Shopping Tips, Online Auctions, Gift Certificates, Coupon Codes, Deals, Gift Ideas, & More! » Jennifer

Get the most value out of your holiday shopping

Jennifer — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:35:09 +0000

(ARA) – What is the hottest holiday gift-giving trend this season? It’s all about getting the most bang for your buck.

“Shopping for the holidays this year is all about finding value and stretching your dollar to get the most out of your purchases,” says Steve Kemble, ‘America’s Sassiest Lifestyle Guru’ and General Growth Properties (GGP) gift-giving expert. “Knowing the secrets to finding the best deals and creating a successful shopping strategy will get you the most value as you shop for family and friends this holiday season.”

To help make your holiday shopping experience a success, Kemble offers his top tips for a foolproof holiday shopping plan:

Tip 1: Subscribe to your local mall’s e-mail list:
Be the first to find out about the hottest deals by joining the e-mail list of your local mall. By adding yourself to these lists, you may be alerted of upcoming sales, or even receive special coupons or invitations to shopping events or promotions. Visit www.MerryGiving.com to find your local GGP mall Web site and register to receive exclusive news, retail offers and much more.

Tip 2: Buy early and late
Be a savvy shopper and buy gifts throughout the year when you find a good sale. By planning ahead and crossing some items off your list before the holidays, you can avoid feeling pressured into last-minute purchases and find a few gifts during late-season sales when some stores offer deeper discounts.

Tip 3: Buy last year’s model
Skip the lines and the steep prices by buying last year’s models on electronics that have likely seen up to 30 percent price cuts. Today’s cutting-edge technological advancements in Mp3 players and digital cameras don’t come cheap, so carefully consider the added value they offer. Do your research and find out if those extra pixels or special features are essential for the person you are shopping for. If you pay close attention, you may find that last year’s model does 95 percent of the things that this year’s model does, but at 70 percent of the price.

Tip 4: Comparison shop
Being organized is crucial to developing a successful holiday shopping strategy. Start a list of items you need to purchase and watch for ads in the newspaper, on television, and in your mall subscription alerts starting in early November. Then make your purchases wherever you find the best deals or most compelling promotions. For example, participating GGP malls all over the country are offering special retail offers on Thanksgiving weekend, including $10 GGP Gift Cards with qualifying purchases, and free holiday “Mistle-Tote” giveaways full of retailer goodies, while supplies last. Check out www.MerryGiving.com for more event information.

Tip 5: Find value in the season’s hottest gifts
Finally, once you have planned the perfect the holiday shopping strategy, keep your eyes open for these hot holiday gifts that can offer great value. Eco-chic is in now more than ever, and many gifts put a hip spin on being environmentally friendly by using renewable materials that are both functional and eco-responsible. For the techie on your list, smart phones are the do-it-all tool that keeps families connected with each other and the rest of the world. The latest smart phone technology is more affordable than ever – even free with a new contract or group plan – and available across a variety of carriers. Finally, for your fashionista friend, remember that high fashion doesn’t necessarily have to come with a high price tag. Give big, bold accessories that make a stylish statement without breaking the bank.

To find more ways to get the most value out of the holidays log on to www.MerryGiving.com where you can explore details of exclusive shopping events, retailer sales, and a special partnership with Martha Stewart Living magazine, all taking place at participating GGP malls across the country.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Get your winter shopping done while it’s still nice out

Jennifer — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:50:11 +0000

(ARA) – The calendar pages are flipping quickly and in just a short time, Old Man Winter will be here. Is your household prepared for colder weather?

Here’s a quick shopping list of the items you may need to keep your family warm and your house nice and cozy this winter.

* Clothing.
Kids grow up so fast, and every year you have to take stock of what kinds of pants, boots, sweaters, slippers and winter jackets they can wear, and what needs to be replaced. It’s a good idea for the adults in your household to take inventory as well, because it’s hard to remember what shape some of last year’s items are in.

