Forbes Article: How To Pitch Anything To Anyone

Here is a great article on how to pitch by J. Maureen Henderson.

Posted via email from Tips, Thoughts and Ideas related to Media

Go Nuts Celebrating Trail Mix Day (August 31st)

Trail Mix Day is a coming up and here is a unique granola recipe. This sweet and salty combination is a favorite of all ages, easy to prepare and ready to eat in minutes!

Mix it up with these nutritious and delicious ingredients, guaranteed to satisfy your taste buds (without the bulge.)

• Granola: Take advantage of chewy delicious warm oats prepared in minutes with T-fal ActiFry –a revolutionary multi-cooker that puts out granola with only 193 calories and rich in fiber. Recipe found below and at www.tfal.com
• Dried Fruit:  Pineapples, blueberries and apricots (just to name a few!) Less than 200 calories and loaded with vitamins
• Nuts and seeds: The touch of salt you crave with the protein and healthy fats you need
• Craisins: Tangy and sweet with zero grams of fat
• Chocolate pieces: Add M&M pieces to satisfy your sweet tooth (dark chocolate contains antioxidants good for the heart!)

Nutritious and Delicious Granola

Serves: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 8 minutes

Ingredients:

2 cups rolled oats

¾ cup coarsely chopped unsalted nuts of your choice

½ teaspoon of canola oil

1/3 cup pure maple syrup (or honey)

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup of dried fruit of choice

1. Put the oats, nuts, oil, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon and salt in a large mixing bowl and stir until evenly coated.
2. Put the oat mixture into the ActiFry pan and cook for 7 minutes, until the oats and nuts are well toasted. Add the dried fruit and cook for an additional minute.
3. Remove ActiFry pan from its base and allow the mixture to cool for 15 minutes. It will crisp further as it cools. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Guest Post: How to Give a Great Print Media Interview: Five Tips You Don’t Want to Miss

by 

Marsha Friedman

Sometimes I cringe when I hear people talk about “the media.” It sounds as if everyone in TV, radio, print and online press is a member of one fraternity that thinks and acts the same. There is a vast gulf between the daily life of a print journalist and the daily life of a radio show host. And there are many differences between radio hosts and TV producers.

They really shouldn’t be treated the same. That’s why I’ve written a booklet called 50 Tips to Make You A Great Radio Guest and a similar piece for TV. Now I am compiling interview tips for working with print and online journalists (which in many cases can be the same thing). This will be the first of three articles, so stay tuned for the others over the next two weeks.

Here are the first five tips:

·                     Be Responsive – In TV and radio, interview times are pre-arranged. However, print and online journalists typically have daily and weekly deadlines. When they call you, they need you right then! In many cases, journalists will reach out to several experts on a news item and then choose the one who is the better interview or whoever responded quickest (or a combination of the two). The more reliably you respond, the more likely they will call on you again.

·                     It’s Not About You – Most journalists are not interested in you, but rather the expert commentary you can provide. The more you use the words “I” and “my” the less likely they will use you as a source. When speaking to a reporter, keep in mind you are speaking to their audience, so keep your remarks centered on what their audience cares about and you’ll be quoted early and often.

·                     Read Before You Talk – If you get a call from a publication, take five minutes to go online and read a few of their stories. Look for their tone and approach, so your tone and approach will match. Also look for articles they wrote on your topic, so you can avoid duplicating what someone else said. Finally, read articles written by the journalist you’ll be speaking with. There is no better way to prepare for a print or online interview than to read the writings of the reporter interviewing you. You can discover his or her focus, audience and philosophy. The reporter can tell if you’ve read his or her articles through your comments and will respect you for having made the effort to prepare for them.

·                     Don’t Empty Your Notebook – Beat reporters – journalists who cover a particular topic or industry – tend to be experts in that field from their time covering it for their respective publications. They don’t need, nor do they want, your soup-to-nuts take on that topic. They need only a few quotes and opinions to round out their stories. Answer direct questions with direct answers, and get to the point quickly. There’s no need to tell the reporter everything you know, emptying your notebook of all your collected knowledge, in order to have a good interview. Allowing an interview to devolve into you talking about your total philosophy on a particular topic or business will result in your interview landing in the discard pile, and the reporter will likely seek a comment from your competitor instead.

