How You Can Save Money by Becoming an Amazon Prime Member!!
Sometimes you need to spend money to make money. If you spend money on something that will help save you more money that what it costs, you need to jump on it.
This week I, (@Michelethebargainqueen from www.savingmoneyandmakingmoney.com) will be talking about Amazon Prime and how you can benefit from subscribing, not just on Amazon Prime Day, but every day during the year.
Amazon Prime Day is fast approaching. This year it is July 12th and 13th, and already there are great deals that you can find if you are an Amazon Prime subscriber. Not an Amazon Prime Subscriber? Get a 30-day FREE trial here!
(This blog contains affiliate links. If you purchase a product through one of these links, I will receive a small commission (at no cost to you). I only ever endorse products that I have used and personally benefited from personally. Thank you for your support.)
What is Amazon Prime Day?
Amazon Prime Day was first started in July 2015, which was the website’s 20th anniversary. Prime Day is 48 hours of savings that has been nicknamed the Black Friday shopping dates of the summer.
My best piece of advice from an Amazon Prime Day buyer is to help you save money and time (time is money, right?) on this two-day event, by loading your cart up with items that you are in the market to purchase now!!! The deals will be too numerous to go through everything during the two days, plus if you are truly in the market for something, you can put it your cart and it will show you on July 12th and 13th, real time discounts. So, what does not have a discount today, may have one on Amazon Prime Day, and if it does, you will be ready to click on it when it goes on sale.
What kind of items can you expect to find on Prime Day? Amazon will sell their items at HUGE discounts. Popular brands on kitchen appliances, household items, and tools will also have major discounts. Throughout the day there will be “lightening deals.” These items have a limited availability so when they are gone, they are gone. If you see something that you know would make a great gift for you or someone in your family, do not wait. It may not be available ten minutes from now.
Not an Amazon Prime Member and would like a free trial? Get an Amazon Prime 30-Day Trial!
How does becoming an Amazon Prime Member Help Me Save Money?
Two-Day Shipping
Amazon Prime Membership debuted in 2005 with the service offering FREE 2-day shipping within the continental United States on all eligible purchases for an annual fee of only $79. (Now $139) Depending on how much you buy on Amazon, the free shipping alone, more than pays for itself.
Amazon Allows for Price Adjustments
If you purchase an item on Amazon and the price drops within two weeks of purchase, Amazon will refund you the difference. (Allow at least 3 days for processing the adjustment back into your account.) Here is how you can get the refund:
Go to your account.
Choose purchase.
Choose Returns and Refunds
Other Returns or Refund Issue
Partial Refund Price Change
Then start Live Chat to finish.
Share Amazon Prime 2-Day Free Shipping with up to 4 Other Family Members
Here is how you can share your account:
Go to account.
Choose “Manage Prime Membership.”
Invite your household member.
Enter additional members information including their credit card information.
Save Up To 15% with Subscribe and Save Items
This is a fantastic way to save on items that you use every day. (Many times, Amazon Prime prices even beat warehouse club prices!) You will save 5% instantly, but if you get to the “Magic 5” subscriptions, you will save 15% on all your Subscribe and Save orders. Don’t forget, you can still use Amazon Coupons with eligible Subscribe and Save items.
Save up to 20% on Amazon Mom
Amazon Mom is open to anyone (Mom, Dad, Grandma, etc.) that takes care of a child. Amazon Mom (is included in your Prime membership) and includes not only the 2-day FREE shipping, nut an automatic 20% discount on diapers, and up to 15% discount on other Subscribe and Save items! Most of the time, diapers are cheaper than even the warehouse clubs, plus the selection is so much better. If you are new, you can get a 30-day risk free FREE trial subscription.
Get a Replacement or Refund for a Broken Item without shipping it back!
If your purchase arrives broken, contact Amazon Customer Service. In most cases, they will either give you a full refund or have a replacement item shipped to you without having to return it. If you do need to return the item, most times you just go to your local UPS store, have them scan the QR code, and hand them the item. They will package your item for you!
Create a Baby Registry or Wedding Registry on Amazon!
By creating a Baby Registry or Wedding Registry on Amazon, you will receive a 10% discount on any item that you do not receive as a gift. Don’t forget, returns are FREE for 90 days!
Save Big with Amazon Warehouse and Amazon Outlet!
Amazon Warehouse is Amazon’s store for returned items where you can receive up to a 50% discount on these items. Most of these items fall under Amazon’s simple, money-backed return policy. If you do not like it, return it for a full refund. My husband just recently purchased a game from Amazon Warehouse. When we received it, the game board was not printed properly on it (which is probably why it was returned in the first place), and we returned it for a full refund. We just took it to the local UPS store, and they packaged it and sent it back. Easy peasy.
Amazon Outlet is a wonderful place to look for deals on brand new items that are 30%-65% off their regular price.
Amazon Trade in Program Gives you Gift Certificates!
Amazon Trade in Program will allow you to trade in new or used phones, electronics, books, video games, DVDs, and CDs for Amazon gift cards. (Might as well get some money for them!)
Receive Unlimited Photo Storage with Amazon Cloud!
As an Amazon Prime member, you will receive FREE access to Amazon Cloud and unlimited photo storage. Members may also store files and videos on Amazon Cloud for no additional cost as well.
Free Returns on Eligible Clothing, Shoes & More!
If you shop Amazon Fashion, most items are eligible for FREE returns! I really like this feature because I am between two sizes, so I order both sizes. Whatever I do not like or does not fit, I request a return from my account, and they will ship via UPS for FREE!
