A great resource to grow your fund is emailing companies directly. Normally, we resort to this with a complaint or a problem, but what about when you’re happy with a company? We have no problem telling a company when a product doesn’t live up to our expectations, but are we so quick to point out the ways a product succeeds?
When a product makes your life easier, provides a solution to a problem, or is well loved by a family member, consider contacting the company. Many companies will show their appreciation for your feedback by sending coupons. These coupons can potentially save you money, which in turn can boost your fund. This is an easy way to grow the fund: it cost nothing except the time it takes to send an email.
As part of my efforts to grow my fund, I’m going to be writing a few different companies each week. I’m going to give my honest, helpful feedback and see where that goes. I’ll be updating in these fundamentals post who I contacted and if I heard anything back. If you’d like to write along, that would be great.
Let’s look at some quick tips for contacting the companies that make the products we love.
Don’t write the same companies at the same time. When you’re making your choice, choose organizations with different parent companies. For example, don’t email Pillsbury, Totino’s, and Betty Crocker all on the same day as they all fall under the General Mills brand.
Write something personal. One of the SavEars shared a story about a brand of local pickles she had on vacation. They were the best tasting pickles she had ever had, so she wrote the company to tell them so. They appreciate her positive feedback so much, they sent her several jars of pickles.
Write something specific. Don’t write Huggies and say they have great diapers. Write Huggies and tell them how much you appreciate their Snug and Dry line, how your daughter gets excited when she sees the Pooh characters on the diaper. Mention the specific times and circumstances you use the product.
Be polite. If there is something you love about the product, write it. Thank them for making a product you enjoy, and for taking the time to read your letter.
Register concerns responsibly. You may not love every single product you write to a company about. But if you don’t have a legitimate complaint, don’t mention it. Companies will often launch internal investigations if there is a problem, so choose your words wisely. If you are registering a concern, make sure to communicate politely. Have the packaging information handy, as the company will want it.
Kristen B. is wife to the best Prince around, mama to the spunkiest little princesses, and lover of all things Disney. She started her savings journey three years ago and is now dedicated to making her family’s wishes come true one coupon at a time. She is so excited to take her love of saving to the next level and share her journey with you! Click here to catch up on Kristen’s Savings and join in on your own savings adventure!