Josh Elledge - Chief Executive Angel
How to save more and build wealth in 2017
America's Money Answer Man, Jordan Goodman (moneyanswers.com), predicted that rising consumer confidence over the holiday season would result in an average 10% increase in holiday spending this year. He also shared that the average America spends a staggering $1000 preparing for the holidays. Even worse is if you put that $1000 on a credit card. Did you know if you only pay the typical $25 minimum every month, it would take you 5 1/2 years to pay off that debt? That's a pretty pricey piece of festivity.
If you found yourself overspending for the holidays, I have some good news. All is not lost. You can pay off that debt much faster than in 5 1/2 years by making some simple, but diligent changes in 2017. In the coming year, I want to talk about enjoying more out of life while still saving. Living like a miser isn't necessary to get ahead. What is necessary is inviting more of what you want. Asking for, and getting upgrades, hookups, and VIP experiences – all while spending economy prices.
One way to start immediately, and to free up money to pay off any already accumulated debt is by couponing. But don't worry – this isn't sitting at your kitchen table for hours clipping 10 cent coupons. (Although I certainly encourage you to use every coupon you can). I'm talking about the abundance of sites, apps, and technology that gives you no excuse not to save. Saving is easier than ever – and 2017 promises some big things.
Two of the ways already in progress I'm pretty jazzed about!
One coming change is in the way Coupons.com authenticates the coupons they offer for print. They already rolled out their mobile phone number based printing, called PrintID, which uses texting to authenticate coupon prints, rather than their previous Coupon Printer application you had to use. The Coupon Printer will be phased out in the coming months, making coupon printing easier. If you ever used their Coupon Printer and got frustrated because it didn't print your coupons, and then the system gave you the message “print limit reached”, while you didn't get a single coupon, that frustration will one day be a thing of the past.
About this change, Coupons.com said, “This means that eventually all users who want to print coupons will use our new print functionality, which does not require special software. We are making this change so that our coupons are more accessible for everyone.”
The second coming change also involves Coupons.com and their parent company, Quotient.com. Last month they announced the coming ability to get coupons through traditional television.
Quotient's site has this to say…
“We are always looking for innovative ways to advance the promotions industry,” said Steven Boal, CEO, and Founder of Quotient, whose main consumer property is Coupons.com. “We’re excited to add this distribution channel and reach the millions of TV viewers, giving consumers another way to save and brands another way to reach shoppers.”
Through a partnership with interactive TV company, Ensequence, for the first time, Quotient will be able to distribute consumer packaged goods (grocery and household goods) digital coupons through national TV ads without the need of special hardware. An overlay on an ad will display, prompting consumers to text a code to retrieve a link for a digital coupon from Coupons.com. Then, once they buy the item, the customer will scan the receipt with their smartphone and get a cash-back rebate that goes to PayPal. Alternatively, consumers can print the coupon to use right at checkout.
Along with these two advancements in ways to get more digital coupons, the number of stores and manufacturers offering digital coupons – for groceries and thousands of other products – continues to climb. This provides an abundance of ways to save in every area of your finances. Get cash back for shopping through Swagbucks.com, even on the go with their mobile app. You will also find coupons for discounts and free shipping and more at Retailmenot.com. Have digital coupons sent right to your phone for grocery stores. Meijer offers mPerks, Spartan stores, like the Family Fare chain, offers yes Rewards, and Kroger stores offers coupons through their clip to card system.
With all the coming changes and improvements to couponing, partnered with businesses looking to stay competitive, the ability to save more and build wealth in 2017 is very promising.
