The Little Things – Saving Money On Contacts And Shoes
As promised, here is a post on how spending more money actually saved me money.
Some of you might recall from my August Expense Check-up, that I spent $90 on a two month supply of contact lenses. In the post I said that I felt that it was too much and would try 1-800-Contacts the next time I ordered. Well “next time” turned out to be last week, so I tried it out.
And am I ever glad I did!
By going to 1-800 Contacts.com I was able to get a 6 month supply of contacts for $150. Or to put it another way, I just saved $20 a month. And it only took about 5 minutes.
I’ve seen/heard the commercials for years, but for whatever reason I never took the time to check it out. So maybe it was a good thing I switched to an eye-care place that gouged me for my contacts? After all, it finally motivated me to investigate a possible cheaper deal.
Since I made the purchase online I wasn’t able to pay cash for it, but that is OK because that just means a little something extra in my Christmas budget.
Of course the extra $20 a month will help more.
Here is another example of a purchase that saved me money.
I’ve had the same pair of shoes going on 3 years now. While they are showing signs of wear & tear, I’m in no position to go get new ones. If I remember right these puppies set me back around $200. So instead of dropping down big bucks for a new pair, I picked up some new sole inserts and new strings for only $44.50.
I figure I’m good for another couple of years, or at least until I’m done with school.
As always, I know that I’m late to the party when it comes to saving money, so please share examples of times where spending money actually ended up saving you money.
Until next time,
-DD
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Good for you on the savings! The shoe modifications reminded me of a funny story. I was in a similar position with a pair of brown shoes in that the shoestrings were starting to fray, but the rest of the shoe was fine. I went to a drugstore to buy replacements, and I found one package. I proceeded to the front of the store where I asked if they had more in back, because I needed another shoelace for my pair of shoes. I was rather embarrassed when they pointed out that there was two shoelaces in each package. Common sense was definitely left at the door that particular day!
Linens and Things was having a liquidation sale and I knew we needed a new garbage can, one that could not be infiltrated by my 15 month old. I had been putting it off, but I had to jump on the 20% liquidation discount. I’d rather have waited, but I knew the purchase was imminent so I took the discount.
Savings can be a pretty tricky deal some time. Thanks a lot for the shoe lace/ sole idea. That could save me a bundle. I have found however that in order for that to work you need to purchase things that have higher quality and will then last longer. Sometimes this means spending more money for a purchase, but i find this has helped a lot down the line.
I am the same, I always seem to hear about money saving tips months after everyone else, or find coupons that have expired and so on. I dont think the shoe theroy works for me as I am a shoe aholic!
Thanks for the comments!
@Money Beagle – Funny story. But I have to admit, that I didn’t that that either until I bought these.
@The First Creditor – Nice job taking advantage of the deal.
@ Google Blue – You’re right that this might only work with quality merchandise (which seems to be rare nowadays). Like I said, I think these shoes were pretty spendy when I got them the first time, but if they can last 5 years it will be money well spent.
@ Bethany Marquee – I hear ya, this wouldn’t work for everybody, like my wife…or for that matter my 3 year old daughter. 🙂