I scream, You Scream, We all Scream for (cheap) Ice Cream

I don't know about you, but I could use a pick me up in the middle of this week, and I've found one.

Starting today (April 22 - April 24) Baskin Robbins is hosting Scoopfest! This was the first I've heard of this, which is an annual tradition where all Baskin Robbins stores offer one scoop cones for $1, two scoop cones for $2, and three scoop cones (for the ambitious) for $3.

This is a great way to get a cheap treat with your family, your friends, significant other, or just for you.  Enjoy!

Tax Day Deals

Happy Tax Day!  Whether you filed months ago or are completing your forms last minute today, everyone can benefit from some tax day deals.  For years all types of businesses have used April 15th as an excuse for a marketing promotion, and I say why not?  The more deals the merrier!

Here are a few links to lists of deals from the following sources:

ABC News
DealNews
Forbes
TIME

Some promotions are creative, like Hard Rock Cafe's Sing for Your Supper, where anyone who is willing to publicly sing one of ten songs gets a free entree tonight.

Others require you to download/print a coupon in advance, like Arby's free curly fries - coupon linked here.

High rollers can take advantage of the one day sale on Google Glass for $1500, which still creeps me out no matter how much it costs :)

What deals and promotions did you find today?

Post Holiday Sales

Growing up, the day after Christmas was as a big of a shopping day as Black Friday.  Not only can you get great deals on Christmas things, but many other items lumped in with "seasonal" or "holiday" including candles, candy, and all sorts of items classified as gift items.  I've scored bath kits, grilling tools, and all sort of other goodies during after Christmas sales just because the items were included in the gift section. 

Ready to update your stockings? Do you typically give ornaments as gifts? Do you send out holiday cards every year?  Running low on gift wrap?  This is the best time to stock up and store away those items for next year.  You'll get major savings and be thrilled next year to have a few people already marked off of your shopping list.

Happy Holidays and Happy Post-Holiday Savings!

Target - Savings For Now & Savings Later

I've always been a big fan of Target.  Well priced household products, cute clothes, and great gift items make it true one stop shopping.  I've also learned from an inside source that their grocery items are sold basically at cost as way of getting people in the door.  Since then, I browse that area and always pick up at least a few things (earlier this week I snagged Progresso light soups for $1.50 each there).

 

It was released yesterday that  after the credit card data breach, Target is offering 10% off to all customers today and tomorrow. http://money.cnn.com/2013/12/20/news/companies/target-credit-hack/

 

Great timing for last minute Christmas shopping or just stocking up on essentials.  Recently, I learned how to maximize savings at Target with their free cartwheel app.  You browse through deals and then can add a certain number of them to your virtual cart. 

 

After my first trip using the app, I wasn't super impressed.  My savings with it were under $1.00.  However, after using it once, you get an extra spot in your virtual cart and then deals begin to be customized to you based on what you buy. 

During my first trip with the app, I picked up a blazer for $34.99 (no app savings, just well priced item)

 

Merona® Women's Oxford Blazer - Assorted Colors

After that, one of my deal options was 25% off the same item.  On my next trip, I picked up the same blazer in a different color with the discount, and scored some other great deals with the app including 40% off any one menswear item, and a number of other deals resulting in over $25 of savings through the app.

To recap - go to Target this weekend for 10% off everything today and tomorrow.  Download the cartwheel app, and be patient with the deals and savings.  They get better with time.  Happy shopping and happy saving!

Miscellaneous Monday - A Selection of Cyber Monday Deals

Happy Cyber Monday, everyone.  I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving, and a great weekend.  Today is one of those deal days when your inbox is overflowing with email promotions from every company that has your email address, and it can be overwhelming to sort through them all and find the really big deals.

Everyone knows about the big Cyber Monday deals from major retailers like Amazon (who has some great deals today, but I wanted to share a few of my favorite less known deals with you hear.

You can visit http://www.cybermonday.com/ for a comprehensive least of many (most?) of the deals today.

For the Sports Fans (or those shopping for them):

NFL Shop has 15% off everything (except Nike jerseys) and free shipping (no minimum purchase) with the promo code CYBMNNFL.  This does combine with other discounts, including their current sale of all T-shirts 15%- 40% off!

MLB Shop has buy one get one 50% on their site today.  Read the fine print though, there are a few exclusions.

Fans Edge has 15% off everything and free shipping (no minimum purchase) as well.  This is a great source for all sports, including college.

Other Favorites

 Say Yes To (Carrots, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, etc.) offers really great natural products.  I got their lotion in an event goody bag once, and it was awesome.  Today, from 12pm - 2pm you can buy up to two of their products for $2 each!  Great to try for yourself or a gift idea.

Lilly Pulitzer has some great gifts with purchase today including a Bow Ring and a tote bag free with any purchase, and a Bow Ring, Bow Bangle, and tote bag free with any purchase of $75 or more.  They're also offering $2 gift wrapping which includes a free key chain.

Happy Shopping!  Did you score any great deals today?  We'd love to hear about them.

