Starbucks Promotions

There are plenty of Starbucks promotions right now! If you are a fan of their brand and have a registered card you can accumulate a lot of points and discounted Christmas presents!

We grind our own coffee in our brewer, so beans are a must in our household. Right now, in store (may vary by location) they are offering a $5.00 gift card with a purchase of Christmas blend coffee, whole bean, ground or they will grind it fresh for you.  Plus, when you pay with your registered card you get stars credited to your account. So I have been getting stars for me, coffee presents for my hubby and gift cards for Christmas stocking stuffers!

They also have their fancy mugs discounted.

Don't have an account yet? Register HERE.

Currently, until January 11, 2016, you can play the "Starbucks for Life" game. Every time you buy something in store, you can log in HERE, sign into your account and open a gift box with the hopes of winning wonderful prizes. Just yesterday I won 5 bonus stars that were added to my account, which pushed me over the 12 stars point, and I now have a free reward waiting! Woo Hoo!

Some of the prizes you can win are: Starbucks for Life, Starbucks for a year, Starbucks for a month, Starbucks for a week or 5 Bonus Stars.

There are a maximum of 2 plays per day. You don't even have to make a purchase to get a chance to play! Just go HERE, sign into your Starbucks account, then scroll all the way to the fine print at the bottom of the page and click on the link for a free play. 

I don't know about you, but saving money, earning free rewards & crossing things off of my Christmas list are all up my alley!

Ta ta for now...save money!

 

Holiday Shopping Stress!

This is year seems more stressful than others in regards to shopping. Everywhere you turn you are being bombarded by sales, discounts and pressure to BUY NOW!

I don't know if you are being sucked in. I tried doing a pre-Thanksgiving sale on a household item that seemed like a great price. And guess what, the same vendor marked it down 2 days after it was delivered to me!  So guess what, I bought it again to save $40.00. All the shipping was free, so when the 2nd one comes in, I will take it back to the store with the big bull's eye on it!

Thanksgiving sales, Black Friday, Cyber Monday...and my mailbox is full of everyone offering me Cyber Monday prices now, on Sunday!  What is a girl to do?

At some point, I will just stop looking after I get an item that I feel is a pretty good deal. After all, who wants to try returning Christmas gifts during this hectic shopping season anyway?

I hope everyone else is having a less stressful shopping experience.  And remember, if you are shopping online, shop through any portals you belong to, like AAdvantage Shopping or Upromise so that you can earn miles or cash back, use your cash back or points credit card for the purchase, and always, always check RetailmeNot for coupons and discount codes for any vendor!

Ta ta for now...save money!

Garden in your Kitchen - Aero Garden Discounts!

Do you like to garden, but just don't have the space?  Or maybe you want to experiment to see if you have a green thumb? I was curious, so I purchased one of the AeroGarden self contained Hydroponic Gardens. That's just a fancy word for growing things in water!  Having a countertop garden is convenient and fun to watch! Mostly I have only tried vegetables and herbs, lettuce, basil, thyme etc. It is so nice to have fresh herbs to use while cooking.

If you want to give it a try, or are looking for an unique gift for that special someone, all gardens are on sale right now, plus use code  HOLIDAY20 to get 20% off store-wide! 

 

Just order kits of flowers, veggies or herbs. The seeds are prepotted in little seed pod kits that you snap into the garden. A pump moves water across the base keeping everything moist and encouraging them to sprout! From there you just keep the water level correct and add fertilizer that they send with the kit!

Give it a try! and if you sign up for their newsletter, you will receive $125.00 in coupons to use for shopping.

Ta ta for now...save money!

 

Macy's online Super Saturday Sale 12/15/12

If you like to shop MACY's, then you will want to take advantage of their online discounts for Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012!

Use code "GIFT" for 20% off, plus get free shipping.

Time to get that holiday shopping done in time to have it by Christmas!

Ta Ta for now...save money!

Starbucks Christmas Promotions

It's that time of the year again! Starbucks is once again running it's "12 Days of Giftgiving" holiday promotions.