To save money on your winter clothing purchases this year, visit www.CouponHeaven.com to find deals at Kohl’s, Shoebuy, or the Gap – just to name a few. CouponHeaven negotiates directly with manufacturers to find you great coupon codes that are current and work. All coupons are free, and there is no log-in or registration required, which means you can use the site anonymously.

* Yard care.
Head out to the garage and review your supply of snow shovels, ice scrapers and sidewalk salt. Do it when the weather is still nice, because if you wait until the first snow or ice storm, it will be too late. Besides, who wants to run to the store in the middle of a storm?

Make sure your landscaping has been prepared for colder weather as well. Consider buying a snow fence to protect your driveway and house from winter’s blustery and snow-laden winds. And don’t forget to purchase stakes and burlap wrap to protect trees from high winds and cracking bark.

* Window treatments.
If your house was a bit chilly last winter, why not put up some window treatments to keep out the cold this year? Go to CouponHeaven.com to search for online coupon codes for plastic wrap and caulking materials from Home Depot or heavy curtain window hangings from a number of different department stores. The better sealed your windows are, the better your heating bill will be at the end of the month.

* Fireplace fuel.
Besides providing heat during the colder months, fireplaces are great for bringing families together while watching some TV, playing games or socializing. But a fireplace isn’t going to do you any good without fuel to burn, so make sure you have a pile of wood ready to go to last you through the winter months.

By getting your shopping list complied and purchased before the first sign of cold weather arrives this year, you will have time to enjoy your busy fall months with your family.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Save money easily on your back-to-school shopping

Jennifer — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:21:38 +0000

(ARA) – Who doesn’t want to save money these days? With the back-to-school season around the corner, saving money is a top priority in the minds of many parents.

Here are some tips to make sure you check everything off your child’s school supply list, and keep some money where it belongs – in your pocket:

* Look over your supplies.
Let’s face it, your child didn’t use all of his crayons, pencils, erasers and rulers last year. Admittedly, they might not be in the greatest shape, but by taking careful inventory of what he already has and can reuse, you potentially can put a check mark next to one or two items on the supply list.

* Reduce the price and get a rebate.
Online shopping is growing in popularity – it saves time and gas money, plus you don’t have to take your kids to the store with you. A great site to visit before you start your online shopping should be Ebates.com, where not only can you find coupons and discount codes for more than 1,100 online stores, but you will also get a check back in the mail for a percentage of your purchases.

For example, if you shop at Target.com through the Ebates site, you not only can use the discount codes and coupons, but you also get a 4 percent total purchase rebate put into your account. Once a quarter you’ll receive a check in the mail for all of your rebates. An added advantage – no rebate forms to fill out or points or miles to redeem.

“It’s a great way to save time and money,” says Nikki Laff, a Chicago-based mom of a teenage girl and avid online shopper. “I go in through Ebates to do my shopping and get everything from textbooks to clothing to the basic school supplies and I get cash back. I just do my shopping, I check out, and every three months I get a check, it’s really that simple.”

* Sales, sales, sales, need we say more?
Retailers recognize that parents are looking for sales when it comes to back-to-school shopping. And by combining coupons, discounts and sale prices, you can get some pretty good deals. Check the fliers, go online and compare everything.

* Tax-free holidays.
Clothes are usually the big expense on your back-to-school shopping list. Many states offer tax-free holidays in recognition of this. If your state doesn’t offer a tax holiday, make sure you get the most out of available rebates and sales.

Soon you’ll be waving goodbye as your children once again head off to school. This year, you can sit back with a huge sigh of relief, knowing that you outfitted them for the coming year with some great bargains.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Back to school on a budget

Jennifer — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:48:13 +0000

(ARA) – Back-to-school shopping can be an exhausting and expensive experience and many parents start off on the wrong foot before they even get to the store. But there are simple ways to make this annual shopping trip efficient and affordable.

