MONEY MONDAY : Week 7 of the 52-week money challenge

Can you really save on group buying sites?
Let me share with you my love-hate relationship with group buying sites. 

I think it was in 2011 when I started to get interested in Group buying sites, the fact that I do not have a credit card (yes I do not have a credit card) has not discouraged me from purchasing stuff online. I can always  deposit my payment and more recently I have discovered that I can pay for my group buying site purchases at any 7-11 branch. 

I have purchased quite a few vouchers that I did not use :

• a voucher for unlimited wart removal. 
• 5 vouchers for discounted frozen yoghurt. 
• 2 vouchers for spa treatment
• voucher for a  baby back rib meal
• 10 vouchers for underarm IPL treatment

Safe to say I should spend less time online right? But wait, I did get to grab some nice deals:

• vouchers for lipocavitation treatments. Used 4 out of the 5 vouchers.
• tickets to a soleslam event. was able to go to the event and even won a shirt but was too lazy to claim it.
• Elorde Gym vouchers
• Gold's Gym vouchers

I have learned my lesson the hard way. I still Group buying site-hop but before you click that buy now button, let me share some tips:

1. Read the fine print! Some items are only available for pick-up. Some needs additional delivery charges. If it sounds too good to be true, then maybe it is. Travel offers normally say airfare is already included, but see if it also includes taxes and other surcharges that you need to pay to the airline. 
2. Try to look around for similar products. Most often than not, I see the same product at sulit.com for a cheaper price. 
3. Don't be pressured to buying by the "time remaining before the offer expires" if it is just something "nice to have" and not a necessity. Based on experience, they extend offers.
4. For food/ restaurant vouchers, try to do a little research. Read blog reviews, read the ones that was written by someone who had to pay for the meal and not by someone the establishment has invited.  Same goes with travel offers with accommodations. Ever reliable google can surely be of help. 
5. Try to contact the merchant for clarification or more reliable information.  I bought vouchers for 4 boxing sessions at Elorde gym. The first time I used my voucher, I asked the receptionist if they have plans to offer the discount again some time soon because I was interested to buy more.  I was told by the receptionist that they have an ongoing offer at another group buying site. Got me 15 more vouchers.
6. Location location location. A spa package in QC for just 450 pesos seems very tempting. But I am sure I will be stressed all over again with my commute back to Cavite after the my massage. 
7. and lastly keep track of the vouchers' expiry date. Before I purchased vouchers for 15 boxing sessions, I made a mental note on how many times my schedule will permit me to go to the gym before the vouchers expire. 

It's a Monday, I hope you all had time to put your 7th installment in the jar last Friday! My jar now has 700 pesos after I placed my 7th installment. Lucky 7. :)