or cheaper and activate it through my carrier. If you choose to go with the upgrade and 2 year contract, not only are you stuck with your carrier for another x years but you still have to pay some of your new phone or depending on your taste, get it free AFTER a mail-in rebate.

This way I won't have to pay an ETF (early termination fee) with my carrier If I decide to opt-out of any changes done under the company or god forbid lose my job. Early termination fees can be a headache when you want to fire your wireless company for charging you more than they should in the first place. By switching to the month to month plan I won't be obligated to stay with my carrier and can switch whenever I please. Also if my phone gets lost, stolen, broken or just up for a new one, I can buy one cheaply online or from a friend. I like the feeling of being free and not having a wireless company own you so if it does'nt work for you, you know you can always go back.