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Saturday, January 22, 2011

Free Newsweek Subscription


Rewards Gold is offering a free one year subscription to Newsweek. Click here for the survey. 

For those of you who are new to Rewards Gold, it is a program where you write reviews on products that you use and in exchange earn points that can be used toward the magazine subscription. When you click through one of the links and answer the survey and provide responses for the relevant review (usually 50 words), you will earn enough points for the magazine. You will never be asked for your credit card information and you will never receive a bill. I've been getting Rewards Gold magazines for YEARS and have never had an issue.

Enjoy!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Day 22: Group Buying Sites

If you're haven't heard about group buying websites by now, I don't know what rock you've been living under. BUT I think they are important enough that they merit a frugal post. Group buying sites offer daily deals at deep discounts, usually in the range of 50-70% off. You buy the deal through the site and they give you a voucher that you then take to the merchant to redeem.

Some of my favorite deals I've gotten are gift cards to Red Velvet, Amazon gift cards, chocolates, and a gift certificate to Ping Pong Dim Sum.

Here's a round-up of my favorite group buying websites:



NOTE: All vouchers have an expiration date. Be sure to also read the fine print as some are only good on certain items or subject to exclusions.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Friday, January 21, 2011

Day 21: Craigslist

This is one my favorite frugal tips. You can find just about anything for free or for sale on Craigslist. Craiglist is a free classified website that has regional pages where individuals can list items they are selling, giving away or are looking for. If you are really on a budget, this is a great way to find furniture for your home. I can't tell you how many of my friends have snagged their furniture free or cheap on Craiglist. I bought my china hutch which was in excellent condition for only $100.

So head on over, browse around, and see what great deals you can find!

NOTE: While Craigslist is a great source of deals, no good deal is worth sacrificing your common sense or safety. Be very careful about Craigslist scams, never give out any credit card information, and when you go to pick something up take someone with you and if all possible meet in a public place. Use the same caution as you would with anything else on the internet.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

American Eagle Sale


I just received the above in an email from American Eagle. This weekend you can get an additional 50% off redline clearance in STORES ONLY. You can usually be sure to find some great deals on the AE clearance racks, especially now when they are changing over the seasons in the store. Let me know if you find anything good!


Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Denise Austin Get Energy! Book Review

First, let me say a big thanks to Anna over at Hachette Books for the opportunity to write this review. I have been working hard on my winter reading list to bring you reviews of some great books and she has contributed to the process.

Denis Austin's Get Energy! is a breath of fresh air in the realm of health and fitness books. It goes beyond just creating a workout plan and sticking to it, to understanding how to be self-aware of your motivations, increase your energy levels, and creating balance.

The book begins with a self-evaluation that helps you target the real source of your lack of energy and points you to the appropriate chapters later in the book to help you specifically with your troublesome source. My self-evaluation revealed that my job was an energy zapper. Suggestions in my relevant chapter include finding ways to be flexible, manage my time, and learning to say no.

Beyond simply addressing these energy zappers, the book also provides a stretching routine to help you stay energized throughout the day, a list of 100 Simple Pleasures that will help keep you motivated, and the book ends with your personal energy plan worksheet and a 14 day pep plan to get things jump-started.

I have to say, I really loved this book. I found it motivating, helpful, and well-written. This is not your cheesy, run of the mill fitness book. It takes a practical approach to finding the areas of your life that are dragging your down and finding ways to manage and overcome them - both physically and mentally. 

If your looking for a good read to put your New Year's Resolutions into motion or just trying to find more energy in your life, I strongly suggest you check this one out. Give the 14 day plan a shot, and I bet within a few days you are feeling better, more balanced, and well rested the same way I did.


Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Thursday, January 20, 2011

$11 Amazon Gift Card from Viewpoints


Same deal as the other similar programs from Viewpoints in the past. Write 11 qualifying reviews in the specified categories of 900 characters or more by Jan. 31 and get a free $11 Amazon Gift Card. The gift cards usually come fairly quick after the end of the promotion.

For all the details check out the promotion here.


Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Day 20: Read the Sale Papers!

