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2020 Sam’s Club Holiday Hours and Schedule

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Sam's Club holiday hours and schedule
Sam’s Club is one of the most popular warehouse stores. It directly competes with Costco. Therefore, they do all that they can to keep customers happy. For example, Sam’s Club is often open on holidays in order to satisfy everyone’s shopping needs. That said, the store does close for some major holidays. Here are the 2020 Sam’s Club holiday hours and schedule for you.


2020 Sam’s Club Holiday Schedule

If you’re looking at the 2020 Sam’s Club holiday hours and schedule, then the main thing you want to know is whether or not the store is open on certain days. Before we get to that, it’s important to mention that Sam’s Club has extended hours during the holiday season, starting just before Thanksgiving and continuing until just before Christmas. Scroll down to the section on Sam’s Club 2020 hours to learn more.

Now, here is the information on the 2020 Sam’s Club holiday hours and schedule, in regards to which holidays the store opens and closes:

January – September 2020 Holidays

Since we’ve already passed by the first three quarters of the year, we’ll keep this part brief. That said, Sam’s Club holiday hours and schedule don’t typically change much from year to year. Therefore, this information will likely be relevant for early 2021 holidays as well:

Sam’s Club Closed These Holidays

Sam’s Club was closed for the following two holidays this year:

  • Tuesday, January 1: Sam’s Club warehouses are closed on New Year’s Day
  • Sunday, April 21: Sam’s Club warehouses are closed on Easter Sunday

Sam’s Club Open These Holidays

Other than that, Sam’s Club was open for holidays in the first three quarters of 2020. Those holidays were:

  • Monday, January 21: Sam’s Club warehouses are open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • Thursday, February 14: Sam’s Club warehouses are open on Valentine’s Day
    Monday, February 18: Sam’s Club warehouses are open on Presidents’ Day
  • Sunday, March 17: Sam’s Club warehouses are open on St. Patrick’s Day
  • Friday, April 19: Sam’s Club warehouses are open on Good Friday
  • Monday, April 22: Sam’s Club warehouses are open on Easter Monday
  • Sunday, May 12: Sam’s Club warehouses are open on Mother’s Day
  • Monday, May 27: Sam’s Club warehouses are open on Memorial Day
  • Sunday, June 16: Sam’s Club warehouses are open on Father’s Day
  • Thursday, July 4: Sam’s Club warehouses are open on Independence Day
  • Monday, September 2: Sam’s Club warehouses are open on Labor Day

4th Quarter 2020 Sam’s Club

The last three months of the year are always the busiest for shoppers. Therefore, Sam’s Club tries to keep their stores open as much as possible. That said, they do close for three holidays: Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. However, they also stay open extended hours on Black Friday and Christmas Eve to help compensate.

Sam’s Club Closed These Holidays

To reiterate, Sam’s Club will be closed for these holidays:

  • Thursday, November 28: Sam’s Club warehouses are closed on Thanksgiving Day
  • Wednesday, December 25: Sam’s Club warehouses are closed on Christmas Day
  • Wednesday, January 1: Sam’s Club is closed on New Year’s Day 2020

Sam’s Club Open These Holidays

Sam’s Club will be open normal hours on the following 2020 holidays; see below for exact hours:

  • Tuesday, October 8: Sam’s Club warehouses are open on Columbus Day
  • Thursday, October 31: Sam’s Club warehouses are open on Halloween
  • Monday, November 11: Sam’s Club warehouses are open on Veteran’s Day
  • Tuesday, December 31: Sam’s Club warehouses are open on New Year’s Eve

Sam’s Club will be open extended hours on these 2020 holidays:

  • Friday, November 29: Sam’s Club warehouses are open on Black Friday for extended hours
  • Tuesday, December 24: Sam’s Club warehouses are open, and they’re open extended hours on Christmas Eve

Sam’s Club Store Hours 2020

If you’re exploring the 2020 Sam’s Club holiday hours and schedule, then you’ll also want to know what hours the store is open. Note that they offer extended shopping hours during the holiday season. We’ll go over the regular store hours first, then we’ll talk about the extended hours that are part of the 2020 Sam’s Club holiday hours and schedule.

