Learn to Save Money on Discretionary Items Like Cosmetics

Ever since my mother brought me to the Clinique counter at the tender age of 13, and the sales clerk poked my forehead with her pointer finger and inquired, “Oily or mild?” (it turns out, I was oily), I have been addicted to name brand cosmetics.

Unfortunately, department store cosmetics are very expensive, and usually one of the first things people cut from their budgets when times get tough. While I agree not purchasing expensive, name brand cosmetics is really the best way to save money, weaning yourself completely from all high-end products is not always realistic, especially if you have sensitive skin like I do. For example, I’ve tried using cheap brands like Cover Girl and Revlon many times to "save money", but I always break out because my pores get all clogged up.

So, if you’re in the same situation as I am, or just prefer using higher end cosmetics, here are some ways you can save money:

(1) Buy Cosmetics When There is a Free Gift with Purchase Promotion

It seems like major cosmetic lines like Lancome, Clinique, and Estee Lauder always have a promotion where you can get a free gift with a purchase of a certain amount (e.g., $29.50). I always try to time my purchases around the promotions so I can get the free gift. Unfortunately, most of the time, the free gift is a hideous looking make-up bag or tote bag filled with travel-sized samples and one full-sized tube of lipstick, usually in a terribly unflattering color.

However, the free gift item I most covet is the trial-sized mascara because I simply cannot justify spending $25.00 for a full-sized tube (especially, since I only wear mascara on special occasions.) Furthermore, mascara is a breeding ground for bacteria so it should be replaced every 3 months, and who really wants to throw away $25.00 every 3 months on MASCARA? If you have to buy a full size tube of mascara, you should use disposable wands to help minimize germs! Trust me -- disposable wands are your friends!

(2) Get Free Samples of Products

In just the last couple of years, I have managed to amass an enormous collection of cosmetic samples.

How did I get so many samples? Well, depending upon if I get a nice sales clerk when I'm purchasing something, he or she will usually throw a bunch of free samples into my bag for me to try at home, in hopes I’ll come back and buy more. Even when I've had the misfortune of getting a cranky or stingy clerk (i.e., one who doesn’t give any free samples), I always ask for some, and they usually toss in a bunch just to get rid of me. Yes, apparently, they really love their jobs...

Sometimes, the cosmetics companies will put tear-out cards in magazines for free cosmetics samples that you can bring into the store to get a free sample. I've done that dozens of times. Other times, there will be in-store events where you can get free samples and gifts just for stopping by for a free consultation or free make-over.

I used to love getting free make-overs, but after I suddenly became a germaphobe, I am much more selective about what I’m willing to do for a free sample because I cannot stand the thought of having make-up from those filthy, contaminated display testers put on my face! I mean, seriously, think how many people have stuck their dirty, germy fingers into that pot of lip gloss, the make-up artist is now applying over your lips! EWWWW!

The Clinique counter at Macy's currently has a free gift with consultation going on, but I really don't think it's worth the risk of getting pink eye or a staph infection, just to get a travel-sized eyeshadow in three of the fugliest colors I have ever seen -- – bright green, bright blue, and bright orange. (Good God, bright orange!)

(3) Use Up What You Have Before Buying New

Right now, I have a bathroom closet overflowing with expensive, department store products I just had to have but never used or only half-used. I also have two huge boxes of free samples to use. Considering make-up has a very short shelf-life, I have decided I need to use up what I have before buying anything new. In addition, by using up what I have instead of buying new, I am also helping the environment.

After going through all of my items and tossing out products that were old or expired – you can tell an item’s expiration date by looking at the symbol that looks like an open can of cat food with a number on it; that’s the number of months the item is good for from the day you open it -- I’ve come to the conclusion I could probably go at least 6 months (maybe longer, if I keep getting free samples) without having to buy anything. Clearly, this will have a very big impact on my checking account!

(4) Shop at an Outlet Like the Cosmetics Company Store

Most people don’t have a well-stocked mini-cosmetic counter in their bathroom like I do, so it’s highly unlikely, you will be able to go 6 months without buying anything.

So, if you MUST buy something, an outlet store is a great place to get new, overstocked or discontinued name brand cosmetics for less than retail price.

I’ve been to the Cosmetics Company Store a couple of times in Albertville, Minnesota, and I was quite impressed with its selection. Brands like Estee Lauder, Lancome, Prescriptives, MAC, Origins, Clinique, and Bobbi Brown lined the shelves.

