Connecting Women

Guest Post: 5 Ways to Save... Using a Weekly Menu for Your Family

2012-02-09T15:49:00.000-06:00

Stephanie Nelson

Savvy coupon shoppers prefer to sketch out their weekly meal plans before they start creating their grocery lists. Here are some steps to go after bargains rather than waiting to stumble across them—and get ready to save over 50% or more on your groceries!

1. Scan the week’s calendar to figure out what the family’s plans are. Meals at the table aren’t the only time your family eats. Remember packed lunches, social outings, school events and guests, so that these meals don’t translate into extra trips to the store.

2. Keep an eye on your refrigerator’s perishable items. One study reported that a family of four ends up throwing away an average of $590 of perishable groceries per year such as meat, produce, dairy and grain products. Avoid overbuying perishable items.

3. Check the pantry and freezer for adequate staples on hand for easy convenient meals. Simple meals like pasta, soup, chili, or chicken pot pie, made with items you already have on hand, can save you the expense of that last-minute pizza delivery.

4. Don’t snack on dinner ingredients! Keep munchies around so your family doesn’t graze on the ingredients you plan to use for the main course. Stock up on popcorn, pretzels, fruit, popsicles or crackers.

5. Celebrate “Leftover Night “once a week. Keep any leftovers on one shelf of the refrigerator in clear containers, so you can see what you have to use up.

Stephanie Nelson is the Coupon Mom. Her web site, www.CouponMom.com, has over 5.6 million members, and she is established as the nation’s top expert in couponing across the country. Stephanie has been on every major national television talk show and taught millions how to save money for the past 11 years. She has been called ‘”the rock star of the recession” by the Washington Post and her book, The Coupon Mom’s Guide to Cutting Your Grocery Bills in Half, is a New York Times best seller.

More Coupons to Print!

2012-02-09T15:07:00.000-06:00

Print ALL Coupons!

2012-02-08T15:50:00.002-06:00

Get Coupons

2012-02-03T20:01:00.000-06:00

Resource: thredUP - Kids Clothing Swap

2012-01-21T08:33:00.000-06:00

The thredUP community - where moms swap kids clothes and toys. It’s easier than ever to hand-down outgrown children’s items and earn cashback. Use FREE USPS boxes or Concierge bags to de-clutter without leaving the house. Earn up to $10 for each great box you sell and up to $20 for each bag you stuff and return to us. Pick new boxes that start at just $9 and come full of great kids stuff. The average thredUP box has more than 15 items. It’s the best kids clothing deal anywhere

How does it work?

Gather all the books your child no longer reads, and list them by the boxful on thredUP.
Sign-up for free and thredUP will send you complimentary empty USPS boxes (if you don’t want to wait, go grab them for free at your local post office).
When another mom picks your box of books, thredUP lets you know. thredUP generates the shipping label and scheduldes home pick-up, so you can send books without leaving the house.

It’s even easier than Goodwill and you’ll send your family’s once loved books directly to another child who wants them.

Are You Staying True To Your New Year Resolution?

2012-01-20T13:28:00.000-06:00

Its 2012 and this is the year you’re going get in shape, lose weight, get your finances in order, quit smoking, and organize your hectic life, right? Your coveted smartphone and its handy apps is the tool that will help you do just that and much more!

If you are one of the lucky ones that have made it past the two week mark into the New Year, congrats, but if you are like many American’s that have already fallen off the wagon, we’ve got you covered. Let us help pick you back up and get you back on the right track.

There is an overabundance of apps out there to choose from, Appitalism.com (the mobile app superstore), recommends the following apps to keep you on track and conquer your New Year resolutions.

GymPact (Free for iPhone)

Paying too much for a gym membership you never use? Gym-Pact lets you set the financial stakes of not getting to the gym, plus earn cash rewards and real prizes for fulfilling your Pact. All you need is an iPhone. Make the most of your gym membership!

EverNote (Free for iPhone)

Inducted into the Apple "App Hall of Fame", NY Times "Top 10 Must-Have Apps", Winner of the Best Mobile App Award from TechCrunch and Mashable. Evernote is an easy-to-use, free app that helps you remember everything across all of the devices you use.

SilverWiz ($0.99 for iPhone)

SilverWiz for iPhone allows you to effortlessly manage everything about your personal finances from a single place.

LiveStrong My Quit Coach (Free for iPhone)

MyQuit Coach app creates a personalized plan to help you quit smoking. Through a physician approved, interactive and easy to use app, you’ll evaluate your current status, set attainable goals and adjust preferences according to your needs.

Resource: DailyWorth - Holiday Payoff Giveaway

2012-01-20T08:28:00.001-06:00

DailyWorth is a free daily personal finance email for women. They are giving away to three lucky readers $704, which happens to be the average American spent this past holiday for 2011.

DailyWorth delivers practical tips, empowering ideas, and the occasional kick in the pants. DailyWorth tips cover self worth, net worth, saving, spending, earning, investing, taxes, entrepreneurship, financial feminism, and much more. More than ever, money matters to women. Women need to recognize their own self-worth and build their own wealth. Now women can take control of their finances by signing up for DailyWorth.

Next Week Is Spirit Week At Swagbucks

2012-01-20T08:02:00.000-06:00

Get your pom-poms ready, folks, because starting on Monday, Swagbucks is holding Spirit Week! Every day next week they will be celebrating a different holiday. Each day will be filled with fun, activities, and surprises. They'll be announcing every holiday the evening before in our Swagbucks blog. Make sure you keep track of each day's Swag Codes, as you will need them at the end of the week in order to earn a big, juicy reward. It's the most fun you can have getting your reward points for free stuff.

Resource: Craftsy Block Of The Month

2012-01-19T08:48:00.000-06:00

The Craftsy Block of the Month is a completely free, year-long online class instructed by expert quilter, Amy Gibson. There are 12 installments, each one posted on the first day of every month. The first 10 months/installments teach students two new exciting blocks (brand new designs or funky spins on traditional blocks). The last two months are dedicated to finishing the quilt. At the end of the class, students will have full-size and one-of-a-kind quilts. Like all classes, students can view it whenever it’s convenient for them, and can watch them however many times they’d like. It’s filmed in high-definition, and it’s fully interactive---students can ask questions as they go.

Guest Post: 8 Ways to Defeat Depreciation in Electronics

2012-01-18T14:51:00.000-06:00

Andrea Woroch

There's a big difference between investments and expenses. An investment implies you expect to get some return on your money, while an expense is money you spend and never plan to see again.

Despite the vast difference in money-use methodologies, shoppers tend to get their terminology mixed up. "Investing" in an LCD TV or Blu-Ray player is a misnomer. Just like a new car, these items lose value as soon as you take them for a spin. Though most consumers are already aware of this detail, it doesn't seem to slow their interest when it comes to electronics. The Consumer Electronics Association projects more than $1 trillion in such spending this year, an increase of 5 percent from 2011.

With the Consumer Electronics Show wrapping up last week, tech fanatics everywhere have an itch for the next big thing. If you plan on scratching it, use these tips to help defeat depreciation.

1. Use the News
Nothing kills the excitement of a brand new gadget like discovering a price drop days after you've opened the box. In fact, many holiday shoppers are suffering through this exact scenario, thanks to a recent $100 price drop in several popular tablets. Avoid getting stuck in this predicament by tracking the news on products you're planning to buy. Big cuts are usually announced in advance to help stimulate sales.

2. Read Reviews
User reviews are a great place to start your electronics education. They'll help identify common problems so you can steer clear of troublesome products. Poorly reviewed items are usually the first to plummet in value, since manufacturers need to unload such inventory to make room for new, higher-quality products.

3. Cut the Initial Cost
There's no secret formula to preserving value, but there are plenty of ways to cut the initial costs. Find coupon codes for Dell, Neweggand other popular retailers on such sites as CouponSherpa. When making high-dollar buys, don't shy away from haggling, either. Most items include a certain amount of mark-up, and most managers would rather sacrifice a few dollars than lose the sale altogether. Just make sure you're prepared to buy, if they meet your price.

4. Protect What You've Got
You don't have to coddle your iPad like a newborn, but keeping it protected pays off in the long run. Simple actions like adding a screen protector and case ensures a longer, healthier life for your gadget. It also helps preserve any resale value you hope to get in the future. Don't bother buying brand-name, though. Quality cases, cables and covers are abundantly available online for a fraction of the price.

5. Quality Matters
Though low price-tags can tempt even the most careful consumer, it's best to avoid the cheapest of the cheap. Simple logic should tell you there's a good reason for an item being priced $100 less than its closest counterpart. When you're already laying out a good chunk of change, it's often worth spending a little more for quality. A Forbes.com article notes that Apple products tend to retain their value best, in comparison to other computers and electronics.

6. Wait it Out
At some point you have to put a price-tag on bragging rights. Is making your friends green with envy over your 3D HDTV really worth a few hundred dollars? Electronics are never at a higher price than when they're brand new. Ignore the hype on new releases and give yourself an extra six months before buying. While the waiting seems interminable, you'll get a good understanding of the item's quality and can still keep an eye out for special offers and sales.

7. The Old Switcheroo
One of the best ways to enhance the value of your electronics is making a trade. Your two-year-old HDTV is as good as trash to a major retailer, but someone just upgrading from tube technology would consider it a treasure. Using sites like Swap.com or even Craigslist to trade unwanted items lets you assign your own value and keeps unnecessary waste out of landfills.