Regular Member Store Hours

Sam’s Club has special extended hours during the holiday season (11/20/20 – 12/23/20). We’ll look at the 2020 Sam’s Club holiday hours and schedule in a moment. But first, let’s go over the regular store hours during the rest of the year. The Sam’s Club regular store hours are typically:

  • Monday through Friday from 10:00 am until 8 pm
  • Saturday from 9:00 am until 8 pm
  • Sunday from 10:00 am until 6:00 pm

Sam’s Club Plus Member Store Hours

If you are a Sam’s Club plus member, then you have early access hours. Throughout the year, you will be able to access Sam’s Club earlier than other members. The store is open to you during these hours:

  • Monday through Friday from 8:00 am until 10:00 am
  • Saturday from 8:00 am until 9:00 am

In other words, during non-holiday times, Sam’s Club is open Monday-Friday from 8 am – 8 pm. However, from 8 – 10 am it is only available to Sam’s Club Plus Members. On Saturdays, Sam’s Club is open from 8 am – 8 pm, but from 8 am – 9 am is for Plus Members only. On Sundays, Sam’s Club is open to all members from 10 am – 6 pm.

Cafe Hours: The Sam’s Club cafe is open to all members from 11 – 7 everyday except Sunday, when the hours are 11 – 6.

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Special Hours for First Responders

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sam’s Club now offers special early bird shopping hours to first responders and people working in healthcare. They call these HERO HOURS. If you fall into this category, then you can take advantage of special shopping hours. These are Sundays form 8 am – 10 am.

Sam’s Club Contact Center Hours

If you need to contact Sam’s Club for assistance, then you’ll need to know the following hours:

  • Mon – Sat 7 am—11 pm CST
  • Sunday 10 am—8 pm CST

The 2020 Sam’s Club Holiday Hours and Schedule do not impact the Sam’s Club Contact Center hours. However, the Sam’s Club contact center is closed on Easter Day and Christmas Day every year.

Changes to 2020 Sam’s Club Holiday Hours and Schedule

It’s important to note that Sam’s Club is actually open longer hours during the holiday season. Instead of opening at 10 am, Monday – Saturday, the stores open to regular members at 9 am. Instead of closing at 8:30 pm, the stores stay open until 9 pm. Sunday opening hours are the same during the holidays. However, stores stay open until 7 pm instead of 6 pm.

To reiterate, during the holidays (beginning November 20, 2020 and continuing through December 23, 2020, Sam’s Club Holiday Hours and Schedule are:

  • Monday – Saturday, 9 am – 9 pm
  • Sundays 10 am – 7 pm

There is one exception to this holiday schedule: North Dakota Sam’s Club locations open at noon, not ten, on Sundays.

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(Photo Credit: Nicholas Eckhart)

Upcoming Chipotle Holiday Schedule

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chipotle hours

Are you a fan of Chipotle? If so, then you might already know the Chipotle hours for the location that you frequent the most. However, if you’re traveling, then you may discover that not all Chipotle hours are the same. Moreover, you may wonder what their holiday schedule is. Here’s what you need to know:

Chipotle Store Hours

Before we get into holiday changes, let’s talk about the basic store hours for Chipotle. Each store location has its own hours based on that store’s clientele.

Generally speaking, Chipotle stores open between 10 am and 11 am each day. It’s very common for stores to open at 10:45 am, allowing you to pop in early and grab your lunch to go.

Generally speaking. Chipotle stores close between 7 pm and 10 pm. In fact, they often close at either one or the other. For example, a downtown San Francisco location is likely to close at 7 pm. In contrast, a mall location may close at 10 pm. There aren’t a lot of store closing in between. In other words, not to many Chipotle stores close at 8 or 9 pm.

Chipotle hours are usually the same on weekdays as they are on weekends.

Chipotle Holiday Schedule

Like many other restaurants, Chipotle hours are the same on most days of the year but do vary for the big holidays.

Chipotle is closed on five holidays out of each year:

  • New Year’s Day
  • Easter
  • Memorial Day
  • Thanksgiving
  • Christmas

Chipotle has limited hours, closing early, on certain holidays including Christmas Eve and Independence Day.

Other than that, Chipotle is typically open for other holidays throughout the year.

Upcoming Chipotle Holiday Schedule

Therefore, if you’re interested in having Chipotle during the upcoming holidays, here’s what you need to know:

  • Your Chipotle location will almost definitely be closed on Thanksgiving.
  • It will also be closed on Christmas.
  • Likewise, it’s closed on New Year’s Day.
  • Your Chipotle location may close early on Christmas Eve.
  • Otherwise, you should be able to rely on usual Chipotle hours, which vary by location but are typically 10:45 am – 10 pm.

