Running to the Sneaker Sale

Nothing like a new pair of sneakers to put the workout into high gear! So when is the time to buy ? June/July - when retailers are starting to turn over their stock to make room for the new season's offerings; November when retailers are trying to wind down the Back to School stock and make room for winter boots. Looking for an even better deal on your favorite sneaker? Buy multiples and ask for a volume discount. Take a competitor's coupon and ask if they'll honor it.


And don't forget to give your old pair another life -- donate it the Nike's Reuse A Shoe program. For more information, go to: http://www.letmeplay.com/reuseashoe/. Since 1990, Nike has recycled more than 21 million pairs of athletic shoes toward more than 265 sport surfaces; giving thousands of young people access to new playgrounds and athletic facilities around the world.

Steaming with Delight

Stumbled across an addictive solution to my summertime dilemma of how to spend less time cooking in a hot kitchen, but still make a great tasty meal. Use ZipLoc Zip & Steam bags (10 bags/$2.79). These bags make cooking alot less painful and clean-up easier than ever before (just toss the bag). Great convenient way to steam frozen or fresh vegetables, meats. Clean up is a breeze - just toss the bag. And since you're steaming, you getter better flavor as its infused into whatever you're cooking. Also, the bags are printed with instructions and timing guidelines for a variety of foods (a great thing from this user's perspective!)


Really, it was love at first steam! 2 ears of corn steam to perfection in just 3 minutes - a great improvement over the basic method of steaming via a stove which takes 30 minutes. 27 minutes saved to do other some other task you never have time to do (e.g., write a thank you note; sort out the sock drawer; polish a silver bowl, take a nap!)

P.s., You can find them in almost supermarket. Here's the official product link - http://www.ziploc.com/?p=b13

Happy Steaming!

Recycle Your Packaging Peanuts

In my household, June is typically the month for cleaning out the cellar of unwanted stuff. Attracted by free shipping offers and the thrill of a good bargain, it's was no surprise to discover what appears to be a gizillion boxes filled with packing peanuts (also known as "Flow-pak" - who knew?!) thrown into in every corner of my basement. Too many peanuts for me! I can re-use some packaging peanuts for my own shipping needs/storage needs;; My town's recycling center has no use for the material; My local gift shop retailer doesn't want them. What's an ordinary girl to do with all these peanuts? Recycle them, of course! I've discovered that you can drop the material off at a Peanut Hotline Collection location. To find the nearest collection site, call 1-800-828-2214 or visit the website http://www.loosefillpackaging.com/search/default.asp Happy Recycling!

April Flowers Bring May Flowers and Raincoats in June

April Flowers Bring May Flowers and Raincoats in June! I've been noticing that there are great deals to be had by saavy shoppers looking for raincoat purchases. Retailers are clearing the racks in prep for the fall clothing premiers rolling out in July and August. So, if you're looking for the latest fashion look or a practical good looking coat to wear in the rain, now is the time to buy!

Dialing for Less Dollars

Are you a chronic “411” dialer like myself? Yes? Then do I have a a money saving tidbit for you…

Program 800-FREE-411 (800 – 3733- 411) into your cellphone. It’s a free/low cost nationwide directory assistance that you can use from your cell phone. Depending on your cell phone plan, you may also get charged for your minutes, but you won’t incur any additional service transaction fees. (example: On my calling plan, a 411 call generates a $1.50 charge per call.)

Here’s how it works –It's free for you to use, but once you’ve dialed in, you’ll need to hear a brief ad (10 – 15 seconds) before a record voice prompts you for “What City and State?” Interested in the ad? Fret not – you have the opportunity to connect and hear more.

Try it. It’s a pretty quick way to save yourself a few dollars. Based on my dialing habits, using this directory assistant program translates into $6 monthly savings - the cash equivalent of 3 Starbuck Coffees, 6 iTunes, or 1 roll of Hallmark self adhesive wrapping paper.

Happy Savings!

Thrifter Shopping at Target

Lately, I’ve had one eye on my shrinking budget, the other on sales pricing trends at local retailers. Thought I would share with you some of my pricing discoveries for Target that I’ve been tracking for a few months so that you can enjoy some thrifty shopping. Enjoy!

Finding the Discount Amount. The amount the product is discounted is positioned in the top right corner of the clearance tag. (example: A display of “30” indicates the item is 30% off the original retail price.)

Discounting by Supply and Demand. Discounts are based on an individual store’s inventory. Smaller discounts indicate the merchandise is moving faster; larger discounts indicate the merchandise is slow moving. (Good to know when you’re deliberating a purchase now vs sometime later/maybe never.) Also, since the discount is based on an individual store’s inventory, don’t expect to pay the same price at two different stores.