Missed Shipment?
If your purchase misses its delivery date, you can contact Amazon Customer Service to get either a refund on your shipping costs OR a one-month extension to your Amazon Prime Membership.
Never Get a Present You Do Not Want Ever Again!
Create an Amazon Birthday Gift List so that your friends and family can get you and your family, gifts that you really want.
Are you a College Student?
If you have an email that ends in .edu, join Amazon Prime Student and receive 50% off Amazon Prime Membership, access deals on essentials specifically for students like computers, clothing, and snacks. In addition, you can receive Amazon Music unlimited for just .99 per month!
Are you Utilizing Government Assistance Programs?
If so, you will receive 50% off an Amazon Prime Government Membership on one of the following government programs:
SSI
WIC
SNAP
LIHEAP
Medicaid
TANF
TTANF
A Direct Express Card
National School Lunch Program
Choose No Rush Shipping and Receive Amazon Credits!
If you are not in a hurry to get your purchase, you can earn FREE Amazon Credits for selecting No Rush Shipping. These credits sit in your account waiting to be applied to your next purchase. You will receive the rewards after your item has shipped. You can use these credits until 9/15/22 and receive $1 off select eBooks, digital music, videos, and apps. Occasionally they will offer straight Amazon balance credits.
Create a Holiday Gift List Registry for the Whole Family!
This is awesome when someone asks you what you or little Johnny or Sally want for Christmas.
Here is how the Holiday Gift List Registry works:
Add name, select the day you plan to open presents, address where gifts should be shipped, and opt for your list to be public, private, or shareable.
Create a “gift tag” for everyone in your Household. (You can even include your pet!) This will help with everyone’s specific list.
Shop Amazon. When you find something that you would like to add to the list, tap the “add to registry and gifting” dropdown on the right-hand side, below the “add to cart option.” Select the correct list from the options.
What is even better is that Amazon will track who sent what, which makes sending Thank You Cards a breeze!
Ship Donations in Amazon Boxes to Charities for FREE!
After unpacking an Amazon order, simply take the box and fill it with the items that you are donating. Choose an organization that you want to donate the items and print a FREE shipping label from GiveBackBox.com. Set package outside and schedule a FREE USPS pickup!
Utilize Amazon’s Prime Pantry to Help Save You Money and Time!
Amazon’s Prime Pantry is where you can order non-perishable items. Add an item to your first Prime Pantry cart to start your Prime Pantry Box. As you continue to shop and put items in your cart, it will let you know what percentage of the Prime Pantry box is filled, based on size and weight. The boxes are large and can hold up to forty-five pounds. There is fixed shipping rate at $5.99 per box.
Amazon Treasure Truck Will Give You FREE stuff if in your Neighborhood!
The Amazon Treasure Truck delivers one hand-picked item to a community by parking a “food-like” styled truck and sending out a text of where they are located. To opt in, text “TRUCK” to 24193. Amazon will send you daily updates so that you will know where they are what items are available. This service is only available in about thirty cities so far. A few past Treasure Truck freebies and deals include:
Free Neutrogena Hydro Boost Samples
Free RX Bars
Sony Wireless Headphones $39.99 (which is 42% off the regular price)
Prime Music
Amazon Prime Music is a streaming music service that is like YouTube Music, Apple Music, and Spotify. For Amazon Prime members, this service is FREE.
Prime Reading
Prime Reading debuted in October 2016 where Amazon Prime Members in the United States received access to a rotating set of Kindle e-books through Prime Reading. Some magazines and tour guides are also available for FREE through this service.
Prime Video
Prime Video debuted in the United States in September 2006 as Amazon Unbox. In September 2008, it was renamed Amazon Video on Demand. My husband and I watch Prime Video a lot! This FREE service more than pays for itself.
Prime Gaming
Amazon rebranded its gaming in 2020 from Twitch Prime to Amazon Prime Gaming. When you are an Amazon Prime Member, you will also receive Prime Gaming at no additional cost to you. The main different is that you do not need to have a Twitch account for Prime Gaming. The Amazon Prime Members can redeem various rewards in external video games such as Currency, Digital Lot, or Cosmetic that would typically be either exclusive or cost money. In addition, Prime Gaming also allows for a free paid subscript to one Twitch partner per month.
Amazon Key
Amazon Key in Home – is an option for Amazon Prime Members to get in-home deliveries by Amazon Flex contractors when you are not at home. They enter your home by using a one-time code. This service is currently available in thirty-seven states. Amazon Prime Members are given a 4-hour period for the package to be delivered. Once the courier opens the door, the “Cloud Cam” records a clip, until the door is locked, which is sent to the homeowner’s smartphone, IOS, or Android.
Amazon Key in Car – is a service allowing a vehicle owner with On-Star (2015 and newer) or Volvo-on-call to get their packages delivered to their cars. The cars need to be parked in a public accessible area.
Amazon Key in Garage – in 2019 Amazon partnered with the Chamberlain Group, allowing packages to be placed in customers’ garages with myQ-enabled openers.
Prime Now
Prime Now debuted in December 2014 and is only available in select cities. (New York City, Miami, Baltimore, Dallas, Nashville, and Tampa to name a few.) This service offers capability to get products delivered to them within ONE hour for a fee of $7.99 OR delivered within TWO hours for no additional fee.
So, there you have it., there are many ways in which to save money by spending money to become an Amazon Prime Member!
Remember what my husband always says, “Saving Money IS Making Money!”
