How a Discount Program May Help You Save on Daily Expenses

So, personal experiences with my husband’s employer’s discount program have proven it can help me save time and money, when I remember to use it. Rather than waiting until the next time I am making a big purchase, I wondered if the discount program could save money on every day expenses.

I decided to conduct an experiment focusing on the products that have become a regular part of my morning routine. Here’s what I found:

• Toothpaste. Surprisingly, I found a deal for 20% off online orders of $20 or more at a local retail pharmacy chain. There are also deals for electric toothbrushes and dental services.  
• Toilet paper. In addition to the deal mentioned for toothpaste above, I found discounts on membership fees to big box stores – including the one I use and its biggest competitor. (One item always on my shopping list when I go to that store is toilet paper.)
• Coffee. While I didn’t find any discounts on ground coffee, I did find savings on coffee makers, 9% off at a national donut chain, and a couple of coffee subscription services.
• Treadmill. There are deals for up to $150 off treadmills by one big name manufacturer and up to 40% off another one, as well as 9% off gift cards to a major workout equipment retailer.
• Laundry detergent. This search turned up a $3 coupon for a particular brand of detergent if I purchase it at a particular store. Gift cards were also available to that store at a 7% discount.
• Beauty products. I was surprised to see dozens of discounts for two major beauty product chains, as well as numerous others for particular beauty products available at these stores.
• Stuff for Finn, our dog. First I searched for dog food and found deals for certain higher end and delivery brands for about 50% to 70% off first month orders. In the “this made me giggle” department, I found I could get a 12-month subscription to a streaming service for dogs for 70% off. There’s also 9% off gift cards for the local pet store retailer we use and 4% off gift cards off for using a popular dog website.
• Business casual work clothes. This search resulted in pages of discounts and cash back offers from big name retailers.

That just gets me past breakfast, but I think my little exercise shows how expansive some of these discount programs can be. Looking back, I think there would have been a lot of opportunities to save had we had this benefit when we started having children…and when we went shopping for all the things they needed for college.

What Do Discount Programs Offer?

I can’t stress this enough – it can vary dramatically, which is why you may want to spend a few moments getting to know what’s available to you. The main categories on the discount program site we have access to include:

• Apparel and accessories
• Auto
• Beauty and personal care
• Cell phones
• Education
• Entertainment
• Everyday savings
• Financial wellness
• Flowers and gifts
• Food
• Go green
• Health and wellness
• Home and family
• Home buying and selling
• Home office
• Insurance
• Pets
• Sports and fitness
• Tickets
• Travel

It also has daily deals, weekly circulars, and local deals. In the local deals, I entered my ZIP code and found discounts on gift cards for retailers in our neighborhood, 5% off gift cards to an ice cream chain, and 7% off gift cards for a local restaurant. That appears to be the tip of the iceburg, as I see savings opportunities for insurance, pet care, and more.

Admittedly, I am in the habit of going to a couple of major online retailers when I need something. Having a shortcut to the discount program at the top of my homepage reminds me to check it out before making a purchase.

While I have benefited from this perk, there are more opportunities to save time and money. I just have to remember to visit the discount program website before any others. Game on!