I can't tell you how many times I've thrown out the weekly sale papers without even taking a glance. What a huge mistake!

From electronics to groceries to toys and everything in between, the sale papers are your inside scoop to the stores before you ever leave your house. For example, yesterday I went to the grocery store to buy a few items for the weeks dinner and paid $5.49 lb. for ground meat only to come home and scan the sale papers to find out it was on sale somewhere else for $2.99 a lb. That may not seem like a huge difference, but I bought about 4 pounds of ground meat which means I could have saved $10! That's enough for lunch at my favorite thai place.

Taking a few minutes to scan the sale papers against your shopping list will give you an idea of where to head to get the best deals. Over time this will result in a lot more money in your pocket and less frustration from finding out about good deals too late.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

*HOT* 75¢ off Purdue Chicken Coupon

In this Sunday's Red Plum, or the one's in the Northwest Current if you find it sooner, there is a coupon for 75¢ off one package of Purdue USDA Process Verified Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast. AND the coupon is NOT marked "Do Not Double." So if you take this to Safeway, Superfresh, Harris Teeter or any other store that regularly doubles coupons up to 99¢ this should double and be $1.50 off. I know in our local Safeway chicken is up to go on sale in the meat department soon, so this could be a really great deal to stock up!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Day 19: Don't Forget the Mail in Rebates!

How many times have you purchased a product that comes with a mail in rebate and forgot all about it or thought it wasn't worth the hassle? That is just like throwing money away. Although they usually take a bit of time to be processed and returned, this is easy money coming back into your pocket. On things like cell phones, the rebates can be upwards of $100!

Generally, rebates are fairly straight forward. There will be a form that you complete with your information and mail back along with the receipt or proof of purchase. Be sure to follow the instructions so that they can process your rebate correctly and be sure to copy any receipts before sending the original that way if there are any issues you still have proof of your purchase.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

*New Safeway Coupon Book*

Safeway has a new coupon book up at their customer service desk for the upcoming Super Bowl. It's cover says The Joy of Football The Big Party Playbook. Most of the coupons are good long past Super Bowl Sunday. Some are store coupons that can only be used at the following: Safeway, Vons, Dominick's, Randalls, Tom Thumb, Genuardi's, Pavillions, Carrs. Others are manufacturer coupons that can be used anywhere. I have identified the manufacturer's coupons as MFQ, all others are store coupons.

Here's what you can find inside:

  • $5 off any Large Seafood Store Made Party Tray (Party trays over $24.99) exp. 2/28/11
  • $5 off any Party Tray of $29.99 or more exp. 2/28/11
  • 50¢ off Flatout Flatbread 11 oz. Select varieties. exp. 2/12/11
  • $1 off refreshe water with purchase of 2 24-pks. exp. 2/8/11
  • $1 off refreshe soda with purchase of 4 2-ltr bottle exp. 2/8/11
  • 50¢ off Safeway Snack Artist Chips exp. 2/8/11
  • $1 off your purchase of two (2) 8-oz. packages of Wonderful Pistachios exp. 2/28/11
  • MFQ $1 off when you buy any four (4) ROTEL Diced Tomatoes 10 oz. or Rosarita Refried Beans 16 oz. exp. 2/28/11
  • MFQ Save 75¢ on one (1) 12-pack cans of any flavor (regular or diet) 7UP, Sunkist Orange Soda, Canada Dry or A&W exp. 2/28/11
  • MFQ Save 75¢ when you buy any Pillsbury Crescent Dinner Rolls
  • $1 off 7-16 oz. Rold Gold or 11.5-13 oz. Doritos when you buy 2 exp.2/15/11
  • MFQ $2 off any 12-pack Pepsi product with the purchase of 4
  • $1 off Two (2) 8 oz. Lucerne Natural Cheese slices exp. 2/8/11
  • MFQ Save 50¢ on any container of Daisy Brand Sour Cream (16 oz. or larger) exp. 2/28/11
  • MFQ $1 off when you buy two (2) KRAFT Natural Shredded Cheese (6 to 8 oz.) exp. 2/28/11 (DND)
  • $1 off Safeway Select Frozen Pizza exp. 2/8/11
  • $2 off Safeway Select Multi-Serve Frozen Meals exp. 2/8/11
  • 50¢ off Safeway Select Olive Oil exp. 2/8/11
  • 75¢ off Safeway Select Salsa exp. 2/8/11
  • MFQ $1 off when you buy any two (2) Orville Redenbacher's Gourmet Popping Corn 3-packs exp. 2/28/11
  • MFQ $2 off when you buy any two (2) Hebrew National Beef Franks 12 oz. exp. 2/28/11
  • MFQ Save 55¢ on any one (1) Hormel Pepperoni Minis Pack exp. 2/18/11
  • MFQ Save $1 when you buy any flavor 4.5 oz. or larger Chex Mix exp. 3/31/11
  • MFQ Save $1 on Two when you buy any Two Boxes Chex cereals: Rice Chex, Corn Chex, Wheat Chex, Honey Nut Chex, Chocolate Chex, Multi-Bran Chex, Cinnamon Chex exp. 3/31/11
  • MFQ $1 off 2 Snack Crackers (5.5 oz. or larger) exp. 2/28/11 (DND)
  • MFQ 75¢ off Ritz Crackers (8 oz. or larger) exp. 2/28/11 (DND)
  • MFQ $3 off any three (3) Coca-Cola Sparkling brands 6-pack (.5 L or 24 oz.) bottles exp. 2/28/11 
  • MFQ $3 off any three (3) Coca-Cola Sparkling brands 8-pack (7.5 oz) cans exp. 2/28/11
  • MFQ $1 off the combined purchase of 1 Pop Secret, 1 Emerald Nuts, and 1 Kettle Brand Potato Chips product exp. 2/8/11
  • MFQ $1 off when you buy one (1) Cracker Barrel Chunk Cheese exp. 2/28/11 (DND)
  • $2 off Rancher's Reserve Beef purchase exp. 2/28/11
  • $1 off Open Nature Chicken Sausage, Beef Franks, Bacon or Canadian Bacon exp. 2/8/11
  • $1 off Waterfront Bistro 2-lb. Shrimp exp. 2/28/11
  • $1 off Waterfront Bistro Crabmeat exp. 2/28/11
  • MFQ 55¢ off 1 package of Johnsonville Fresh Dinner Sausage exp. 2/27/11
  • MFQ $1 off any 5 Bush's Best Beans (excluding Bush's Baked Beans, Grillin' Beans and Chili Magic) exp. 2/8/11
  • MFQ $1 off any 2 Sargento Shreds or Natural Slices 8 oz. or less exp. 3/12/11
  • MFQ 50¢ off any 1 Reynolds Slow Cooker Liners exp. 2/28/11
  • 50¢ off Fresh Decor Tablewar. 8 ct. Plates, 24-40 ct. Napkins, 24 ct Cutlery, 4-6 ct Stemware & 1 ct Tablecloths exp. 3/1/11
  • MFQ $1.50 off Meat with the purchase of any Kingsford Charcoal Briquets ( 7.9 lb or 8,3 lb) or Kingsford Matchlight Briquets (6.3 lb or 6.7 lb) exp. 2/28/11
  • MFQ $1 off any Hefty Plates, Cups/One Zip Bags/Trash Bags exp. 3/31/11
  • 50¢ off any McCormick Tartar Sauce exp. 2/28/11
  • 50¢ off any McCormick Cocktail Sauce exp. 2/28/11
  • MFQ $1 off any SeaPak item exp. 2/28/11
  • MFQ $1 off any package of Land O'Frost Premium One Pound Deli Pouch exp. 4/30/11
  • MFQ 50¢ off Smithfield Bacon exp. 3/31/11
  • MFQ 50¢ off Smithfield Ham exp. 3/31/11
  • MFQ $3 off one 3-log bundle of Stax logs exp. 2/28/11
  • MFQ Save $1 when you purchase any 1 package of Brawny 3 Big Roll or Dixie Family Pack Item (plates or napkins) exp. 2/28/11
  • $5 off Football Cupcake Cake. Choose from an assortment of designs and sizes exp. 2/8/11
  • MFQ Save $1 when you buy one box any flavor of Betty Crocker Box Supreme Brownie Mix
  • MFQ $1 off any Skippy Peanut Butter Product exp. 2/28/11
  • MFQ 50¢ off any 1 Gorton's Item exp. 3/19/11
  • MFQ Save $2 on any Pepcid product (excludes trial sizes) exp. 4/30/11
  • $2 off a dozen roses exp. 2/8/11
  • $3 off any mixed flower bouquet exp. 2/8/11