8. Beware of Buyback
Many popular merchants now offer buyback programs promoting value preservation for customers. However, some of these programs are quite counterproductive and come with many restrictions. For example, the maximum possible payout from Best Buy's Program is only 50 percent, and that's within the first six months. The retailer's program also requires you pay a fee to participate and discretionary details, like product condition, can significantly detract from the resale value. When considering a buyback program, look for one that doesn't cost extra and provides payment in cash, not just store credit.

Andrea Woroch is a consumer and money-saving expert for Kinoli Inc., and has been featured among such top news outlets as Good Morning America, NBC's Today, MSNBC, New York Times, Kiplinger Personal Finance, CNNMoney and many more.

Guest Post: Using Strategic Shopping

2012-01-18T08:51:00.000-06:00

Stephanie Nelson

CouponMom.com

Strategic Shopping is not about changing the way you eat, it’s about changing the way you buy the food you like. Create customized shopping approaches that save time, allow your family to have tasty and healthy meals—all while cutting your grocery bill in half.

1. Know your prices. Become familiar with the price range of the items you buy most regularly, and then you will know when an item is discounted. Over time you learn when you see a deal, and how to plan purchases for items on sale and using coupons!

2. Know your store savings programs. It’s up to you to educate yourself about stores' savings programs and policies. Go to CouponMom.com to find the weekly deals at a number of national and regional stores, and learn how you can use them to your best advantage.

3. Know your coupons. Coupons are really free money, use them wisely and they’re essentially legal currency. Coupon Mom combines coupons with special deals and offers in your store each week.

4. Stock up on Savings – An item you buy each week goes on sale. The store adds to the discounting possibilities by running a promotion, possibly greater savings if you buy three or more, and then adding coupons. To the Strategic Shopper, it’s time to celebrate! Celebrate by stocking up when off-price opportunities combine for ultimate savings. When prices return to normal, just “shop” from your freezer.

5. Plan to save – The most important element to cutting your grocery spending is planning ahead. An organized shopping list, combined with careful meal planning, and strategic shopping for deals and coupons can cut your grocery bill in half every week!

Stephanie Nelson is the Coupon Mom. Her web site, www.CouponMom.com, has over 5.6 million members, and she is established as the nation’s top expert in couponing across the country. Stephanie has been on every major national television talk show and taught millions how to save money for the past 11 years. Stephanie has been called ‘”the rock star of the recession” by the Washington Post and her book, The Coupon Mom’s Guide to Cutting Your Grocery Bills in Half, is a New York Times best seller.

H&R Block 2012

2012-01-17T21:55:00.000-06:00

You can now go to H&R Block to complete your federal tax return using their online product for free. State returns are an additional fee.

Swag Code Extravaganza This Week!

2012-01-12T08:06:00.001-06:00

Swagbucks is making Friday the 13th a lucky day this week, as they hold a Swag Code Extravaganza, which means more opportunities to get reward points towards free stuff! It starts at 7am Eastern Time - throughout the day there will be 8 different Swag Codes, and if you can get them all, you'll have an extra 60 Swag Bucks in your account.

See you there!

Healthy Child Healthy World Searches for 2012 Mom on a Mission

2012-01-11T19:53:00.000-06:00

Nominations are now open at http://www.healthychild.org/mission to find eight extraordinary parents—one of whom will become our 2012 “Mom on a Mission.” From January through August, Healthy Child will select and honor one finalist each month; in September and October, the general public will vote to choose the winner, who will honored with a grand prize at a gala

event in New York City in November.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary year, Healthy Child Healthy World began in 1992 after five-year-old Colette Chuda died of a rare form of non-hereditary cancer linked to environmental factors. Playing a leadership role in one of the most important public health and environmental movements of the 21st century, today Healthy Child Healthy World ignites the movement that empowers parents to protect children from harmful chemicals. More information can be found at www.healthychild.org.

Ink Garden: 100 Free Business Cards

2012-01-06T08:22:00.000-06:00

Guest Post: Best Items to Buy in January

2012-01-05T13:47:00.000-06:00

Kendel Perez

Getting back to everyday life after a holly-jolly holiday season requires serious adjustments. Instead of cozying up to the fire with a good book, you're stuck analyzing lifeless spreadsheets and sending uninspired emails.

Reintroduction to the 9 to 5 grind combined with a shocking influx of credit card bills often leads to a general refusal to spend money. But stashing credit cards away and vowing not to buy until the weather warms up may actually do more harm than good. According to The Best Time to Buy Guide from FreeShipping.org, certain products are offered at some of the best prices of the year in January.

1. Linens and Bedding
Thanks to decor non-conformists, "white sales" don't carry the same weight they used to. These days designs and patterns are right there with their colorless counterparts. Still, the spirit lives on in the post-holiday discounts you'll find on bedding and linens. Sheets, pillows, towels and more are all marked down to entice even the most practical spender. For advice on how to select linens, consult this article from The Early Show on CBS.

2. Calendars
Finding a good discount on a calendar in January is a no-brainer. With each passing day, calendars loose a little bit of value. Savvy shoppers wait a few weeks into the new year to see prices drop by as much as 70 percent. Selection is sometimes limited, but if you're a fan of extraordinary chickens you'll reap twice the benefits.

3. Gift Cards
Gift cards seem like such a safe present, but somehow there's always an aunt who thinks her college-aged nephew would really benefit from $50 at Pottery Barn. This sort of misguided gift giving has created a huge secondary market for unwanted cards, with inventory at it's highest after the holidays. So before you throw down cash for your next purchase, buy gift cards at a discount and enjoy immediate savings.

4. Motorcycles
If winter weather has forced you to abandon your open-air ride for the confines of a stuffy automobile, feed your desire for two-wheel freedom by shopping for motorcycle parts, accessories or even the whole bike itself. Once the snow finally melts and spring fever strikes, prices climb as more people have a hankering to hit the open road.

5. Perfume
This perennial holiday present usually sees its sales drop after Dec. 25 has passed. However, Feb. 14 isn't far away and demand will rise quickly. While there might still be some good Valentine's Day sales, stocking up on favorite fragrances during the month-long lull should get you some of the best prices of the year.

6. Holiday Supplies
Wrapping paper, lights and inflatable snowmen are all fair game for big savings in January. With nearly another year until the next holiday season rolls around, merchants are desperate to get whatever price they can for remaining red and green inventory. If you pick up some Christmas cards for cheap right now, you'll still have another 11 months to capture the perfect awkward family photo.

7. Video Games
When January arrives, gamers are concluding the mythical quests and top-secret missions they embarked on over Christmas. With no foes left to vanquish, they'll trade in their overplayed titles for something else, meaning more used games on the shelves. Also, many popular titles are targeted for release in the months leading up to the holidays, and such games see a drop in price after the hype has died down.

8. Furniture
Most new furniture models hit stores in February and August, which means leftovers from last year's collection have to go to make room for the latest and greatest. In January, retailers are more willing to wheel and deal to free up precious floor space. And don't hesitate to haggle for an even better price -- try a few of these helpful strategies from WiseBread to hone your skills.

Custom Desktop Calendar Just $1

2012-01-05T13:21:00.000-06:00

Desk Calendar for a $1 plus shipping/handling: USE CODE: DESKSP

Shipping Rates:$4.99 for 1st calendar, $1.99 for each additional calendar.

Guest Post: 6 Things to Consider When Donating Gift Cards to Charity

2011-12-30T15:46:00.000-06:00

Andrea Woroch

The season of giving isn't quite over, as Americans make last-minute deductible donations to a wide variety of non-profits. Unwanted gift cards received during the holidays have happily emerged as a popular contribution, and for good reason.

According to the National Federation of Retailers, eight in 10 consumers bought at least one gift card this year, for what BigResearchestimates is a total of $27.8 billion in sales during the holiday season. Naturally, not all those cards aren't exactly well matched to the recipients, which means a lot of plastic goes unused; thus the trend towards donating unwanted gift cards.

Before you contribute your card, however, here are six caveats to consider.

1. How Much Are You Actually Donating?
What percentage of your gift card will be directed towards the charity's stated purpose and how much towards overhead? Ascertaining this fact may require reading the fine print or contacting the non-profit directly.

2. What is the Minimum Balance You Can Donate?
Some charities will accept any balance, but others don't want the hassle of processing a card that's worth less than $10 or $20.

3. How Will the Charity Use Your Donation?
Gift cards sometimes end up being given directly to the charities clientele, while other non-profits resell the card for a percentage of the face value and use the cash.

4. Should You Simply Resell the Card Yourself?
Not many non-profits accept gift cards, but there's a way you can still make hay out of this sunshine. You can exchange your gift card for cash on such websites as GiftCardGranny.com, then donate the proceeds directly to your preferred recipient.

5. Would the Charity Prefer You Donate Purchased Items?
Check with the non-profit to see if they would rather you purchase groceries, clothing, etc. and donate these items, instead of the cards or cash. If your gift card comes from a merchant selling products the charity doesn't need, some stores allow you to exchange gift cards for those from another store. Look for a kiosk near the cash registers that contains a variety of cards from different merchants.

6. Can You Donate the Gift Card to a Silent Auction?
One way to make sure cash goes directly to a non-profit is to contribute your card as a biddable item for a silent auction. If the buyers are feeling charitable, the non-profit might end up with more than the value of the card.

Andrea Woroch is a consumer and money-saving expert and has been featured among top news outlets such as Good Morning America, NBC's Today, MSNBC, New York Times, Kiplinger Personal Finance, CNNMoney and many more

Guest Post: Getting a New Years Eve Sitter

2011-12-29T23:46:00.000-06:00

Here's what to do if you can or can't find a babysitter for New Years Eve.