·                     Be Professional – Reporters don’t call you to talk about the weather, last night’s TV, your kids, etc. You’d be surprised how many times I’ve come across people who think a little friendly chit chat can “grease the wheels.” If they engage you, that’s one thing. It’s entirely another if you waste their time with unwanted “schmoozing.” Most have deadlines to meet and their time is valuable. Many outlets are working with significantly smaller writing staff than a year ago. Respect their time and they’ll respect you.

 

There’s more to a good print interview and in the next two weeks I will share more tips. If you follow this advice, you’ll discover your interviewers will respond better to you, use more of the interview in their actual articles and maybe even call you back for more quotes when they work on other stories. At the end of the day, these tips will help you be prepared so that when your name is mentioned in the media, readers will know they are getting advice from someone who truly knows what he or she is talking about.

 

About Marsha Friedman

 

Marsha Friedman is a 21-year veteran of the public relations industry and a sought after national public speaker on the power of publicity. She is the founder and CEO of EMSI Public Relations (www.GuaranteedNationalPR.com), a national firm that provides PR strategy, promotion and publicity services to corporations, entertainers, authors and professional firms. Marsha is also the author of the book, Celebritize Yourself: The 3-Step Method to Increase Your Visibility and Explode Your Business. When she is not running her business, she has Cherish the Children, a non-profit foundation that helps under-privileged local foster children.

 

 

Posted via email from Tips, Thoughts and Ideas related to Media

Guest Post: Daily Deal Addiction: Beating the Urge to Buy

by

Andrea Woroch


The popularity of daily deal sites like Living Social and Groupon has yielded huge benefits. Consumers receive massive savings on everything from dining out to teeth whitening; yet with the positive comes the negative. The ease with which these deals can be purchased, coupled with the prospect of double-digit savings, is creating a troubling trend: daily deal addiction.

If your collective expenditure on daily deals rivals your monthly mortgage payment, remember the following tips to keep overspending at bay.

1. Cut Down on Subscriptions
With so many daily deal sites out there, your inbox is probably flooded with offers and the temptation is thus multiplied. Sign up for just one of your favorite sites and ignore the rest. Most of these services have similar offers anyway. You also might want to create a separate email address so you can discern deals from spiels.

2. Go Halvsies With Friends
Frequently, daily deals feature two-for-one opportunities yielding double the pleasure. Consider splitting the discounted cost with a friend to get even more bang for your buck.

3. Set Rules
Daily deal purchases should be treated like any other expense and incorporated into your monthly budget. Consider the activities on which you spend the majority of your discretionary income, and search for deals accordingly. To receive the best value, check out these tips for getting the most out of group buying sites.

4. Sell Your Daily Deal Vouchers
Half-off laser treatments may sound like a good idea, but you could later regret it. Never fear; sites like CoupRecoup help identify buyers for your impulsive daily deal purchases.

5. Save With Coupons Instead
Find coupons for the items you need, instead of making unnecessary purchases based on bid savings. No patience for coupon clipping? No problem. Find online coupons for Kohl's, Home Depot, and hundreds of other major retailers at CouponSherpa.com.

6. Choose Deals Wisely
A good deal is hard to pass up. However, you end up spending unnecessarily when the prospect of big savings clouds your judgement. Find deals for items you need and skip everything else.

7. Go Cold Turkey
Believe it or not, there was a time when Groupon didn't exist. If these deals are interfering with your daily routine, consider unsubscribing entirely and get back in tune with your real needs. You'll likely find they're much less expensive.


 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.

Quilt Fest Special: August 19-Sept 2

The Northern Illinois Quilt Fest held in July and  August, and will be held in September 2011. As part of this event, anchor sites across Northern Illinois' six counties will be hosting a quilt exhibit. Other events, both quilt-related and non-quilt-related will be held in each of the six counties including Winnebago.

So travel the gently rolling hills of northern Illinois and discover unique treasures that each county holds. You'll find amazing quilts, quilted barns, quilt gardens and art exhibits and special events you won't want to miss.

This Weekend get $2 off a guided tour at Tinker Swiss Cottage Museum, participate in a chance to win a quilt, enjoy creative designs on quilts of all types as you visit several venues throughout the Rockford Region. 

The Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau has put together a list of quilt displays that will guarantee a weekend of fun and giveaways for everyone. Rockford is a Real, Original quilter's destination for the whole family. So, play, shop, eat and stay in Rockford, Illinois. It's all about quilts.

