There are a gazillion Groupon imitators, but MyPersonalShopper.com is not one of them. This new site scours the Internet to find valuable deals that match your interests, kind of like having your own personal shopper. Unlike a lot of other sites that continually send deals for bizarre skin treatments or restaurants more than an hours drive.
MyPersonalShopper.com uses their own algorithm to match deals to your lifestyle and hobbies. Interested in golf? The site will send you deals on new irons. Like to get discounts on new restaurants? The site will send you steep markdowns to help you save money.
MyPersonalShopper.com was created to level the playing field for consumers, who are influenced by companies that spend billions of dollars each year to sell their products. The site acts as a sophisticated agent that is searching 24/7 for good deals on the things they buy. The service is free because the site site makes a little money when users purchase items from stores MyPersonalShopper.com has an affiliate relationship with.
If you join, MyPersonalShopper.com sends just two emails a week, which is a reflection of their commitment to quality over quantity.
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If you live in the greater Los Angeles area, this sale is for you. The largest wholesaler in the country, DLM Off-Price Specialists, is opening their doors to the public this Saturday, July 31, 2010. Expect prices to be 80-90% off retail and look for name brands like DKNY, Ellie Tahari, and more.
DLM normally sells to the discount shops, so you are getting prices below wholesale – pennies on the dollar in some cases! There are absolutely no knock offs.
The selection is huge in DLM’s 100,000 square foot warehouse, which is 15 minutes from downtown. Score great bargains in women’s clothes, men’s clothes, and children’s clothing, plus home goods like Paula Deen dishware. One Paula Deen platter that sells for $25 at Macy’s is $7 at DLM. Snappy!
The sale is this Saturday, July 31, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. DLM is located at 2343 Saybrook Ave. in Commerce, CA. Their phone number is (323) 724-5474. This video has more details about prices and brands.
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Lisa Leonard jewelry
I’ve never been a fan of charm bracelets until I saw Lisa Leonard’s custom, hand-stamped jewelry. Her gold and silver pieces are feminine, expressive, and stylish. No clunky tea pots and train cars among her wares. I particularly like her open circle and oval pieces.
I’m not the only one who is a fan. Lisa’s jewelry has been spotted on celebrities like Josie Bisset and Jason Priestly’s wife Naomi. One of Lisa’s most popular pieces is her heart strings necklace, which starts at $58. One to four hearts are stamped onto a 1 1/4-inch sterling disk, then you can add names and a pearl. Very sentimental.
Lisa has generously offered a 20% off site wide coupon code. Use bargainbabe20 when checking out (all lower case). The coupon code is good through Wednesday, July 28 at 11:59 p.m. PST.
Lisa also makes pieces for men, including a key chain that says “my daddy is a superhero” and a sterling ring imprinted with a message or name. She has non-custom pieces that feature whimsical designs and simple, powerful messages. One necklace dubbed “every corner of my heart” has a sterling heart in the corner of a textured square.
Lisa also writes a blog with pictures of her family’s adventures, the food they cook, and musing about life.
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Having seen the value of my IRA drop month after month, I’m considering other means to save for retirement. Real estate? Not sure when that will be safe, either. One option I’m new to is gold coins, including the Gold American Buffalos.
The Gold American Buffalo coin is made of 24 karat cold and has a picture of a Native American on one side and a giant buffalo on the other. This coin, as well as American Eagles, gold bars and rare coins are available from the United States Gold Bureau, which has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (I double-checked), and is known for pleasing clients with their customer service and competitive pricing.
One-ounce Gold American Buffalos are priced at just $59 above the spot price of gold. There are no commissions or hidden charges. If you are new to gold coins, like me, the site has education pages about
what to look for when buying precious metals. The United States Gold Bureau also has a newsletter for up-to-date tips and news on the gold market. If you want to learn more or you’re ready to buy gold, check out the United States Gold Bureau.
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You’ve heard of Overstock.com, I’m sure, but have you shopped the discount site recently? It has expanded from clothing to all sorts of household items, like furniture, jewelry, and name brand shoes, such as Nine West.