Save everyday with special deals until  December 11, 2012. One item per day that can sell out fast means going early in the day. Don't be like me and wait until after work to look for one of these highly desired deals.

Dec. 2, 2012 - Buy one get one free Starbucks VIA® 12-pack or Tazo® tea tin

Dec. 3, 2012 - Free brewed coffee during the month of January 2013 when you purchase a 16 fl oz tumbler. $30.00

To check out the daily specials, click here.

Ta ta for now...save money!

Shopping Discount Trick?

I just read this shopping suggestion today, so I will pass it along. It is a tip from Time Magazine's Moneyland column. I am going to give it a try for a higher end store where I need to buy a Christmas present, and I have been unable to find a coupon or discount elsewhere. If it works, I will be so excited!

Some online companies will give you discounts or other incentives if you log into their sight, place items in your cart, then literally "abandon" the cart by not buying anything. Leave them there but don't hit the "buy" button. I can do that!

To get you to come back and finish your purchase, some companies will email you with additional codes. You must already be logged in so that they have your email address for this to work. It may only work once, or they may just send you an email reminding you that you haven't completed your order.  It's definitely worth a try if it isn't something you need right a way!

Ta ta for now...save money!

Walmart Layaway is a Great Way to Save!

Walmart has brought back it's layaway program. I remember when I was a young girl, that my Mom would use this program throughout the year to buy us clothes and gifts for Birthdays and Christmas. It was a way that a mother or four girls, whose husband was a Marine could budget!

Walmart has now brought this program back starting on September 16, 2012, just in time for the Christmas season. You can layaway more types of items in addition to last year's limit of toys and electronics. You do have to place $5.00 in the account to open it, but you will receive it back as a gift card when you redeem your items. Go here to read more about the details of the offer.

What are the advantages? Save on the products you want and if there is a particularly hot product that is a must have for someone on your list, you can buy it with the flexibility of paying it off over time. Instant credit without the penalties!

Happy shopping!

Ta ta for now...save money!

75% off Christmas

Well, there is still a little Christmas out there to be had at 75% off!  I just returned from Walmart where they still have Christmas decor, stocking stuffers, candy and oodles of paper at 75% off. I bought a four pack of wrapping paper (150 sq ft) for only $1.28 plus tax. That's like .32 cents a roll!

I always try to buy wrapping paper and cards (only if I need them) after Christmas and put them aside for next year. It doesn't take up too much space and I am ready to go next year when it's time to wrap those gifts.

Grab a few for yourself and save some $$!

Ta ta for now...

Glen Ivy Discount Gift Cards!

Orders must be placed by noon  Monday, December 19, 2011 to receive by Christmas. Buy a $100.00 gift card for only $75.00! CLICK HERE to read more.

Treat yourself or someone special for Christmas!

Ta ta for now...

Holiday Forgetfulness!

There is a lot to remember during the Holiday Season! Between juggling work, family, home and shopping is can be difficult to remember all that needs to be done.

Here I blog about savings, good deals and values, and then I forget to take advantage of them! It was late afternoon yesterday when I remembered that I was supposed to visit Starbucks to take advantage of the $19.99 traveler mug with free coffee during January promotion. So on may way home from work I stopped at  5 Starbucks. I already knew after the first stop that it was probably hopeless since they had a sign out saying they were sold out. But I was determined! I programmed my gps to show me all the coffee shops along my way home and tried to pick several that were more remote and might have some left.

My first stop was a Barnes & Noble. There I found out that they were not a regular franchise so they were not participating. Darn! I bypassed several on the corners of busy intersections. I doubted that at 6pm they'd have any left.  My next stop was a very small one in a strip mall, strike 3. Strike 4 at my next stop where I didn't even go in after I saw the "sorry sold out" sign through the front windows! I hate to give up, so one last try. I decided to go to Target where I knew they had an in-store coffee counter. Would they be like B&N?

