Use them or lose money, there is no way around the loyalty program concept.   What really matters is maximizing the benefits. Two ways to enhance your savings – when ever possible stick with one program for every category type i.e. food, office supplies, hotels, air travel and give them your email address (set up a seperate account for deals if necessary) so you receive up to the minute offers.

Here are the no fee programs the Frugal Diva likes best and why.

Staples – They give you $2 for every used printer cartridges and a percentage of purchases in a rebate check.  Watch for emails with weekly savings and coupons. Back to school is an excellent time to stock on supplies for the office.

Ralphs – Their points system allows you to get back a small rebate for Shell gasoline. They will email you items that garner bonus points and just by clicking you can make your way to savings. The coupons are loaded into your loyalty card and automatically deducted at checkout. No cutting and no forgetting.

DSW- Buy your way to the next pair of shoes. Plus a $5 coupon for your birthday and offers all year long for double points, free tote bags, and discounts.

Chicos – After an initial purchase amount, members receive an automatic 5% off and a coupon every month plus a birthday bonus, invitations to private sales, and special discounts.

Let me know what you think are great programs and I will add them to the post.

Since The Frugal Diva just had a birthday, this is a great time to thank all the companies that sent a little something to help me celebrate.

DSW emailed a $5 gift certificate to use during the month of September.

The Veggie Grill sent a card for a free entree this month. Just the thing to start my every year after my birthday vow to be on a better diet.

If you have a registered Starbucks card, they will send you a free birthday drink of your choice and size.

Origins sent $10 off and I have until November to use the card or October if I use it online. Better skin is in my future.

Aerosoles sent me $15% off my next purchase during September. Ooh, more shoes!

AMC Movie Theaters sent me a coupon for a large drink that’s good for 30 days.

To get all these goodies, you do have to sign up however use one of the Frugal Diva’s tips – start an email address just for deals. That way a quick glance let’s you know if there is anything important and you can go to your other email address for business, friends, and family.

Shoes have many good qualities. They are loyal. Gain a few pounds and your jeans will turn on you.  However you have to gain a lot of weight to out grow your favorite pair of pumps.  They wait quietly at the back of the closet until that perfect occasion when only red heels with white polka dots will do.  And you can try on endless pairs without taking off your clothes.

The best place to spend countless hours looking, trying on and maybe even buying – DSW. So much more than those three letters. It’s a place to hang out and meet other people. If only they served beverages and light snacks, one could easily spend the entire day there. I don’t know whether it’s the sheer choice of all those aisles or the friendly salespeople or the unbelievable prices that make this a such a great destination.

And like everywhere else, it’s more fun if you join the club. It costs nothing and you start getting little notices. Before you know it, points start accumulating, coupons are in the mail, and you are on your way to even greater savings.

This is the type of hunting that I’m talking about. They send me a $10 coupon good for any purchase over $10, I buy a $55 pair of Anne Klein loafers (listed at $79 on the AK website), that are reduced another 50% on clearance to $27 and use the coupon – bringing the grand total to$17 dollars and change plus tax.    

Tell them your birth date and they send you a $5 coupon good for that month. Hey, it may not seem like a lot but it’s more then the other stores are doing for me. DSW, a company that helps you look good without spending too much money.

And this is a great place to buy gifts items-socks, bags, slippers, and gift cards.