How To Quilt: Turn a Half-Square Triangle Into 4 with Jenny Doan at Craftsy.com

Resource: Cafe Mom

CafeMom is a meeting place for moms: an online community where thousands of moms come together every day to connect with each other. The site is free to join and all moms are welcome.



Get information, advice and support from other moms on everything from Pregnancy and Health to Recipes and Relationships.


If you haven't joined yet, it just takes a few minutes!

Gossip Girl and Fashion

Fashion now is the statement or identity of a person.  One cannot help but notice the fashion statements portrayed by the characters on Gossip Girl.  There is Blair's style, a classic chic, and Serena's style, sexy and effortless.  I love both of their looks because they both portray confidence and sophistication.  Dressing to their personality style helps build confidence in each of the characters.

Step on the runway of style with the fabulous 4th season of Gossip Girl on DVD http://bit.ly/r4GTe8!




FTC: “I have been hired by Warner Bros. WBWord division to promote Gossip Girl Season Four  on DVD."

Guest Post: First Day of Preschool: 5 Tips for Avoiding Tears and Tantrums

by

Maisie Knowles



Back to school is just around the corner. For many toddlers, it'll be the first day of preschool and the very first day they're away from mom and dad. My oldest daughter is starting preschool in the fall and just the thought of her going off to school for the first time gets me teary eyed.

How will I handle dropping her off at her first day of preschool? Better yet, how will she deal with her first day? If I know my daughter, I won't be the only teary eyed person at the classroom door. Not only will there be some weeping, but possibly a tantrum or two while I peel her off my leg and try to make a get away.

To help make a smooth transition into the school year, I sat down with veteran moms and asked them how to survive the first day of school.

1. Tour the school with your child before the first day.
A tour will help your preschooler become familiar with her surroundings before getting dropped off by mom or dad. While visiting, meet the teacher, visit your child's cubby, and get introduced to other children in the class. Make sure to act excited about everything you see. Your enthusiasm will help your child become more enthusiastic about school.

2. Go shopping with your child.
Yes, brave the toddler tantrums, grab your coupons, and take her to the store. Getting your child involved in picking out their own school supplies, backpack and clothes will help her mentally prepare for school. Give her the freedom to choose those gaudy, pink, sparkly shoes she loves. Tell her that she can wear them to school and show them off there. You can also have your child help you cut out or search for coupons for her school supplies. She'll enjoy finding coupons for her items and will learn a simple lesson in savings. For a full list of places you and your child can search for coupons click here.

3. Let Her DIY
On the first day of school, allow her to pick out her outfit, help pack her lunch, and prep her school bag. Remember to be over enthusiastic about all her choices and be super duper EXCITED ABOUT EVERYTHING BECAUSE IT'S HER FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!!! HIP HIP HOORAY!!!!!

4. Saying Goodbye
Now for the hard part -- leaving your precious, screaming, teary eyed child at school. Give her a hug, kiss and a big smile at the classroom door. Wave goodbye and walk away. Don't show any hesitation because, if she sees your uncertainty, it'll make her uncertain about staying there.

5. Take It Easy Afterwards
The first day of school is over, but there's one more tip for surviving the first day. Don't plan on doing anything after school. Your child will likely be exhausted, so take it easy. Plan a nap and put together an easy dinner. The rest of the day, talk about what she experienced during her first day. Be upbeat about everything she tells you; remember she'll have many more school days when you'll both want to share the excitement.


Maisie Knowles is the founder of BestBabyStuff.com, a website reviewing only the best baby products. She earned a B.A. in Communications from the University of Colorado in 2003 and currently spends most of her time at home with her two young girls.

Guest Post: 7 Ways to Recession Proof Your Wedding

by

Cara Davis

As businesses brace for the possibility of a double dip recession, brides and grooms should plan for the unexpected when planning their wedding day: job loss, vendors going out of business, rising prices and traveling limitations.

While weddings still take place even in a down economy, brides and grooms are scaling back and trimming the excess from their celebrations. The numbers show the dramatic shift:

The average cost of a wedding dropped $10,000 in a year after the recession began. Last year the cost began to recover, rising from $19,581 (2009) to $23,867, according to The Wedding Report. But the latest figures show weddings are taking a hit again, with the average cost of a wedding for the first half of 2011 sinking to $21,277.