How to Find Your Local Chipotle Hours

The restaurant’s hours do vary by location. Moreover, their holiday schedule is not consistent from store to store. Therefore, if you have a Chipotle craving during the holidays, you should check the local schedule.

  • Go to Chipotle.com
  • Click on Find a Chipotle, which is at the top right corner of the home page
  • Select either “pickup” or “delivery” depending on the service you desire
  • Enter your city or zip code
  • Select the location closest to you. When you click on it, you’ll see store hours.
  • If that store doesn’t have the hours that suit you, click back to the previous page and try a different location.

Alternatively, you can download the Chipotle app for iPhone or Android. You can use the app to find the hours of the store closest to you.

Chipotle Catering

If you have a big even planned for the holidays, then you might want to try Chipotle’s catering service. You should book your order at least 24 hours in advance of the event. You can book it online. Options range from a 6-person burrito box to catered meals for hundreds of people. Note that this service isn’t available in every zip code.

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Does Giant Eagle Price Match?

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giant eagle price match guarantee

Many shoppers prefer grocery stores that offer price matching. It ensures they can get their hands on the best deals even if the best discounts are available at another grocer. But not all stores offer price matching, and figuring out which ones do can be surprisingly challenging. If you’ve ever wondered, “Does Giant Eagle price match?” here’s what you need to know.

What Is Price Matching, and How Does It Work?

Price matching is a fairly simple concept. It covers stores willing to match a lower price that’s being offered by a direct competitor for that specific item. Usually, the store with a price match policy can define which other retailers are or are not competitors. For example, they may limit price matching to physical stores within a certain radius, or could be broader, also accepting online prices at major e-commerce retailers.

The products have to be exactly alike to qualify. For example, the model number or UPC typically has to match. However, for items like fresh produce, the matching may simply require that it be the fruit or vegetable, including the same variety and other identifiers (such as organic or non-organic).

Additionally, the shopper commonly has to provide proof of the lower price and where it is being sold. Usually, that means having a sales flyer or webpage available as evidence.

In most cases, getting a price match at the time of checkout simply involves informing the cashier of the lower price and showing them the evidence. They can then follow the store’s procedures to provide the discount, suggesting you qualify.

Some stores do have price match policies that work after the sale, though this is rare. For these, you may need to bring your receipt and evidence to a customer service counter within the designated price matching window, allowing you to secure a refund for the difference.

It’s important to note that a variety of other conditions can apply. For example, stores usually won’t price match a clearance price, or when the lower price is clearly a typo and not a legitimate discount. Every store has a unique price match policy, if they offer the service, outlining the requirements. Any request that doesn’t align with the rules is going to be denied.

Does Giant Eagle Price Match Guarantee?

While Giant Eagle doesn’t explicitly state they don’t price match, the store does not have a price matching policy. Since there is no policy outlining the service, it’s safe to conclude that the retailer does not offer it.

Giant Eagle Pricing Policies

While Giant Eagle doesn’t have a price match policy, it does have another pricing policy that could benefit shoppers.

First, there’s the price accuracy policy. If you discover that you were charged more than the posted or advertised price on an item, the first improperly scanned product is free as long as it is worth no more than $25. For items over $25, the customer will receive the first of them for $25 off the lower, correct price.

If you bought multiples, the price accuracy policy allows for changes here, as well. The subsequent items (including if they are different varieties, such as different flavors of the same type of cereal) are adjusted to reflect the correct, lower price.

Grocery Stores That Offer Price Matching

Many major retailers do offer some form of price matching, including on grocery items. While each store controls its own policy, allowing it to set its own rules and outline unique restrictions, it could benefit savvy shoppers who are willing to take the time to get discounts.

Target offers price matches for select online retailers and local competitor print ad prices. There are quite a few requirements and restrictions outlined by Target on its website. But, if your purchase qualifies, you can request the discount at checkout or within 14 days after making the purchase.

Walmart also has price matching, though its program is fairly restrictive. For example, you’re limited to one item per day, so you can’t get a reduction if you purchase multiples of an item or two separate products that could both potentially qualify. Other rules are listed on the Walmart website.

Price Matches Can Be Added, Removed or Altered

It is important to point out that companies can add, remove, or alter their price matching policies, mainly at their discretion. Usually, major retailers will announce modifications that are more restrictive or removals of services in advance.