Each item for sale on Overstock.com has reviews from buyers (1 to 5 stars), the original price, the Overstock.com price, and the percentage off. You can often get additional discounts if you sign up for the email list, which is how the site shares coupons. Or Google “Overstock coupon.”
In addition to these traditional retail items, Overstock.com sells – get this – cars, houses, and collectibles through auctions. The Community tab at the top of the homepage has links to the company’s Twitter feed, shares videos from their office, and has a forum for fans of the mega shopping site. Kinda cool. May just be time to give Overstock.com a second look – or a first if you’ve never visited!
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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.
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There are so many coupon sites that it’s hard to distinguish one from another. CouponCactus.com, however, is worth taking a look at. The site combines coupons with automatic cash rebates based on your purchase total. It’s the best of eBates and RetailmeNot!
The amount of discount information on the CouponCactus.com is staggering. The site has tabs for free shipping coupons, coupons that expire soon, new coupons, coupons with the biggest discount, the most popular discounts, and exclusive coupons. Plus, you can search for coupons by category or store name (there are 3,600). Phew! That’s a lot of online coupons.
For each discount, the site lists the percentage cash rebate, the expiration date, and has a link to restrictions, if any. You can share each coupon via buttons for Facebook, Twitter, and email. When you shop using links on CouponCactus.com, the coupon discount will be deducted from your purchase – although sometimes you will need to plug in the coupon code yourself. Double check your tab before clicking purchase. The automatic cash rebate takes a little longer to arrive.
Coupon Cactus pays out via check or Paypal each quarter. So the money you save now won’t be in your account for about 120 days. You must have at least $10 in cash back rewards for CouponCactus.com to send you a check.
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Looking for contact lenses? AC Lens combines the lowest prices available with dedicated, personalized customer service. Plus, they have a 30-day return policy. This winning combination has made ACLens.com the third largest contact lens retailer online – that’s huge!
AC Lens prices are among the lowest compared to rivals. Compare their price for Acuvue Oasys, the #1 prescribed contact lens, which is $24.45/box right now at ACLens.com. Try finding Acuvue Oasys for under $30 per box at 1800Contacts, WalMart Vision Center, Sears Optical, Pearle Vision, or LensCrafters. Oftentimes, rivals with a price match policy end up matching ACLens.com.
ACLens.com has gotten a lot of publicity for their prices, including mentions in Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Woman’s World, The Boston Globe, and the Atlanta Journal Constitution, among others. The site won the BizRate Circle of Excellence Award for superior customer service four consecutive years. No other contact lens retailer can claim that honor.
If you want specials and exclusive deals on lenses, friend ACLens on Facebok or follow them on Twitter (@ACLens). It’s always good to know about deals for products you buy. ACLens.com ships lenses to all 50 US states as well as Europe, South America and the Far East.
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BuyMoreContacts.com
I don’t wear contacts, which makes me the odd man out. The rest of you hard-of-seeing folks will want to check out BuyMoreContacts.com for low prices on contact lenses. This online seller of contact lenses has deeply discounted prices, great customer service, and they sell the most popular brands, like Acuvue, Freshlook, Soflens.
Expect prices to be up to 70% less than retail. You can search the site for contact lenses by product name (there are dozens), brand (Baush & Lomb, Coopervision, Ciba Vision, Hydrogel Vision, or Vistakon), and by lens type (bifocal, colored, daily- weekly- or monthly-disposables, etc). BuyMoreContacts.com has 150 types of contact lenses in stock that are ready for next day delivery. If your purchase comes to $75 or more, shipping is free.
If you don’t like your contact lenses, BuyMoreContacts.com offers a money back guarantee for unopened or defective lenses. Not too shabby.
The customer service agents are available at 1-800-383-2300 to take your order. You can also shoot your contact lens prescription order to Orders@buymorecontacts.com or fax it to 1-800-965-5500.
