Restock your home office with back to school deals for a fraction of the price. "Tis the season for great office supply bargains for pennies on the Dollar at both Staples and OfficeMax. Whether you need to get school supplies for your kids, or restock your household with basic office supply items, start shopping the Staples 5 cent deals or Office Max's Power of the Penny Deals and save money! Sign up online for the weekly sales announcements so you can plan your shopping trips in advance. For maximum savings potential, plan to shop weekly; and shop for sale and/or clearance items only; and of course, buy only what you need.
Here's a quick summary of this week's Staples deals - You can get a 12-pack of Staples cap erasers, a 6″ plastic protractor, or two-pocket paper folders for a nickel each. You can also get a 10-pack of Zebra Cadoodles mechanical pencils FREE after Staples’ easy rebate! Easily, you save more than $5 dollars on these basic supplies. At Office Max, you'll need to buy one to get another like item for a penny. Deals include glue sticks, staples, children' scissors. In cases, Office Max requires you to purchase 2 items (e.g, post - its; sharpies, filler paper, etc.), in order to get the third item free.
Feeling generous? Buy extra of the weekly specials and donate the supplies to your local school, child's classroom or to a child in need of school supplies but who can't afford to buy their own.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Got Clutter?
Over run with the clutter of unwanted, discarded, no longer loved items within your home? Don't have the time or desire to haul it off to your local goodwill center? Rather sleep on a bed of nails than organize a yard sale?
Whatever the case, here's a great solution for getting rid of stuff and giving it to someone else who can use it. Ever have something that you just hated to toss away but wanted to give it to someone who could use it more -- Here's your chance to recycle your no longer loved items for free. Join Freecycle.org. (http://www.freecycle.org/)
Whatever the case, here's a great solution for getting rid of stuff and giving it to someone else who can use it. Ever have something that you just hated to toss away but wanted to give it to someone who could use it more -- Here's your chance to recycle your no longer loved items for free. Join Freecycle.org. (http://www.freecycle.org/)
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Save Even More Money at the Warehouse
Yes, Virginia, its is actually possible to save even more money than you thought at the wholesale warehouses. Check out these shopping strategies:
Get A Free Pass. If you have not purchased a membership, you can still shop at the warehouses. Take advantage of the free guest membership trials or daily passes that the wholesale warehouse offer periodically. Use it to stock up on nonperishable basics; buy books at deep discount (40%); or get ready for your summer BBQ.
Manage your membership. New membership promotions offer a better deal than membership renewal promotions and reminders do. Let your membership expire at your favorite warehouse, then open a new account and take advantage of some great first timer benefits. Applying this strategy at BJ's translated into substantial savings such as -- a $10 merchandise credit; 2 free months of membership; and new member coupon books ($100 savings).
Double-dip with your coupons. Use both the wholesaler's coupons and the retail manufacturer's coupon whenever possible and watch the per unit price drop even further! Now that's great savings!
Shop with a Friend. Need some toilet paper, but can't store 36 rolls in your humble abode. Take a friend along to the warehouse and split the cost of essentials.
Chia-Ching!
Get A Free Pass. If you have not purchased a membership, you can still shop at the warehouses. Take advantage of the free guest membership trials or daily passes that the wholesale warehouse offer periodically. Use it to stock up on nonperishable basics; buy books at deep discount (40%); or get ready for your summer BBQ.
Manage your membership. New membership promotions offer a better deal than membership renewal promotions and reminders do. Let your membership expire at your favorite warehouse, then open a new account and take advantage of some great first timer benefits. Applying this strategy at BJ's translated into substantial savings such as -- a $10 merchandise credit; 2 free months of membership; and new member coupon books ($100 savings).
Double-dip with your coupons. Use both the wholesaler's coupons and the retail manufacturer's coupon whenever possible and watch the per unit price drop even further! Now that's great savings!
Shop with a Friend. Need some toilet paper, but can't store 36 rolls in your humble abode. Take a friend along to the warehouse and split the cost of essentials.
Chia-Ching!
Shortcuts that make painting less of a chore
Having just completed another painting project, I want to share some learned wisdom that helped me complete my project with easy - Invest in technology to make painting less of a chore!
Simplify Your Cleanup with a Teflon coated paint tray. Save yourself time and effort on messy painting trays! Try Shur-line's Teflon coated paint tray. It's awesome! Let the paint dry, then peel the layer of paint off the tray, and you're ready to go on to the next painting project. BTW - it was strangely fun and fulfilling to do the peeling. Need for paint tray liner is also eliminated so you're also saving cash. Here's is the product link - http://www.shurline.com/PRODUCTS/TRAYS/tabid/100/Default.aspx?gclid=CLLn4cH2j5QCFQGfHgodWw6Ygg.
Paint, not Prime. Check out the current product offering from Benjamin Moore -- They've just released the new line - Aura - that eliminates the need to prime before painting. Check it out at the Benjamin Moore site (http://www.benjaminmoore.com/) Now that's a timesaver!
Keeping paint wet when taking a break. Mid-painting and need to take a break? Try this quick tip when you don't want the paint to dry on the brush: -- wrap the brush or roller in a plastic bag, securely tightly. Take it out of the bag when you're ready to resume painting!
Buy only the amount of paint you need. Don't get stuck with too little or too much paint. And save yourself some cash in the process by calculating the amount of paint you'll need to do your next job. Use the Benjamin Moore Calculator to find out how much will be right for the job. (http://www.www.benjaminmoore.com/en_ca/paintcalculator)
Simplify Your Cleanup with a Teflon coated paint tray. Save yourself time and effort on messy painting trays! Try Shur-line's Teflon coated paint tray. It's awesome! Let the paint dry, then peel the layer of paint off the tray, and you're ready to go on to the next painting project. BTW - it was strangely fun and fulfilling to do the peeling. Need for paint tray liner is also eliminated so you're also saving cash. Here's is the product link - http://www.shurline.com/PRODUCTS/TRAYS/tabid/100/Default.aspx?gclid=CLLn4cH2j5QCFQGfHgodWw6Ygg.