When new options are coming available, a retailer may choose to advertise them to entice shoppers. However, some may simply add the policy without an announcement. As a result, savvy shoppers should review the policies of their favorite grocers regularly. That way, they can explore new options or policy changes as soon as possible, ensuring they are well-informed and can get the best deals.

Do you prefer grocery stores that offer price matching? If Giant Eagle started a price match guarantee, would you shop there more, or would it matter? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Frugal Recipes to Try When Money Is Tight

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Frugal Recipes For Tight Budget

Your food budget probably takes up one of the largest percentages of outgoing money each money. Therefore, if you can reduce your food spending then you can improve your savings. As a result, it makes sense to look for frugal recipes for a tight budget if you want to start saving money quickly. By arming yourself with a long list of recipes you love, but that are made from ingredients that don’t cost you a lot of money, you can do yourself a huge financial service.

Frugal Breakfast Recipes for a Tight Budget

Sticking to meals that are only one or two ingredients is a surefire way to save money on meals. Breakfast is one of the easiest meals that you can do that with. Buttered toast, a bowl of oatmeal, yogurt with berries, and scrambled eggs are all examples of simple meals that you can enjoy for breakfast without spending very much money. But for those times when you want something a little bit fancier and yet not expensive try these recipes:


Low-Cost Lunch Recipes

One of the best ways to save money on lunch is to eat dinner leftovers from the night before. A sandwich or wrap is always another smart choice.

However, that’s not always appealing. Luckily, it’s easy to find frugal recipes for a tight budget that are more than satisfactory for lunch at home or on the go. Here are some top choices:

    • Copycat Panera Tuna Salad Sandwich. Get a Panera-style lunch sandwich at a much lower cost using this recipe.
    • Homemade Chili Dogs. Use this recipe to serve tummy-filling chili dogs to eight people for less than $10 total. And if you have kids at the table they might be satisfied with just a no-bun, no-chili hot dog for lunch which will save you even more money.
    • Rice and Beans. This recipe will fuel you with energy for the rest of the day.
    • Vegetable Soup. Don’t just open a can of soup and heat it on the stove. Instead, make this homemade version and reheat it when you’re ready for a warm lunch.

Frugal Dinner Recipes for a Tight Budget

Dinner is usually the most expensive meal of the day. Oftentimes, that’s because we dine out. However, it can get expensive even at home. Making smart choices about the dinner ingredients that you use will go a long way towards reducing your food spending when you’re on a budget. Here are some frugal recipes for a tight budget that will satisfy you at dinner time:

  • Barbecue Chicken on the Grill. Affordable cuts of meat that you can grill for flavor are good options for those non-vegetarians on a budget. This recipe serves six.
  • Beef Brisket. Eating meat isn’t always the most affordable way to go with dinner but if you prefer it then this is a good recipe option.
  • Better Than Takeout Chicken Fried Rice. Or skip the chicken for an even more affordable vegetable fried rice dish.
  • Easy Roast Prime Rib. This recipe doesn’t just save you money but it also saves you time. It takes ten minutes to prepare then the oven does the rest of the work.
  • Grilled Flank Steak. If you enjoy eating steak but don’t want to spend too much money then ask your butcher about getting some flank steak. It’s a tasty alternative to more expensive cuts of beef. Generally you can get one-and-a-half pounds for this meat for under $7. Here’s a recipe that will serve six people for that prices.
  • Honey Glazed Ham. Like the Prime Rib recipe above, this is a meal that you can prepare quickly then do other things while the oven cooks it for you. It serves a whopping twelve people. Therefore, its one of the frugal recipes for a tight budget that you can bookmark for holiday meals.
  • Ramen Noodle Dishes. Of course, you could really save money and get the 50-cent soups but that’s not what we’re talking about here. We’re talking about three different recipes for high-quality, extra-tasty, very satisfying homemade ramen noodle dishes that are also very affordable to make at home. These are also healthy dishes with one vegetarian option.
  • Shrimp Scampi Pasta. You can almost always make pasta dishes on a budget. If you see a discount on shrimp then make the purchase and use this recipe for a wonderful low-cost dinner.

Snacks, Sides, and Appetizers

Sometimes you just want to have a quick snack. A simple apple or handful of nuts will often do and can be your most affordable option. However, sometimes you want something a little bit more special. For example, you might want frugal snack recipes when you’re on a tight budget but still want to impress someone who is coming over to your home. Or you might want a cheap snack that you can bring to a gathering. Here are some good choices.

