save money

5 Ways to Save on Airfare

January 9, 2012
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The folks at Consumer Reports recently did some investigating into the cheapest way to get from Point A to Point B–in the air. So that if you plan to travel by air some time in 2012, here are Consumer Reports’ 5 tips to help get you the rock bottom rate before take-off.:

  1. Check fares early. Most airline and travel sites make it convenient to set up alerts to track fares. Take advantage of the alerts and start searching for flights three and a half months prior to booking domestic flights and five and a half months before booking international flights. That’s when the market begins to sort itself out and lower fares begin to appear.
  2. Compare Prices. Airline and third party sites often list identical prices but have different electronic reservation systems which add and remove fares at different times. One system can often trail another by up to five hours. Be sure to check the airline’s own site, which can be cheaper because there is no commission.
  3. Look beyond discount airlines.  Discount airlines aren’t always the cheapest. Airlines cannot afford to be more expensive than their competitors for comparable flights at comparable times. (I don’t agree with this advice 100%, especially since giving Southwest Airlines by Suddenly Frugal Seal of Approval.)
  4. Be wary of when you buy. The greatest number of cheap seats are available on Tuesdays at 3:00 p.m., most sales begin on Monday at 8:00 p.m. and end on Thursday at 8:00 p.m.  (Here are other best times of the day and days of the week to buy things.) Be mindful of booking weekend flights because those are popular with both business travelers and vacationers.
  5. Consider a connecting flight and don’t delay. Connecting flights can be substantially cheaper than flights that are non-stop, especially for international travel. If you delay booking your flight within seven to 14 days of travel, chances are you will pay a premium. Airlines would rather leave a seat empty than sell tickets a steep discounted rate. However, don’t assume that a last-minute booking can’t be a big savings. On a flight where most seats were going for $300, my mother was able to snag a seat for $65–and this in the weeks before Christmas!
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Save on Wine at Safeway

December 29, 2011
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Safeway is offering 30 percent off all wines priced $20 or more (excludes sparkling and champagne). If you have a Safeway Club Card, you’ll save even more: Shoppers with a Club Card will receive an additional 10 percent savings when they purchase 6 or more bottles. (Remember: Safeway Club Cards participate in the Cellfire coupon program.) Stock up through January 8,2012 at Safeway stores. Unfortunately, these savings apply to all Safeway locations except those in Denver, Eastern, and Genuardi’s locations.

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4 Tips for Charitable Contributions at the Holidays

December 1, 2011
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charitable donations at the holidaysDo you give to good causes at the holidays–or all year long? If so, you’re not alone.

Despite continued economic challenges, 2010 saw a 4 percent increase in charitable giving, according to a Giving USA Foundation report. The philanthropic research group claims the upward trend is expected to continue this year.

If you do end up donating to a charity before the end of 2011–whether it be in someone’s name for a holiday gift or a food donation you brought to your local pantry–you should keep tabs on these donations for your tax return. (There is nothing wrong with claiming charitable donations, even those made as a gift.) According to the Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, not including charitable giving on tax returns could leave you missing out on a possible larger refund or reducing the amount of tax owed.

With that in mind, here are four tips for making charitable contributions at the holidays: Read more »

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5 Ways to Save $100 Before Black Friday

November 14, 2011
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If you’ve been reading Suddenly Frugal for awhile, you know I’m all about the value. That is, saving money is great but getting the most bang for your hard-earned buck is even greater. That’s why I’m running today’s guest post from By Aaron Crowe, dealnews contributor, who has put together 5 terrific ways that you can change the way you spend and save $100 (easily!) before Black Friday.

  1. Skip the Starbucks. Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts, and the like serve up delicious drinks (mmm, Pumpkin Spice Latte!), but they don’t come cheap. Consider the $5 you’d save each time you brewed your own cup of coffee. Richard Kelleher, a marketing sociologist, saves at least $20 a week by avoiding Starbucks, and making his espresso at home with a machine he bought on sale for just $25. Cutting out a daily $5 latte, for example, could save you $90 or more. These saving habits can fatten your wallet, while actually slimming your waistline too, since cutting out calorie-rich drinks will make your daily routine healthier. Read more »
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$10 Off at Cooking.com

November 11, 2011
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You know what my husband asked for for Christmas this year? A new set of cooking pots! The ones that we’d owned since we first got married (19 years ago next week) finally bit the dust.

He seems to be especially fond of the Le Creuset pots, which are pretty to look at and pretty pricey. But I’ve heard they’re wonderful cooking tools and well worth the pricetag.

Do you need to get a head start on your holiday shopping for a cook in your life? Then check out this Cooking.com deal: $10 Off Orders of $100! Use Coupon Code: C96936. Exp 11/30/11

(Note: I receive a very small, tiny, actually miniscule commission for including this information on my blog–not enough to buy any Le Creuset pots, FYI.)