Website Wednesday - Black Friday

Just in case any of you haven't discovered this yet, http://blackfriday.com/ is the go to website that compiles all Black Friday ads and deals.  You no longer have to go out to get the newspaper to see the deals, like I did growing up!  You can search by store or by product with details clear and easy to compare.

There have been a number of news stories lately about how some of the black Friday deals weren't the best deals of the year.  I think that goes without saying.  Of course, jewelry is going to be slightly cheaper in March when the holidays and Valentine's Day have passed, and of course winter coat prices will bottom out in June.  However, if you're in the market for something personally or looking for a holiday gift, this is a great time to do it.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

J.CREW Factory Sale - 30% everything online



J.CREW Factory Sale

Going on now until 2:00pm today

 

Website Wednesday - Retail Me Not

I don't know about you, but my one of my pet peeves is making a purchase online and seeing a promo code or coupon code box and having nothing to input into it, knowing that I'm missing out on a saving opportunity.

Typically in this event,  I'll google "Company X promo code" and see what I can get. One great consolidated resource is Retail Me Not.  This site is the most comprehensive list I've found of current promo codes for a variety of retailers.  You can search by store or just view the top deals of the day (currently 15% off at Kate Spade, 20% off at Old Navy, and 20% off at Bed, Bath, & Beyond just to name a few) or enter the retailer you're looking for in the search field.  They have a list of deal options from a number of stores including the overall success rate by users.

There is a separate section for all free shipping deals, printable in store coupons, and printable grocery coupons that can be searched by category.

Next time you stumble across a promo code box, and have nothing to enter, give Retail Me Not a quick visit and see if you can get in on whatever deal opportunities are out there.

Pottery Barn Deal- 15% Off

Investing in quality pieces can actually save money in the long run.  Pottery Barn is a great place to do just that.  They currently have a special where you can get 15% off everything online from now through Thursday, September 19 , including sale items, with Promo Code 4WPF-66QV-X8NT.

Here are a few of my dream items:

PEARCE UPHOLSTERED LEFT-ARM 2-PIECE SECTIONAL WITH CHAISE, DOWN-BLEND WRAP CUSHIONS, EVERYDAYSUEDE™  in NUTMEG

A good couch can really make a living room.  I miss my old roommate's sectional, and this one is one is classic and comfortable.

GABRIELLA TIERED PLATTER STAND

This would be great for entertaining.

REED RUG IN STONE

I like how has both a modern and a classic look at the same time.  

I'll likely hold off on purchases this time, but it's still fun to look and get ideas. If you've had your eye on something and planned for it in your budget, this is the time to go for it with the extra 15% off.

Bargain Beauty Products from e.l.f.

A great source for inexpensive cosmetics is e.l.f. (eyes lips face). Their prices are amazing.  Sure, I have a number of tried and true products that I continue to buy from pricier places, but for basics or trying something different, this is a great place to go.  Some of my favorites from there are:

 

e.l.f. studio angled foundation brush

 

 

This is a good classic foundation brush, and priced at $3.  I always go with the studio collection as opposed to their regular brushes.  They are more durable, and a little more expensive, if you can even call $3 expensive:)

 

e.l.f. studio tone correcting powder

This is a new find from my last order.  It's great to  use as a finishing touch on top of your makeup or to keep in your bag in the warmer months for a quick fix if you feel like you might get the dreaded shiny look.  It is also priced at $3.

 

Right now in honor of New York Fashion Week, with every $30 purchase you get the special catwalk collection set (a $30 value) included for free with the code CATWALK. 

 

 

Valid through 9/9. 

 

Set includes: Beauty School Essential 6 Piece Brush Set
Studio High Definition Powder in Translucent
Studio Pout Perfecter
Studio Makeup Remover Pen
Studio Makeup Mist and Set
Studio HD Blush in Diva
Essential Travel Mirror
Essential Shine Eraser

 

There is also free shipping automatically with all orders $35 or more. 

Happy shopping!



Labor Day Staycation

I hope that everyone had a great Labor Day weekend.  Mine was filled with a nice dinner out (yes, actually with a deal voucher), pool time, grilling, and an adventure with some work friends.  I considered a weekend trip away, but ended up going with the staycation model, and it was great.  There was no travel expense or travel stress, and we were able to relax and treat it like a real vacation, while still doing the normal things (go to the grocery store, go to the gym) that I often feel behind on when I get back from a trip.

This was a great reminder that any weekend  can feel truly relaxing when you get your to-do list done in advance (or most of it at least), and can focus most of the weekend truly enjoying the break with deliberate relaxation with people you want to spend time with.

I considered doing some Labor Day deal shopping, but ended up taking a pass.  The h.h. gregg ad was tempting though.  Their sale is actually extended through September 7 if you're in the market for appliances or electronics.  Updating my kitchen is on my to-do list, but it's such a big expense and overall project that I've been putting it off.  Had I gotten the measure done in advance, I would be jumping all over their prices.  I am going to save the print ad and see how the prices compare to their holiday weekend deals the next few months.

Happy September!