Raisie Speaks: 3 Tips To Save Money On Magazine Copies

Here I am again on money saving tips when it comes to reading materials. It just goes to show how much of a cheapskate I am! This time, I am going to help you save money when it comes to buying magazine copies. If you are from Zamboanga, I can mention specific places where you can find bargains. These tips, I have discovered when buying magazines for my Mom. Yes, she does not have patience to read novels with small fonts in print. Our favorites are Real Living, Yummy and Good Housekeeping, yeah, you get the idea…

So are you ready? Let’s start.

1. Buy Back Issues

I do my grocery shopping at Mindpro and every time I pass by the Bloomingdale’s ground floor section, I get to check the magazine stands and look for titles I could bring home especially during the weekends. I look for those that my Mom would also appreciate. We are in the middle of moving furniture at home, so anything related to lifestyle and home is good.

Here is a secret I am sharing with you. You don’t really have to buy the month’s latest issue unless there is content that you really need or are really interested in. The good thing about last month’s unsold issue is that Bloomingdale’s sometimes includes a back issue of another unsold magazine copy and you can get two magazines for the price of one. The next time you pass by to do your grocery shopping, you can do the same practice with the next back issue.

2. Buy A Full Year Subscription 

Okay, there are advantages when you get a full year subscription. I am thinking about getting my Mom a full subscription for her birthday to Real Living because she likes to get ideas for home décor from the articles of said publication.

Full year subscribers usually get priority when the copies are released and you can expect yours at the start of every month, about the same time as the copies hit magazine stands. Another plus about annual subscriptions is that you can save more and not worry for a full year. You will find that picking up separate issues from magazine stands are costlier whereas full subscriptions are already offered at discounted prices. And here is another bonus, if the publication decides to include freebies-yep, you get to have first dibs and not worry about being beaten to by someone else!

  3. (If You Are From Zamboanga) Go To The Sta. Maria-Pasonanca Jeepney Paradahan and Look For That Tambakan ng Mga Magazine Shop in Campaner Street

Now, this place is a go-to when you are conscious about reading material like I am, and if you want to start saving on magazine copies, be my guest. The Tambakan Ng Mga Magazine is not the shop’s name, though when you go looking for it, you can’t miss it. Now this is dumped magazine central-no kidding. You can get magazines at a discount, though there is a catch. If the magazines do come with freebies, most likely someone has already helped him or herself. =)

Whew. Now. That’s. About. It.

How did you find these tips? Are they helpful for you even if you are not from ZC? How do you save money on magazine subscriptions? You can share your thoughts with me in the comments below.

I have two giveaways ongoing which you can join if you are feeling lucky!

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August CollaborationGiveaway

Start. Share. Save.

I'm finishing this post, because like what happens all the time when the year is about to end, everything else becomes hectic. So this will be the time to look back on 2011 and do a little review.

Here are some important lessons the year brought for me.

Start

It's best to start the day right. I used to get up late during my college days and show up late for classes because they all started in the afternoon. It meant that I had leisure time to cook for myself and sit back in shorts at home and read. But lately, I had to practice time management and this taught me to wake up early. This is especially true for travels when I am usually booked on a morning flight (6:30 AM) and most call times for assembly and road trips are around the same time.

I used to be nocturnal, believing that all my creative juices came with the dark. However, lately I spend all my sleeping hours at night, usually retreating to bed at 8PM and getting up the following day. I found out that I can do more and finish tasks earlier if I get a good head start. A good cup of coffee and a hearty, simple breakfast makes it more inspiring for me too.

Share

I have learned to share this year. I shared my skills and time to some kids and gave them tips about writing, became a speaker to some engagements. I have actively shared my thoughts and opinions and also other resources that I fully have access to. I'm proud to say I did my part in sharing what I could.

Save

This is the most important lesson yet for me. There are many things I want, and a secret ambition I yet have to fulfill, the only means I can attain is by saving. So I'm starting and continuing this year. I do hope I am able to accomplish soon.

Full speed to 2012 and thank you to those who have been part of my 2011.