  • Beer Battered Fish: Although you can actually use this recipe to make dinner, it’s a particularly good option for making an appetizer or side dish for large groups of people.
  • Classic Deviled Eggs: Make half a dozen terrific and tasty deviled eggs for less than five dollars when you use this easy recipe. This is a Labor Day or holiday gathering favorite.
  • Honey Glazed Carrots. Make these in a slow cooker. You can serve up to ten people with this recipe.
  • Potato Salad. Potatoes are among the most filling frugal ingredients that you’ll find for any meal. Stock up on them and use them liberally throughout your cooking. This potato salad recipe will give you a unique snack, suitable to take to any group gathering. Moreover, it costs about $1 per serving. You can’t beat that!
  • Stuffed Mushrooms. Mushrooms are a simple food that can be dressed up with good stuffing. They are often affordable, and they work well as sides or appetizers for any meals. Make one dozen of them with this recipe.

Frugal Dessert for a Tight Budget

If you want to save money on meals then you should skip dessert. In fact, when dining at a restaurant, it is almost always best to skip drinks and dessert if you want to reduce your bill. But of course sometimes we want a little treat. You can use these frugal dessert recipes to enjoy that treat on a budget.

  • Apple Cinnamon Rice Pudding. What a yummy option that will impress anyone you offer it to.
  • Chocolate Ice Cream. Ice cream is a popular dessert for all ages. Learn how to easily make your own.
  • Oven-Baked Smores. Who doesn’t love Smores? And you don’t even need a campfire to cook them. This recipe will cost you less than $10 to make. Nevertheless, it will provide dessert for fifteen people. Moreover, cooking and enjoying it will delight you.
  • The Best Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe. Simple chocolate chip cookies are a surprisingly satisfying dessert. Make six dozen of them with this recipe! Of course, you can cut the recipe in half to make fewer cookies and save more money.

What are some of your favorite frugal recipes on a tight budget? Share in the comments!

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Easy Food to Sell to Make Money

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easy food to sell

There are so many different ways to make a little bit of extra money. For example, you can sell food. Whether you sell it at farmers’ markets, from a food truck, going door to door, or through a small online business, selling food can be a great way to garner some new income. You want to find easy food to sell, especially as you start out. After all, you want to make money, not spend a lot out of pocket to get started.

How to Sell Food

Before you begin to sell food, you need to think about what kind of business do you want. Some examples of food-based small businesses include:

  • Package a favorite recipe, such as homemade jam. Sell it online, at farmer’s markets, or in partnership with a local restaurant.
  • Start a home-based food business. This might mean that you offer a small menu of items that you sell through. variety of channels. You may sell to small restaurants or do direct-to-consumer sales online.
  • Become a vendor at a concession stand, food truck park, or other area where individuals and/or small businesses are allowed to sell food.
  • Sell food “door to door” which might mean visiting construction sites to sell meals to the workers at lunch time or using word of mouth to let your children’s parents know that you have food for sale.

There are Legal Issues

Depending on where you live and how you want to sell your food, there are legal issues to think about. These include general issues about small businesses, such as setting yourself up with a business license. Additionally, there are specific rules about food-based businesses. For example, you may have to determine whether your local laws allow you to cook from your own kitchen or require you to rent space from a commercial kitchen.

You Need Easy Food to Sell

If you want to make a lot of money, then you need to look for easy food to sell. There are two different aspects to what “easy foods” means:

  1. Foods that are easy to prepare.
  2. Foods that easily sell because they are highly popular.

If you can prepare food quickly, inexpensively, and easily, then you’re getting off on the right food. If you’re choosing foods that sell well because of their popularity, then you’re going to sell out. That’s how you make money.

Finding Easy Food to Sell

When deciding what you want to sell, there are some important factors to take into consideration. Ask yourself the following questions:

  • What are the foods that I find easiest and most enjoyable to prepare?
  • When I go to the type of place where I’ll be selling my food, what foods do I want to purchase?
  • What are the most popular foods at these types of places? Is the market already too saturated for those foods?
  • What is the cost investment and the time investment of the food I’m interested in selling?

In other words, you want to think about your market, your experience, your passion for food, and the cost of both time and money that you’ll invest into this business. Ideally, you will come up with a food that’s inexpensive to prepare, easy and fun to make, and popular but also unique from what’s already available around you.