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Great Groupon Deal on Neutrogena

November 10, 2011
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grouponI’ve always loved Neutrogena products, especially the tinted moisturizer which I always found to be a great stand-in when I didn’t want to wear foundation. My teens swear by Neutrogena’s acne wash.

Given our collective love of Neutrogena, I had to share this Groupon deal with you for 7 Neutrogena products that would normally cost close to $60 but you can get it on Groupon for $35 only. These are considered to be “editor’s picks.”

You have until Friday to get this Neutrogena Groupon. I’m not sure you could even get this good of a deal with manufacturers’ coupons or even CVS Extra Bucks coupons. That’s why I’m off to go get mine!

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Veterans Day Discounts

November 9, 2011
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In addition to enjoying Veterans Day freebies, members of the military get to enjoy discounts at a number of restaurants and retailers–on Veterans Day and, in some instances, throughout the year. With these discounts expect to show valid ID.

Here is a roundup of some of the discounts I could find in time for Veterans Day: Read more »

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Secrets to Shopping in Dollar Stores

November 8, 2011
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Are you a dollar store shopper? I definitely was when I was leading a Girl Scout troop and needed quick, easy, and cheap supplies for crafts we had to do during our meetings. The only other time I shopped purposefully in a dollar store–it was Dollar Tree, I think–was when I was co-leading an Odyssey of the Mind team when my daughter was in middle school. They needed supplies for their performance, and we figured we’d get the best bargains at the dollar store.

We did all right, that’s for sure, but that’s because we were in the store to buy items for which we had a single purpose. The kids got things like pipe cleaners, felt, tissue paper, and costume jewelry–literally, jewelry you would wear with a costume. Think gangsta necklaces made from gold plastic!

Since then, though, I haven’t had much reason to hit up my local dollar store–most likely because there isn’t a dollar store that is local to me. But the other reason is that because I’m wary about shopping in a store that might be selling expired foods or counterfeit personal care products that may not be at all what their label says they are.

My other reason for not making trips to the dollar store a regular part of my shopping is not wanting to end up buying something I don’t need–because it’s a great price: $1–or because what I thought was a great deal really isn’t. Or I did find something that was a great price but then I ended up picking up a bunch of other stuff that wasn’t well priced, thus negating whatever cost savings I might have enjoyed. Or I bought something, simply because it was a good price, but it didn’t hold up–there are no lifetime guarantees on products from dollar stores as there are from other retailers and manufacturers.

Turns out I’m on to something. Read more »

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EXPIRED: $3 Off Weight Watchers Smart Ones

November 8, 2011
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This deal has expired.

You know how I’ve been talking a lot lately about my attempts at extreme couponing. While I can’t produce 97% savings like the people on TLC’s show “Extreme Couponing,” I have found ways here and there to save what I think are big bucks. One example was my recent trip to SuperFresh where I was able to save $1.70 on each purchase of paper towels, and I could get a roll for $.20.

That’s why I wanted to share with you this link to a HOT coupon for Weight Watchers Smart Ones. Those are the Weight Watchers frozen meals, which I like to stock up on when they’re on sale so I have a quick go-to lunch or my daughters have something quick to make in between homework and sports practice.

This $3 off 10 Smart Ones coupon is the best I’ve seen in a long time–usually you’ll see $1 off 5 Smart Ones. You’ll get this valuable coupon it if you sign up for one of these coupon companies with which I’ve partnered. (You’ll have to click through the links I’ve provided.)

I’ll for sure be using my $3 off coupon when I go food shopping this week: Smart Ones are on sale $10 for 5 or $2 each. Even though I have to buy double that to use this coupon, I’ll still save–$17 for 10 or $1.70 each.

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Will You Tank Your Bank Tomorrow?

November 4, 2011
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Saturday November 5th is “Bank Transfer Day.” It’s the day where, according to social media, tens of thousands have signed up to drop big banks in favor of joining a credit union. (Bank Transfer Day and the hastag #banktransferday are both trending topics on Twitter.)

I guess we had our own bank transfer day last spring when we decided to tank our big bank and go with a regional one instead (PNC). I think that if you choose to switch your accounts from a big bank, going with a local, regional, or online bank is just as smart as going with a credit union. (You did see my piece on how you can still find free checking, right?)

If you choose to take advantage of bank transfer day on Saturday, you won’t be alone. According to a recent Harris Poll, 50 percent of those surveyed are considering transferring their money on bank transfer day to a credit union.