Amanda Dundess, Contributor Care.com

When Gina Linss and her husband Alex were invited to a New Year's Eve party last year, they were pretty excited. "It was going to be a really fun party, like the kind we used to go to before having kids," says Linss. But then the couple realized they had a problem that they never encountered in those pre-kids days: No sitter. "All of our babysitters had plans of their own," says Linss. "Even my mother-in-law wanted to go out with her friends."

It's a common problem on this festive night. New Year's Eve is one of the hardest nights to find a sitter, and those who do usually command a premium for working. But having a hum-drum evening at home isn't the answer, says Carol J. Bruess, co-author of What Happy Parents Do. "New Years Eve is a great excuse to have a special time with your spouse," she says. "With a little extra effort and some creativity, your New Year's can be as fun-filled as it was before you had kids." Not sure what to do? Just follow these expert ideas:

Find a new sitter. Okay, so your favorite college sitter has left for December break. But a slew of college kids have just returned to their hometown (aka your hometown), and are likely looking for some holiday cash. Create a new babysitting job post as far in advance as possible and be specific about how late you think you'll stay out -- if you need your z's, you might be home in time for your social sitter to go out too!

Celebrate family-style: If you can't ditch the kids, include them in your plans, says Chelsea Gladden, co-founder of the BreezyMama.com blog. This San Diego-based mom of four has a "New York New Years" celebration with her kids by watching the ball drop on television at 9 p.m. her time. "Then it's off to bed for the kids, and a little champagne toast and some alone time for me and my husband," she says. If you're already on east coast time, Google "London ball drop" and you'll easily find news organizations showing the British festivities at the even more child-friendly hour of 6 p.m. eastern time.

Arrange a babysitting swap: Dying to go out for New Year's but happy to celebrate Valentine's Day on a different date? Ask a friend if she wants to watch your kids on the 31^st and you'll take hers on February 14^th, says Gladden. Get creative - you can also offer up three nights of babysitting in exchange for this big one. For friends who don't mind a New Year's in, it may be worth the trade.

Throw a party for neighborhood kids: No, we don't mean a kegger. But you may find some teenage friends who are willing to babysit together. Arrange to go out with a few friends, leaving all your kids together at one house. Your kids are happy because they're with their friends, the sitters are happy to hang out together, and you're out with your friends - it's a win-win-win situation.

Throw a huge slumber party. The problem with getting together with another family is that you still have to head home early to get the kids to bed, usually well before midnight. "Renting a house with friends lets you keep the party going long after the kids have to go to sleep," says Gladden. "Or, designate one house the 'slumber party' house and let everyone spend the night." If you can hire a sitter to put them all to bed, even better.

Ultimately, that's what Alex and Gina Linss did. "We were invited, along with another family, to a friend's summer house on the Jersey shore," says Gina. "The kids had a blast having a huge sleepover, and we got to hang out and celebrate after they were all asleep." While it wasn't the night they had originally envisioned, it wound up being a lot of fun. "We were so bummed at first to not being going out," says Alex. "But this ended up being our favorite New Year's celebration, and we already made plans to go back this year."

New Years Eve Safety Tips

2011-12-25T08:09:00.000-06:00

New Year’s Eve is a great time to let loose and have fun, but unfortunately, criminals are out there waiting for an opportunity to take advantage.

To help you stay safe this New Year’s Eve, Marcia Peot, full time police officer and Chief Safety Officer at StreetSafe, offers the following safety reminders:

Ø Don’t let your guard down. Holidays, including New Year’s Eve, are not an excuse to throw caution to the wind. Be careful not to leave your drink unattended and don’t become intoxicated.

Ø Stay in groups or use the buddy system – you are more likely to become a target if you are alone. Select a place to meet should you get separated, and check that your buddy got home safely at the end of the night.

Ø Have a plan for how you will get home. Don’t find yourself stranded!

Ø Don’t use the festive atmosphere as an excuse to do something you wouldn’t normally do or put yourself in an unsafe situation.

Ø While out, be careful what you post online. Don’t alert others that you are not at home.

Ø The beaten path is the better path. Don’t take short cuts and familiarize yourself with the area before heading out.

Ø Take extra precautions.

StreetSafe is a new mobile personal security system that uses your smart phone’s GPS technology to instantly connect to help before a situation turns into an emergency. Street Safe’s “Walk with Me” service offers a live connection to a professional Safety Advisor to keep you safe when walking in unfamiliar or threatening surroundings and instant access to 911 if needed.

Guest Post: Holiday Slackers Can Save Too: Last-Minute Shopping Tips

2011-12-22T08:39:00.000-06:00

Andrea Woroch

With just a few days remaining until the holidays, shoppers with gifts left on their list feel the pressure to spend. But even if you've waited until the eleventh hour to pick up those last few presents, you don't have to buy the first thing you see or pay an absurd amount of money.

Check out these shopping tips to stay within budget even when the clock is ticking.

1. Re-gift
It's a dirty secret, but lots of people just put a new bow on an old gift. In fact,AzBusiness.com says 23 percent of U.S. residents re-gift. The most popular repeats are wine, candles and, of course, the perennial fruitcake. For some useful re-gifting do's and don'ts, check out this recent article from ABC News.

2. Free Expedited Shipping
Some retailers will offer free rush shipping in the last few days leading up to the holidays, so check FreeShipping.org for codes before paying expensive overnight delivery charges. While you're there, check out their list of shipping deadlines to find out which retailers can send gifts in time for the holidays.

3. Ship-to-Store Offers
For those who want to avoid long check-out lines of crazed shoppers or the shame of offering your gift post-holiday, quite a few retailers these days -- including Searsand REI -- offer free delivery to their brick-and-mortar stores. Usually, you'll receive an email notification when purchase is ready for pick up. Best Buy even boasts some items can be picked up in under an hour.

4. A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words
Another way to avoid rush charges is to purchase a present online and print out a picture, which you then wrap up for under the tree. After all, it's the thought that counts and your recipient doesn't have to worry about lugging the gift around town.

5. Magazine Subscriptions
There's a magazine for every interest, even for rodent fanciers. (Seriously. There's a magazine called "Rat & Mouse.") Surely you can find a monthly publication desired by that hard-to-buy-for loved one. Websites like Magazines.com and BestDealMagazines.com offer cut-rate deals, and the recipient will never know you paid such a great price.

6. Gift Cards
GIft cards are sold at almost any type of retailer including drugstores, supermarkets and some gas stations. Since most of these will be open late on Christmas Eve and some on Christmas, you can pick one up on your way to the festive holiday celebration. Otherwise, e-gift cards are life savers in a pinch. Send one via email directly to the recipient's inbox or print it from your home computer.

7. Beat the Masses
If in-store shopping is your only option, then don't let the stress of other shoppers get to you. Head to the stores at odd hours to enjoy less crowds and take advantage of last-minute sales. Select locations of stores like Toys R Us will be open 24/7 and others like Macy's, will stay open until 2 a.m. Through Dec. 23, Kohl’s will be open from 6 a.m. to midnight and Best Buy will welcome customers from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

New Coupons.com Coupons

2011-12-21T17:11:00.001-06:00

Resource: ChoozOn - Deals and More...

2011-12-21T08:34:00.001-06:00

ChoozOn brings you deals and offers matched to your current interests, featuring your favorite brands, loyalty programs, deals-of-the-day, private (flash) sales, and the products you may be searching for. Think of us as your personal shopper for deals. Range of deals. We’re working with more than 1500 major national brands, local daily deal services, coupon sites, flash sales, and loyalty programs.

Our Mission – Help busy Moms to get the most value, for the least possible effort, from the brands they love. ChoozOn has just released a beta-test version of its new service, which is open for customers to try out and provide feedback.

Resource: Manilla - Free Online Account & Bill Organizer

2011-12-20T08:28:00.000-06:00

What is Manilla? Manilla is a free web based service that helps consumers better manage all of their household accounts, including financial, utilities, subscriptions and travel rewards programs, in one secure place online. Under a single password, Manilla provides customers with an automated, organized view of all of their account information, text and/or email reminders to pay bills and unlimited storage of account documents that Manilla has seamlessly retrieved for the consumer.

Why is Manilla necessary? Most people have more than 20 different household accounts, including three to four credit cards, several travel and hotel rewards accounts, multiple magazine and newspaper subscriptions, plus cable, phone, and other assorted utility bills. In order to stay on top of all this, people have to manage daily incoming paper mail, an array of online usernames and passwords, and websites in order to access important account information and take action. Manilla seamlessly retrieves all your account information – current balances, previous payments, upcoming bills due – and stores it for you in one secure place. Most importantly, you need only one password to view, manage and organize it all.

FTC:This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Manilla.

Community Coffee: Free Ground Shipping on Orders of $10 or More!

2011-12-19T17:18:00.000-06:00

Trying to finish up all of your holiday shopping? Community Coffee has a GREAT deal going on right now.

Get FREE ground shipping on all orders of $10 or more! Use promo code Rudolph to take advantage of this offer. Free shipping available on ground and USPS standard shipping in the contiguous U.S. Offer valid until midnight, December 21, 2011.

Gift Card Exchange Day Scheduled for Dec. 26

2011-12-19T08:04:00.000-06:00

Gift cards are the most frequently requested gift during the holiday season, yet not all cards are as highly prized as the giver might hope. In fact, an estimated $60 billion worth of gift cards go unredeemed each year.

Rather than toss Aunt Edna's thoughtful present into a dresser drawer, a recipient can bring it out into the fresh air forGift Card Exchange Day. Scheduled for Dec. 26, this one-day online event (developed by the creators of Gift Card Granny) will help consumers exchange their unwanted gift card for cash, or for an Amazon gift card. The date was selected because cardholders typically receive the best rates from resellers who want to encourage sales and restock depleted inventories.