Scarcity of jobs, a sour housing market and high fuel costs are making wedding planning a challenge - for couples and vendors alike. Florists, caterers and bakers are feeling the pinch of rising prices and are passing those costs onto their clients.

But there are ways to recession-proof your wedding and make your day of celebration a little easier on the wallet for everyone involved. Here are several ways.

1. Go off-peak. Choose an off-season month (January, February or November) to get married, and an off-peak day and time. Saturday afternoon and evenings are the most desired spots, so go for Saturday morning, or Friday or Sunday night to save money on venues and services.

2. Limit the guest list. Most caterers charge per-person, so the difference between 100 guests and 150 is significant. The reception is usually half of your budget - and with food prices rising, feeding your guests tastefully will be hard. Simplify the reception by serving high tea, dessert buffet, brunch or finger-foods instead of compromising on options for a multi-course meal.

3. Buy discounted gift cards from GiftCardGranny.com. Use them to purchase decorations, supplies and materials from stores like Hobby Lobby, or your wedding attire from Macy's or J.Crew, which is among a growing number of retailers with affordable wedding boutiques. Combine the cards with coupons or promo codes and increase your savings.

4. Shop around and negotiate prices and packages with vendors. Don't ever settle for more than you think you should be paying. Vendors will be happy for your business. Get everything in writing and have one to two backup vendors you can call should something go south with your first choice.

5. Get your hands dirty. The key to any successful budget wedding is doing it all yourself. But it requires delegating to friends and family, who are often honored and happy to play a part in your big day. Get your friends and family in the act of addressing envelopes, folding programs, creating favors and making a headpiece or a veil. Some might be willing to cover some costs involved as a wedding gift to you. The greatest benefit of going DIY is saving money, which will allow you to in turn spend on what you can't do - or don't want to leave to chance, like photography.

6. Get thrifty. Twenty-two year olds Jonathan and Rebecca Mooradian of Tennessee scoured Goodwill, thrift stores and yard sales for practically everything they needed for their wedding this year. After paying about 50 cents to a $1 for each item (including a 25-cent wedding gown), they sold their wares in their own garage sale after the wedding, according to The Tennessean's Ms. Cheap. Keep an eye on your local Craigslist and Freecycle for potential finds, and don't forget to ask friends if you can borrow crystal or glass vases, dishes, glasses, serving trays and utensils.

7. Consider insurance. Wedding insurance can protect you in the event a vendor goes bankrupt or out of business. If you're spending more than $5,000 on your wedding, it might be worth the extra cost. Talk to your insurance agent for advice, or check out online offerings like WedSafe.com.

When couples or their parents are faced with the choice of paying for a 150-person reception or putting money toward a down payment on a house, the more practical option may win the day. Do what's best for your situation and remember a lot of people are going through what you are. Friends and family will understand if you don't throw a soiree of Kardashian proportions.


Weddings expert Cara Davis is the author of Cheap Ways to Tie the Knot and blogs from her home in Orlando, FL, about cheap ways to spend and save at CheapWaysTo.com.

Special Offer Bonus this week at Swagbucks

Swagbucks is always looking for new ways for you to earn Reward Points, and this week they've got a promotion designed to help you get your free stuff faster! All this week, for any qualifying Special Offer you complete from now through Sunday, August 21st, you’ll receive a 20% bonus on what you earn That bonus will be applied no later than 4:00pm PDT on Monday, August 22nd.
Offers from the following providers qualify for the bonus:
Ad Rewards

Gambit
Trialpay (Offers & Daily Deals)
RadiumOne
Paymentwall
Super Rewards
Peanut Labs (Surveys & Offers) and Sponsorpay
If you haven’t done Special Offers before, you can choose from a variety of different offers (free, purchase required, games, surveys, watching videos, etc.), each of which pay you a Swag Bucks reward. Get started today and earn big all week long!

Guest Post: 6 Reasons Why Extreme Couponing May Not Be Your Thing

by

Andrea Woroch

Extreme Couponing is a money saver for many, but the practice recently landed a confused woman in legal hot water. , The Consumerist reported a Denton, Texas, coupon addict stole 185 newspapers worth $231 in an effort to lay her hands on advertising inserts.

Surveillance cameras caught the woman swiping bags of unsold newspapers from distribution boxes. In her defense, the alleged thief told police she didn't know it was a crime. The less than sympathetic cops charged her with a Class A misdemeanor that could net her a $4,000 fine and up to one year in jail.

