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Lots of people talk about the fallacy of spending money on “great deals” when you really don’t need the items. That makes you worse off, in the end, because you really didn’t need the things to start with.
In fact, I gave myself a pat on the back (not literally, I would have looked like a real star in the store), for not purchasing $1.99 glass pie plates at Canadian Tire the other day. They are fantastic for gifts, when you glass etch names and pictures into them. I already had some other blank gift pans and really didn’t need to add to my collection. I digress.
Recently, I was purchasing some airplane tickets, for my spouse and me. I had already ruled out using points, as there was no availability, unfortunately.
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Step 1: Find a Price
First, I pulled up the available flights on the two airlines that provide flights to my destination and departure point, directly from the airline sites. Both flights were picked based on the times they flew, as we were only going for a weekend, so the pricing was (mostly) secondary.
Here’s what the flights looked like on the Air Canada website:
You can see that the list price is $634.46 (ouch). Then, I thought, I have a visa that gives me extra points, if I book through their portal.
Let’s see what they have to offer.
That’s and awesome deal! My mom is currently living in Colorado flies back to Michigan to see my boys and I every few months. I’m going to have to remember this the next time she goes looking for tickets. Maybe she can find a great deal too!
By the way, you totally deserve a pat on the back for not buying those pie plates!
Tennille recently posted…Bing Rewards Review & How It Can Easily Earn You Swagbucks
I am very much impressed with your $100/hour! I wish I could get a similar one like yours. I gotta research more to get mine and so that I can maximize my chances!
Jayson @ Monster Piggy Bank recently posted…Goal Setting – What are you waiting for?
That’s some savvy shopping! I fertilize my own lawn during the summer months, and could purchase the different applications separately at the time I need them. But I bought all three at once in the spring because they were offering them as a package deal. I spent more upfront, but saved money in the long run.
Brock @CleverDude recently posted…Life Is Just A Game Of Tetris
Perfect… and it was a smart move for the retailer, too. They got money up front and moved their inventory more quickly.
Nice! $100/hour is a pretty good payout 😉 I love little things like this that pay out big time. When I first read the title of this post I immediately thought of a college degree. Everyone who spends money for a college degree is spending to MAKE money.
DC @ Young Adult Money recently posted…Why You Might Want to Open Your “Junk” Mail
Great idea for a future post!! 🙂
Great job, Anne! I love it when putting in a bit of extra time for airfare hunting pays off. (That slider is nifty!)
Jen @ Save to Splurge recently posted…Talking to Your Spouse About Money – 4 Money Languages
I love it when it only takes a minute or two to pull off, too!
See that is awesome for people like me who would never take the time to do the research. It is good to be reminded that sometimes you have to slow down and look at all your options.
Petrish @ Debt Free Martini recently posted…Breaking Up With Starbucks and Dining Out…..Again?
I like this one mostly for the small amount of time that it takes, just a matter of looking at three websites instead of two!
Nicely done! We rarely travel by plane, but when we do I let my husband handle all that. I would just purchase the tickets and be done with it, but he very good at shopping around and getting us the lowest price.
Sarah recently posted…No Eat Out January
Nice. I let my spouse do all the shopping and researching for sports gear… I do not have the patience to figure out which thing we should buy and why. I just nod and smile when I’m told “these are the new skis you should buy.”
Anne recently posted…The Benefits of Hiring a Liberal Arts Graduate
Whoa, that’s awesome! Just by taking a couple extra minutes to do the math, you actually saved yourself money, got a trip, and wrote an awesome post about it. I am giving you a virtual pat on the back! (Also, no shame, but I occasionally high five myself when I save money. Usually in the privacy of my own home, but I’d do it in public ;))
Melissa @ Sunburnt Saver recently posted…Weekly Update
I’m picturing myself giving myself a high five while standing in the middle of the grocery store right now, hahaha.
Anne recently posted…The Benefits of Hiring a Liberal Arts Graduate
That was awesome! Nice work, Anne! And, nice job explaining it! Loved the slide show action! 😀 I can’t think of any time I spent money to save money, but I’ll be watching for ways to now! 🙂
kay ~ lifestylevoices.com recently posted…1 January 2015: Today I Am A Man!
I bet you can think of ways! Glad you like the slideshow 🙂
Anne recently posted…The Benefits of Hiring a Liberal Arts Graduate
Yay for maths!
The closest thing that I can think of is when you add one more item to your online shopping cart in order to qualify for free shipping. That counts, right?
P.S. Love the “slide-show” format 🙂
Amanda @ My Life, I Guess recently posted…How I Spent Nothing This Christmas
I add things that way all the time. The shipping for my MIL’s Christmas present was going to be $15, or free if I spent $12 more. I now have a healthy supply of mini muffin liners and a muddling stick for the bar.
Anne recently posted…The Benefits of Hiring a Liberal Arts Graduate