According to the National Retail Federation, the average American family spends $385 on school supplies for elementary school students — the bulk of which is being spent on clothing, electronics, shoes and school supplies. With more families feeling the pinch of the economy, that simply isn’t a feasible amount to spend this year. Follow a few simple tips and you can save money and time.

Get a list from your child’s school
According to a recent survey from Healthtex Children’s Clothes and Trone, Inc., 39 percent of parents fail to make a list of the back-to-school items they need. Once you’ve got a list, stick to it. Thirty-five percent of parents admit to purchasing school clothing and supplies using the “I see it, I like it, so I buy it” motto, according to the survey. Why buy what your child won’t need?

Make a budget
According to the same survey, 45 percent of parents do not make a back-to-school shopping budget. Use your list to figure out what you absolutely need and compare with your household budget to determine how much you can spend. Make it a fun family activity to search out the lowest prices on things you need and give a small prize to the person who saves the most money.

Affordable, fun clothing
One of the biggest back-to-school expenses are new clothes. Shopping seasonal sales can be a great way to score bargains on the outfits you need. Kids will outgrow a $40 shirt just as quickly as a $10 shirt, so think affordability and durability. Stick to stylish, durable, age-appropriate clothing that’s always affordable like Healthtex clothes. Each item is only $8.

Added savings
Buy school supplies like notebooks, paper, pens, binders, scissors and glue in bulk at warehouse stores for extra savings or stock up when the dollar store has them available. Whether you’re shopping online or in the store, use coupons or online coupon codes. You can save hundreds of dollars on the clothing and supplies on your list.

Stop before you hit the store
Before you even head out the door, “shop” around your house first. You’d be amazed what you can find when you look around in drawers and in the back of your closet. You may even find a bounty of pens and notebooks you’d stocked up on earlier, and then put away and forgotten about.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Recession-strapped sellers offer cash back, other incentives to woo online shoppers

Jennifer — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 11:44:36 +0000

More Americans than ever are shopping online. In fact online sales rose again last year, even when nearly every other segment of the economy stayed flat or dipped.

(ARA) – If there is a silver lining to the recession, it’s the increased competition that’s driving businesses in practically every industry to woo consumers with ever-escalating deals. From car makers pledging to make your new car payments if you lose your job, to online coupon sites that are actually paying consumers a share of the site’s commission on everything they buy, businesses are going all out to grab their share of the disposable cash consumers still have to spend.

That’s good news for you, the smart shopper, but it can be time consuming to separate the hype and hollow promises from the truly great deals that are out there. Online coupon and deal sites in particular offer great savings opportunities … or the potential to waste your time and money if you patronize one that falls short of its promises.

When you’re winnowing winning Web sites from the herd of hollow-promise-pledging competitors, keep this advice in mind:

* More Americans than ever are shopping online. In fact online sales rose again last year, even when nearly every other segment of the economy stayed flat or dipped. This means more businesses will hop on the information superhighway in order to stay competitive, and you’ll have even more opportunities to find great deals.

* If a coupon or deals site doesn’t do business with the stores where you shop, just how helpful is it? Sure, you may get a cheaper price from an obscure online merchant that you find on a discounter Web site, but you’ll be sacrificing the peace of mind you enjoy when you deal with retailers, merchants and businesses you already know are reliable. Plus, you also risk sacrificing quality and customer service by shopping in the realm of the unknown. Look for sites like MyDealsAndCoupons.com that has shopping arrangements with more than 1,200 top-name, recognizable merchants and retailers, including favorites such as Walmart, Target, Macy’s and Kohls.

* You can patronize one Web site for your retail purchase needs and another for online shopping needs like booking travel. But your savings will add up faster, and you’ll spend less time hunting for deals, if you find a comprehensive deal site that offers deals with both retail and online sellers, including top travel sites like Expedia, Priceline, Travelocity and Hotels.com.

