Lie. About. Everything.

We’re taught from the time we’re little kids to be nice and share.  So when the clerk asks for our phone number or email, we give it, right?

Here’s the thing:  those loyalty cards and discount programs are money-makers for those companies.  They don’t store our information just to send us coupons or help us if we have a return or exchange.  They sell our information.  Over and over.

If you want the discounts and coupons, create an email account just for shopping.  Make up a phone number to give them.  Better yet, share a famous number with lots of people!  Give your current area code and add 867-5309!  They can’t profile your shopping habits when hundreds of people use the same loyalty number.  When you sign up with a junk email address, don’t give your real name.  One time, I was shopping with my mom when the nice cashier asked me if I wanted to save 15% by sharing my name and email.  Why, sure!  I gave a different name and my poor mom had to walk away to keep from laughing out loud.  The secret is to warn your companions and have the information ready to go when you’re asked.  You can have different personas for shopping, social media, any other online activities.  I wanted the email account nunyabidness@hotmail, but it was already taken. 😉

If these companies want names and other personal data to sell, let’s be creative!

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