I hurried to the coffee counter, no one there. I scoured the display and then I saw one. The elusive travel mug with numerical designs. Was this it? I grabbed it, it was $19.99 so that was a good sign. Then I saw the special tag around the mouth of the cup, THIS WAS IT! A girl finally came up front and I asked her if they had any more. She didn't even know anything about the promotion, so there I stood explaining it to her!

So now the big decision, who gets it for Christmas?

Ta ta for now...

Christmas Deals from Starbucks

If you love Starbucks, but would also enjoy a little extra for your money, how about these promotions being offered during a 12 Days of Christmas special until December 12?

• December 6th - get a holiday themed cold cup for $7.95, regularly $10.95-$11.95
• December 7th - 50% off 6-pack of Cranberry Bliss Bars
• December 8th - any Via 12 pack on sale for $7.95
• December 9th  - buy 1 pound of Christmas Blend, Decaf Christmas Blend, Espresso Roast, or Holiday Blend whole bean coffee and get a three-pack of Starbucks VIA for FREE!
• December 10th - Tazo Tea Sampler or Via REady Brew Sampler on sale for $12.95.
• December 11th - Holiday Boxed Mugs on sale for $6.95, regularly $9.95
• December 12th, buy a 16oz  tumbler for $19.95 and get FREE BREWED COFFEE DURING THE ENTIRE MONTH OF JANUARY 2012 (over a $70.00 value)!

Check out their website to view all of the offers for yourself, it is a very cute interactive site!

I definitely know where I will be on the 12th day of December!

Ta ta for now...

Bicycles for Christmas!

Are you thinking about buying a bicycle for someone for Christmas! Check out Walmart not only for their excellent prices, but also because you can shop online, have the bike shipped to store for free and then go to the store and ask to have them assemble it for you for FREE also! You may have to wait a couple of days, so plan early to be able to have it in time for Christmas!

Ta ta for now...

Huffy bike only $119.00 at Walmart right now!

Black Friday Shopping

Are you gearing up for that Magical Black Friday where we are supposed to find the best bargains and prices for our Holiday Shopping!  Well if you are, here are some websites to check out to get a jump on those sales!

TheBlackFriday.com 

bfads.net

blackfriday.fm

tgiBlackFriday.com

BlackFriday2011.com

slickdeals.net

Also, there are apps to keep you up to date while you are shopping:

ShopSavvy for scanning barcodes and finding lowest price

iSLick for the iphone

and BlackFriday

Ta ta for now...

Disney Family & Friends 20% off Sale

This Family & Friends Disney Store Discount ends tomorrow, November 15, 2011, so hurry to save  20% on your entire order!  If you purchase over $75.00 your shipping is free with the code!

It's time to think about gathering up Christmas ideas and gifts!

Ta ta for now...

Tree Hunting in the Rain!

Every year, since my daughter was a little girl we would buy our Christmas tree with our good friends and neighbors who have a son a couple of years older. It started because we have a  truck and offered to cart their tree home for them as well. Traditionally, after the hunt through the trees and the obligatory picture of the "kids" in front of our treasured find, we would go out for a nice dinner.

This year, since the son only got home yesterday, we were very late into the tree hunt. Most of the lots around our house had already closed up shop and left town to whatever tree region they came from. I hit the internet to see where there might be trees, but all I could find were tree farms. Since it has been pouring rain for 2 days straight, walking around many acres in the mud did not seem like a great option.

My friend suggested Home Depot. As we came closer to the store I saw two trees gracing the entrance and joked that we should just pull up and toss them in the truck! Lo and behold to my pleasant surprise they still had a tree lot with a good selection of trees left at affordable prices! Did I get the  best tree in the world? Well let me put it this way, you can do an awful lot with well placed ornaments and lights!

Tonight the tree is in it's rightful place of honor in the Living Room. Hopefully tomorrow my husband will string the lights and then we will get it decorated just in time for Christmas Eve. I will just have to leave it up a bit later to enjoy it this year!