Examples of Foods That Sell Easily

Your market may vary widely in terms of which foods sell easily. For example, in some places, the easiest food to sell is French Fries. In contrast, other places have good niche markets for organic, artisanal, vegan food trends. You’ll have to research your market to figure out what’s going to sell easily in your area. With that in mind, though, here are some examples of easy food to sell:

  • Candy and packaged snacks that you simply buy in bulk and resell
  • Chili or baked beans
  • Concession stand foods such as fries, corndogs, nachos, and funnel cakes
  • Cookies, pastries, and other baked goods
  • Corn on the cob or elote off the cob
  • Drinks including lemonade, coffee, and mocktails
  • Fresh-baked bread
  • Hummus and/or other dips with bread and crudités
  • Jams, jellies, and other homemade canned items
  • Kebabs / skewers
  • Oatmeal
  • Pancakes
  • Pickles and other pickled vegetables
  • Pizza including deep fried pizza; consider offering both traditional toppings and more unique ones
  • Simple salads with just a few fresh ingredients and your own dressing
  • Simple sandwiches, such as grilled cheese, done really well
  • Tacos and quesadillas
  • Toasts, such as avocado toast and bruschetta
  • Trending foods, such as meat marinades, açaí bowls, or plant-based protein dishes

Additional Factors to Consider

You’ve already reviewed the legal issues for starting a food business. You’ve looked at some easy food to sell. Moreover, you’ve thought about how your food interests intersect with popular foods to come up with a good product to sell. Here are some additional factors to consider before you decide for sure what food to sell:

  • How will you source the food ingredients?
  • What will you need in order to store the ingredients? For example, will you need to buy a freezer?
  • What will you need in order to prepare the food? For example, will you need to buy a deep fryer or Mason jars for canning?
  • How long will the food prep take? How long after preparation will it be good to sell? Consider, for example, that initial food prep to can a lot of foods at home can take a long time but then the canned food is something you can save and sell over time. In contrast, as soon as you make French fries, you have to sell them; they don’t save well. That said, they’re quick to make in comparison with something like canning peaches.
  • What additional items will you need in order to serve this food? If you’re making a prepared food at home, such as cookies, then how will you package and ship them? If you’re handing out food at a stand, what plates or other supplies do you need to provide?

You can start a business selling food. It might turn out to be not just a passion project but one that you earns you a solid steady income. If you really love the work, it could even turn into a professional small business. That said, you want to make sure that you start slow, invest your time and money wisely, find easy food to sell, and then grow your market over time.

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12 Ways to Save Money at Panera Bread

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panera bread
Panera Bread is a popular fast food establishment enjoyed by many people across the country. With a wide array of soups, salads, sandwiches, and pastries, it’s no wonder they have a large customer base. While it may be a fan favorite, it’s also known for being a little pricey in comparison with some of its competitors. However, Panera Bread offers several ways to save money at their locations. Plus there are some smart dining out tricks that you can implement to save even further. Here are twelve ways to save money at your local Panera Bread:

1. MyPanera Rewards Card

Like many restaurants or businesses, Panera Bread offers a customer loyalty card. It comes with many rewards that you can earn over the course of your visits to their stores. In fact, you get a free item upon registration. For example, in 2020, if you sign up for the card in the summer then you get unlimited free coffee with no fees through September 2020. (You can get any size, any flavor, once up to every two hours during this promotion.) And, of course, registration for the card is free. You don’t have to pay anything to be a member.

Additionally, the card offers various free items throughout the year, as well as for your birthday. It will also occasionally update you about special deals and promotions happening at your local store. This is one of the best ways to stay on top of your options to save money at Panera Bread.

That said, remember that rewards cards are designed to keep your loyalty. They want you coming back again and again. If you go there to get your free birthday reward, but then you buy other things when you weren’t planning to go there in the first place, then you’re spending money, not saving it. So be smart about taking advantage of the Rewards perks without caving to the pressure to buy more.

2. Tip: MyPanera Rewards Card Hack

You can earn more rewards using your Panera rewards card by separately ordering your purchases. The reward card gives rewards depending on the number of purchases you make, but doesn’t void purchases made on the same day.

So, if you buy five breads all at once, that counts as a single purchase toward your next reward. In contrast, if you buy those five breads separately, then you earn five purchases toward the next reward. Therefore, for those who want to earn faster rewards (and the discounts that come with them), splitting the purchases is a good option.

