August 24, 2006 | Bragging on a deal

I’m starting a new category, here. I think we’ll test this out and see how it goes; the idea is that—with my help, of course—you’re all becoming such savvy consumers, you’re going to be scoring awesome deals right and left. And what is better than a great deal? Being able to tell someone about your fabulous find!

(Someone other than, say, a nice woman at a cocktail party who admires your shoes and then you start squealing about how you found them at Goodwill and she recoils from you in horror and then says, “I have to go stand over there now” and runs away from you as quickly as possible. Not that that’s ever happened to me.)

So. Every now and again I’m going to suggest we have a Cheapness Lovefest and chat about our finds. Then we can all bask in the joy, together!

I’ll start. This week I went to our local kids’ consignment store to buy soccer gear for my son (which was also cheap, by the way), and my daughter discovered some martial arts sparring pads tucked away under the shinguards. She has been begging for sparring gear ever since she started Tae Kwon Do, but it’s expensive and I have always demurred. (Okay, she’s been in classes for about 8 months now, so my “maybe when I’m sure you’re going to stick with it” approach is losing efficacy, too.) Total cost for the helmet and handguards? $6. Total retail value (looked up online when I got home)? $48, without shipping. I’m feeling pretty pleased.

Your turn!

Groceries, Hot Hot Hot!

So, remember how I was all “oh, you can’t get coupons on meat you know” the other day?

I lied.

Well, not on purpose. I was underinformed. They are harder to come by, though.

But, look! Over there! Coupons for organic meats! (Which, just in case you’re not clear, is completely different than organ meats.) I didn’t even realize my supermarket carries Coleman Naturals, but they’re on the list, so I guess they do. And as soon as my coupons come, I’ll be shopping for my delicious, hormone-free meat.

Many thanks to the organic (though not at all hormone-free) Kira for the tip.

Also, go buy yourself some Hunt’s ketchup. I mean it. Then go do this form thingie and get $20 in coupons for other foodstuffs. (This tip courtesy of the newly-crowned coupon queen, Belinda, who advises waiting for a sale and then using a coupon for the purchase, too.)

August 23, 2006 | Big Picture, Questions Answered

I received what is probably my favorite question ever from Bonnie. Bonnie is pretty! And patient, because she sent this a while ago! Also, I think she raises a really important point.

Mir, I love your new site. Bargain hunting is a passion of mine but I must admit the internet is an area I have not honed the passion as much, as I am usually wary of shipping fees, inability to easily return, wanting to ‘touch’ things first and the such. Your site has taught me to take a second (and third, and fourth) look in this area.

Anyhoo… you are very pretty, not to mention nice and funny too! My question is not a bargain one so much as a philosophical one. My husband and I are polar opposites when it comes to shopping—he feels it is worth it to buy something full price at the first place he sees, as it makes the whole ’shopping thing’ be over faster. So, when we are buying gifts for one another, what is ‘fair’? Often he will buy me a $150 gift and I will, in return, spend about $60 but get him a gift of equal value. Am I being cheap or practical? I know it’s not romantic to ‘compare’ but I don’t want to short change the guy, but I also don’t want to go overboard. I mean, nobody’s made of money here.

If your beloved is spending twice (or three or four times) as much, does that mean you’re cheap? When money is saved, do you then have some sort of obligation to spend more? (more…)

Hot Hot Hot!

Whew. With the Halloween costumes out of the way, you can move on to Christmas.

Check out the 75% off sale at San Francisco Music Box. (Yes, it’s more than just music boxes.) There’s quite a bit of holiday-themed stuff in there, plus just some general adorableness. Who knows—you could get quite a bit of your Christmas shopping out of the way.

Make it even better: Use coupon code OS157 for an additional 15% off your order (expiration unknown).

I am quite smitten with this pair, myself. But I’m not sure that Otto would appreciate the humor.

Hot Hot Hot!

Remember this? It’s baaaa-aaack! And even better!

Now save 60% on your order with coupon code 42698. Good through August 27th, 2006.

I want you to know I sob a little every time I pass one of these deals; I live in the sticks and there are never any participating restaurants in my area. But for those of you who can partake, enjoy the deal. And have a slice of cheesecake for me, willya?

August 22, 2006 | For the kids, Hot Hot Hot!

What? Why are you looking at me like that?

If you have ever known the horror of trying to find just the right costume for your child in October—when the stores are picked over and what remains requires a second mortgage on your house—then you know that now is a perfectly fine time to start looking for Halloween costumes. Particularly if they’re on sale.

Check out the Big Sale at Lillian Vernon. They have tons of stuff marked down, and among them, some really adorable costumes at rock-bottom prices. (Here’s a hint: If you go into the Kids’ section and then costumes, for some reason not all of the choices are showing. Instead, go through Holiday Sale to see everything.)

Shipping starts at $5.95. Here are some codes to sweeten the deal:

535850100 - 10% off, no minimum
816850900 - Free Shipping on $50 - Expires 08/22/06
146850100 - 15% off $100 - Expires 08/31/06
036850100 - Free Shipping on $75 - Expires 08/31/06

My daughter selected the Renaissance Princess, while my son can’t wait to be a mummy in his own coffin. I never would’ve bought these at full price, but at $10 a pop, I’m feeling generous.

Hot Hot Hot!

Have you ever shopped the Improvements Catalog? They carry everything from standard home fixtures to pet supplies to innovative and decorative items. And now you take $10 off of your $50 order with them by using coupon code MP6W189, now through August 29th, 2006.

Be sure to check out their Clearance Corner and the End Of Summer Sale, while you’re poking around.

(Darn. They’re all sold out of the animated alligator lawn display.)

Big Picture, Everyday Wisdom

You know you should be saving money, right? Everyone realizes that, although how much and where and all of that are separate issues. What you might not realize is that online savings banks are a smart choice for savvy consumers, both in terms of ease-of-use and interest rates.

I happen to use ING Direct. (No, I am not affiliated with them in any way. Just a happy customer.) There are other online options, of course, though I’ve been very happy with ING. Let me count the ways…. (more…)

August 21, 2006 | Hot Hot Hot!, Product Talk

I’m a sucker for a big metal pot rack. It’s true. Now you know the awful truth. Well, it’s not really so awful. But I certainly don’t have the kind of kitchen where you can have one of these. (Nor do I have—now that I think of it—the fancy sort of pots one should have to hang on such a thing.)

Maybe you have the right sort of kitchen and the right sort of pots for such a thing. Maybe you can take advantage of the 62% off markdown and the free Super Saver Shipping (at 11 pounds, the shipping savings alone is substantial).

And as we all know, the listings at Amazon can change with the shifting of the winds… so if you want to get in on the deal, don’t delay.

Do you think I can buy a new house before they change the price…?

For the kids, Hot Hot Hot!

Do your children balk at brushing their teeth? Does your family read together at bedtime? Do you like free stuff?

If you answered “yes” to these questions, keep reading!

Colgate wants to help promote healthy habits in your kids. (Okay; they probably want you to buy Colgate products, too. That’s beside the point.) Sign up for the Healthy Bedtime Habits log to help encourage your kids to brush and read. The bedtime battles just may decrease, and your child can earn a free electric toothbrush.

Thanks for the tip, Jen!