"We also created the holiday as an annual reminder for cardholders," said event founder Luke Knowles. "They're less likely to forget unwanted cards if they have an opportunity to exchange them for cash."

Here's how it works: The day after Christmas consumers can visit GiftCardExchangeDay.com; enter the card value and the merchant's name; click on "Get Offers" and instantly receive bids from companies interested in purchasing the card.

Once the cash arrives, shoppers can either use it to offset their holiday spending or purchase something they really want.

Coupons to Print

2011-12-16T17:40:00.000-06:00

7 Must-Have Holiday Apps

2011-12-15T08:18:00.003-06:00

Whether it's running to the mall for that last-minute gift for Aunt Phyllis or getting the kids' letters mailed to Santa, the holiday season can get quite hectic! appSmitten makes your life easier with a list of must-have apps that will help you get organized and keep you on budget this holiday season.

1. Easy Gift List

An easy way to keep track and budget

Why we like it: All those wish lists and present ideas at your fingertipsPut the old-school, easily-lost pen and paper away because this app is definitely the better way to go. It’s very basic but easy to use – create ‘events’ such as a birthday, anniversary, holidays… then add the person (or people) you need to buy for plus your gift ideas. The app is great because it also lets you set a budget and track your purchases. Now you can have your niece’s and nephew’s clothing and shoe sizes at the ready when you find yourself at the sale rack. Mark the item’s status as ”bought,” “wrapped,” “mailed,” etc. Now if it could only do the shopping for us…FREE on iPhone: http://appsmitten.com/easy-gift-list/

2. Find My Car!

Locate your parking spot

Why we like it: It reminds us of that Seinfeld episode where Kramer loses his car.
Parking at the airport…the shopping mall…the concert arena…can be daunting if you forget to take note of where you parked. Even worse – finding a rental car when you don’t remember what the car looks like! We’ve all been there, walking around in circles. This app solves the problem by noting where you parked (using GPS) and then leading you back to the car when its time to go home. It's a brilliant use of our smartphones!
FREE on iPhone: http://appsmitten.com/find-my-car/3. Postcards from Santa
Imagine their surprise
Why we like it: Personalized cheer from the North Pole! Amazing.

Do you remember writing “Dear Santa” letters and being somewhat disappointed that you never heard back? With this app Santa responds with a personal note written on a postcard that is actually delivered by a U.S. Postal Carrier. Choose your Santa image and app will incorporate your child’s name and hometown in the message. It’s free to download, but costs $1.99 to send. They are too darn cute to resist. Just imagine the surprise to anyone who believes in ol’ St. Nick!

FREE on iPhone and Android: http://appsmitten.com/postcards-from-santa/

4. Pinterest

Visual Inspiration

Why we like it: Easy way capture and sort images that inspire you

Have you discovered Pinterest yet? They say it is the fastest growing phenomenon since Facebook. It took us a while to decipher the name, but it basically means Pin your Interests.

How it works: First you create “boards” or files for you to organize your interests. Then pin an image from anywhere on the web – shoes you want, kitchen-remodeling ideas, food or buildings, any kind of beautiful thing that inspires you. Browse other people’s amazing images and re-pin them to your boards. Whether you use them for wish lists or mood boards, you’ll find it is soooo addictive! With the app, you can pin photos you take with your camera. Add a location and others can find the same awe-inspiring places or things. Appy pinning!

FREE on iPhone: http://appsmitten.com/pinterest

5. Fancy

Beautiful things we love

Why we like it: Get inspired by beautiful things

Similar to Pinterest (why don’t they offer an app for Androids??), Fancy offers “ooohhhing and aaaahhhing” opportunities for the visual amongst us. Browse topic categories: Men’s, Women’s, Kids, Pets, Gadgets, Art, Food, Media and note whether you “Fancy” the images or not. Upload your own images for others to view and vote on. It’s like creating your own personal treasure folder (with followers). From innovative and stylish products to awe-inspiring images, you’ll be Smitten with this one.

FREE for iPhone, iPad, Anroid: http://appsmitten.com/fancy/

6. Red Laser

High Speed Comparison Shopping

Why we like it: You see an item you like but you’re not sure the price is right. Use RedLaser to scan the barcode and it will instantly tell you where else you can find the item and at whatprice including local stores and online retailers.
What can you do with a barcode? In addition to finding your favorite beer, shampoo or diaper brand cheaper, you can even see if your local library branch has a book and whether it is checked out. Don’t have a bar code? No problem. Type the brand you are looking for into RedLaser’s search box and instantly see online and local retailers who have the product, complete with easy access to the store’s web site, phone number and location. Comparison shopping has never been easier or more rewarding.

FREE on iPhone and Android: http://appsmitten.com/redlaser/

7. The Find

Simple, savvy shopping

Why we like it: More efficient internet and catalog shopping

We’re all bombarded with mailer coupons, catalogs and online discounts but they never seem to be there when you need them. With the Find, you can scan any barcode to see if another store is offering the same item for less money. Plus, browse hundreds of catalog like J.Crew, Athleta, Godiva or The Land of Nod. It shows you the items visually with prices attached for quick viewing. This app helps you stop the ‘hemming and haawing’ so you can just buy the darn thing already!

FREE on iPhone and Android: http://appsmitten.com/the-find/

About the Brand:

appSmitten helps iPhone, iPad and Android users discover, share and purchase great mobile apps. Each day, they deliver one recommendation to your inbox, highlighting apps that will make your life more productive, connected and fun. Sign up for a free daily (or weekly if you prefer) app recommendation delivered directly to your inbox at www.appSmitten.com.

Air Optix Free Trial Certificate

2011-12-14T08:42:00.000-06:00

Resource: Couptivate - No More Missed Daily Deals

2011-12-13T17:42:00.000-06:00

Book Clubs to be Acknowledged by Author

2011-12-09T18:20:00.000-06:00

Ellen Meister, author of THE OTHER LIFE is doing something really fun for Book Clubs! She just launched a program to thank book club members by name in the acknowledgments section of her next book. She has a Book Club Guestbook on her site now and anyone in a book group that read or plans to read THE OTHER LIFE is free to sign up. All they need to do is visit her site at http://www.websitetoolbox.com/guestbook/ellenmeister and fill out the form.

Donald Faison, Kristen Johnston and Wayne Knight in New TV Land Series

2011-11-27T08:11:00.000-06:00

A cute new show from TV Land, premiering Nov. 30 – THE EXES is a comedy about three divorced men—newly single Stuart (David Alan Basche), ladies’ man Phil (Donald Faison), and satirical homebody Haskell (Wayne Knight)—sharing an apartment across the hall from their female divorce attorney, never-been-married Holly (Kristen Johnston), who also happens to be their landlord.

Some great sitcom stars are getting back in the spotlight with this series (Faison from “Scrubs,” Johnston from “3^rd Rock from the Sun,” and Knight of “Jurassic Park” and “Hot in Cleveland” fame), and hilarity is set to ensue all season with such an awkward living situation in place.

The Exes
Get More: 'Like' on Facebook,The Exes Video Clips,The Exes

Half of American Workers Will Shop Online at Work this Holiday Season - CareerBuilder Internet Usage Survey

2011-11-26T23:59:00.000-06:00

Cyber Monday broke online sales records last year, and according to CareerBuilder’s latest survey, the trend may be poised to continue. Fifty percent of American workers plan to spend time holiday shopping online at work this season – down slightly from 52 percent last year. Of these workers, 34 percent will spend one hour or more shopping (up from 27 percent in 2010) and 16 percent will spend two or more hours (up from 13 percent in 2010).

The survey – conducted August 16 through September 8, 2011, among 4,384 workers and 2,696 employers – points to a larger trend of increased, non-work related Internet activity met with steadily tightening online policies on the employer side. Half of U.S. companies monitor Internet and email use of employees, which is up from 47 percent last year.
“Most companies assume their employees use some of their break time on the Internet for shopping, checking social networks, and other general browsing, but when it starts adding up, workers need to be aware of company policies and any potential consequences,” said Rosemary Haefner, vice president of human resources at CareerBuilder. “With more companies limiting or restricting online activity, e-shopping season is as good a time as any to be mindful of our Internet usage at work.”

General Internet Usage
Two-thirds (65 percent) of workers spend at least sometime conducting non-work related web searches in a typical workday; 22 percent find themselves conducting non-work related web searches.
• 22 percent of employers have fired someone for using the Internet for non-work related activity – on par with 2010.
• 7 percent of human resource managers surveyed have fired an employee for holiday shopping.
• 54 percent of employers block employees from accessing certain websites – up from 50 percent in 2010.

Social Media Usage
More than half (56 percent) of workers on social networks check their profiles during their typical work days – up from 49 percent in 2010. Of this group, around one in seven spends at least one hour a day browsing.

Workers need to be especially careful of what they post about their company publicly.
• One-third (32 percent) of employers prohibit employees from communicating about the company on social media.
• 25 percent of employers report adopting stricter policies during the last year in regard to employees communicating about company on social media.

Personal Email Usage
Sixty-one percent of workers send non-work related emails during their typical workday – up slightly from 59 percent in 2010. Nineteen percent send more than five personal emails a day.
• 28 percent of employers monitor emails – on par with 2010.
• 8 percent of employers report having fired someone for non-work related emails.

Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the U.S. by Harris Interactive© on behalf of CareerBuilder among 2,696 U.S. hiring managers and human resource professionals and 4,384 U.S. workers (employed full-time, not self-employed, non-government) ages 18 and over between August 16 and September 8, 2011 (percentages for some questions are based on a subset, based on their responses to certain questions). With pure probability samples of 4,384 and 2,696, one could say with a 95 percent probability that the overall results have a sampling error of +/-1.48 and +/-1.89 percentage points, respectively. Sampling error for data from sub-samples is higher and varies.

A FREE $10 Bonus Card with Purchase of Every $50 in Applebee's Gift Cards

2011-11-21T08:28:00.000-06:00

With Applebee's Gift Cards, holiday bonuses are not a thing of the past.

Applebee's today announced the return of a FREE $10 Bonus Card for the 2011 gift-giving season. With the purchase of every $50 in Applebee's Gift Cards, in-restaurant guests receive a $10 Bonus Card -- a 20 percent value. Applebee's Bonus Cards are available only in participating Applebee's restaurants for a limited time.

Expert sources predict a robust season for Gift Cards. Gift cards continue to be one of the most popular holiday gifts with 62 percent of people saying they plan to buy a gift card this holiday season, according to a recent Consumer Reports Holiday Shopping Poll. Additionally, 44 percent of respondents feel that getting a good deal is more important than it was last year. Applebee's was recently named tops for overall value in an annual consumer restaurant chain survey conducted by Market Force Information.

"Giving Applebee's Gift Cards is a sure hit because of their value and the experience they create for family and friends," said Bridget Moen, director, gift cards, Applebee's Services, Inc. "You can treat your friends and family to a memorable meal in the neighborhood and pass along, or keep, the bonus card."

Applebee's Gift Cards are available in a variety of different styles and themes, including patriotic, holiday, sports and Girls' Night Out. Applebee's Gift Cards are accepted at nearly 1,800 U.S. locations, have no expiration dates, no hidden fees (such as inactivity charges) and offer an easy way to check card balances online.

Bonus Cards will be available at participating Applebee's through Dec. 31, 2011 and are redeemable through Feb. 19, 2012.

For more information about Applebee's Gift Cards with Bonus Cards, visit your neighborhood Applebee's or www.applebees.com.

savings: Give The Gift of Tea

2011-11-20T17:26:00.000-06:00

SP E C I A L HOLIDAY SAVINGS !

SAVE 20% on orders at www.itoen.comtoen.com. Simply add this code at checkout: HOLIDAYBLOG
**Offer good to December 31, 2011. Excludes shipping.

Check Them Out: Bonus Saves

2011-11-04T08:47:00.000-05:00

Today's Save: Scarves.com

Today's Save:$15 for $30 worth of fashionable scarves from Scarves.com

Bonus Save: Target and Restaurant.com

Great Gift:$26 for both a Target Gift Card and a Restaurant.com Gift Card - Back by popular demand!

Bonus Save: Ortega Publishing

Today's Save:$21 for two personalized Disney storybooks, shipping included ($42 value)

Bonus Save: KiDSBrowse

Today's Save:$5 for KiDSBrowse online protection software ($20 value)

Bonus Save: Hotel Finisterra in Cabo San Lucas

Holiday travel:$199 for a four-night stay at Hotel Finisterra in Cabo San Lucas (up to a $748 value)

Bonus Save: ezprints

Today's Save:$25 for a custom photo puzzle and set of playing cards from ezprints.com, plus free shipping ($49.98 value)

Bonus Save: Vice Couture

Today's Save:$15 for a set of noise-reducing earbuds from Vice Couture ($49.99 value), plus free shipping!

Bonus Save: My Candy Crafts

Today's Save:$12 for $24 worth of baking and candy-making supplies from MyCandyCrafts.com

Bonus Save: Eat Cleaner

Today's Save:$17 for Eat Cleaner's all-natural produce cleaner kit ($37 value)

Bonus Save: Ticings

Top this:$16 for $36 worth of gluten-free cupcake and cake toppers from Ticings

New Year's Eve 2011 Headliners Ball

2011-11-03T16:44:00.000-05:00

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
WHERE: Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave., NW

The Newseum's Headliners Ball is big news for New Year's Eve. If you missed last year's bash, you won't want to be left out in the cold this New Year's Eve. The evening includes entertainment from Round Midnight, dance jams from DJ Scientific Beats and access to Newseum exhibits.

Tickets: $180 per person; after Dec. 1, $195 per person
Includes open bar (8 p.m. to 2 a.m.), light snacks and champagne toast at midnight.

For details and packages click here.

General public questions please call 202/292-6100.

Free Admission for Veterans Nov. 11-13

2011-11-01T08:04:00.000-05:00

The Newseum will offer free admission to members of the military and their families on Veterans Day weekend, Friday, Nov. 11 to Sunday, Nov. 13. Active and retired members of the military and up to three family members are invited to visit the Newseum as the country pauses to recognize their service.

To take advantage of the offer, service members should present military IDs or another form of military-service credentials, or wear their uniforms. No IDs will be required for family members. Tickets will be available only at the Newseum admission desk on the day of the visit and are valid Nov. 11 to 13. For more information, visitnewseum.org.

Programs and events for this special weekend:
Friday, Nov. 11 What: Gallery Talks When: 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Where: Time Warner World News Gallery

Saturday, Nov. 12
What: Collection Connection
When: 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Where: The New York Times--Ochs-Sulzberger Family Great Hall of News

What: "Inside Media" with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Willman, author of "The Mirage Man: Bruce Ivins, the Anthrax Attacks and America's Rush to War"
When: 2:30 p.m.
Where: Documentary Theater

Sunday, Nov. 13
What: Gallery Talks
When: 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Where: Time Warner World News Gallery
What: "Inside Media" with CNN Pentagon correspondent Chris Lawrence
When: 2:30 p.m.
Where: Documentary Theater

Free Admission for Veterans and their families is made possible by Altria Group.

Guest Post: The Do's and Don'ts of Layaway Plans

2011-10-31T08:48:00.000-05:00

Andrea Woroch

Would you rather put holiday spending on your credit card or pay for it through a layaway program? Many Americans are opting for the latter, helping retrench these time-honored payment plans.

Walmart, Sears, Best Buy and TJ Maxx are just a few of the major merchants now offering layaway. In fact, Toys 'R Us has expanded its layaway program to include most toys, rather than just the big-ticket items.

Layaway nearly vanished before the recession, as credit card use grew in prominence. Stores preferred we swipe away because it was easier than handling all that paperwork. But with consumers leery of facing too much holiday debt -- and threatening to spend less this year in stores -- retailers began using layaway as a means of luring us back.

While this all sounds well and good, there are problems related to such programs. Here are a few "Do's" and "Don'ts" you should consider before making the leap.

Do Dissect the Fine Print
You'll have to sign a contract or layaway initiation form, which naturally contains a lot of vital information you could easily overlook. Don't let a long line or impatient clerk rush you through checking each detail so you know what to expect.

Do Consider Whether it's Worth the Origination Fee
There's a fair amount of paperwork, processing and labor involved in layaway plans, so stores charge a start-up fee for each order. Consider the amount of that charge is worthwhile compared to the overall total of your purchase.

Do Decide if You Really Need This Item
Should something happen and you decide not to go through with all payments, you'll likely have to pay a fee of roughly 25 to 30 percent of the total price of the layaway plan. That's a hefty fine for changing your mind, so make sure you really want the item before placing it on layaway.

Do Compare all Fees vs. Credit Card Charges
Add up the potential costs and consider whether you'd be better off placing a purchase on a credit card. According to a New York Times op-ed by Cornell professor Louis Hyman, a typical shopper could wind up paying far less interest by using a credit card, even if it has a fairly high APR. Plus, a credit card gives you purchase protection and, with some companies, price protection.

DON'T

Don't Ignore the Internet
Don't let a sale combined with a layaway plan talk you into buying before researching your options. You'll often find better deals online and it's a lot easier to comparison shop with your mouse. Search for promo codes to use toward your coveted item, and then compare the total cost of the online purchase to what you'd ultimately pay by putting it on layaway.

Don't Neglect Your Expiration Date
There's a limit to how long Walmart will store your stuff. As with other stores, they want to move it before Christmas, so check to ensure you have enough time and cash to pay the entire debt off on time or you'll forfeit everything you've already paid. Mark that date on your calendar and make sure you make all payments before it hits.

Don't Forget About Automatic Withdrawals
Some merchants prefer to set-up automatic checking-account deductions, ostensibly to save you the hassle of coming in to make each payment. In actuality, it's just another way to make sure they get their money. Should one of those payments bounce, however, you'll be socked with a healthy overdraft fee from both the merchant and your bank. Once again, mark on your calendar the date each deduction will be made, so you can double check the balance in your account.

Don't Layway When You Can Pay
It's hard to part with cash during the holidays, when other expenses build up, but the fees you incur with a layaway plan aren't always worth it if you can pay cash now and avoid the hassle.

Andrea Woroch is a consumer and money-saving expert for Kinoli Inc.

Stevie Awards for Women in Business Nov. 11th NYC

2011-10-30T08:38:00.000-05:00

For your Business Event Listings, we thought your readers might like to know that the highly anticipated 8^thAnnual Stevie Awards for Women in Business (www.stevieawards.com/women) event will take place at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square on Friday, November 11.

This competition illuminates the accomplishments of outstanding women executives, entrepreneurs, and the organizations they run. Entrepreneur and star of Bravo’s hit reality show, Real Housewives of New York,Ramona Singer will be amongst the distinguished group of Women in Business to accept a Stevie Award.

8^th Annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business

Date: Friday, November 11, 2011

Time: 5:30PM

Where: Marriott Marquis in Times Square

For a complete list of 2011 finalists by category, visit: www.stevieawards.com/women.

