55 - The Calendar Strategy: How to Automate Your Dining Discounts (And Never Pay Full Price Again)

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I recently did something a little crazy—but financially brilliant. During the holiday sales, I stocked up on restaurant gift cards. You know the ones: “Buy $100, Get $25 Free.” I bought them for my favorite local spots: the Irish pub around the corner, the pizza place we love on Fridays, and the nice steakhouse we save for special occasions. Mathematically, I was already winning. By getting $125 worth of food for $100, I had locked in an instant 20% discount on my future meals. But then I thought: How can I stretch this even further? The gift cards are great, but they are only one part of the equation. Most of these restaurants also offer weekly specials—Half-Price Burgers on Mondays, Taco Tuesdays, Kids Eat Free Wednesdays, or Happy Hour appetizers. If I used my discounted gift cards only on nights when the food was also discounted, I wouldn’t just be saving 20%. I’d be saving 50%, 60%, or even 70% off the regular menu price. The problem? I can never remember which restaurant has the ...
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4 - Resale Shops are gold mines for great deals on certain days!

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Resale stores are a great place to save money on everyday items, but there are ways to stretch your dollars even further at places like the Salvation Army, Savers, Goodwill, and others! My current favorite is Savers, where if you create a free account you can get half off everything you buy on Mondays AND Buy four books, get one free! I get puzzles for my family, books, and kitchen gadgets, among many other items.

Salvation Army uses a color system to provide great deals. Every week or so, they change up which color price tag gets 25% off and which one gets 50% off. If you pay attention to these colors, you can save real cash. Goodwill used to do this, but no longer does. If you sign up for their Loyalty program, they will offer you $5 off coupons after a certain number of purchases.

Additional Tips and Directions from AI:

Resale and thrift shops like Savers, Salvation Army, and Goodwill can supercharge your savings—not just through their everyday low prices, but by stacking discounts, loyalty programs, and special promos. Here’s how to maximize your money at these stores, no matter where you live:

Step-by-Step: How to Get the Best Deals at Resale Shops

  1. Sign up for loyalty programs:
  2. Most national chains (including Savers and Goodwill) offer a free loyalty or account program. Sign up online or in-store to unlock exclusive discount days and digital coupons.
  3. For Savers, a free account gets you 50% off everything on Mondays, plus book promotions like “Buy 4, Get 1 Free.”
  4. Goodwill and Salvation Army have regional or store-specific programs—ask what’s available!

Check each store’s weekly deals and tag colors:

  • Salvation Army uses a rotating color tag system—every week, a different color gets 25–50% off. Plan your shopping to target those tags and save extra.
  • Some local thrift chains also follow this system; always ask which color is on sale that week.
  • Goodwill stores may use a color discount system in some regions or offer $5 off coupons after multiple purchases through loyalty apps.

Visit on special promo days:

  • Common “big deal” days:
  • Savers—Mondays (50% off for members).
  • Holiday sales and store anniversaries at most major chains.
  • End-of-season clearance events where prices drop even further.

Stretch your dollars with stacking:

  • Combine color-tag discounts, loyalty perks, and promotional sales for maximum savings.
  • Stack “buy X, get Y free” book or puzzle deals with weekly discounts for better value on larger hauls.

Smart shopping strategies:

  • Visit early in the day for the best selection, especially on major discount days.
  • If you spot a valuable item on sale but the color tag discount doesn’t apply, check back the following week—prices and tags rotate regularly.
  • Bring your own bags to avoid extra fees and support store sustainability efforts.

Extra Tips for Every Shopper:

  • Ask about military, student, or senior discounts—many stores offer these on top of existing sales.
  • Follow your favorite shops on social media or join their email lists for flash sales, special event alerts, and bonus coupon codes.
  • Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Savers each operate regionally with slightly different promos—always check with your local branch for the current best deals.
  • Consider donating gently used goods; many shops provide donation loyalty perks or discount vouchers you can use on your next visit.
  • With these simple habits, you’ll get the deepest discounts possible and have more fun hunting for treasures at your favorite resale shops!

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