5 New Tips for Back to School Shopping
In this episode of Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin, the focus is on smart back-to-school shopping strategies that can help shoppers save money without wholesale club memberships. The summary covers how non-members can still access wholesale prices at stores like Costco and Sam's Club through gift cards, and explains how shoppers can leverage Instacart for online wholesale purchases.
The episode also details two additional money-saving approaches: using credit card price protection benefits to get refunds when prices drop after purchase, and taking advantage of sales tax holidays in participating states. These strategies include specific details about claim windows, documentation requirements, and state-specific tax exemption periods that can help shoppers maximize their savings during the back-to-school season.
This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Aug 19, 2025 episode of the Money Rehab with Nicole Lapin
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1-Page Summary
Accessing Wholesale Prices and Gift Cards Without Membership
Even without a wholesale club membership, savvy shoppers can still access discounted prices. At Costco, non-members can use Costco shop cards (gift cards) purchased by members to make purchases at wholesale prices. These cards also unlock access to discounted third-party gift cards, which typically sell for 10-25% below face value.
Similar opportunities exist at Sam's Club, where non-members can purchase discounted gift cards. For those who prefer online shopping, Instacart offers wholesale pricing, though service fees apply.
Utilizing Credit Card Purchase Protection Benefits
Credit card price protection can offer significant savings when items go on sale after purchase. To access these benefits, cardholders should search their card's benefits guide for terms like "price protection," "price guarantee," or "price rewind."
Important considerations include claim time windows (typically 30-120 days), per-item caps ($250-500), and annual limits ($1000-2500). To file a claim, purchases must be made entirely with the credit card, and items must be identical to those found on sale. Documentation requirements include the original receipt, card statement, and proof of the lower price.
Taking Advantage Of Sales Tax Holidays
During back-to-school season, 18 states offer sales tax holidays that can lead to significant savings. These tax-free shopping periods vary by state in terms of dates and eligible items. For example, Florida offers two tax-free periods, while Connecticut's holiday applies only to clothing, not school supplies.
Shopping during these periods essentially provides a 6% discount through tax exemption. Planning larger purchases around these dates can help shoppers maximize their savings and stretch their budgets further.
1-Page Summary
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Counterarguments
- While non-members can use Costco shop cards, this requires knowing a member willing to purchase the card, which may not be feasible for everyone.
- Using third-party gift cards for savings assumes that the shopper will use the full value and that the cards are for retailers they frequent.
- Instacart's service fees may offset the savings from wholesale pricing, especially for smaller orders.
- Credit card price protection benefits are becoming less common, with many issuers having discontinued this service.
- The process of filing a claim for price protection can be cumbersome and time-consuming, which might deter some cardholders from taking advantage of this benefit.
- Sales tax holidays are limited to certain dates and items, which may not align with a shopper's needs or timing.
- The benefit of a sales tax holiday is less significant for lower-priced items or for consumers in states with lower sales tax rates.
- Planning larger purchases around sales tax holidays requires foresight and may encourage unnecessary spending to chase discounts.
Actionables
- You can partner with friends or family members who have wholesale club memberships to purchase shop cards for you, allowing you to shop at member prices without your own membership. By doing this, you can enjoy the benefits of wholesale pricing on bulk items or special purchases without the annual fee. For example, if you're planning a large party or stocking up on supplies, coordinate with a member to get a shop card and shop for what you need during that period.
- Create a calendar reminder for your state's sales tax holiday to plan major purchases like electronics, appliances, or school supplies. By setting a reminder a month in advance, you can save up for the purchase and research the best products, ensuring you're ready to take full advantage of the tax-free period. For instance, if you're in the market for a new laptop, use the reminder to start comparing models and prices well before the tax holiday, so you can make an informed and timely purchase.
