Entertainment books – New contest! 25 random winners will win two 2010 Entertainment Books of their choosing. Like the BargainBabe.com and Lozo page on Facebook to enter. If you’re not on Facebook, this is a good reason to join!
Free tote – Get a free tote if you are a woman fighting cancer.
White Castle - Here is a White Castle coupon for a buy one get one free Saver Sacks.
McAlister’s – Today only! If you live near a McAlister’s Deli, head on over for a free sweet iced tea.
Free apps – Coupon Cravings has a neat list of the top 30 money saving iPhone apps.
Check out all the coupons and deals on my WalletPop blog.
Reese's Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake Cheesecake
Sirius - get a free 30-day satellite radio trial and access dozens of channels.
Cheesecake Factory – Put Friday, July 30, 2010 on your calender. That’s when cheesecake slices are half off in celebration of National Cheesecake Day. Snag this coupon to get a slice a day early for just $1.50!
Staples – Here are three Staples coupons for $5 to $50 off that can be used on most anything in the store, including computers. Expires Saturday, July 24, 2010.
Vista Print – Get 250 free business cards from Vista Print when you foot the shipping, about $5.
The Limited - Stroll into The Limited and pick up a $10 Fashion Pass that can be used on most items in the store. Cha-ching!
Check out all the coupons and deals on my WalletPop blog.
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A recent survey by CESI Debt Solutions found a whopping 80% of us hide purchases from our partners. Ouch! Some 18.5% of married couples have credit cards their spouse don’t even know about! I’m not sure how that is possible. Wouldn’t they see the bill, notice transfers out of a bank account, or wonder where new items around the house came from?
According to the survey of more than 200 Americans, spouses are secretly buying:
- 34.5% clothing and accessories
- 24% food/dining
- 19.5% beauty/personal care items
- 16.5% gifts
- 13% alcohol
- 9% entertainment
- 9.5% music/cd/mp3
- 8.5% childcare/items for children
The last item makes me think the survey included in the “secret” category purchases not explicitly mentioned, which would inflate these numbers. The survey was conducted by a company that makes money from helping people pay down credit card debt so I suppose the more people overspend, the more their business is necessary. But forgetting to mention a purchase is different than keeping something secret. You took the kid to JC Penney for new underwear? Not exactly scintillating dinner conversation.
Most financial cheaters kept their spending on the down low to avoid problems at home, the survey found. Ya think?! Oh honey, I forgot to tell you I owe $6,000. Guess we won’t be going on vacation, after all.
- 46% are currently paying off the debt and feel s/he doesn’t need to know
- 43% want to avoid an argument
- 27% will never tell their spouse about their spending
- 19.9% are concerned it would end the relationship
- 11% plan to tell their spouse, but are not ready yet
So the question is not whether you have cheated financially on your partner, but what purchase were you hiding? Or perhaps you have a story to tell about discovering a secret purchase?
One of the biggest fights I ever had with a significant other was when I discovered he had purchased a TiVo in secret. The purchase price was not the issue, however. I was strongly against a TiVo as I was convinced I would watch too much television if we had one. He was strongly for the TiVo as it would allow him to easily record shows he liked. A great sale came up and he couldn’t resist. I found the thing in the closet about a week later and blew up – it felt like he had lied to me. Looking back, we both could have compromised and avoided the whole argument. Sigh. Live, and learn.
Computers are wonderful things when they work. When they don’t, the world comes crashing down. A lot of crashes are because of bugs. We’ve innocently downloaded malicious software, spy ware, or other nasty files onto our machine. Then minutes, days, or months later we realize our mistake and the pain kicks in.
If you don’t have anti-virus software, or aren’t happy with yours, check out the AVG Free anti-virus program. They also have an AVG LinkScanner for Mac. The free software has free 24/7 technical support, the capability to make sure your downloads are safe and it can detect rootkits hidden deep inside your operating system.
The Pro version of the AVG software is $35 or free when you buy a product through one of their partner sponsors. The idea is you buy something you want, like a Netflix subscription or a pair of Gap jeans, then get the software for free.
Want to know more? Virus expert Steve Armstrong, who is not affiliated with AVG, talks about how the mean people who write virus’ are getting more clever and better at spreading bugs. Armstrong says going forward there are going to be more virus’ aimed at collecting sensitive data (like your credit card number) through social media sites.
This is paid content. Interested in an ad? Read my Advertise page.
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A reader named Pauline wrote in with this question.
Dear Julia: I’m trying to find a lower cost for our Internet service which is through ATT and keeps going up. Currently it’s $28.00. I don’t need to fastest thing know to man. Any suggestions??? Thanks for your great informative blog. Sincerely Pauline
What do you suggest Pauline does?
My frugal friends at Savings.com shared these coupons with me.Get $30 off 3G Smart Phones at Verizon Wireless. Expires July 10, 2010.
Get $12 off sitewide orders of $150 or more at Abes of Maine. Expires September 30, 2010.
Rejoice! Starting today Starbucks is offering free WiFi to its customers. Previously, it was a complete pain in the neck to get WiFi at Starbucks, requiring you to jump through all sorts of hoops or pay for a connection. This move will certainly attract more customers and maybe win back those who switched to McDonald’s for their cheaper coffee and free WiFi. Here is a full list of places to get free Wifi.
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Get an extra 20% off at the GAP through Wednesday, June 30 when you shop through eBates. Gap is currently have a 40% off sale so this means mondo savings!
The 80% off sale at Restaurant.com was extended through Wednesday, June 30, 2010.
