Hidden Discounts: Revealed!

Hi Money Masters,

As a child, did you ever pass by a gumball machine and stick your fingers in the slot hoping to find a forgotten goody that was left behind? Do you remember the feeling of utter elation that came over you when you did? Free gumball!!! Now, as an adult, we get that same feeling when we find money on the ground, a coupon or a great deal.

What would you say if I told you that you didn’t have to rely on chance or luck to score secret savings? Here are a few ways to use your detective skills to unlock those hidden discounts out there that are waiting for you to discover them!

Sherlock “Homes”

Many insurance companies have a variety of credits you may not know about. To decrease your premium, check your eligibility on the following:

Gated Community = 5% to 20%

New Wiring = 10%

Impact-Resistant Roofing = 5% to 10%

Home Owners Association = 5% to 10%

New home or renovation = up to 25%

Elementary, My Dear Money Masters

Finding hidden discounts can be as easy as “1, 2, free!” You just have to know where to look. For example, check with your health insurance provider for discounts towards gym memberships or other wellness programs. All it takes is a simple phone call. Also, if you have a little patience, when you have items in an online cart try logging out and waiting. Check your email a bit later and you might find a coupon from that retailer enticing you to complete the purchase.

When shopping in-store you can be savings savvy by cracking the codes on pricing. Take Target for instance. If the price ends in a 6 or 8, it has been marked down but will be marked down more. When the price ends in a 4, that is the lowest markdown. Home Depot’s final markdown code is a price that ends in 6 or has a green tag.

Senior Sleuth

We all know that being a senior citizen has its benefits. But there are even hidden discounts for seniors only. Many of the larger phone companies offer a discount to seniors as well as grocery stores. Hotel chains such as Hampton, Holiday Inn, Marriott, and Best Western have discounts ranging from 10-15% off for seniors as young as 55!

For seniors on the go, there are travel discounts from Uber, Greyhound, Amtrak, Carnival, Hertz, Southwest Airlines, United Airlines and more. Restaurants are in on it too: Subway, IHOP, Applebee’s, and Chick-fil-A to name a few.

Discounts and deals are out there. Secret savings can be yours if you do a little detective work on your own. You don’t even need a pipe or a trench coat!

Blessings to you all,

-Helen