This recent Harris Poll focused primarily on credit unions and why they are held in such high regards–especially in our current economy. Here’s what that survey found:

  • Credit union members are two to three times as likely as customers of big banks to experience a trustworthy relationship.
  • Those who bank with a credit union are also two to three times as likely to feel valued as a customer than those who bank with a big bank.
  • More than seven in 10 credit union members rate their overall satisfaction with their financial institution as “extremely satisfied” versus the three in 10 who feel the same way about their big bank.
  • As far as long-term relationships go, almost nine out of 10 credit union members are extremely likely to continue to keep banking with the credit union; in some instances barely two out 10 big bank customers feel the same way.

So where do you stand with financial institution? Will you tank your bank on bank transfer day?

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$30 Rebate on Coffee Maker

November 4, 2011
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free coffeeA few years ago my husband got me this awesome Cuisinart Grind and Brew Thermal Coffeemaker (left). What’s amazing about this machine is that it grinds beans on the spot and then brews the coffee, all in one place. I’ve used it every day since getting it as a gift–save for days when we’ve lost power, thanks to recent storms, or when I’ve taken advantage of the free coffee deals that I’ve covered on this blog.

I believe that having such an amazing coffeemaker in my kitchen is why I’ve been able to be so consistent about brewing my own coffee at home and to save $1,200 a year from not buying coffee out.

Right now Cooking.com is offering this 10-c. Grind and Brew Thermal Coffeemaker by Cuisinart with a $30 rebate! Maybe you want to treat yourself to this for your own holiday present–or someone you know who is a coffee lover?

(Note: I receive a very small, tiny, actually miniscule commission for including this information on my blog.)

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$25 Gift Card for $15

November 3, 2011
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boston market gift cardHow does spending $15 for a $25 gift card sound? Sounds pretty good to me. Right now you can purchase a $25 gift card to Boston Market for only $15.

Once you purchase this deal, you will have to “redeem” the voucher for the gift card and then it will be mailed to you. Sounds complicated, I know, but once you go through the steps, it’s not a big deal.

FYI, you have 60 days to redeem the voucher after purchasing it through Saveology, so make sure you do it before 2011 is out!

(Note: I receive a very small, tiny, actually miniscule commission for including this information on my blog.)

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Score Event Tickets for Up to 60% Off

November 3, 2011
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cheap ticketsIf you like to treat yourself to sporting events, concerts, the theater, and more–but you’re too frugal to pay full-price for tickets–you’ll want to know about this ticketing site I just discovered. It’s called ScoreBig and it lets you score tickets for up to 60% off.

Rather than work as a “regular” discounted ticketing site, ScoreBig works on the Priceline/eBay model. That is, you pick the price that you want to pay for your tickets, and if your offer is “accepted” (i.e. there are tickets available in that price range), that’s the price you pay for your tickets. ScoreBig has you choose a city to link up with so you can see geographically targeted tickets that are available but it doesn’t limit where you can search for tickets. Here’s how that works. Read more »

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Holiday Cards at More than 50% Off

November 2, 2011
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groupon holiday cardsDo you like to send customized holiday cards–especially ones that feature a picture of your family, your home, and from an important event during the year? Then check out this great Groupon deal on customized holiday cards from Picaboo, a website that lets you upload your favorite photo and design a custom holiday card. Here’s how the Groupon deal breaks down:

  • For $25 you’ll get $75 worth of holiday cards.
  • For $40 you’ll get $100 worth of holiday cards.
  • For $50 you’ll get $120 worth of holiday cards.

Even the cheapest deal on the cheapest cardstock that Picaboo offers, you’ll get at least two dozen holiday cards.

You are only allowed to buy one of these deals through Groupon, though Groupon says you can give an additional one as a gift at this special price.

Don’t worry if when you click through to the Groupon deal it comes up as Boston; that’s just the city that was attached to the link I was sent. I believe this is a national deal that’s good in any city.

(Note: I receive a very small, tiny, actually miniscule commission for including this information on my blog.)

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New Daily Deal Service

November 1, 2011
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I’m totally signing up for this new daily deal site, called Koopik. From what I can tell, it groups together all of the daily deals from your city (Living Social, Groupon, etc.) into one place.

Considering I get, like, eight different emails a day telling me about daily deals, this seems like a great site to streamline my search for daily deals. If you sign up, too, let me know your thoughts on this service.

(Note: I receive a very small, tiny, actually miniscule commission for including this information on my blog.)

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Haunted Hotels

October 27, 2011
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Ever wanted to stay in a haunted hotel, such as the hotel featured in Stephen King’s “The Shining”? Well, right now Groupon is offering a bunch of haunted giveaways–that is, great deals on hotel rooms in places that are said to be haunted. Perfect for Halloween, right? But here’s the great part: while you only have a few days to book these hot deals, you have through New Year’s to use your hotel rooms.

So what do you say–is there a haunted getaway in your future?

(Note: I receive a very small, tiny, actually miniscule commission for including this information on my blog.)

