Stay warm, and don’t get fleeced
I was surfing around for some information on space heaters—basically trying to figure out if they do save you any money on your heating bill—and came across this little news piece out of Syracuse (my old stomping grounds; forever in my memory as the place where my nose hair froze while I walked up to campus).
The bottom line? Don’t ever buy a “fancy” space heater; they’re likely a waste of money. A small (inexpensive) ceramic heater may be worth it, if you use one room much more than the rest of your house, and can turn the thermostat way down while using it. But space heaters are pretty expensive to run, too, so while turning the thermostat down 10 degrees in a 2000 square foot house in favor of a single heater will save you money, keep in mind that turning the thermostat down and then using four or five heaters will not.
You can calculate the relative costs of using a heater vs. running your whole-house heating system, or—if you’re lazy—you can simply do a month-to-month comparison, using heaters or not.
But the very best advice for cutting heating costs? Put on more clothes during the day, and more blankets on your bed at night. (You’re welcome!)
Wear out your toddler
I don’t want to complain, or anything, but where was this Honeybee Hop thing when my kids were little? Huh? You kids today, you get all the good stuff.
You parents do, too, because I think if you put a kid on that thing for a while, she’s going to sleep very well at night.
(Oh, yeah; I guess I should give you some actual information, huh? Highly-rated, 56% off, free shipping eligible. This is another one that’d be great for the gift closet, too.)
This is called thinking ahead
I know we’re all just starting to think about the winter holidays, but as you already know, I’m a little crazy (crazy like a fox, not crazy like “take her away, boys”). And I just thought I’d mention that at our house, we’re very anti-violence. I never let the kids play with what I perceive to be violent toys. But the Easter Bunny seems not to have gotten the memo, because he often brings water guns, that wacky rabbit.
And do you think water guns are cheap in the Spring? No, they are not.
They are, however, cheap right now. And here’s a pair not even listed in that sale—just $3.31 for two, and free shipping eligible.
Just in case you wanted the alert the Easter Bunny, or anything.
How to be ruined for rolled oats
Once upon a time we ate instant oatmeal and liked it. And then one day I bought some “conventional” rolled oats, because it was cheaper, and really not that hard to cook, and we liked it.
And then one day I made a huge mistake. On the suggestion of a foodie friend, I tried steel-cut oats. And now I can’t eat “regular” oatmeal anymore, because steel-cut is ohmygosh so much better. If you’re a hot cereal fan and you’ve never had steel-cut, you must. (They are less processed and have more fiber, too, if you’re needing a “health” reason to switch.)
The problem is, steel-cut is a lot more expensive. Usually. Which is why I’m so excited by this new Amazon grocery promo for November: Buy any qualifying McCann’s oatmeal product (they make the best steel-cut oats!) and use coupon code OATMEL98 for an instant 15% off. Of course, most of those items are already 25% off, plus you can always sign up for Subscribe & Save to save another 15% (you can cancel after your order ships). When all is said and done, you’re getting the far-superior steel-cut oats for not much more than you’d pay for the vastly inferior rolled oats.
And you’ll want to be stocking up, because you’ll never go back after you eat these.
Saturday deals
Goooood Saturday morning to you! Did you have Twizzlers for breakfast? It’s okay, I won’t tell.
Here’s a few deals to scratch that shopping itch this weekend, without emptying your wallet.
Overstock has a new discount feature: Red Line Deals. These prices are the lowest of the low, on all sorts of things. Alternatively, check out the jewelry and watches discounts this weekend—10% on jewelry, and up to 20% on watches (off their already low prices).
This week at Old Navy, it’s Tensational! Check out the assortment of tops at $10, 2 for $10, or even 3 for $10. It’s a great time to stock up.
6pm’s got your weekend shoe deal: All RSVP footwear is just $9.95 or less right now.
VistaPrint wants you to use them for your holiday needs, this year, so they’re offering 10 different great Holiday items for free as a way to let you check out their cards and other great items. Just pay shipping (which is very reasonable) and find out how VistaPrint can keep you on budget this year.
Over at eToys, they’ve got an assortment of Kidorable jackets and boots marked down to $7.99 each, and although it doesn’t show it on the main page, select styles and sizes ship for free. (You have to play around with it some to see if something you want ships for free—will show up when you put an item in your cart.) If the direct link there isn’t working, just search on Kidorable.
Have a great weekend, and try not to eat too much candy!
Happy hauntin’ Friday
Regardless of the fact that you should be on the lookout for zombies today, I just want to reassure you that at no time will I be asking you to smell my feet. I can see you were worried. Don’t sweat it. We’re all adults here.
