Save When You Shop

Yard sales in your area can be found at yardsaletreasuremap.com. The site tracks sales that have been posted on craigslist.com, then gives you the when, where and driving directions.

Snag great stuff at secondhand shops. Donations are often local, so head for thrift stores in wealthier neighborhoods. Find stores at thethriftshopper.com or thrift-shop-directory.com. Also, shop early in the week—many donations come in over the weekend. And watch for hidden bargains. Thrift stores often set prices by category, say, $3 per shirt no matter what the brand.

Avoid high ticket prices for plays, concerts, sports matches, exhibits and other events in eight major U.S. cities by getting a free membership at goldstar.com. This online seller of half-price tickets levies a service charge that averages about $4.50 per ticket. The theater chooses the seats. Other websites such as ticketloot.com can also get you through the doors at a lower price.

Keep your eyes glued to the register at the supermarket. Some stores have a “scan guarantee policy,” which means you get the item for free or at a discount if the price the register displays is higher than the real price.

Take advantage of discounts offered through “your” organizations. AAA, AFL-CIO unions, AARP and college alumni associations are among many groups that offer savings. Read their mailings closely and check their websites.

Need a phone number? Call 1-800-GOOG-411, give your location, and speak a name or business category. You’ll get a list of matches, and the service then will dial your choice. The big advantage over 411: It’s free.