Unfortunately, the two times I’ve been there, I have not been impressed by the staff at all. For example, last summer, I probably would have purchased quite a few items if I hadn’t gotten pi$$ed off at one of the teeny bopper sales clerks for trying to hit on my fiancé -- who was only about 18 years older than her! -- RIGHT IN FRONT of me.

AHEM...exact quote from one sales clerk to another -- “Like, omigod, he is so cute; like, what is he doing with her?” – unquote.

Oh, I sure hope those little twirps were on commission!

Buy Yourself Gift Cards When Incentives Are Offered

Thanks to using our Speedy Rewards card, my fiancé and I just earned another free $25 Super America gift card.

While I was paying for gas yesterday, I learned that I could get an extra 1,000 points for every $50 gift card purchased so my fiancé and I bought 9 gift cards and earned an extra 9,000 points – just the amount we needed to get a free gift card.

Spending $450 for gas all at one time seems like a lot, but my fiancé will use up his share of the gift cards very quickly as his commute to work is very long. Right now, I’m fortunate to be able to take the bus to work so I’m estimating that my share of the gift cards will last at least 3 months unless gas hits the $5 mark.

A few years ago, I never would have considered purchasing gift cards for myself, but ever since retailers started offering incentives (e.g., buy a $50 gift card and get a free $10 gift card), I realized it was a great way to maximize my spending power at places I shop at on a regular basis. During the holidays, retailers really ramp up the incentives to buy gift cards, but they’re also doing it now in hopes of getting some – or all -- of your economic stimulus rebate money.

Originally, I had planned to put my $600 toward my student loan debt – I couldn’t wait to see my debt finally drop out of the $70,000 range -- but now I’m thinking about taking advantage of the “extra 10 percent” deals some of the grocery stores like Cub Foods are offering. I figure I have to buy groceries, anyway, so I might as well get an extra $60 if I can. I have until July 31 to decide what to do, but I’m strongly leaning toward buying a grocery gift card.

While buying gift cards to reap extra incentives can be a smart financial move, it can also backfire if you don’t do your research. Before buying a gift card, I always:

(1) Inquire if the card has an expiration date, or if a fee is charged for card inactivity;

(2) Access whether there is a possibility the store may go bankrupt or close before I use the gift card up because you just never know these days; and

(3) Determine if I can really afford to spend so much money up front because even though it’s a great deal, it will not be such a great deal if I have to pay credit card interest on the gift cards.

Use Reward/Loyalty Cards to Maximize Your Spending Power

I am a huge fan of "reward" and "loyalty" cards because if I am going to buy something, I might as well get something back.

For instance, I buy all of my gas at Super America because of its "Speedy Rewards" program. Every time you use your Speedy Rewards card, you earn points towards free merchandise or gift cards. You earn 20 points per $1 spent for food, drink, and merchandise and 10 points for every gallon of gas you purchase.

Unfortunately, if you want one of the "good" rewards like a $25 gift card, you'll need to be patient. It took approximately three years to earn my first $25 gift card, but now that my fiancé and I share a rewards card, we're on our way to earning a $25 gift card in less than 12 months!

Another reward card I use is from the salon I visit on a regular basis. You earn one stamp for every $40 you spend on products and services. After receiving 20 stamps, you can redeem your card for a $40 discount off any service or a $40 discount off any product purchase. I currently have 10 stamps so I am almost half-way there!

The third reward card I have is an AMC MovieWatcher card. You earn 2 points for each movie ticket purchased (with a maximum of 4 points per visit) and every time you accumulate 10 points, you get a free bag of popcorn or small soft drink or movie ticket (which you have the option of trading for a large soft drink and large popcorn). When you hit 100 points, you get a free night at the movies (i.e., free moive ticket, small popcorn, and small soft drink).

Even though I rarely go to movies at the theatre -- seriously, why pay $9.50 to see a movie when I can rent it on DVD for $3.99 (or for free) in just a few months? -- I use the card every time I go because I have absolutely nothing to lose by using it!

Finally, if you really want to maximize your spending power, use a credit card with a reward program to pay for all of your purchases, then it will be like getting twice the free stuff! Through the years, I've earned tons of gift cards to cool places like the Cheesecake Factory, Borders, and Crabtree & Evelyn because I use my credit card for everything -- gas, groceries, doctor bills, etc.

Just make sure you're able to pay your balance off in full each month, or else you're not really maximizing your spending power because the interest you'll have to pay is likely to be way more than the reward you're getting.