Tickets for the event are on sale now at www.stevieawards.com/women.

Getting to Know (and Like) the Social Mom

2011-10-29T08:35:00.002-05:00

Nielsen’s recent Women of Tomorrow study highlighted not only the growing influence women have on purchasing decisions, but also provided insight into their behavior across social media. A key finding from this research illustrates that “social moms” (defined as females with at least one child who actively participate in social networking) are quite influential. A new study by NM Incite and Nielsen provides additional context on social mom’s content trends, shopping tendencies and overall social media engagement.

How Social Moms Access Content
The social mom is highly active in accessing social networks via mobile devices. Fifty percent of all moms actively participating in social media access platforms via mobile devices, in comparison to 39 percent of females overall, and 37 percent of the overall population in general.

How Social Moms Shop
Social moms tend to be cost-conscious, being 56 percent more likely to download coupons than the general population. They are also more likely to shop online for CPG products than other product categories, with the research showing that 86 percent are more likely to shop online for cosmetics than the general public, as well as skincare products (85%), hair care goods (74%) and fragrances (68%).

Social Moms: Likes and Dislikes
The growing influence of women and moms is increasingly apparent, and so too is their level of activity in social media. Moms who actively participate in social media are 81 percent more likely to become a fan of or follow a brand online, 86 percent more likely to post a status update, and 84 percent more likely to comment or post content than the general population. The research also shows that social moms definitely aren’t shy in sharing their advice and reviews of products with others. This segment is 85 percent more likely than the general population to share frequent advice about beauty and cosmetic products, 28 percent more likely to provide frequent advice about online shopping/e-commerce and 6% more likely to post a product review online.

Source: Link: http://blog.nielsen.com/nielsenwire/online_mobile/getting-to-know-and-like-the-social-mom/

Women & Diversity at OWS

2011-10-28T08:54:00.000-05:00

Reporter, Sarah Seltzer, spent five days observing working group meetings, sitting in on GAs, and interviewing women on their role in the movement, sexism they've experienced and how the movement has dealt with it and the issue of diversity and inclusion. It's really strong original reporting on an issue that hasn't gotten the attention it deserves. To read more about it, click here.

Enter Pillsbury's Rookie Bake Off!

2011-10-27T16:51:00.000-05:00

Grab your aprons and start your ovens! Pillsbury´s first-everRookie Bake-Off® Challengehas just begun!

The Rookie Bake-Off® Challenge consists of six weekly challenges, each providing you with a chance to win $500, 5 doable new recipes to vote on and use each week, and even inspiration from guest bloggers!

To enter for your chance to win each week, visit BakeOff.com to check out the weekly challenge and submit your entry! Just keep in mind...

The whole shebang! Submit a recipe, story, and photo.
A quick fix! Prep time in 30 minutes or less.
A lot for a little! Five ingredients, including at least one Pillsbury refrigerated dough product.
All that and more! Keep in mind creativity, consumer appeal, appearance, and include an inspiring story.

To find more information and contest rules, visit BakeOff.com.

Shoe Carnival Surprise Savings

2011-10-26T08:42:00.000-05:00

Glade Coupons to Print

2011-10-25T08:02:00.000-05:00

Resource: The Must Have Breast Cancer Apps- Appitalism

2011-10-24T08:26:00.000-05:00

With Breast Cancer Awareness Month coming to a close, I wanted to point out some apps surrounding this great cause.

With a little help from technology and folks over at Appitalism.com, the mobile app superstore, here are the most helpful apps that are free to download on your iPhone.

Below are Appitalism’s top 5 Breast Cancer Awareness apps that every woman should have to help stay update on everything associated with Breast Cancer.

Keep a Breast (Free on iPhone)
This app is designed to help you prevent breast cancer. It teaches you how to give yourself a breast exam at home and set up an automatic exam reminder. It also helps you educate yourself on facts of breast cancer.

Breast Health GPS (Free on iPhone)
This app uses your GPS signal and locates the nearest certified mammogram screening center. It also includes access to their website with more information, advice, and phone wallpapers.

Your Man Reminder (Free on iPhone)
This app is similar to “Keep a Breast,” except that it’s designed to have an attractive man tell you to check your breasts. This is more of a fun way to remind you about breast cancer prevention, as well as including instructions and information.

Breast Cancer: Beyond the Shock (Free on iPhone)
This is a resource, first and foremost, designed to provide more information for those who were diagnosed with breast cancer or have a loved one who was. This is a resource for information, as well as inspirational thoughts and stories if you need a boost.

Breast Cancer Diagnosis Guide (Free on iPhone)
This app is designed with those who have breast cancer in mind. It has medical illustrations, personalized articles, and other helpful information. It walks you through the reports and the tests, so you’ll know what’s going on.

I hope these apps are very useful to your readership! For any additional information or if you would like to speak with Simon Buckingham, CEO of Appitalism, please feel free to contact me at 646-278-0759 or nweatherhead@5wpr.com. I’d be more than happy to arrange and coordinate an interview.

TODAY.com's DIY Style Week & Contest! Oct. 24-28

2011-10-23T19:26:00.000-05:00

TODAY.com, the online home of America’s No. 1 morning program, kicked off TODAY DIY Style Week (October 24-28) today with creative do-it-yourself projects from leading style experts, including TODAY style editor Bobbie Thomas. TODAY DIY Style Week showcases the rise of DIY style and offers viewers “how to” tutorials for making their own jewelry, fashion and technology accessories.

TODAY DIY Style Week features the following DIY tutorials on TODAY.com:

· Monday: Bobbie Thomas, TODAY style editor. See how to make foiled fashion.

· Tuesday: Eric Domesek, PS I Made This. Learn how to make an iPad cover.

· Wednesday: Geneva Vanderzeil, A Pair and A Spare. Find out the simple steps for making a scarf watch.

· Thursday: Kristen Turner, Glitter ‘n Glue. Get the scoop on how to make a faux fur collar.

· Friday: Jenni Radosevich, I Spy DIY. See the simple steps for making rhinestone earrings.

TODAY.com is searching for the next DIY star. Viewers can enter the TODAY DIY Style Week Challenge now through Friday, October 28, 2011 at 5 p.m. (ET). Viewers can submit photos and videos of their best DIY fashions and related accessories by going to TODAY.com. The best submission will win a DIY prize from TODAY style editor Bobbie Thomas and a DIY tutorial on TODAY.com. The winner will be announced on TODAY.com on Tuesday, November 1.

"Style is the way you speak to the world without words," said Bobbie Thomas, TODAY style editor. “This modern view of self-expression encourages everyone to not only be unique, but resourceful. The mantra, rethink, reuse, and reinvent is great not only for the environment, but your bank account. Why wouldn’t you want to DIY?”

“We’re very excited to host such a talented lineup of DIY style bloggers,” said Rina Raphael, TODAY.com style editor. “We hope to inspire readers to get creative and share their unique, personal projects with our online community.”

In addition to the DIY tutorials and DIY style slideshows, consumers can share information about the series using the hashtag: #DIYWeekTODAY as well as through the TODAY Facebook page, TODAY Style Pinterest, and TODAY Tumblr pages.

The week-long series of DIY tutorials, photos, videos and more can be found at TODAY.com as well as TODAY's Facebook andTwitter pages. Consumers can find complete details on and enter the TODAY DIY Style Week Challenge by visiting TODAY.com.

Chili's Free Chips & Queso

2011-10-20T08:11:00.000-05:00

Six Free Fall Products from Vistaprint

2011-10-19T08:09:00.000-05:00

Resource: ShopSanity

2011-10-19T08:01:00.000-05:00

Are you someone that shops online and is always digging through your emails to find shopping receipts to make returns or shipment confirmations to see when packages will arrive? Do you ever make purchases and think maybe I should have waited until this item went on sale? If so, ShopSanity has come out with a great new tool that will make shopping easier - and guess what moms… it’s FREE and the sign could not be easier (just 2 clicks)! Sign up for ShopSanity.com now to:

See all of your purchases in one location so you can:

See when a package will arrive
Lookup details about any purchase
Print a receipt for a return
Save money by receiving alerts such as price changes (notifies you when purchases you have made go on sale so you can contact the retailer about getting cash back), shipment changes (including backorders and delays)
And much more! Get started now!

Save 15% Off Any Holiday Gift Set on Community Coffee

2011-10-18T22:25:00.000-05:00

It's beginning to look a lot like the holidays on CommunityCoffee.com! Get 15% off any order that contains a gift set now through Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011. Use promo code GIFTSET to take advantage of this limited time offer.

Coupon Sherpa: 5 Practical Lessons from "Extreme Couponing" Season 2

2011-10-17T08:18:00.000-05:00

With all the hoopla about TLC's first season of "Extreme Couponing," it's no wonder Season Two is eagerly awaited by many fans. Starting Wednesday, the maniacs of the supermarket aisles take to American TV screens once again to show shoppers how it's done.
Thanks to a bit of a sneak peak, Coupon Sherpa offers practical advice based on a selection of Season Two topics.

1. Shelf Clearing
No matter what the extremists say, clearing a shelf of every item is just plain rude. Sure it's okay to go for big bargains, but it's also important to remember the lesson we all learned about "sharing" in nursery school.

2. Teach Your Children
Another couponer teaches her college-bound son a few tricks of the trade. What a great way to ensure the next generation learns frugal lessons before it's too late! If you want to extend this courtesy to your children, make it relevant by encouraging use of both print and online coupons.