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A trade show display or booth is crucial when it comes to winning the attention and interest of trade show attendants; learn the best ways to make these items work for you.
By acquiring space at a trade show, individuals are able to significantly enhance the use of and knowledge about one’s services and products; a trade show display is an important way to help get these messages across to others. One of the main objectives of trade shows is for those involved in giving demonstrations to promote their products, create leads for potential clients and increase the sales of the company on a fundamental levels. Another benefit of attending trade shows is to keep up on the advancements of competitors and see what one’s opposition is in the business world, as well as making professional contacts.
The goals and benefits of trade shows are clear. A trade show booth or a trade show display can, in many instances, have a major impact on the level of success an individual or business will achieve at such functions. Prior to attending trade shows, it is advised that individuals create goals and a strategy plan for the show. These steps are vital to estimating one’s return on their investment. When choosing between different trade show booth and display options, it is important to zero in on the model which is most effective while still taking into consideration one’s own individual marketing design objectives and budget. As important as the setup of one’s trade show area is the insistence on making sure that the space is being operated by team members who are trained and capable when it comes to generating leads, marketing and interacting with others to represent the brand, products and services optimally.
There is a saying that it takes money to make money. Nonetheless, it is advisable to get multiple estimates for various trade show display and booth models. This will allow individuals and companies to make the best investment as a result of their budget. Important considerations include the type of exhibit, the design and size of the exhibit and one’s monetary constraints. Consider the location of the exhibit as well. Will the display be in a line, at a corner or constructed as its own island?
Many trade booth displays are available. Popup Displays are lightweight and capable of creating curved or angled trade booth display creations. Panel displays can be utilized to create a wall. Those displays are particularly well-suited for adaptable booths when it comes to both size and configuration. Table top displays are one of the more economical options available to presenters; they sit on top of the table and can easily be updates or redesigned. Pull up displays are adaptable to many different design situations. Graphics and banners are also available to complete one’s trade show display. For many businesses and individuals, a portable trade show booth is the best option because it allows for so much convenience. In many cases, the cost of such a booth is considerably less when compared to permanent options. In the long run, when it comes to these types of trade show booth options, these displays can remain the same, while only the printing and publications change on an as needed basis. Still, it is most important to consider one’s own, personal needs, desires and financial capabilities. What is right for one business or individual may not be the best option for another. Individual considerations and capabilities are the most important aspects to consider; however, by understanding the options available it is much easier to make these decisions and make the most of one’s trade show display.
Smash Hit Displays provides a wide array of trade show displays and booths, geared to improve your exposure at trade shows. With excellent customer service and low prices, you’re sure to get a good deal at SmashHitDisplays.com.
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I pay $4 a day for the privilege of receiving calls and working anywhere I want on my iPhone, which seemed like a decent tradeoff until I heard about no contract cell phone plans like those available at Pure TalkUSA. The network just launched an unlimited talk and text plan that is $48 a month. $48! That’s insane. And it includes taxes and fees.
What really sets Pure TalkUSA apart from the competition is its $10 a month Flex Plan that starts you with 101 minutes. Another $10 gets you 125 more minutes. Pay another $10 and you get 150 minutes, and so on. You can cap the total bill or let Pure TalkUSA add another $10 every time you use up your minutes. Get more info about Pure TalkUSA’s cheap cell phone plans. Remember, the plan prices already include taxes and fees.
Pure TalkUSA’s month-to-month plans come with a variety of handsets – from free handsets to others available for $11 to $65. You can also use your existing phone, as long as it is an unlocked GSM phone, and keep your current phone number for no extra charge. Pure TalkUSA will provide you with a FREE SIM card, which also comes with 150 minutes.
Pure TalkUSA is on the GSM network, same as AT&T and T-Mobile. Pure TalkUSA is a family-owned and operated business based in Georgia.
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Remember how I was going to rush over to Macys to buy a food processor? Well I just used the online price comparison site PriceTrace.com and realized the current sale price is actually $35 higher than it has been in the past! I’m going to use PriceTrace’s simple, three-step process to make sure I buy a food processor at the lowest possible price. Here’s how it works.