(But if you have some of those mini Twix bars, let’s talk….)
Hey, neither snow nor sleet nor dark of night nor demanding, sugar-seeking children shall keep me from my appointed Amazon Friday Sale rounds, so listen up.
I want this dog bed. And I don’t even have a dog. But if I did, I would totally want him sleeping on a big, fleecy paw print. (And for what it’s worth, I would also buy my fictitious dog a backpack! Just so you know.)
Sure, $69.99 is a great deal on this highly-rated Hoover power mop, but let’s talk about the important stuff… like that the color is listed as “lavender mist with mystic lime.” Hoover. Dude. Stop trying so hard.
Meanwhile, I still have my eye on the Dirt Devil Vision Carpet Cleaner ($69.99 shipped). We have a lot of carpet. A lot of grimy carpet. So I start thinking about this, and then I just have to go to my happy place and stop thinking about how gross the carpet really is. La la la la….
The down alternative blanket is back, and perfect for the chilly weather that’s rolling in right about not. $37.98 for King, $35.99 for Full/Queen.
Ooooh, I bet everything tastes better when it comes off of a retro panini grill. I hope it comes with an Italian chef, too!
Around twenty bucks for a two-pack of Jamaican Rum Cake? Hmmm. Perhaps good to pick up as hostess gifts instead of bottles of wine. Assuming your hostess prefers rum, that is.
If you’re a tea-drinker and you haven’t yet succumbed to one of these deals on PG Tips even after years of me raving about it, go buy some. You will not be sorry. Best tea ever. (Here’s another one, if you want more total bags.) And don’t forget to sign up for Subscribe & Save to save another 15%! You can cancel it after your order ships!
This Strawberry Shortcake watch makes me feel all warm and fuzzy, and not just because it’s only $4.99 and free shipping eligible. How awesome would that be as a stocking stuffer for a special girl in your life? So awesome. And here’s another one, too! (There are about half a dozen Strawberry Shortcake watches, actually… those are just my favorites.)
And to top it all off, this week’s Friday Five is all spooky! Choose from five different suitably frightening albums for just $5 apiece… if you dare.
Happy Halloween, everyone!
A slew of men’s running shoes
If your honey or your teenager is in need of expensive running shoes without the staggering price tag, check out these discounted options at Amazon. Most of them are Adidas, but there are a few other brands in there, as well. We’re talking $90 shoes available for around $25. Great deals to be had.
Be sure to read all of the promo information on the item you select, as well. Several carry additional savings, and all come with a bonus magazine subscription that may be redeemed, instead, for a $10 rebate.
Alternatively, feel free to just soliloquize about how back in your day, we went everywhere barefoot and we liked it. My kids love it when I do that!
Wii Fits in stock at TRU
Still trying to find a Wii Fit? They’re currently in stock and available for delivery at Toys ‘R’ Us. (Shipping is a little nuts—showing at $13.77 for me—but if you’re desperate for one and tired of looking, at least the base price isn’t inflated.)
For the moment, anyway.
Plus-size savings, too
Hey, it’s not just the up-to-size-16 ladies who deserve a great deal on pretty clothes, right? Now through November 2nd, 2008, you can stock up on fabulous deals at Lane Bryant, because everything that’s already on sale is an extra 50% off! Just add a reduced item to your cart and the discounted price will automatically be reflected.
Take that great deal and make it even better by combining those automatic savings with a coupon code. Take your pick and see which one saves you the most:
000159517 — 15% off your order, regardless of amount
010004906 — $10 off $50+
050009848 — $25 off $75+, $50 off $150+ or $75 off $225+
006952785 — free shipping on your $100+ order
(Pssssst—don’t forget to think outside the box, ladies. They have lots of jewelry and purses that fit everyone, you know. Much of the jewelry is buy one, get one half-off right now. Just sayin’.)
Third time’s the charm?
When I first posted this deal, several of you missed it. So I posted it a second time, when it came back, and several of you thanked me, but a few more folks bemoaned missing it, again.
So I’m posting it for a third time (which, geez, maybe they could just sell it until it’s gone and then stop, instead of popping it in and out of stock…?) and I promise this is the last time. Maybe.
Right now at Buy.com, pick up the Harman Kardon Drive + Play for just $17.99 shipped. This is the device to have for seamless integration of your iPod into your car’s stereo system.
And I paid a lot more for the one I gave my husband, so feel free to get one now and gloat. I won’t mind. Much.
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