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Free Subscription to Bridal Guide Magazine


Get a free 1-year subscription to Bridal Guide Magazine courtesy of WeddingStand.com. Click here for more information. Says your first issue should arrive in 4-6 weeks. While you're there (if you're wedding planning) be sure to check out some of the awesome gifts and favors that are available from WeddingStand.com.

If you're not planning a wedding, bridal magazines are still a treasure trove of ideas for cocktail parties, anniversaries, or fancy dinners.

Enjoy!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

*HOT LIVING SOCIAL DEAL* $20 Amazon Gift Cards for $10


Today's national Living Social Deal is $20 Amazon Gift Cards for only $10. There is a limit of 1 per person and this time you can't buy any as gifts, but this is still a great deal!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Day 18: Eat at Home

I love eating out as much as the next person, but eating out can get so expensive! Especially in DC where the restaurant tax is 10% on top of already expensive meals, a dinner for two easily runs between $30-$50. That's why as our New Year's Resolution, the hubby and I are resolving to eat at home more. While we will still go out for special occasions, we are attempting to cook as much as we can at home.


Tonight we decided to have a romantic at home date night, complete with lasagna and garlic bread. The lasagna cost less than $15 for all the ingredients (including 2 pounds of extra lean ground beef) and we have enough leftovers for a few more meal servings. A dinner at Maggiano's would have easily been triple that amount and far less romantic.

Eating at home not only saves you money, but it's also a chance to spend time with your family and bond. And cooking doesn't have to be a chore! Find new and fun recipes to tryout or challenge yourself to try and come up with a delicious meal with the ingredients you have on hand -- I'm sure you'd be amazed by your creativity.

One of the biggest challenges of cooking at home is ensuring that you have the ingredients you need when you need them. This requires a bit of planning before hitting the grocery store for what meals you will be making and what they require. I always to try to find meals with similar ingredients to cut down on the list.

Soon, I will be posting how to make a menu board for your home, a sample meal plan and shopping list, and some delicious and easy frugal recipes. For now, be sure to check out my Slow Cooker Beef Stew Recipe -- simple, hearty, and so flavorful. 

If you want to start finding great recipes to try out, my go to cook book is the Joy of Cooking. I always tweak them to my own taste, but this provides an excellent starting point.





Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Free Jewelry at Charlotte Russe

All the freebies from Facebook fan pages might be the best thing that's happened to Facebook -- well at least in my opinion.


Head on over to the Charlotte Russe Facebook Page and "like" them. Then click on the free jewelry tab, allow it to access your info (you can remove it later by accessing your privacy settings), then enter in your email and cell number and you'll be able to print out the coupon. It is good for one free piece of jewelry from their 2 for $8 collection (which comprises a whole wall in most stores) with ANY purchase. Coupon expires 3/31/11.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Printable Super Bowl Party Games Pack Review



I am so excited to have been given yet another opportunity to review one of the other printable games products from Python Printable Games. This time I am happy to share with you this set of Super Bowl Home Party Games. For those of you who haven't read my other reviews with this company, Python Printable Games offers different sets of games that you can buy, download and print right from your computer. No waiting!

The Super Bowl Party Games in this pack are a variety of short quizzes that would be entertaining for any age level. We are having a Super Bowl party at our place this year and I will definitely stir up the competitive spirit with our friends over these quizzes. The games pack comes with 15 different games including Super Bowl Trivia, Super Bowl history, and most importantly games for the GIRLS!

Python Printable Games has something for every occasion. If you're interested in seeing what their products are like be sure to check out their FREE printables page.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Day 17: Get Coupons from Free Papers

In the near future, I will share my frugal tips for successful couponing for those who have busy schedules with limited time for coupon matchups and grocery shopping.

