The online chatter-room of Twitter can be daunting. Tweets are fast and furious. Tweeters tease you with a brief explanation of the deal and add a shortened link, all in 140 characters or less. Here a few ways to help you find ways to sing your own song about savings:
Hashtag hunting
Whether you call it a pound sign, a tic-tac-toe board or a hashtag, using this little symbol can lead you to savings. Type in a hashtag followed by a keyword, and you can read of a list of tweets that include that topic. For example, I searched for #freekidsgames and found a company called Mighty Kids Media that offers free games on its site. A search for #coupons brought me to a site where I could view offers listed by dozens of coupon-savvy people.
Follow freebie tweeters
There are freebie hunters everywhere you look – you just have to know how to find them! Search using the obvious keyword terms such as “free,” “coupon” or “deals” and follow dozens of thrift mavens and misters.
Try other words that fit your particular needs. I typed in the words “FREE” and “Vermont.” A listed Tweet took me to the Facebook page of Girlington Garage in Burlington. I found a tip of the day and a web special for a free diagnostic check-up.
When you follow someone, you will see suggestions for related tweeters to follow on the left. Refresh the page to have more choices.
Your local news
As I mentioned, I typed in the name of my home state as a search word to find opportunities in my area. You can use your state or city as a search term, and combine that with other terms to narrow down your results. Often, non-chain restaurants have last-minute deals on lunch items or desserts. A local diner routinely gives out FREE ice cream to the first Twitter follower that stops into its store and says the secret word of the day. A maple syrup producer offered a discount coupon for syrup quarts.
Follow savings gurus
Twitter isn’t just for last-minute deals. You can also find and follow experts in budgeting, saving or investing. Money gurus Dave Ramsey and Suze Orman tweet tips on spending and saving. Bankrate recently posted a tweet about growing a savings account.
SmartyPig tweets about money news and contests, and encourages followers to tweet their savings goals. Sometimes it takes a village to raise a balance.
Tweet direct
Don’t fear the @ sign. Tweet directly to the ones with the answers. Go to companies and ask about coupons or promo codes. Tweet a question to the experts. Rant politely about a product that didn’t stand up to its promise, and include the Twitter name of the company. Ask the coupon queens to send you information about online couponing, or chat with cheapskates on how best to stretch your dollar. Twitter can be a tweet savings place!
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