* If you’re already spending money online, it makes sense to do business with a Web site that will actually reward you for your patronage. And sites are going to great lengths to reward consumers. At the forefront of the trend – sharing commission from retailers with the site’s customers.

The newly launched MyDealsAndCoupons.com actually provides members with cash rewards for every purchase they make. The site does this by giving consumers a percentage of the commission the site receives from a retailer when a shopper buys something from the retailer through his or her MyDealsAndCoupons membership. Users create a free membership and make their purchases, and 90 days later (to allow for returns or resolving any customer service issues) the site deposits the cash into the member’s account. Once the balance tops $10, the member can request a payout through cash or PayPal.

The site takes its rewards program a step further by offering members lifetime referral rewards. Whenever someone you’ve referred to the site makes a purchase using his or her membership, you get a share of the cash rewards.

Thanks to the economy, increased competition means better deals for consumers, especially savvy online shoppers. Visit www.MyDealsandCoupons.com to learn more.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Get an ‘A’ in back-to-school savings

Jennifer — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:37:12 +0000

(ARA) – It seems like the bell just rang concluding the last day of school, but already it’s time to start planning for next year to ensure your kids are prepared for success. With list in hand, you hit the stores to get necessary items. How can you get all the things your child needs and still stay within your budget?

First, check your inventory at home to see what you have before you head to the store. Extra paper stored in the closet from last year or hand-me-downs from big brother or sister can be useful. After you take inventory, it’s time to make a precise shopping list. Sit down with your son or daughter and determine what he or she needs ahead of time.

Then head to a store that can give you a good value for the items on your list. For example, to help parents and teachers access affordable supplies, Office Depot is offering “Penny Specials” on core back-to-school items such as binders, folders, glue sticks, scissors, protractors, calculators, book covers, staplers and more — all for less than $1. The store is also offering free supplies certain weeks during the summer that include items like crayons, rulers, pencil boxes and calculators.

Need clothing for your brand-conscious kid? For younger children, stick to discount stores that offer quality, brand-name clothing for less. For teens, consider visiting consignment shops. Gently used brand-name clothing can be a great way to get them in the styles they want at a price that won’t make you gasp.

The age-old problem always exists at back-to-school time — you want to find a great deal and your kid wants the coolest new stuff. What are the most valuable yet trendy items your children are sure to love? Below are a few of the hottest, yet affordable, items for this year’s back-to-school season:

1. Project Backpack
Purchase an Office Depot canvas backpack and your children can create their own design with two free Sharpie markers in the colors of their choice. They just might be the most unique kids at school with backpacks that no one else will have. Visit www.myprojectbackpack.com between June 28 and Sept. 19 and enter your backpack design to win great prizes and a chance to have it nationally reproduced.

2. Gartner and Mead fashion products
Bold designs in trendy colors make back-to-school fun. These two lines offer designs in polka dots, paisley, flowers, swirls and more — allowing your special students to mix and match folders, binders, notebooks and other supplies. They can express themselves and you can save at prices starting at 99 cents.

3. Ativa 4GB flash drives
Available in a variety of fun patterns, students love having these fashion-forward devices, not only because they are cool, but because they allow students to have their homework, notes and projects with them at all times. For $14.99 your child is sure to get their use out of it.

4. Tug fun calculators
For under $5, you can get a quality calculator, but it doesn’t have to be boring. This year, students can add a little fun and spirit to their calculations with the Fun Rubber Calculator in unique shapes from Office Depot.

Want another money-saving tip? When items are on sale, buy extra. Certain things like paper, pencils and folders will always be used, so why not stock up when they are being sold at a discounted price? For more information on back-to-school supply savings, visit www.OfficeDepot.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Navigating a boat purchase

Jennifer — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 20:27:13 +0000

In tough economic waters, boating is one activity that doesn’t have to break the bank. To help you get started, Discover Boating, a national public awareness program that educates potential boaters on the boating lifestyle, offers these tips:

1. Determine Your Price Point. Many people don’t realize boating can be an affordable family activity. To figure out what kind of boat fits with your budget, DiscoverBoating.ca provides an interactive budget planner to help you find your price point.

