August 31, 2008 | For the kids, Hot Hot Hot!

I am still very busy not shopping for that Wii that I didn’t buy. In case you were wondering. Ahem.

So, um, if you’re in the market for some Super Mario, I have no idea how I happened to discover that Super Mario Galaxy and Super Smash Brothers Brawl are both now marked down to $43.99 at Amazon. That’s not a huge discount, but these games are still too new to be discounted most places, so if you’re in the market, it’s not a bad price. (Don’t forget that you can use Bill Me Later to save even more money, and if you’d rather not actually be billed later, just purchase gift certificates, first, and then select BML and use your coupon, but then pay your balance with the gift certificates. Very sneaky.)

What can I say—I have a soft spot for Mario. I still remember when Atari Donkey Kong was the pinnacle of awesomeness.

August 29, 2008 | Hot Hot Hot!

Have I mentioned that I’m doing a panel at the Decatur Book Festival tomorrow? Because I am. I forgot to mention it? Hmmm. I also forgot to figure out what to wear. Whoops! I guess I have today cut out for me. (Atlanta folks—please come say hi if you’re at the festival! Feel free to email me for details.)

But right now—before I go bang around in my closet and give up and head to TJ Maxx—it’s time for the Amazon Friday Sale.

Now, I’m not suggesting that you buy this hand truck as a romantic birthday gift, or anything, but they’re mighty handy things to have around.

Personally, I find herbs pretty easy to grow on my windowsill or out on my deck, but I’ll still confess to being intrigued by this AeroGrow AeroGarden. Who spends $100+ on growing herbs, though??

Oh, look—something to drive your dog insane. Can I fill it with candy and give it to my kids…?

Mini book lights! $7.99 and eligible for the 4-for-3 promotion—great stocking stuffer!

And there’s… ummm… a bunch of other stuff, too. I have to go look at my shoes, now. Hee.

Also of note, today:

• Threadless further reduced over 100 of their designs to just $9 apiece, so if you were on the fence, now’s the time to buy.
• Here’s a printable Walgreens coupon for $10 off $40 that’s good today or tomorrow only.
• Kohls has issued more good-for-anyone codes! Use FREE25SHIP to ship your $25+ order for free, today and tomorrow only. That’ll stack with KCSAVE10 for 10% off, too. (If you have a Kohls’ card, use MVC4441 for free shipping on any order, combined with TAKE15 for 15% off.)

Have a great weekend, everyone!

August 28, 2008 | Quick Tips

If you’re not yet a customer over at ING, there’s lots of reasons to open an account there. The interest rate is a lot higher than you’re likely to find at your local bank (even at a credit union), and it’s simple enough to link it up to your local account for easy access.

Moreover, they often have special codes for free money. Yep, free money! Right now, for example, use code EL542 to get $25 just for opening an Electric Orange checking account. It’s not exactly a sack of money, but it’s $25 more than you have right now.

Hot Hot Hot!, Product Talk

According to the text message I just got from Amazon, Wii Fits are going to be available at 10:25 Pacific, 1:25 Eastern. Which is in about two minutes.

In my experience, they show up and sell out in the space of about five minutes. Get ready to click if you’re wanting one.

[Edited to add: Anyone get one? I saw it, clicked, and it was gone. Harumph.]

Hot Hot Hot!

Wow, this is the sale I need to look away from. Too many deals! Too many things I want but don’t need! Um, closing that window now. But sharing, first, because I’m all about the sharing and maybe you actually need something.

Here’s the deal: Linens ‘N’ Things has a zillion Labor Day sale items (okay, maybe not a zillion, but a lot), and all of them have free shipping, too. Go ahead and use coupon code AUG2808 for 20% off one item, too.

I am not looking at those ice cream bowls again. Nope. Not looking.

Hot Hot Hot!

I can’t link directly to the sale section because the affiliate gateway is giving me a hard time at the moment (*shaking my fist at the computer screen*), but if you surf over to Target and work your way over to the Women’s Clearance? There are about 250 purses on sale for 75% off—many of them right around $5.

Thanks to the pretty Karly for letting me know. Target clearance is always a good way to start the day.

Hot Hot Hot!, What to Wear

It’s nearly Labor Day, and you know what that means—big savings at stores, because that’s what holidays are for, right? Saving money? (Wait… what? You’re kidding! Holidays are for celebrating things? I had no idea.)

Right now at Liz Claiborne, any alread-reduced item will reflect an additional 25% off if you put it in your cart. Plus, choose a coupon to make it better: Either LIZNEW0608 for 10% off any order or ENTER25 for $25 off $125+.

Shipping is free on $125+ orders, automatically.

Be forewarned: Sizes are limited, so be prepared to persevere. (You know, in the name of the holiday. What? Oh. Right.)

August 27, 2008 | Hot Hot Hot!, Pets

… or something.

Look, I don’t have a cat. I’m allergic to cats. I don’t particularly like cats. But I hear that if you have a cat, this Tidy Cat Breeze Litter System is pretty nifty, and it’s currently marked down to $19.99 (half price) and is eligible for free super saver shipping. Check the box to “Subscribe & Save” and you can save another 15%, making it just $16.99. (Cancel the subscribe after it ships, if you like.)

So, um, enjoy… you people who enjoy animals who pee in a box.

Contests

Don’t forget—you have through Sunday to enter to win a free copy of “America at Home” complete with a custom cover. Go mock up a cover (directions in the contest post) and leave me the link and you’re entered to win.

We have many fewer entries, right now, than usual. I assume this is because you need to do something other than leaving a “me, please!” comment, but I promise, it is not hard to create an entry and this is a fabulous book. I’m loving looking at all the entries so far, too. Picking the winners is going to be hard!

Anyway, even though you have extra time for this one, don’t forget!

For the kids, Hot Hot Hot!, What to Wear

I know, I know—another shoe deal, you’re thinking? I’ll make you a deal: When stores stop offering great deals on cute shoes, I’ll stop posting about them. Mmkay?

But the thing is, my kids are already back to school, but maybe yours aren’t, yet. And when there are deals on the brands kids love—and so many kids needing new shoes for school—really, posting this stuff is a public service. I’m just trying to help. Ahem.

Anyhoo, check it out—6pm has new specials going on, like all Adio footwear is now $19.95, and all Skechers footwear is now $24.95. It’s the kind of sneakers your kids insist are cool, at prices you can tolerate.

(Well, not me. My kids still think anything over $15 is too much for shoes, but then, I started brainwashing them early.)