Staycationonomics: It's all about the Benjamins

I've already covered chinookonomics (part 1 and part 2), but the point of our staycation wasn't to save money per se. We were on vacation and using the Chinook Book gave us a great theme for the "trip."


However, even though we spent more than we normally would have in a week here in the cities, we still saved a ton of money. Here's the run down on our 8 night staycation:

• We didn't buy plane tickets. Savings: $450 - $700
• We didn't have to stay in a hotel. Savings: $700 - 900
• We didn't have to rent a car. Savings: $200 - $350

Also, like any week-long vacation, we didn't buy groceries (Savings: $100). Here's where the coupons come in...on dining and entertainment (excluding bike and home improvement purchases) we saved $120 plus our two discounts for laid-off state employees of $58.

To sum it up, by opting for a staycation, we saved close to $2,000. How do you like them apples?!

Chinookonomics Pt. 2

In an earlier post, I outlined some of the economics of the Chinook Book. As we wrap up, I thought I'd add a few more thoughts.

There are many ways to pay off the cost of each Chinook Book ($20 each) with savings. For example, each book contains a coupon at Patina for $20 off a purchase of $50 or more, which we've used for wedding presents. During our trip to the Guthrie, we saved $34. Grocery store savings in each book for us equals easily close to $35. You get the point.

This week we used 27 coupons from our Chinook Books, which saved us a total of $168.93 and we spent $500. On average, each coupon saved us $6.25 or 30% off the purchase.

Chinookanomics

Does the Chinook Book (formerly Blue Sky Guide) coupon book really save you money?

The short answer is yes - provided you remember to use the coupons. A couple of thoughts on the economics of the Chinook book:

1. The Chinook Book is NOT the 2011 version of the Happenings Coupon book. It may be easy to confuse the Chinook book with other giant coupon books sold for various fundraising efforts. And while there are similarities - namely coupons, the big difference from my perspective is that the Chinook book only features local businesses and businesses committed to sustainable practices. So in the lingo of economists, there are positive externalities to the coupons (positive side benefits).
   

2. Each book costs $20 (we got our three on sale for $16 a piece). We save at least that amount in grocery store coupons on purchases we were going to make anyways. When you add in hardware store, bike shop, wedding gifts from Patina and dining purchases we would have made anyways, the savings more than compensates for purchases we wouldn't have made without a coupon. Each book probably saves us at least $50 if not closer to a $100.

The trick of course is to remember that you have coupons. We keep one of our three copies in the car.

If each book saves you $50 to $100, why did you buy only 3? Good question.