2. Find the Right Fit. Now that you know what you can afford, ask yourself: what type of activities are you interested in? Where will you be boating? Who will you boat with? The answers should narrow down the boat types and sizes that are right for you.

3. Do Your Homework. You should now have an idea of what kind of boat would be a good fit and how much you want to spend. A great place to shop for a boat is at a boat show so you can comparison shop or by visiting a local boat dealer and asking to test drive a variety of boats. For initial research, visit DiscoverBoating.ca and use the boat selector tool to help you find your perfect boat.

4. Educate Yourself. Boating is a fun and easy-to-learn activity the entire family can enjoy. Ensure you and your passengers have more fun and build confidence in your on-the-water skills by completing a boater education course prior to setting sail.

Additional tips and resources can be found online at DiscoverBoating.ca.

- News Canada

Online coupons make it easy to save

Jennifer — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:11:11 +0000

(ARA) – With warm weather already here, adults and children alike flock to the outdoors for sports, recreation and home improvement.

Having a lengthy to-do list is not uncommon in the summer. Finding time to get the yard work done, complete some repairs on the house and fit in some outdoor exercise isn’t easy, let alone making the time needed to buy all the requisite gear.

Last year, Americans spent more than $130 billion while shopping online, a growth of more than 6 percent over the year before. It’s no surprise that shoppers choose to use the Internet more and more: you can save time and money by checking reviews of products and finding the best deals. Finding online coupons for selected retailers can also be a way to save money.

With the economy in uncertain times, saving money has never been more important for most families as they embark on their summer activities. Here are some tips for how to save money using the Internet this season:

* Comparison shop to find the best deals. Use a search engine to look for the product you want, and find out which company has the best deals. Don’t forget to check consumer reviews to get other users’ opinions on the product you are interested in.

* Pay bills online. By using the online bill-pay option with your bank or utility, you can save yourself money on stamps and envelopes and not worry about running out of either. Oftentimes, you can set payments in advance so you don’t have to worry about missing a due date for a bill, which can lead to unnecessary — and often pricey — finance charges and other fees. You can also approve automated withdrawals from your account to pay for your bills as well.

* Seek out online coupons and coupon codes. Hundreds of online retailers have coupon codes available for customers if you know the right place to find them. One of those places is DefinitiveDeals.com.

The coupons are all added by people — not computers — and the most popular coupons are tested to make sure the codes are still valid, while expired coupons automatically drop off the site. Many other sites build up a large database of largely expired offers.

The site has coupons for travel, home and garden, athletic gear and clothing retailers. You can search the site for Finish Line coupons, and you can save money on your children’s soccer or baseball equipment.

* Look for home improvement tips. After you’ve used coupons and saved money buying all the gear and tools you need for the job, seek out sites that give you step-by-step instructions for your home projects. With online advice to help, you can complete a lot of projects yourself without having to hire someone.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Hammocks – Hammock Care the Easy Way

Jennifer — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 10:05:49 +0000

A small effort exerted periodically will keep your fine hammock in top shape.

Though nylon is an option at the lower end, most hammock beds are made from cotton or linen, with ropes of nylon, cotton or composite fibers. While modern manufacturing techniques have made these materials stronger and longer lasting, they can still get dirty. Not only does that reduce the attractiveness of a piece of fine lawn furniture, it contributes to its decay.

The first step is to acknowledge the old saying ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’.

Keeping your hammock protected from continual exposure to sunlight will help. UV radiation fades ink dyes and weathers cotton and other materials, weakening the hammock. It also will cause any wooden stand to age faster than one that is covered or shaded.

Taking care of the bed is simple if a few elementary precautions are observed.

Keeping the bed out of continual sun is one step. The next is simple washing. A mild detergent and water is adequate for monthly care. If possible, lay the bed out flat on a large, clean surface so you can use a brush over the surface. Then hang and rinse. Allow to dry thoroughly.