Of course, be respectful of the people who are working at the store and in the line behind you. Try to choose less-busy hours for such purchase.

3. Follow Panera Bread’s Social Media and App

If you’re an avid social media user, you should consider following, or at least routinely checking, Panera Bread’s Facebook and Twitter accounts. Social media sites are a great way to keep up to date on what businesses are doing, especially when it comes to new menu items, special discounts, or promotions that are happening. You never know what new or useful information you may find.

Make sure that you also sign up for the Panera Bread app. This is especially useful if you’ve signed up as a rewards member. It’s the number one place, other than their actual website, to get information about their latest deals, offers, new products, and more.

4. Gift Cards

In 2020, Panera Bread is offering a 20% discount on their gift cards, including eCards. The sale is only through September 7, 2020, but this is a great reminder that gift cards can be a way to save money at restaurants.

For example, another option would be to use your credit card rewards points to purchase Panera Bread gift cards. Then use those cards to treat yourself to Panera. You’re not spending any money since you used points to get those cards.

If you really love Panera, then you could also ask family members to give you gift cards there as presents rather than purchasing something for you that you might not want.

5. Special Deal Days

Panera does have special deal days on certain items. For example, you can currently get 13 bagels for $8.39 every Tuesday. That’s more than four dollars off the usual cost of a baker’s dozen of Panera Bread bagels.

Note that their deals change regularly. Moreover, they can be different from location to location. Ask the cashiers at your local store what the current deals are.

6. Panera Bread: Know The Menu

One of the best ways to save money at Panera is to know the menu. Sometimes the “double” deals they have are actually more expensive than if you had ordered the two items separately (and sometimes the opposite is true as well).

Also make sure that you know what “secret” menu items you can order, since these can be cheaper than the items stated on the menu. When in doubt, just ask the cashier about the secret menu options.

Most importantly, though, it’s good to know the menu because it will help you choose in advance what you want to buy. If you take the time to thoughtfully plan out your meals, then you’ll be better off. You’ll choose the most cost-effective options that are suitable for your diet. This helps you avoid impulse purchases, and therefore helps you save money.

7. Avoid Desserts

Speaking of planning ahead, make sure that you avoid the desserts. (Unless, of course, you’re going there specifically to purchase a dessert.) Most of the time, people buy them because they’re on display and look so tempting. If it wasn’t in your meal plan to begin with then save yourself the time and calories by skipping them.

8. Get Free Water Instead of Buying a Drink

Similar to avoiding desserts, buying a drink is something to be avoided not only because it’s expensive, but also because you don’t really need to buy a drink. Panera will give you a cup for water free of charge if you ask for it, so there’s really no reason to be spending money on a soda, iced coffee, or smoothie.

Of course, with the 2020 promotion, you can also get free coffee at Panera Bread. Look for the deals like that and splurge (without spending a dime) to get a nice beverage treat.

9. Don’t Order Sides

In most fast food or takeout places, adding sides to your order will only make it more expensive. There’s a cost for cream cheese for your bagel or salad dressing for your salad. Panera has an entire section of their menu devoted to sides, and even though the most expensive may be no more than a few dollars, it’s still smart to avoid ordering sides if you’re looking to save money. Again, knowing the menu and planning in advance will go a long way towards avoiding falling into such a trap.

10. Split Your Meal with Someone

Another great way to save money at Panera is to split your meal with a friend, coworker, or family member. Panera has a lot of deals that let you combine soups, salads, and sandwiches for under $10. If you’re grabbing a quick bite to eat, think about ordering with a friend and splitting the cost.

Alternatively, you can buy the cheap big meal and immediately put half of it in a to go box for later.

11. Panera Bread Coupons

Panera Bread is one of the few businesses in the fast food industry that does not have regularly recurring coupons. Since coupons are so rare, finding some is like hitting a goldmine. That said, it’s not impossible to find Panera Bread coupons. Check sites like Groupon. Do a quick online search before heading out to Panera. It’s always worth it to look.

12. Remember Panera Isn’t Your Only Option

Even if you love Panera Bread and want to go there regularly, don’t limit yourself to that one restaurant. Look for other deals in your area of comparable food options. If the prices are lower, or there’s a great coupon, then try something new.

And, of course, it’s almost always cheaper to make yourself a sandwich at home than to buy one at a restaurant. Ask yourself if you need to dine out at all. That’s truly the way to save money!

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