Not Made Of Money

A favorite promotion of many different retailers is the “buy one get one free” sale. I suspect they like the promotion because it encourages shoppers to pick out several items and everyone likes to get something “for free”.

Used correctly a “buy one get one free” sale, or BOGO, can be a very powerful savings tool. You can get the items you need at half of their regular prices. What could be wrong with that? Here are a few of the ways that I’ve put them to use.

Shopping for children’s clothing – Do you have two kids that need new shoes? Maybe you’re in the hunt for new winter coats for the family. BOGO’s are perfect for these types of situations. You usually have to pay for the more expensive item and get the less expensive one for free.

Pooling your shopping needs – If you only have one child, you may think that BOGO’s won’t work for you. Don’t be so quick to discount them, though. Maybe a friend with one child can go shopping with you. Reach out to friends or family members who have children around the same age as your kids and see if you can help each other out.

Stock your pantry – When food items are offered in a BOGO promotion, I almost always buy them. Staples like flour and sugar are wonderful items to stock up on, but don’t overlook more perishable items can be good buys too if you will use them before they become stale.

Plan ahead for future needs – I’m a big fan of purchasing multiples of items and putting one away for future use. Art supplies are always nice to have in storage. Extra stocks and undies are great, too. Just be careful to leave some room to grow when you are selecting clothing items.

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