Mildew and other organisms will grow on a hammock when parts of it are moist for long periods. Cleaning it off is usually easy, but keeping it off is best for long-term protection. Mildew will weaken fibers over time so even after cleaning they may have done damage. Some fibers are embedded or coated with molecules that act to prevent it, but over time it usually wears off. Simple-to-apply mildewcide sprays can solve the problem easily.

Rope care is equally important. The nylon strands that are used to support some hammocks are very easy to care for, but UV radiation will weaken them over time. Cotton will take a bit more effort. Here again it’s important to keep any mildew at bay.

Be sure to repair any rope breaks or tears before continuing to use your hammock. Apart from the obvious fact that a split in the bed will widen readily under pressure, any missing support will distribute load to the other parts, both bed and rope.

When that extra load is placed on the remaining material, any weaknesses that might have otherwise been fine may cause the whole structure to collapse. Four relatively weak ropes might have enough margin of error to continue to support your weight safely. Straining three can create a domino effect that splits even more. Better to make the effort today to repair one rope rather than four or more tomorrow.

Make sure any splits in the wood, cracks in metal or loose bolts in a stand are taken care of, too. Wood can be splinted, glued or otherwise repaired without much cost or effort while the problem is still minor. Metal cracks can be healed with metal glues or welding. Bolts can be easily tightened or replaced.

Problems left untreated or unrepaired, replacement becomes your only option.

Hammocks – How To Choose a Hammock

Jennifer — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 10:02:04 +0000

Hammocks come in a wide variety of types, styles, materials and sizes. Which one is right for you depends on your size, your climate and the hammock’s intended use.

Consider the length first. In order to lounge comfortably in a hammock, you need one that is long enough to not clamp your feet together. Unless you have spreader bars that are inserted in the ends to make the hammock rectangular, rather than banana shaped, you’ll need one that is at least two feet longer than you are. Add an extra foot or so to allow you to put your arms above your head for true hammock sleeping comfort.

The hammock should be wide enough to accommodate you without excess compression. Part of the pleasure of hammock sleeping may be the feeling of being enclosed. But that can be taken too far. Allow enough material to come up alongside your body, but not to be smothered in a cocoon. If you use spreader bars, the width should be at least several inches wider than you on each side.

Weaving method plays a large role in the comfort of your hammock. Mayan hammocks, for example, are made with a much looser weave than Brazilian hammocks. Woven from thin fiber, they are much more breathable than their southern cousins. But for cooler climates that may not be desirable. The tighter weave used in Brazilian hammocks, constructed from bolts of cloth, makes them retain your body heat better.

Material choice is equally important. Among other things, the material affects the amount of stretch. A rope hammock or Mayan hammock will typically stretch more, especially after you first buy it. If you use a stand, it will need to be high off the ground to avoid touching. Hanging from a tree requires that you add a few inches in height to compensate from where you want the lowest point to end.

Modern materials have been incorporated into hammocks as they have so many products. But most are still made from cotton or nylon, though Olefin or polyester are available options.

Nylon will generally wear longer and often be more moisture proof. But cotton blends have come a long way. With special treatments they can often handle moisture reasonably well. But unless they’re specially treated they can be more subject to mildew over time.

Polyester will weather extremely well, but it usually doesn’t produce the most comfortable possible hammock. Still, for occasional use or even (as some hammocks are) just for decoration, they provide a modest-cost alternative. On the other end of the price scale, Olefin is used in some more expensive models. It wears well, cleans easily and can be woven into a very comfortable product.

If you want the least expensive option, a rope hammock may be your best bet. Often made from cotton blend fibers, they stretch like crazy, but can be very comfortable if you like a very wide and open weave.

Beyond the basics, taste will dictate your final choice, of course. Hammocks are available in a huge variety of colors and designs and you’ll want one that complements your decorating scheme.