Happy Black Friday, Shop Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday 2024! If you are looking for Genealogy Bargains to supplement your budget for non-essential stuff like gifts and food (just kidding, but not kidding!), here are some ideas for saving money on our favorite pastime.
I clipped an article last year from GenealogyBargains.com (which is still publishing) that had some great ideas for saving money any time of year including:
"Holidays Mean Freebies" - any holiday is a great time to look for bargains on various site memberships. Ancestry Gift Memberships are 50% off today thru 12/3 for example!
"Abandon your online shopping cart" - put some items in your cart, and then leave without paying. I have received 2 emails with increasing discounted shipping on some clothes I picked out!
"Leverage Your Coupon Options" - If you missed a coupon expiration, call customer service (assuming you can get through to a human being), and see if they will extend it for you, especially if you are renewing.
And, have you see those coupon sites such as Retail Me Not (Ancestry & Family Tree DNA at this link) or Coupon Cabin (Ancestry discounts at this link).
Go for short-term memberships, or as the Bargain website calls it, "Cycle On and Cycle Off." I have recommended this to several clients myself. Have a list of records you want to look for at another site made out in advance. Then sign up for the trial membership or a month to month, do your searching, and be sure to CANCEL your membership before they hit your credit card!
Ask for discounts, especially at renewal time! Ancestry has some discounts for AARP members!
SHOP SMALL this year! Like many other small business owners around the world, I am hoping you will SHOP SMALL with local artists, crafters, and service providers that don't come from a big box store or giant website.
Shopping in your local antique/estate sale vendors you may find some old photo frames, or a piece of your grandmother's China service you could share with a photo or story about your ancestor! I would be glad to sell you a gift certificate for family tree research!
I hope your turkey was moist, that you have just the right amount of leftovers, and that you were able to take photos and make new memories with your family.
Blessings to all of you and yours,
Leslie Ryan
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