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Scoring Group Discounts, Even if You’re Alone

The LearnVest Staff
Posted on November 10, 2009

Massage ClinicThe Financial Problem

We need that guilt-free splurge, but want to be smart about it.

The Solution

Buying in bulk (…just stay with us on this one). This method works for schools and institutions, so why not for us? Now, if we could only get hundreds of our friends to buy the same thing, we’d be in great shape and ready to reap the rewards of lower prices from buying in volume.

The Action

Check out Groupon, because that’s pretty much what it does—minus the whole begging 300 of your friends to tag along to the spa. Business owners post incredible discounts (up to 50% off, and often more) on the site, and readers can get these “group rates.” One deal is posted every day, and each is dependent upon enough people signing up. If only five people sign up for a deal that has a 100-person “tipping point” (the cutoff at which the deal is officially happening), then none of those people receive the special deal. But, we’ve been using this site for ages, and we have yet to come across a deal that didn’t happen.

Our favorite part? The deals are for things we actually want. Services range from aromatherapy to acupuncture to personal assistance, along with food and boutique specials. Groupon currently serves tons of cities, including New York, Nashville, Los Angeles and Jacksonville.

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  • Joleenloretta

    We currently have shopped at Costco, which is the largest members only outlet, you pay a yearly membership fee to shop at Costco (this is also the standard for shopping at Sams’ Club”also a part of Walmart,) I used to find a lot of good buys on Meat Products, Laundry Supplies, Paper Products, ect.nThese items are only available in huge sizes or cases, as our family now consists of only 3 adults, 2 of us are in our mid-60′s with special dietary needs, one of us is not yet 30, also with special dietary needs, these huge outlets are no longer of any benefit to our grocery needs due to the constantnchanges in products availble each month….we also do not need supplies to last us for 3 months or more in paper products, detergents ect……what else can you recommend in how to save by buying in bulk from similar outlets. Frankly the 50-60 dollars a year to shop at Costco did result in excellentnsavings in products and groceries when our children were at home and growing into teens, they arenno longer living at home, and are young adults. Got much for us “matured adults”n that is money saving in groceries. We appreciate your suggestions and Tucson Arizona is a largencommunity with several large outlet chain stores, not many have bargains on anything lately.

  • Joleenloretta

    We currently have shopped at Costco, which is the largest members only outlet, you pay a yearly membership fee to shop at Costco (this is also the standard for shopping at Sams’ Club”also a part of Walmart,) I used to find a lot of good buys on Meat Products, Laundry Supplies, Paper Products, ect.nThese items are only available in huge sizes or cases, as our family now consists of only 3 adults, 2 of us are in our mid-60′s with special dietary needs, one of us is not yet 30, also with special dietary needs, these huge outlets are no longer of any benefit to our grocery needs due to the constantnchanges in products availble each month….we also do not need supplies to last us for 3 months or more in paper products, detergents ect……what else can you recommend in how to save by buying in bulk from similar outlets. Frankly the 50-60 dollars a year to shop at Costco did result in excellentnsavings in products and groceries when our children were at home and growing into teens, they arenno longer living at home, and are young adults. Got much for us “matured adults”n that is money saving in groceries. We appreciate your suggestions and Tucson Arizona is a largencommunity with several large outlet chain stores, not many have bargains on anything lately.