3. Building on a Dream
Do you get the feeling TLC learned the public wasn't too crazy about the hoarding aspects of couponing? This season focuses on more than filling your home with endless boxes of toothpaste. One segment in Season Two tells of a couponer with the worthy goal of building a dream home with coupon savings.

4. Feeding the Masses
Is it possible to feed 280 wedding guests on just $150? Apparently one woman is giving it a shot this season, but thankfully your family's food requirements are likely more manageable. In addition to using coupons for groceries, avoid paying too much by reading 8 Overpriced Grocery Items to Skipfrom SavvySugar.com.

5. Share the Savings
A featured couponer this season feeds both her family of seven and 200 fellow parishioners on just $100 a month. Now there's a good lesson. Extreme couponers often get a bad rap, but most of these thrifty consumers donate part of what they purchase. Read up on these rockstars to renew your faith in the practice.

You're invited to Poetically Speaking--A Night of Poetry!

2011-10-16T08:00:00.001-05:00

You don't want to miss this! Poetically Speaking is an annual event that showcases the poetic and spoken word skills of teen girls in and around the Boston area.

You're Invited!

When:

Thursday, November 10, 2011
6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Where:

Bill Bordy Auditorium, Emerson College
216 Tremont St., Boston, MA

Admission is FREE. Please RSVP by emailing Saun Green at saun@teenvoices.com your name, address, and school. If you are coming with more than 10 people or an organization, please send the names of all attendees and/or the name of your organization, and the staff person who will be attending with you.

Space is limited and the event sells out fast so please RSVP by November 8, 2011!

10 Retailers That Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month

2011-10-15T08:08:00.001-05:00

by

Andrea Woroch

If every month of the year was assigned a color, then pink would surely belong to October. Breast Cancer Awareness Month turns even the manliest organizations (think National Football League) into pink-laden landscapes, all in support of breast cancer research.

One way consumers can show their support is by shopping for the cause. Many popular retailers and brands are currently offering products with some or all of the proceeds going to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. For a more comprehensive list of participants, consult the organization's Corporate Partners page.

1. Yoplait
As the National Series Presenting Sponsor of the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, Yoplait's signature pink lids are one of the most visible reminders of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. With their Save Lids to Save Lives campaign, the yogurt manufacturer will donate 10 cents for each pink lid received.

2. Belk
Belk is one of Susan G. Komen for the Cure's nine highest-level sponsors and have committed to donating $3 million in three years. One of their featured brands, Ralph Lauren, also contributes 10 percent of the proceeds from their Pink Pony line to breast cancer awareness.

3. Dallas Cowboys
Speaking of the NFL, the Dallas Cowboys show their support by sporting pink accessories such as gloves and shoes during October games. Their "I Promise" campaign encourages players, fans and others to raise awareness and donate funds to the fight against breast cancer. The cause is especially dear to linebacker Bradie James, who lost his mother to the disease in 2001.

4. Ford
The all-American car manufacturer shows its softer side with the Warriors in Pink campaign. Launched in 2006 as a 365-day commitment to the cause, the campaign contributes to Ford's national sponsorship of Race for the Cure. Apparel and accessories are available to women, men and kids, with 100 percent of net proceeds going to the cause.

5. Kitchenaid
This year, Kitchenaid celebrates 10 years of fundraising for Susan G. Komen, having already raised over $8 million with itsCook for the Cure campaign. In addition to their Pink Product Collection, Kitchenaid has a special 10th Anniversary stand mixer for the compassionate cook.

6. Mobile Edge
Through their Caring Case Collection, Mobile Edge offers stylish laptop totes with pink accents, including the symbolic breast cancer ribbon. Ten percent of the Collection's sales go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure. This month, Mobile Edge is offering a free shipping code and complimentary water bottle with each Caring Case Collection purchase.

7. Nordstrom
As part of the Nordstrom Fits America campaign, the high-end retailer provides complimentary bra fittings from certified experts for women nationwide. Nordstrom will also donate $1 of every bra purchased at fittings, with participating bra manufacturers also pitching-in $1.

8. American Airlines
American Airlines' commitment to the fight against breast cancer is exemplified by its 23-year partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Their AA Komen Gift Cards, Miles for the Cure, Fly for the Cure and AA Celebrity Golf and Tennis Weekend are just some of the programs offered by the airline.

9. Sephora
Sephora's Beauty That Gives Back campaign offers pink-ribbon products from several brands, each committed to donating a portion of proceeds to raising awareness for breast cancer. Some of the top brands participating include Clinique, Shiseido and Ole Henriksen. Pay nothing for delivery when you spend over $50 and use Sephora free shipping codes from sites like FreeShipping.org.

10. Caribou Coffee
Roastmaster Amy Erickson, who died at the age of 33 from breast cancer, is the inspiration behind Caribou Coffee's Amy's Blend Collection. Ten percent of retail sales from the Collection's gourmet coffee and tea, as well as mugs and other accessories, go directly to the cause.

Win $15K in Prizes from the THQ uDraw Your City Art Contest!

2011-10-14T08:34:00.001-05:00

From historic Beacon Hill, the ageless Green Monster at Fenway Park, fall leaves in vibrant colors, and to crew boats gliding through the Charles River, Boston brims with landmarks that define it. In fact, unique inspiration can be found in every community, all over the country.

Inspired by this, uDraw Your City has launched a nationwide art contest, in which young artists ages 6 to 17 years old have the opportunity to share what they love most about their city through art. Contestants can use a uDraw GameTablet to illustrate what they love most about their city - though entries may also be created in traditional print formats using any artistic medium.

THQ and uDraw invite kids to embrace their artistic inspiration and to share "what your city, your town, or your community means to you." Maybe it's the silhouette of your favorite building, a drawing of your friends at the park, or a stencil of your favorite local athlete.

The submission period runs through October 31, and the grand prize winner will receive a package worth more than $15,000, including a uDraw, and a $10,000 cash prize that the winner can choose to apply toward a college scholarship. Additionally, THQ will donate $10,000 to the winner's school of choice to help support its art program. Entries are judged on artistic merit (based on age group), creativity, and adherence to the overall city theme.
Click here to learn more and enter!

Resource: Credit Sesame

2011-10-13T12:34:00.000-05:00

Credit Sesame is a 100% free personal finance credit and debt management tool with no credit card required or trial period. Credit Sesame makes managing personal credit online, owing less in interest and saving on mortgage, loan and credit card payments easy! Credit Sesame makes managing personal credit online, owing less in interest and saving on mortgage, loan and credit card payments easy! It gives an instant view of consumer's credit, including Experian credit score, refreshed monthly for free, and debt analysis with personalized offers tailored to consumer’s credit profile.

Catalyst Study Explodes Myths About Why Women’s Careers Lag Men’s

2011-10-13T08:41:00.000-05:00

Common wisdom about advancing in the workplace is straightforward: let your boss know you’re ready for that challenging assignment. Make your career ambitions and willingness to put in the requisite time and effort clear. Don’t just build a relationship with your boss; make sure to build one with your boss’ boss as well.

Sounds like good advice. But according to Catalyst’s latest report, The Myth of the Ideal Worker: Does Doing All the Right Things Really Get Women Ahead?, men benefit from these strategies far more than women.

In fact, this report, which studied high potentials in the executive pipeline, reveals that while “doing all the right things” to get ahead works well for men, being proactive did not provide as great an advantage for women.

“This study busts the myth that ‘Women don't ask.’ In fact, they do! But it doesn't get them very far. Men, by contrast, don't have to ask. What's wrong with this picture?” said Ilene H. Lang, President & CEO, Catalyst.

According to the report, which studied commonly used career strategies, the strategies adopted by high-potential women had little bearing on the rate at which they advanced to leadership. Conversely, men who applied the most proactive career strategies advanced further than other men.

Regardless of chosen career strategy, the study shows that men outpace women in rate of advancement and compensation growth—starting with a $4,600 gap in their first post-MBA jobs which widens to $31,258 mid-career, according to Catalyst’s 2008 survey. Key findings include:

Women seem to be paid for proven performance—women who changed jobs two or more times post-MBA earned $53,472 less than women who rose through the ranks at their first job.
In contrast, men seem to be paid for potential—men who had moved on from their first post-MBA job earned $13,743 more than those who stayed with their first employer.
Across all career profiles, men were more likely to reach senior executive/CEO positions than women; in the most proactive category, 21% of men advanced to leadership compared with 11% of women.

The report effectively explodes persistent gender gap myths that continue to hold women back:

Women DO “ask,” but asking doesn’t close the gender pay or position gap. After their first post-MBA jobs, there were no gender differences in whether or not high potentials negotiated for greater compensation (63% of women vs. 54% of men) or for a higher position when beginning their current job (19% of women vs. 17% of men). Even though these women negotiate for more when they change jobs, our research shows that women’s compensation growth was faster when they remained with the same employer, where they had proven performance, than when they started with a new employer, who paid based on potential.
Women are not seeking out slower career tracks. According to the study findings, women are less satisfied than men with their career growth. If women were intentionally seeking slower tracks, we would expect them to be as satisfied as men despite their slower advancement.
The same strategies don’t work equally well for men and women. Women must adopt strategies different from their male colleagues’ to advance their careers. When women were proactive in making their achievements known, they advanced further, increased their compensation growth, and were more satisfied with their careers. They also advanced further when they proactively networked with influential others. Making their achievements known did not impact men’s careers. Rather, gaining access to influential others also helped men advance, and indicating a willingness to work long hours and conducting external scans for other opportunities helped men increase their salaries.

