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As a busy mom with a full-time job time is my most precious resource. While I still like to indulge in the material goodie now and then I don't really "go" shopping anymore as stores are really only open during my prime work and family times. If I can't get it at my Target during my 2 hour long post-bedtime grocery run, then I get it online. Pretty much, that's how it works.
Free shipping is something that I'm starting to demand. I very rarely buy ANYTHING that costs more than $20, so I'm hardly ever willing to tack on a $5.99 shipping charge. I accidentally became an Amazon Prime member recently (forgot to cancel my trial subscription). While I'm still not sure it's worth the price I've decided that since I paid it anyway I'm going to take full advantage. But while Amazon has pretty much everything, it isn't always the cheapest and I'm a huge bargain hound. So when shopping around free shipping is a must in order to beat Amazon's prices. So I thought I'd share my favorite free shipping tips:
Target RedCard debit card (which is the greatest thing ever) is tied to your checking account so you don't have to worry about running up credit. It saves you 5% off all purchases in the store AND online (and even on Target Ticket which I haven't yet fully explored). In addition, you get Free Shipping on all online orders. So by the time you factor in a 5% discount and free shipping, they are pretty competitive with Amazon stuff. Oh, and it doesn't cost me $99 a year for this benefit. As an additional perk you can register your card and select a K-12 school and Target will donate 1% of your purchases to that school. (Here if you have a card and need to do this). As someone who (almost) always says no to store credit cards, I was on a Christmas shopping spree and I heard the clerk mention it was a debit card and I finally listened... and am so glad I did. Target, I love you! (How suburban is what I just said?!) Amazon and Google may be trying to take over the world, but I'll bet Target could actually do it if they wanted to. And I'd follow like a little sheep.
One of my new loves is ShopRunner. They are a subscription service that offers free two day shipping through several different stores. While I'm not sold on paying for free shipping, if you have an American Express card you can sign up for this service for FREE! Truly free 2-day shipping! Yes Victoria, there is a Santa Claus and he delivers gifts to your door year-round. :) And, for those of you who avoid buying on credit, you don't have to actually use your AmEx card to pay, you just have to have a card to get the perk of free membership then you can checkout with whatever form of payment you want.
They have a decent list of partners. I've used it for American Eagle, Delia's, Babies R Us, and Lord & Taylor, but they also include Nine West, Newegg, Tiger Direct, Radio Shack, and a bunch of other places. Free shipping for free... the way I dreamed it would be.
Amazon. You can pay the $99 to get free shipping on Prime items with the additional perks of video streaming, music streaming, and the like. If you use these services or have a Kindle and live an Apple-free life it might be worth it. I'm still undecided about paying for free shipping. I'll re-evaluate next fall. But even without Prime, some items do ship for free, you just have to pay attention to the shipping method and charges.
Of course other stores occasionally offer free shipping and many offer free shipping for orders over $x so you just have to hunt and wait. But if you're looking for a random halogen light bulb, baby bottles, a certain item for a gift (all of which I've done in the last week) or things like that, it's nice to be able to shop around and just get what you need... from your bed in your PJs and have it delivered to your door for free... but that's just my opinion.
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