In the meantime though, one of the most important parts of couponing is collecting the coupons from each weeks paper, even on the weeks you don't shop, so that when you do plan your list for the store you'll have all the coupons you need.

One of the easiest ways to get extra coupons is to look in copies of the free local papers in your area. They usually will have the Red Plum and P&G inserts, but not the SmartSource. In DC, for example, you can find the inserts in the Northwest Current. A completely free local paper that they leave a stack of copies of in the lobby of our apartment building. The papers also come out on Wednesday, so you can snag some of the coupons well before they come out in the Sunday paper.

Be sure to see if any of your local free papers have these inserts!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Valentine's Smiley Cookies



I recently received the opportunity to review the Valentines Day Cookies from SmileyCookie.com and I am so excited to tell you about this delicious treat!


The heart cookies cookies arrived in an adorable box patterned with the classic Smiley Cookies. The box was colorful and intriguing as to what would be inside. After opening the box, inside were a dozen frosted heart shaped cookies. The cookies were in a plastic container that kept them upright and separated to prevent them from being damaged in transit. Not a single one of my cookies were broken or cracked, they were all perfect. 

The cookies themselves were sugar cookies iced pink with a white face. The icing is a harder type icing and is very sweet. Great with a nice, cold glass of milk. I shared these Heart Cookies with my hubby as a pre-Valentine's Day treat. We still have about half of them left. They are rich and delicious -- a perfect gift for someone with a sweet tooth!

SmileyCookies.com also sells a number of other different styles of Gourmet Cookies and Cookie Gift Baskets. They have ones for baby showers, birthday gifts, pirate cookies, and ones to say "I'm just thinking of you." They also offer gift cards for their yummy treats.

Be sure to check these out next time you need to send a gift and flowers are just too impersonal. The recipient will love them!



I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commissions 16 CFR, Part 255 Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising. Tomoson Product review & giveaway Disclosure.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Day 16: Save Money on Tax Preparation

Now that all those W-2s are starting to roll in, it's time to start thinking about tax season. So many people miss out on important money saving deductions when they're preparing their taxes themselves, but can't or don't want to pay a professional tax preparer.

These software programs walk you through step by step, asking a series of questions aimed to determine whether you qualify for specific deductions and credits. The programs also generally go through to check for errors Last year we used TurboTax to do our taxes and saved over $2000 compared to our local walk-in tax preparer's estimate.

Enter free tax preparation help. If you're looking for help filing your personal income tax forms, specifically if you qualify for a Form 1040EZ, you can find free help for preparing your taxes.


Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Bath & Body Works $0.38 Hand Gel


Bath & Body Works is in the last days of their holiday clearance and items are 75% off! These holiday 1 oz. pocket anti-bacterial gels are only 38¢! Head on over and check out the rest of their clearance.

The Signature Collections Classics are also on sale for $3.

The Black Amethyst Shower Gel (10oz.) is on super sale too for only $2.63.

AND if you use promo code SPECIAL20, you can get an additional 20% off your order or use promo code YELLOW40 to get $10 off your purchase of $40 or more.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

2 Free Biggest Loser Workout Mixes from Subway


In line with my other fitness freebie posts for keeping those New Year's Resolutions alive, be sure to check out this free Biggest Loser and Subway Workout Mix download. Just enter your email and a download of the .zip file will start automatically.

Then be sure to check out Vol. 2 of The Biggest Loser and Subway Workout Mix here. Same deal, enter your email and the download will start automatically.


Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Free Red Dress Pin


Show your support for the American Heart Association and the fight against heart disease. Request your free red dress pin on their Facebook page and wear it with style!

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

Kohl's Savings When You Sign-up for Sale Alerts

Sign up for Kohl's Save Alerts by email and get a coupon for $5 off your next in-store purchase and 10% off your next online purchase. After you enter your email you will get sent your first sale alert. It says that the promote codes will be sent to you by email within 10 days. The Sale Alerts will also include promos, sales and coupon codes.

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy for more information.

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