Such practices -- including dumpster diving and stealing from recycling bins -- are giving a black eye to the trend first highlighted in TLC's "Extreme Couponers" reality show. Here are six ways to decide if this practice is up your alley, and some suggestions on how to counteract excessive enthusiasm.

1. It Requires Serious Stockpiling
If you've watched the show, you know coupon junkies dedicate huge amounts of square footage to storing their over-the-top purchases. Even kids' bedrooms aren't off limits when space becomes tight. Some claim they donate a portion of their surplus to food banks, but the majority clearly ends up in their homes. Ultimately, you have to question how many tubes of toothpaste you actually need. Sales happen all the time but, for most of us, space is a premium.

2. You Have to Be Selfish
I saw a lady at our local supermarket entirely clean out a shelf of popular cereal. Sure enough, the ubiquitous coupon binder was perched on her shopping-cart handles. This method leaves nothing for casual shoppers who want to take advantage of a sale. Even little kids know the best practice is to share and share alike.

3. It Consumes Your Free Time
You can't just dedicate a few minutes on Sunday to scanning the inserts and expect to save hundreds of dollars. Extreme couponers dedicate many hours each week to finding, clipping and sorting. That isn't frugality; it's a serious commitment. Done properly, you can actually spend roughly one hour per week and still make a dent in your grocery bill. In fact, the Coupon Sherpa app allows you to search by ZIP code for the supermarket in which you're shopping, check for desired coupons, then download them to your store loyalty card. Now there's a time saver.

4. You Must Make Multiple Stops
You really can't just shop at one store. You have to match coupons with the right merchants then run around filling shopping carts. If you stick to your favorite retailers, you'll spend less time under those irritating fluorescent lights.

5. You Become a People User
The shoppers featured on "Extreme Couponers" usually involve family and friends in the process. While they may consider this a fun activity, most people find it stressful and overwhelming. If you do find a soul willing to help you, make sure there's a reward at the end of the process. Buy them lunch or better yet, why not offer them some items from your grocery hunt!

6. It Takes Over Your Life
Do you really want to be known as the nutty coupon lady (or man)? When extreme couponing takes over your life, it's time to sit back and do a reality check.

Guest Post: In Honor of National Coupon Month: 30 Place to Find Coupons

by

Andrea Woroch

In celebration of National Coupon Month this September, ILoveCouponMonth.com--an online source for coupon information, statistics and savings tips created by CouponSherpa.com --shares 30 tried and true, plus some unexpected, places to find coupons for a month-long of savings.

Founded by the Performance Marketing Association in September 1998, National Coupon Month recognizes the impact coupons have had on consumer buying habits. Happily, coupons have become even more pervasive since 1998 and are now available just about everywhere you look, whether it be via the Internet, social media, smartphone or bank statements.

In fact, such digital coupons are galloping to the fore. According to research released June 1 by eMarketer, 88.2 million consumers will use digital coupons as an important part of their shopping experience in 2011. That's 47 percent of adult Internet users, a statistic that's destined to rise in the near future. The study also revealed 92.5 million adult Internet users will use online coupons in 2012, versus 96.8 million in 2013.

Wether you are new to the coupon game or a skilled clipper, ILoveCouponMonth.com is the ultimate destination for coupon-lovers featuring data, 30 days of savings tips, and much more. Helping shoppers save even more money during National Coupon Month, here are 30 places to find coupons for 30 days of bargains.

1. Coupon-Aggregate Websites
Forget all that clipping and sifting through newspapers; online coupons make the hunt-and-peck method a thing of the past. Coupon-aggregate websites allow shoppers to pinpoint the coupons they need and either use the coupon codes to save online or download printable coupons for shopping at brick-and-mortar stores.

2. Smartphone Apps
More than one in four mobile users in the U.S. own a smartphone, which makes coupon applications amazingly handy. For example, the freeCouponSherpa.com app that offers mobile coupons is perfect for I Love Coupon Month as it actually allows you to search for coupons while shopping. The coupon is then displayed as either a scannable image or numeric code that the cashier can enter at the register. You receive an immediate discount. The app also features grocery coupons. Type in your ZIP code to find a supermarket in the area, save desired grocery coupons from your phone to their loyalty card, and enjoy instant savings when their card is swiped at checkout.