Paint, not Prime. Check out the current product offering from Benjamin Moore -- They've just released the new line - Aura - that eliminates the need to prime before painting. Check it out at the Benjamin Moore site (http://www.benjaminmoore.com/) Now that's a timesaver!
Keeping paint wet when taking a break. Mid-painting and need to take a break? Try this quick tip when you don't want the paint to dry on the brush: -- wrap the brush or roller in a plastic bag, securely tightly. Take it out of the bag when you're ready to resume painting!
Buy only the amount of paint you need. Don't get stuck with too little or too much paint. And save yourself some cash in the process by calculating the amount of paint you'll need to do your next job. Use the Benjamin Moore Calculator to find out how much will be right for the job. (http://www.www.benjaminmoore.com/en_ca/paintcalculator)
Monday, July 14, 2008
Finding Lost Money & Assets
Aside from finding assorted loose change between couch cushions, under car mats, and in jean pockets, did you know there are other ways to find missing money and unclaimed property (such as bank accounts, safe deposit contents, stocks, mutual funds, bonds, dividends, trust funds, gift certificates, cds, insurance policies, utility deposits, etc.)? Never pay to locate unclaimed property when you can do it yourself for free. Beware of scams that charge for the service.
- Use a Free National Registry. While dozens of service providers charge a nominal fee ($25 - $100+ fee), you use a national directory for abandoned property for free! Check out Missingmoney.com (http://www.missingmoney.com)
- Check your state's abandoned property division. To maximize your opportunities, check for each state you've lived in, and search by your maiden name as well as your married name. Also, search in the states of favorite relatives. Check out http://www.unclaimed.org/find_property/default.asp. For Massachusetts, here's a more direct link http://abpweb.tre.state.ma.us/abp/frmNewSrch.aspx
Chia- ching!
Monday, July 7, 2008
How to Save with Hidden Deals
What ordinary girl doesn't like a good bargain? Get in touch with your inner savvy shopper and score great shopping deals with a few of my favorite shopping strategies below. Have any great tips, send them to me and I'll post them! Let's share the wisdom!
Get the inside deals. Many stores periodically offer 10-20% discounts to friends and family of sales associates. Ask a sales associate for the timing of the next sale, or check websites that track these deals such as (http://www.fatwallet.com/; http://www.dealmaker.com/; or http://www.pricetracker.com/)
Shop before the Sale Starts. It takes alot of time and effort for a store to get ready for a markdown sale. My favorite merchants typically start the afternoon prior to the sale. So, I often make it a point to stop the afternoon/evening the day before the sale starts to purchase a specific item. If it's not marked down, I'll ask if I can get the discount today rather than travel back tomorrow.
Hold the Item and Save Yourself a Hassle! Start shopping a few days prior to the sale. Find the items you want. Ask the Sales associate to hold the items until the sale starts. Get yourself the gift of a better choice of the inventory while you purchase your items at the sales price.
Ask when the item goes on sale. Nothing worse than purchasing an item one day, only to discover that on the next day the item is on sale. Sales associates are often empowered to provide you with the sales price in advance of the sale.
Barter for the bargain. Ask the sales associate the simple question"Is this the best price you can do?" Often times, a sales person can knock an additional 10-15% off an item. Never hurts to ask.
Matching the lowest price. Know the competition's pricing. Check your favorite retailer's pricing policies. In many cases, retailers advertise the low price guarantee - they'll match and beat the another retailer's price on an item.
Use a competitor's coupons to get a deal. Retailers will often accept a competitor's coupon if the product you're purchasing is also available at their store.
Refunds by the Retailer. Watch the flyers after you purchase the product, you just might be entitled to a refund. Several retailer's pricing policies will give you a refund if the same model/item goes on sale within a predetermined period of time (usually 30 days).
Get the inside deals. Many stores periodically offer 10-20% discounts to friends and family of sales associates. Ask a sales associate for the timing of the next sale, or check websites that track these deals such as (http://www.fatwallet.com/; http://www.dealmaker.com/; or http://www.pricetracker.com/)
Shop before the Sale Starts. It takes alot of time and effort for a store to get ready for a markdown sale. My favorite merchants typically start the afternoon prior to the sale. So, I often make it a point to stop the afternoon/evening the day before the sale starts to purchase a specific item. If it's not marked down, I'll ask if I can get the discount today rather than travel back tomorrow.
Hold the Item and Save Yourself a Hassle! Start shopping a few days prior to the sale. Find the items you want. Ask the Sales associate to hold the items until the sale starts. Get yourself the gift of a better choice of the inventory while you purchase your items at the sales price.
Ask when the item goes on sale. Nothing worse than purchasing an item one day, only to discover that on the next day the item is on sale. Sales associates are often empowered to provide you with the sales price in advance of the sale.
Barter for the bargain. Ask the sales associate the simple question"Is this the best price you can do?" Often times, a sales person can knock an additional 10-15% off an item. Never hurts to ask.
Matching the lowest price. Know the competition's pricing. Check your favorite retailer's pricing policies. In many cases, retailers advertise the low price guarantee - they'll match and beat the another retailer's price on an item.
Use a competitor's coupons to get a deal. Retailers will often accept a competitor's coupon if the product you're purchasing is also available at their store.
Refunds by the Retailer. Watch the flyers after you purchase the product, you just might be entitled to a refund. Several retailer's pricing policies will give you a refund if the same model/item goes on sale within a predetermined period of time (usually 30 days).
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