- Develop a habit of reviewing your credit card statements monthly to identify potential price drops on recent purchases that could qualify for price protection claims. Keep a dedicated folder, physically or digitally, to store all purchase receipts, credit card statements, and screenshots of lower prices. This way, if you notice a price drop on an item you bought, you'll have all the necessary documentation on hand to file a claim quickly and efficiently. For example, if you buy a new TV and see it advertised for less a week later, you can immediately access your organized folder to start the claim process without scrambling to find the required paperwork.
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Accessing Wholesale Prices and Gift Cards Without Membership
You don't always need a membership to enjoy the benefits of wholesale club pricing. At stores like Costco and Sam's Club, non-members have some options for accessing discounted goods.
Shop at Costco Without Membership Using Gift Cards
Non-members Use Costco Cards For Wholesale and Discounted Purchases
For those without a Costco membership, there’s a workaround involving Costco shop cards, which are essentially Costco's gift cards. If you can get a friend with a Costco membership to load one for you, non-members can use these shop cards in store to unlock the same wholesale pricing members enjoy. Furthermore, non-members can also capitalize on discounted third-party gift cards—think Nike, Old Navy, and others—that Costco sells for 10 to 25% below their actual value. Although not every Costco employee might be aware, the company’s member privileges section clearly states that non-members are allowed to use shop cards for purchases.
Explore Options At Sam's Club or Instacart
Sam's Club Offers Gift Card Discounts For Non-members
Like Costco, Sam's Club also gives non-members the ability to purchase discounted gift cards. This can be a great w ...
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Accessing Wholesale Prices and Gift Cards Without Membership
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Counterarguments
- Costco shop cards may require a member to initially purchase them, which could be inconvenient or not feasible for some non-members.
- There may be limitations on how non-members can use Costco shop cards, such as restrictions on the purchase of certain items or services.
- The availability of discounted third-party gift cards at Costco and their actual discount rates may vary, affecting the consistency of the savings.
- Sam's Club's policy on non-members using discounted gift cards could change, potentially reducing the accessibility of these savings.
- Instacart's ad ...
Actionables
- You can organize a group bulk-buying club with friends or neighbors to take advantage of wholesale pricing without individual memberships. By pooling resources, each person can contribute to a Costco shop card that a member can purchase and load, allowing the group to shop at Costco for bulk items and split the cost accordingly.
- Explore cashback apps and credit card rewards that offer additional savings on wholesale purchases. Use these apps or credit cards when loading a Costco shop card or buying discounted gift cards for Sam's Club, effectively stacking discounts on top of the already reduced prices.
- Create a shared Instacart account with a trusted group to split the cost o ...
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Utilizing Credit Card Purchase Protection Benefits
Maximizing the benefits of your credit card could save you money if an item you purchase goes on sale. Understanding and utilizing your card's price protection policy is key to claiming these savings.
Understand Your Credit Card's Price Protection Policy
Credit card holders are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the specifics of their card's price protection benefits.
Search For Terms Like "Price Protection," "Price Guarantee," or "Price Rewind" in Your Card's Benefits
To begin, you should search for your credit card name plus "guide to benefits" to find the PDF that serves as a benefits handbook. In this document, look for terms like "price protection," "price guarantee," or "price rewind," which are commonly associated with purchase security or assurance.
Note Time Window, Caps, Eligible Retailers, Claims Process
The time window for filing a price protection claim can range from 30 to 120 days after your purchase. Take note of caps or limits—there's often a $250 to $500 cap per item and a $1000 to $2500 limit per year. Check for eligible retailers to ensure compatibility with the price protection benefit. It’s also essential to identify the claims administrator, often termed as card benefit services or similar, as they are the ones you would contact to make a claim. Transactions must be paid fully with the credit card offering the protection; paying in part with gift cards or points may invalidate coverage.
Be mindful of restrictions—items must be identical to those found on sale, with no differences in color, storage size, or bundle offerings to qualify for refunds. Some policies may only consider the item's pre-tax, pre-shipping price for claims, while others include shipping costs.
Claim if Purchase Item Goes On Sale
Gather Documentat ...