Catalyst suggests that corporate leaders ask: To what extent are employees in our organizations advanced and compensated based on strategic career tactics versus skills and performance? How are people being coached to get ahead? Are assumptions being made that what worked for men in the past will work for women? And when women and men apply the same career strategies, are they being reacted to and evaluated differently?

According to Ms. Lang, “Just as individuals need to manage their careers effectively or risk lagging behind their peers, organizations must learn how to attract, develop, and retain high-potential women—or risk losing out to their competitors.”

Chevron Corporation and Deutsche Bank AG sponsored The Myth of the Ideal Worker: Does Doing All the Right Things Really Get Women Ahead? at the Mentor Circle level.

Free Ice Cream for a Cause

2011-09-20T08:58:00.000-05:00

On Tuesday, Sept. 27^th Cold Stone Creamery^® and the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® are inviting everyone to take part in the 10^th Annual World’s Largest Ice Cream Social. From 5-8 p.m., all Cold Stone locations will be giving away a FREE 3-ounce portion of the Sprinkled with Wishes Creation, Sweet Cream Ice Cream mixed with Brownie, Rainbow Sprinkles and Fudge.

Guests are encouraged to make donations to the Make-A-Wish foundation during this event. Additionally, throughout the entire month of September, every Cold Stone store nationwide will sell paper wish stars for $1 each to help raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This is the 10^th year Cold Stone Creamery has supported the Make-A-Wish Foundation and they have raised over $4 million to help change the lives of children with life-threatening medical conditions. Everyone is encouraged to make a donation to ensure that the 10^th annual ice cream social is the most successful yet.

Cinderella 11pm Twitter Party

2011-09-12T08:24:00.000-05:00

Mom Boost is hosting a Cinderella 11pm Twitter Party on Monday, September 12th at 6:30pm – 8:30pm EST!

Join the fun and learn some great tips and pointers that will be useful when selecting a local restaurant, how to choose a hotel and getting the best room at the hotel for your budget. Body, Brain, Heart and Soul – Conscious awareness about being aware of your choices, Curmudgeon – being able to be honest about how you feel and many more great conversation topics that you don’t want to miss! With the chance to win one of many Amazon gift codes and one grand prize winner will receive $1,000 gift certificate to a Forbes Travel 5 star hotel that you can be used for accommodations, dining, spa and other events and services offered at the Mayflower Inn & Spa.
Party Details:
What: Cinderella 11pm Twitter Party
Date: Monday, September 12th
Time: 6:30 – 8:30pm EST
Party Hashtag: #Cinderella11pm
Party Hosts: @MomBoost, @Soc_MediaJunkie, @SimplyStacieNet, @Cinderella11pm
Tweet Grid: Cinderella 11pm Twitter Party Tweet Grid
Party Prizes:
10 winners – (Ten) $75 Amazon.com e-gift cards
1 Grand Prize – (One) $1,000 – one thousand dollar gift certificate for the Mayflower Inn & Spa in Washington, Connecticut. (It is a Relais & Chateaux luxury boutique property, also is an AAA 5 diamond award winning hotel , and a Forbes Travel 5 star hotel award as well, which are the three most prestigious luxury travel industry awards that a hotel property can achieve.) Plan a nice trip for yourself or give as a gift this holiday season.

Eligibility: US & Canada

Please RSVP here! See you at the party!

Rutgers-Newark Forum Seeks Solutions to Looming U.S. Pension Crisis

2011-09-09T08:21:00.000-05:00

Particularly, if they’re among the 84% of respondents to a National Institute on Retirement Security poll who said they were seriously concerned about having enough money to live a “middle-class retirement”.

Next to destructive climate change, the coming crisis in pension and health benefits has been cited as the greatest threat to our nation’s economic stability … historic changes are coming, whether we’re ready or not.
_________________________________

WHAT: Public Forum: “Has New Jersey Solved the Pension and Retirement Health Benefit Problem?”

WHEN: Friday, Sept. 30, 2011. 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

WHERE: Rutgers’ Newark Campus in the Paul Robeson Campus Center (Multi-Purpose Room), 350 Martin Luther King, Jr. Boulevard, Newark NJ 07102

SPONSORS: Rutgers University School of Public Affairs & Administration and the Hall Institute of Public Policy-New Jersey
_________________________________

SPEAKERS:

* Susan Urahn, Managing Director, Pew Center on the States, The Pew Charitable Trusts

* Andrew P. Sidamon-Eristoff, Treasurer, State of New Jersey

* Dr. Ronnie Lowenstein, Director, Independent Budget Office for New York City

* Richard Raphael, Executive Managing Director, Fitch Ratings Agency

* Dr. P. Kelly Hatfield, Chair/CEO, Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC)

* Fred Beaver, Pension Services, Church Pension Group and former Director, NJ Division of Pensions and Health Benefits

* Dr. Richard F. Keevey, former Budget Director and Comptroller for the State of New Jersey and Chief Financial Officer for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (currently Distinguished Practitioner in Residence, School of Public Affairs & Administration, Rutgers University-Newark)
_________________________________

HOW TO ATTEND: Forum is FREE and open to the public. Registration required: to register, click here or see: http://tinyurl.com/4y9oejm. For additional information, email conference@hallnj.org or melar@andromeda.rutgers.edu.

WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT: This past June, New Jersey passed landmark pension reform legislation. The forum will address two critical questions:

1) What was actually accomplished in the recent New Jersey pension reform legislation?

2) What pension challenges are facing other state governments now and in the future?
_________________________________

The forum features a heavyweight assemblage of fiscal experts who will assess the impact of New Jersey’s recent pension reform legislation on:

- state and local government budgeting
- employees and labor relations
- retirement and health systems
- credit ratings for the state and its jurisdictions

… as well as long range impact on the U.S. economy.

Guest Post: Tips to Avoid Drowning in Deals

2011-09-08T08:47:00.000-05:00

by

Andrea Woroch

Tough financial times call for smarter shopping measures. For some of us this means going to extremes and cutting up credit cards. For others, it just means clipping coupons and unplugging appliances.

No matter what your money-saving solution, merchants are catching on to these smart shopping tactics. Stores are constantly developing their own methods to make sure we keep buying. Many times, this comes in the form of a sale that looks great on the surface, but actually ends up saving next to nothing.

In fact, recent studies suggest that plenty of shoppers are overwhelmed with the flood of daily deals they receive. With so many special offers flying around, here are eight tips to help you avoid drowning in deals.

1. Unsubscribe from Newsletters
Signing up for email newsletters from favorite merchants will keep you informed about their special offers. However, these mailings are still promotional materials intended to make you spend money. If you find yourself exasperated by the breadth of deals and discounts, try following stores on Facebook and Twitter. You still get access to promotions, but they're not always being waved in your face. Instead, you can access the information only when you want to see it.

2. Set a Time to Review Deals
The urgency to get a bargain before time runs out can be a distraction. When you find yourself getting sidetracked checking each offer as it comes in, set aside a time where you can review them all at once. Sure, you might miss the occasional Groupon, but at the end of the day it's cash that's still in your pocket. Reviewing deals all at the same time lets you think out purchases more clearly, compare offers side by side, and prioritize those that best meet your needs.

3. Technology is Your Friend
Your smartphone is a surprising savings tool. Some apps like GasBuddy can help you track down the lowest gas prices, no matter where you are. TheCoupon Sherpa mobile app lets you locate and scan coupons directly from your phone. Using your cell in this way allows you to find special offers specific to your shopping needs.

4. Weigh Credit Card Options
Cashiers frequently encourage you to open a store credit card, promising healthy savings if you do. While there may be a good initial offer or incentive, like a regular discount on all purchases, this is another tactic to keep you spending. It's best to just have one of these cards specifically for expenses like gas and food. You'll have to spend on those needs either way, so you might as well get a discount. At NerdWallet.com, they have a comparison of the top 18 store credit cards to help you make an informed decision.

5. Track Your Deals
Ah, the agony of a missed expiration date for a voucher. It gets in your head and makes you regret dollars down the drain. To avoid getting mixed up and missing deadlines, keep a calendar of when offers expire. This helps you track the good ones and keep an eye on how your spending matches up with your budget. You can even do it digitally at CityPockets.com. They organize all the deals you've already purchased, send you expiration reminders, and even allow you to sell unused deals.

6. Eating Out is a Trap
Restaurants are filled with drink specials and dollar menus to encourage buying. While a double cheeseburger and fries from McDonald's costs just over $2, the nutritional value is low and you'll soon be hungry again. It's surprising how much you can save buying groceries and making meals at home, instead of eating fast food. If your culinary muse has failed to inspire you, AllRecipes.com has plenty of Quick and Easy Recipes to consider.

7. Use Coupon Sites
Despite the sufferings of deal-of-the-day sites, coupon sites continue to grow, making it a good thing for shoppers. Sites like CouponSherpa.com have coupons organized by product category and retailer name, so finding a good discount is easy. The best part is, their services are offered for free; credit card information and personal details aren't required. The savings are there at your leisure with no strings attached.

8. Price Comparisons
Seeing a deal with numbers like 50-percent off can lead to an itchy mouse-clicking finger. Resist the urge to act now and shop around a little instead. Often, similar retailers are aware of their competitors' deals and will offer something comparable. Also, try to shop at stores with low-price guarantees. This way, if you find a better deal after you buy, you can still get reimbursed for the difference.

As a nationally recognized media source, Andrea Woroch has been featured on Good Morning America, NBC Today Show, FOX & Friends, MSNBC, ShopSmart Magazine, Kiplinger Personal Finance, CNNMoney and many more. To view recent interviews or for more savings tips visit AndreaWoroch.com or follow her on Facebook and Twitter.