3. Social Media
Facebook, Twitter, even YouTube provide links to coupons from just about every merchant and service you've heard of. Need a new dress? Visit your favorite retailer's Facebook page and print out a coupon. Heading to the grocery store? Check their Twitter feed for coupon links. Lastly, look for coupon bloggers who create instructional videos on YouTube that include similar links.

4. Daily Deal Services
By now, nearly everyone has heard about daily deal services, the largest of which are Groupon and Living Social. The success of these two behemoths has led to major clonage, including many companies focusing on specific regions or cities. Here's how it works: You register with the site and receive daily emails detailing major savings for various services and merchants. If you're interested, just click on the deal, pay and download the attached coupon.

5. Direct Mail Packets
Direct mail packets are envelopes stuffed with paper coupons and delivered to your mailbox. The most popular and steadily growing version comes from Valpak, delivered in light-blue envelopes roughly once per month.

6. Bank Statements
BillShrink works with 2,000 banks to analyze consumer spending habits and provide coupons implanted in your bank statements above certain purchases. In essence, this method allows retailers to target coupons specific to your likes and needs, instead of requiring customers do the research.

7. Coupon Trains
Trains are a simple way for enthusiasts to exchange coupons through the mail. Every train is different, but the rules are basically the same. An envelope of 40 to 200 coupons is mailed from the "conductor" to the first person on the train list. That person removes the coupons they want, replaces them with those of equal value and number, then mails the envelope on to the next member. Many such trains are now sponsored by mommy bloggers.

8. Loyalty Card Coupons
Most major supermarket chains allow shoppers to upload coupons from their websites to loyalty cards. The trick is to remember which coupons you've actually loaded so you don't forget or buy the wrong product. This marketing method is beginning to cross over to other companies. For example, Shell gas stations offer fuel discounts for repeat customers with rewards cards.

9. Manufacturers' Websites
Wanting to get a cut of the action, manufacturers began offering their own online coupons, some of which are printable coupons you can use in their stores. Others offer coupon codes for online purchases. The variety of coupons available may surprise you. Everyone from furniture to health-food manufacturers have gotten in on the game. For example, Lane Recliners recently advertised a $100 coupon usable with a minimum purchase of just $499.

10. Emailed Newsletters
Sign up for email newsletters offered on merchant websites and many will regularly send out coupons. If you plan on registering for a bunch of these newsletters, you might want to create a separate email account so your personal inbox isn't overwhelmed.

11. eBay
The online-auction site devotes an entire section to coupons, many of which are sold via the "Buy It Now" status. This means you can purchase the advertised coupon immediately without waiting for the auction to expire. The day I checked there were more than 81,000 coupons on offer.

12. PayPal
Based on a subscriber's previous purchases, PayPal provides coupons specific to your needs.

13. Newspaper Inserts
The original source for coupons, newspaper inserts are still the number-one place to find print coupons. You can add to your collection without multiple subscriptions by asking friends and family to pass on inserts they don't use.

14. Online Store Circulars
Subscribing to a newspaper for the circulars is still the number one way to find coupons, but many merchants now post these sale flyers directly on their websites, allowing you to download coupons or access the coupon codes.

15. Cellfire.com
Another coupon aggregate site, Cellfire.com allows you to download coupons directly to your grocery loyalty card. The cashier then swipes the card at checkout and "poof," instant savings. The service is available for over 3,500 grocery stores across the country. Signing up for a free membership entitles you to additional savings and services.

16. Magazines
Coupons are one of the best way advertisers can gain attention amidst a deluge of ads in magazines. Check out medical waiting rooms for extra copies, but ask before you tear.

17. Entertainment Books
For nearly 50 years, Entertainment has helped schools and other non-profits raise funds by selling these bound coupon booklets. You'll pay anywhere from $5 to $25 for a ton of coupons in such categories as dining, shopping, movie tickets, groceries, services, travel, attractions, car care, and home furnishings. You can also buy Entertainment Books directly from its website.

18. Recycling Bins
Ask friends, neighbors, family members and stores if you can dig through their recycling bins for unused coupons. Be careful about hitting commercially owned bins, however, as some cities have laws against this practice.

19. Phone Books
Phone books may be the equivalent of print dinosaurs, but most include a coupon section for local businesses either in the middle or at the back.

20. Junk Mail
Postal carriers hate these loose flyers because they're hard to deliver, but junk mail promotions are a good source for coupons. Some replicate newspaper-insert content while others offer entirely different coupons.