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Utilizing Credit Card Purchase Protection Benefits
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Counterarguments
- Price protection policies may be less beneficial than they appear due to the effort and time required to monitor prices and file claims.
- The financial benefit of price protection may be minimal compared to the annual fees or interest rates associated with many credit cards.
- Price protection benefits are often subject to change, and credit card companies may alter or eliminate these perks without substantial notice.
- The exclusivity of eligible retailers can be restrictive, limiting the usefulness of price protection for many consumers.
- The process of claiming price protection benefits can be bureaucratic and time-consuming, which may deter cardholders from taking advantage of the policy.
- Some consumers might overspend or make unnecessary purchases with the justification of price protection benefits, which could lead to financial imprudence.
- The caps on claims may not cover significant purchases, making the benefit less valuable for high-ticket items.
- Price protection does not cover every type of item or ...
Actionables
- Create a digital folder on your computer or cloud storage specifically for price protection documents, so you can quickly access all necessary files when you need to file a claim. This folder should include a template for the claim form, a section for scanned receipts, card statements, and screenshots or clippings of advertised lower prices. By having a pre-organized system, you'll save time and reduce the hassle when you need to submit a claim.
- Set up alerts on price tracking websites or apps that monitor prices for items you've purchased with your credit card. These services can notify you if the price drops within the eligible window for price protection. By automating the tracking process, you can ensure you don't miss out on potential refunds without having to manually check prices yourself.
- Develop ...
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Taking Advantage Of Sales Tax Holidays
As back-to-school season approaches, understanding sales tax holidays can help you maximize your savings on essential purchases.
Research Your State's Back-To-school Sales Tax Holiday
States Offer Tax-free Shopping Before School
Most states have a sales tax holiday leading up to the school year, providing the opportunity for tax-free shopping days to support families preparing for school. With 18 states offering discounted and tax-free back-to-school shopping holidays, it's important to be aware of the financial breaks that are available.
Maximize Savings With Key Dates and Eligible Items
In order to maximize your savings, it's crucial to note the key dates for tax-free shopping and understand which items are eligible during the sales tax holiday. Different states may have various rules and dates. For example, Florida offers two tax-free periods, one in August and one in early September. However, Connecticut's sales tax holiday does not extend to school supplies and applies only to clothing.
To ensure that you're taking full advantage of the sales tax holiday in your state, look up the exact dates and eligible items. Knowing these specifics can help you plan your shopping accordingly and make informed decisions about when and what to buy.
Factor in 6% ...
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Taking Advantage Of Sales Tax Holidays
Additional Materials
Counterarguments
- Not all states offer a sales tax holiday, so the benefits discussed may not be applicable to everyone.
- The impact of a six percent discount may be overstated for those in states with lower sales tax rates.
- Some argue that sales tax holidays are a form of regressive tax policy that disproportionately benefits higher-income families who can afford to spend more.
- Sales tax holidays may encourage unnecessary spending as consumers buy items they don't need just because they are tax-free.
- Retailers may increase prices during sales tax holidays, which can offset the savings from not paying sales tax.
- The timing of sales tax holidays may not align with when families are ready to make purchases, limiting their usefulness.
- The limited selection of eligible items during sales tax holidays may not cover all of a family's needs, reducing the overall benefit.
- Sales tax holidays can lead t ...
Actionables
- Create a shared digital calendar with friends or family to track sales tax holidays across different states. By pooling information, you can help each other remember when and where to shop tax-free. For example, if you have relatives in Florida, they could remind you of the two tax-free periods, while you could alert them to your state's specific dates and eligible items.
- Organize a community swap meet during the sales tax holiday period to exchange items that may not be tax-exempt. This can be a way to refresh your wardrobe or school supplies without spending money, especially if your state's tax holiday is limited to certain items like in Connecticut.
- Use a budgeting app to set a savings goal equivalent to the sales tax you would save d ...
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