Determining Where You Are in the Markdown Cycle. The last digit of the mark down is an indicator for where the time falls in the clearance cycle. Typically, the price per item in the first markdown cycle ends in a “7” (example: $12.97). In the last round of markdowns, the price per item typically ends in a “4” (example: $2.94). BTW - I think it's rare that merchandise stays around that long!

Identifying Markdowns by Dept. Each department has a day of week when markdowns occur. Markdowns typically happen every 2 weeks.
o Children’s clothing – Monday
o Women’s clothing – Tuesday
o Men’s clothing – Wednesday
o Shoes – Thursday
o Electronics – Friday

Knowing the 5 Step Markdowns. 15%, 30%, 50%, 75% and sometimes 90% . Furniture, electronics, and food items are typically the only items discounted at 15%. Seasonal items/theme based items are usually the only items discounted down to 90%. These items go to 90%markdown pretty quickly (2+wks from first markdown - think Target needs to get rid of the inventory for the next batch of seasonal items.)

Running on Empty - Save your Gas Money

Life's a scavenger hunt these days as my househould is on the constant search for the best place to fill up our tanks for less. Also, find yourself running on empty? Check out these tips for getting more out of your gas budget with some simple yet powerful strategies:


1. Use A Gallon Cost Averaging Approach. Buy smaller amounts of gas, more frequently. This tactic spreads of the cost of gas over a longer period of time at a lower price per gallon.


2. Find the best deals for gassing up. Gas prices tend to be lower in your town center where there is likely to be some competition, than gas stations on highways or next to malls. Check which stations offer the cheapest fuel prices at http://www.gasbuddy.com/, http://www.gasprices.mapquest.com/, or http://www.fueleconomy.gov/FEG/gasprices

3. Use your credit card to save at the pump. Buy gas with a credit card that offers cashback rewards for gas purchases. It takes $65 to fill up my thrilly little sports car' by using my Discover card so I'm getting $3- $7/week ( or $12 - 28/month) as a cash back reward. (BTW, this translates into the cash equivalent of a Venti Lattie and a scone at Starbucks; a trade paperback at Barnes and Noble, or a pair of Clark Privo Pennies on sale!)

4. Manage your gas budget, minimize your miles. Plan out your travel routes for errands for the most efficeint travel route to save on mileage. Consider doing errands where shopping is centralized around your basic needs.

Luxury for less

'Tis the season for a good summer sale. Nothing like the rush you get from buying great for less. So, for those of you in need of some retail therapy, here are a few fabulous sales in progress to enjoy!

1. Get your home looking better for less. Stop by Nichols and Stone Going Out of Business Sale in Gardner, MA. Great heirloom quality furniture at a fraction of the price. The sale started Friday, June 13th and continues until everything goes. ttp://www.nicholsandstone.com/

2.Pamper your feet; Pamper your Soles. Clark Shoes store Semi-annual Sale (physical store location only). 40% off for the serious shoe lover with a need for comfort, Remember, nothing better than spending your summer wearing a great pair of Clark Privo Pennies!

3. Dress better for less by stopping by Talbots Semi-annual sale. Sale typically starts July 5th, but stores often start the first phase of markdowns on current merchandise the week prior.

Happy Shopping!

Wednesday is Starbucks Day

In the days of old, Wednesday used be Prince Spaghetti Day. These days, pasta is out and java is in. In as in Starbucks! Now through July 23rd, Starbuck is giving away a free tall ice brewed Starbucks (R) Terraza Blend, chilled and slightly sweetened. (20 carbs) coffee every Wednesday. Ok, can you scream "Yum!" - You'll need to present your Wednesday card to the server. Don't have one? just ask for one at your local Starbucks.

Adventures On A Dime

Gas prices putting a pinch on summertime fun? Fret not, there are several ways to have fun for free or nearly free. Here are a few of my favorite adventures on the cheap...

1. Borrow a museum pass from your local library. My local library offers passes for several major metropolitan museums, discovery centers,outdoor sculpture parks, state parks. Better yet, you can reserve your own museum pass from home! Typically, I save between $20 - $25 with each pass. Enough to cover the cost of gas and lunch.

2. Buy a smart destination go card for your local metropolitan city. Get reduced price admission to your city's best attractions, activities, and tours. I purchased a 7 day card last year and saved over $40 on admission fees alone! (http://www.smartdestinations.com)

3. Beach it with a State Park Pass, babe! The Massachusetts ParksPass is an annual pass. It provides visitors unlimited day-use parking access to state park facilities that charge a parking fee. You can hike, bike, camp, do a nature trail, or just chill out at a state beach or reservation. Pass is good for good for the 2008 calender year. Cost is $35. (the equivalent of 3-5 trips to the beach) Details can be found at http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parkspass.htm. (note: some libraries also offer the ParkPass as a daily rental.) and don't forget the sunscreen.


More ideas to follow.... Have some fun this weekend.