21. Free Samples
Manufacturers offering free samples through the mail usually include a coupon or two as a means of enticing you into purchasing their goods. This is pretty cool because you can actually try the product before buying.

22. Coupon Clipping Services
You'll pay a nominal fee for coupons from these services, but you can register to receive coupons in specific categories or for preferred manufacturers and stores.

23. Hangtag Coupons
Most often found on wines and bottled products, hangtag coupons, naturally, hang off the neck of the bottles.

24. Coupon Forums
Whether your a newbie or an extreme couponer, these forums are a great way to learn about special deals and coupon links. Member discussions keep you informed about the best and worst coupons while offering tips for use.

25. With Your Grocery Receipt
Known as Catalinas, these coupons are usually keyed to your purchase that day or, if you use a loyalty card, previous purchases.

26. Supermarket Tear Pads
Tear-pad coupons usually hang out next to a product in grocery stores. As the name suggests, you simply tear off the coupon you need and turn it in at checkout. Don't be greedy, however. Leave some behind for other shoppers.

27. Restaurant Recipe Tear Pads
Search the checkout station at restaurants for tear pads with recipes and attached coupons. You might also ask your server if they offer coupons. Some take-out menus also include coupons.

28. Blinkies
Blinkies are coupons distributed in stores by SmartSource Coupon Machines. The nickname refers to the machines blinking light, designed to catch your attention. SmartSource typically changes the coupons every month and the offers vary between regions and stores. Some blinkies actually "talk," which is incredibly irritating in already noisy stores.

29. Loyalty Cards
Many supermarket chains allow shoppers to upload coupons from their websites to your loyalty card. The trick is to remember which coupons you've actually loaded so you don't buy the wrong products. This promotional method is beginning to cross over to other merchants. For example, Shell gas stations offer fuel discounts for repeat customers.

30. Inside Product Packaging
Look inside your cereal boxes, can labels, etc. for hidden coupons. If you're lucky, the manufacturer has advertised the coupon's existence on the front of the package.

For even more places to score coupons check out the latest blog post from Coupon Sherpa.

 As a nationally recognized media source, Andrea 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.

Call for Submissions, Your Voices: On Motherhood

Artists, filmmakers, photographers, musicians, writers—IMOW is now accepting submissions of any media type for their new online exhibition, Your Voices: On Motherhood. Contributions can come in any medium that is currently supported on IMOW.org and work must address a topic related to motherhood. Published submissions will be eligible for a US$1,000 Community Choice Award, with $500 going to the individual contributor and $500 going to a women’s nonprofit of the winner’s choice!

IMOW wants to showcase the experiences, ideas, joys and challenges of a new global generation on motherhood. What are your fears and hopes as you think about whether to become a mother? How is being a ‘good’ mother defined in your country or culture? How is mothering now different to your mother or grandmother’s generation? Tell your story and submit your work today!

For more information and submissions guidelines click here.

Your Voices: On Motherhood is an entirely global community driven showcase that will launch in November 2011. The exhibition will represent the diverse voices, experiences, struggles and successes of women worldwide as they relate to motherhood.  Submitting your work provides the opportunity to showcase your creativity for a global audience of over 50,000 monthly visitors from 200 countries. Submitted work will be reviewed by a jury, and selected submissions will be curated for inclusion in the Your Voices: On Motherhood exhibition.

Submit your work today!

Coupons to Print

Quiznos Toasty Savings - Print All 4 Coupons!

- Free Sub of equal or less value with the purchase of any sub and a regular fountain drink
- Free chip or cookie and regular fountain drink with purchase of regular salad or sub
- $1 off 1 Sub, $2 off 2 Subs, $3 off 3 Subs
- $2 Off Regular or Large Sub

Relationships on Gossip Girls

Relationships are part of the plot on Gossip Girls, so it is not surprising to see conflicts occurring on the show. Chuck and Blair, the show's most popular couple, have been together off and on throughout the series.  They are consistently at ends with each other.

I would like to see Dan and Blair back together, although I do see Chuck and Blair as a more interesting couple just because of the dynamic relationship.  Ideally, I would like to see Dan and Blair together just because he seems more stable.  So much relationship drama unfolds in the fourth season, available for pre-order here: http://bit.ly/r4GTe8!

FTC: I have been compensated by Warner Brothers to write about Gossip Girls.