First, plug in basic information about the product you are looking for (such as the item’s name, UPC code, SKU, or product url from a retailer) into the PriceTrace.com search box and click “Go.” Select the specific item you want to buy among the results and click “Trace it.”
Next, compare prices for your item. PriceTrace.com draws prices from all the major retailers, like Amazon, WalMart, Macys, Best Buy, and lots of smaller ones, too. PriceTrace.com shows you how the current price compares over the past year in a Price History Chart to the right of your results. The chart highlights the date when the item was at its lowest price, which is a super cool feature.
Lastly, if the current price is not near the lowest price, you can plug in your email with your target price and set up an alert when the product drops to your target price. (I’m doing this for my food processor.) This feature is called the Price Drop Alert and it helps you buy at the right time.
PriceTrace.com also has a one-click toolbar for Firefox and Chrome (IE coming soon) so you can compare prices with one click. If you need more guidance, editors at the site pick the top price drops each day so you don’t have to search for the best deals. Check out PriceTrace.com next time you are shopping online.
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The next time you are in the market for a computer, camera, GPS, DVD player, or other electronic item, check out CheapStingyBargains.com. The site is a mondo deal aggregator that pulls the best prices from Amazon, Newegg, Best Buy, Lenovo, Dell, Sears, Walmart, Buy.com, Overstock, and TigerDirect.
After finding great deals, CheapStingyBargains.com combines them with an HP coupon code, Dell coupon code or another coupon code for the particular product you are looking for.
A few recent deals I found on CheapStingyBargains.com:
- $20 off $100 sitewide at HP with a stackable coupon code
- Dexter: The Complete Fourth Season Blu-Ray or DVD (2009) $46 Blu-Ray or $35 DVD w/ Free Shipping!
- A Swiss Legend 60002-02 Endeavor Collection Mens Watch $131 Shipped
- $259 off an Inspiron 15 Laptop with instant discount
- $408 off a Studio XPS 8100 Desktop with instant discount
- $302 off a Dell Vostro 220 Desktop w/ 21.5″ Monitor for only $429
CheapStingyBargains.com also has giveaways you can enter just by leaving a comment! The forums page is extremely active, with discussions on everything from iPad envy to hot deals and freebies. You can also go straight to their Coupons tab for coupons by retailer, listed alphabetically. With so many coupon codes and hot deals, it’s hard not to find what you are looking for at a great price on CheapStingyBargains.com.
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The last time I blogged about the amazing discounts at DLM Off Price warehouse in Commerce, CA there was a huge response. Now they are opening their doors to the public the last Saturday of every month – that’s March 27, 2010 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
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Here’s a new site that puts everything you need to be an efficient coupon clipper in one place. GroceryCouponNetwork.com has printable grocery coupons, kitchen recipes, and freebie offers. The site is totally free – of course – and there are plans to expand to include customizable shopping lists that you can share with others.
If you click on the Coupons tab at the top of the GroceryCouponNetwork.com homepage, you’ll get a huge variety of food coupons via Coupons.com, the biggest distributor of online grocery coupons that I know of. You can search for coupons by category or name brand. There were almost 150 coupons when I last checked.
GroceryCouponNetwork.com also has a ton of kitchen recipes. On the Recipes tab I found more than 2,000 individual recipes, from Apricot & Cucumber Soup to Yum Pra-Hmik (Thai squid soup)! That’s handy if you find some vegetable or fruit at a great price but have no idea how to cook it, like Kale. Who knows how to make that stuff edible?
The Community tab is where you can register, ask questions about coupon stacking and other advanced clipping techniques, share great deals you find, and gloat about the ones you took advantage of. It’s nice to meet other coupon clippers.
If you are interested in shopping checklists, tips for budgeting grocery cost, kitchen recipes and cooking tips, special promotions on popular brands, holiday cooking advice, weekly coupons, and local deals, sign up for the email newsletter on GroceryCouponNetwork.com.
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