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Southwest Airlines Fare Sale

October 19, 2011
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southwest airlines fare saleWhenever I travel, whether it be for business or pleasure, my carrier of choice is usually Southwest Airlines. It’s one of the reasons I gave Southwest a Suddenly Frugal Seal of Approval back in 2008.

Right now Southwest is having a 72-hour airfare sale that will allow customers to score one-way tickets for $35, $65, $95 or $125 to select destinations, based on length of travel.

  • For travel up to 450 miles, fares are $35 one-way.
  • For travel 451 to 1,000 miles, fares are $65 one-way.
  • For travel 1,001 to 1,500 miles, fares are $95 one-way.
  • For travel 1,501 or more miles, fares are $125 one-way.

Hurry: These incredibly low fares are available for purchase through 11:59 p.m. PDT October 20, 2011, for travel beginning Nov. 30 through Dec. 14, 2011 and Jan. 4 through Feb. 15, 2012. OK, so this doesn’t help with holiday travel for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s, but if you need to get away during the holiday “shoulder” season–whether for business or pleasure–these fares can’t be beat.

To see the list of available cities, prices, and to take advantage of these special fares, visit www.southwest.com.

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10% Off Halloween Costumes at Kohl’s

October 18, 2011
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Sorry; this deal has expired!

Have you figured out yet what you’re going to be for Halloween? And have you started shopping for your costume yet? If you’re looking to save some dough on costume, Kohls.com is offering my readers at 10% off discount on Halloween costumes through October 21st only when ordered online. Kohl’s has Halloween costumes for adults (that’s “Where’s Waldo?” at left), kids, and even pets (below). To get that 10% discount, be sure to use the code SCARY10 at checkout. Here is a link to Kohl’s online Halloween costume headquarters.

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13 Wicked-Cool Free Shipping Offers for Halloween

October 13, 2011
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free shipping HalloweenHalloween is just a few weeks away, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend an arm and a leg on costumes. Many people like to buy costumes online as a way of saving money, and that’s why I’m sharing these 3 frighteningly frugal deals on costumes, courtesy of FreeShipping.org.

1. BestCostumeSite.com
: Spend $25 or more and receive free shipping.

2. Spirit Halloween
: Get $4.99 flat-rate shipping through Oct. 27 when you spend $75 or more with coupon code SPFRU75.

3. Target
: Get free shipping from Target on costume orders of $50 or more. Hurry as this offer ends Oct. 16.

4. Halloween Mart: 
Free shipping on orders of $55 or more using coupon code FREESHIPPING.

5. Walmart
: Get free shipping through Oct. 29 on all Halloween costumes from Walmart.

6. Pottery Barn Kids: 
Enjoy free shipping at Pottery Barn Kids through Oct. 31 for all Halloween costumes and treat bags.

7. Costume Kingdom
: For a limited time, get free shipping on orders of $50 or more.

8. Costume Supercenter: 
Use coupon code FREE75 through Nov. 1 for free shipping on orders of $75 or more.

9. Pottery Barn Teen
: Pottery Barn Teen is offering free shipping through Oct. 29 on all Halloween costumes.

10. Costume Discounters: 
Get free shipping on purchases of $60 or more with coupon code FREE60.

11. Meijer.com
: Enjoy free shipping on all Halloween costumes. Hurry: this offer expires Oct. 13.

12. Giant Party Store: 
Spend $50 or more and get free shipping with coupon code 390261.

13. Buy.com
: Get free shipping through Oct. 31 on Halloween orders of $60 or more.

 

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$5 Off a New Crock-Pot During Crocktober

October 12, 2011
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CrocktoberIt’s Crocktober–or October and a month when it’s a good time to buy yourself a new Crock-Pot slow cooker. Why? Because the makers of Crock-Pot, the original slow cooker, are offering you $5 off when you purchase a new Crock-Pot costing more than $24.50.

You get that $5 via a mail-in rebate. You can access that rebate and check out new Crock-Pots to purchase via this link to Crocktober Deals on Amazon.

You’ve heard me talk about how great Stephanie O’Dea’s blog A Year of Slowcooking is for getting you into slow cooking. Thanks to her I use one or both of my slow cookers at least once a week!

If you’d prefer to have a traditional cookbook to work from (rather than trying to balance your iPad or laptop on the counter–and oh what if it gets dirty?), I would recommend buying one or both of her two cookbooks on using your slow cooker: Make It Fast, Cook It Slow: The Big Book of Everyday Slow Cooking and More Make It Fast, Cook It Slow: 200 Brand-New, Budget-Friendly, Slow-Cooker Recipes–both of which I own. (They are also available in a Kindle edition, if you’re trying to cut down on cookbook clutter.)

(Note: these links to Amazon include my Amazon Affiliates code, which means Amazon rewards me with a token few cents if you buy through the link.)

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