Ta ta for now...

Two wet kids holding proxy trees under the tent where it was drier!

Christmas Gift Ideas

Do you need a Christmas gift idea that is personal, yet affordable?  If you love taking pictures and would love to do something creative with them I would suggest a Photo Book as a gift.  There are many wonderful websites out there offering great discounts right now. So get busy!

If you are a Costco member you can use the photo website to create a book. If not, here are some other suggestions:

SnapFish.com

They are offereing 35% off if you use code 1206Merry by 12/12/10, otherwise you can get 25% off with code MERRY2010 by 12/31/10.

ShutterFly.com

Is offering up to 30% off and free shipping with certain orders.

Kodak Gallery

Is offering 40% off, plus free shipping on certain orders.

MyPublisher

Is offering 50% off a photo book.

Lulu

Offers discount on it's books as well.

Of course you will have to work fast as deadlines for Christmas are quickly approaching!

Ta Ta for now...

No Pride Part Two!

Maybe my new obsession with getting a deal IS getting a little out of hand. Along with the muffin pans I wanted for Christmas, I also told my husband about this great little cookbook that I have been hearing great things about. It is called "Now Eat This" and is written by Rocco Dispirito.


In this delectable cookbook he transforms America's favorite comfort food into deliciously healthy dishes - all with zero bad carbs, zero bad fats, zero sugar, and maximum flavor. Favorite foods without the guilt.  Sounds like it will fit perfectly into my plan to stay healthy and trim.


I even went so far as the print out the book title, where to buy it (Border's) and a coupon for 40% off. Can't make Christmas shopping any easier than that! Guess I will have to wait a couple of more weeks to see if Santa brings it!


Ta Ta for now...

Hope Santa Brings This!

No Pride!

I am just as hard to shop for as my husband, so when he asked me what I wanted for Christmas I had to think long and hard. Finally I came up with an idea, I want mini muffin pans! Crazy right! I even told him he could buy them at Walmart and for  how much. Of course I couldn't stop there, when I saw them advertised in the Sunday newspaper for even less at Target ($3.87 instead of $8.00 at Walmart) I just couldn't resist sharing the news!

What was his response? "Enough already, I already bought them!". I laughed so hard and responded back that I wouldn't say another word unless I saw them for buy one, get one free. I didn't really spoil the surprise - I already told him I wanted them. At least now I know I will actually get them!

I can hardly wait to make pint sized cupcakes and muffins. That way I can stretch my budget by baking in miniature and also cut down on the calorie intake. Woo Hoo!

Ta Ta for now...

Black Friday - Cyber Friday

Count me OUT! I will not be setting the alarm for o'dark thirty, looking for parking spaces or  fighting crowds. I will be watching pricing intently online and in circulars, but with the economy as bad as it has been, I expect sales and bargains to be around all the way up to Christmas!

I have had boxes arriving from my earlier online purchases, and so far I am very happy. I still have a few more ideas to come up with, but I already feel comfortable with my purchases and will not beat myself up if I happen to see something now being offered for less. That can drive a person crazy! I was already very careful to hunt for the lowest prices on PriceGrabber.com and Google shopping, and then combined that with coupons and discount codes found on RetailMeNot. I did my due diligence.

To those of you who love the hunt - God Speed and safe shopping!

Ta Ta for now...

Radio City Christmas Spectacular

Are you contemplating taking the family to see the Rockettes this Christmas?  For discounted tickets to the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, visit their website at http://www.radiocitychristmas.com/ and use code: 4PACKDM when ordering 4, up to 8 tickets. It's almost a 40% discount!

This show is a must see. I remember taking my  daughter when she was about 10 or 11 and it really gets you in a Holiday mood. On the West Coast they are performing in San Diego, Anaheim, Los Angeles, Bakersfield, Fresno, Sacramento, Oakland and San Jose. I am not sure if the codes works in other cities, but I would sure try it. What a great family Christmas gift idea!

Ta Ta for now...