Get GoGo in-flight WiFi on sale by 43% off when you buy a 30-day pass before your plane takes off. Planning ahead can save you a few bucks.
Ever been to the Waffle House? Here is a Waffle House coupon for a free slice of pie that is good through July 10, 2010. No California locations, sadly.
Check out all the coupons and deals on my WalletPop blog.
My frugal friends at Savings.com shared these coupons this week.
Get an extra 15% off sitewide, including sale items at Kohl’s. Expires July 15, 2010.
Get $22 off $100 at Shoes.com. Expires July 31, 2010.
Get 70% off all Luggage at Calvin Klein. Expires July 7, 2010.
Get $50 off all computers with trade-in at Staples. Expires September 18, 2010.
Book cheap one way flights from $43 and up, plus get an extra $10 off CheapOair. Deal ongoing.
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The Quiznos $3 coupon for a small sub, chips, and soda is ending Tuesday, June 23, 2010.
Live near a Tasti D-Lite? Stop in on June 20, 2010 for a Father’s Day freebie.
Get a $10 Amazon credit for Video on Demand when you follow @AmazonVideo on Twitter. If Twitter seems like a complicated, time-sucking new technology to you, just remember you are missing out on a lot of deals!
Check out all the coupons and deals on my WalletPop blog.
Finally, Starbucks came to its senses. The ubiquitous coffee giant will begin offering unlimited free WiFi starting July 1, 2010. Previously, you had to register your Starbucks card, maintain a certain balance, and have used it regularly to get a free connection, and then only for two hours.
This move will certainly attract more customers and maybe win back those who switched to McDonald’s for their cheaper coffee and free WiFi.
Other places to get free Wifi:
Barnes & Noble – no purchase necessary
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf – technically no purchase necessary as WiFi code appears in super small font at the bottom of their TV monitors, but you’ll probably end up buying a drink or pastry
Peet’s Coffee – purchase necessary as WiFi access code is printed at the bottom of your receipt
Panera Bread – technically no purchase necessary but you’ll probably buy a sandwich anyway
Cosi – same as Panera
Readers added these suggestions:
Your local library
McDonald’s
Local indie coffee shop
Community centers
Colleges and universities
Where do you go for free WiFi?
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This post is brought to you by CouponSmarter.com, a hot new source of online coupons and promotions.
In store clearance is 50% off at Old Navy today and tomorrow only! Sale ends Saturday, May 29, 2010.
The 10 top cheap drugstore deals are not what you think they are!
Here is a rare Coldstone Creamery coupon for 20% off that is good through June 30, 2010 – I think. The expiration date is blurry and I don’t have a printer on hand to print it out and check. Can anyone confirm?
This J.Crew coupon code will get your free shipping on orders of $150 or more now through May 31, 2010.
Kraft has four new flavored-mayonnaise types. You can get two free samples by sharing a little info about yourself.
Starbucks has 10 free MP3s to download in honor of their frappuccino drinks.
Check out all the coupons and deals on my WalletPop blog.
My frugal friends at Savings.com shared these coupons with me.
Save on orders of $100 or more with 25% off plus free shipping at Banana Republic. Coupon expires May 31, 2010.
Save 10% plus free shipping on orders of $125 or more at HP. Expires July 31, 2010.
Save 15% plus receive free shipping at Smart Bargains. Expires June 8, 2010.
Get 20% off at LuggagePoint.com. Expires June 30, 2010.
Save 10% plus get free shipping on orders of $50 or more at Folica.com. Expires June 1, 2010.
Pylon757/Flickr
This is a guest post by reader Marie.
For most of us, recycling for the good of the world has become a way of life. And that’s exactly what it should be. But recycling is also increasingly becoming a way for people to supplement their incomes. Here are a few creative and profitable ways to recycle extra stuff!
One expensive item that should NOT end up in landfills is toner cartridges. Office Depot and Staples stores both offer a $3 credit on their Rewards Card for used toner cartridges. However, there is a better way: reuse the cartridge yourself. Many Costco warehouses will refill toner cartridges for $8-$10. However, double check they refill your particular model. Go to Costco Ink Jet Refill and click on the Cartridges & Pricing to find which cartridges they refill. Then select the Locations tab to find a Costco location near you that will do the job. If you are committed to buying a new toner, BargainBabe.com blogger Bobbi knows where to get the best deals on toner and ink cartridges.
Another profitable way to recycle most electronic gadgets is to donate them. This accomplishes a dual purpose: you benefit from the tax write-off, and any profits from reselling the item enables the charity to help the needy. Many donation centers such as Goodwill, Salvation Army, and Vietnam Veterans will accept used computers and accessories. If the items can’t be resold, most donation centers will take care of recycling it for you. RECellular.com, YouRenew.com and Gazelle.com will pay cash for your old cell phone and will also pay your shipping costs. If it’s not worth anything, they will recycle it.
Target sends customers a gift card in return for items they send in for recycling. The program is called Nextworth and they give gift cards for a wide range of products. Best Buy charges $10 to take older TVs and monitors for recycling but give customers a $10 gift card in exchange. Apple stores give customers a 10 percent discount on a new iPod in exchange for dropping off an old iPod for recycling.
When all else fails, remember that tried and true “one person’s junk” recycler: the garage sale!
My frugal friends at Savings.com shared these coupons.
Get 15% off your order at Crocs. Expiration date unknown.
Get 15% off with free shipping on games of $29.99 or more at GameStop. Expires May 31, 2010.
Get 5% off 1 or more nights hotel stay at Orbitz. Expires July 31, 2010.
Get $50 off $250 with free shipping at Kate Spade. Expiration date unknown.
