Reader Louise left a comment with a tax tip that I just had to look into. On my post yesterday about H&R’s tax prep software sale (federal tax software and filing is $14 through Sunday) Louise said:
AARP will do your taxes for FREE as long as it is not a complicated return. I have been doing this for several years now. Just go on their web site to find a location near you. and you do not have to belong to aarp to take advantage of this.
Was Louise telling the truth?
She was! The AARP site says “AARP Tax-Aide is the nation’s largest free, volunteer-run tax assistance and preparation service. It is available to taxpayers with low- and moderate-incomes and gives special attention to people age 60 and older.”
To get the free help go into one of the 6,500 centers around the country. Many are located in senior centers, libraries, and community centers. The service is for people who have simple 1040, 1040A, and 1040EZ returns, including if you use Schedule A and B. If it’s more complicated than that, they can’t help. You can file your taxes electronically at most sites for free.
The sites open in Jan/Feb and stay open until April 15. Find an AARP Tax-Aide site near you. I plugged in my zip code and found 21 centers within 13 miles of me. If you’re not sure if you qualify because of your income, call a center near you. You can also ask a question about your federal returns and get an answer for free.
Thanks, Louise!
Corrinne at SearchByInseam, a site that lets you search for jeans by a particular fit, shared some awesome coupons with me today. Retailers are offering steep discounts tied to President’s Day, which is Monday.
Free shipping on all orders at American Eagle Outfitters through Monday. No code needed. You can get 30 percent off clearance items with code 49816637 through Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010. All jeans are also on sale, starting at $24.95.
Macys.com has 25 percent off clearance online only. Prices reflect extra savings. Free shipping with $99 purchase with code PRESIDENT.
Take 20 percent off all denim and dresses this weekend at CoutureCandy with the code FEB.
Save up to 40 percent on new markdowns at Nordstrom.
Blair.com has$1.99 flat rate shipping on ALL orders. Expires Feb. 15, 2010.
Take 20 percent off your first item at Avenue.com, and 25 percent off your second when you buy 3 or more items with code AV101005 through Feb. 28, 2010.
Get 20 percent off any adult OldNavy.com purchase of $100 or more with the coupon code ONSAVE20. Offer ends Feb. 18, 2010.
Amazon.com
Reader Katie wins my review copy of Life or Debt 2010: A New Path to Financial Freedom, which I wrote about earlier this week, for her comment:
I would love to read this book! Hubby and I are reccent college graduates and want to pay off our student loans/live debt free as quickly as possible but could sure use direction!
With early guidance I hope Katie and her husband live debt-free! If you didn’t win, Amazon has paperback copies of Life or Debt 2010 for $8.50 (orig. $15). And remember to try your library!
Readers shared some hot deals on BargainBabeLA.com, which helps Angelenos save money in their ‘hood. This week’s $5 Amazon cert for sharing deals goes to rolandoemail, a new user on the site. A close second was The Unethical Man, who has a sharp eye for bargains.
Next week the prize for posting a deal on BargainBabeLA.com is a $10 Starbucks card. Ohhhhhh. Ahhhhhhh.
This Friday you can enjoy a free concert at the California Plaza and get a free drink courtesy of LAFreeBee. I want to go! (Shared by rolandoemail.)
Enjoy this 2-for-1 Pinkberry coupon good Feb 12-19, 2010. I’m going to hit them up this weekend! (Shared by bargainbabe.)
Download free music from iTunes. A new selection is available every Tuesday. (Shared by The Unethical Man.)
Looking for a quick and local getaway to celebrate Valentine’s Day? There’s nothing like staying in a luxurious hotel for free! Well, sorta. Get one night free at the Wilshire Grand when you spend $100 at one of two restaurants. (Shared by bargainbabe.)
On your birthday get a free meal at Denny’s. (Shared by The Unethical Man.)
The tourism group DiscoverLA is promoting a lot of 50% off offers at local museums, concerts, and events. (Shared by bargainbabe.)
Get free tickets to a screening of a movie about Celione Dion tonight in Torrance. (Shared by rolandoemail).
Looking for emergency supplies? BargainBabeLA newbie Jrbwojwick recommends SOS Survival Products in Van Nuys.
You too can share a deal on BargainBabeLA.com It takes aobut four minutes and is fairly self-explanitory. If you have any questions, email me!
This post is brought to you by Allegro Medical, a provider of ostomy supplies.
I found some great coupons for you, and more are coming so make sure to check my blog on my WalletPop blog later today.
All make up is 25 percent off at Rite Aid today though Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010. A professional make up artist who I met two weeks ago in New York recommended three drugstore beauty products over fancy designer make up.
Amazon is having a huge magazine sale with Seventeen for $7 and Esquire for $9. Get an extra 50 percent off many sale titles with code MAGFEB50.
You can get a certificate for a free contact lenses through Acuvue when you sign up here.
- GenBug/Flickr
Taxes have absolutely nothing to do with Valentine’s Day but H&R Block is doing their best to associate the two events. Starting tomorrow through Sunday you can get discounted tax software and filing help through H&R Block online.
All their online tax prep products for federal taxes are $14 (orig. $15-$50). That’s 6-72 percent off depending on whether you use the basic, deluxe or premium versions. Filing state returns is an extra $30.
The deal runs Friday, Feb. 12 through Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010. One cool thing about this deal is that if you register during the offer period you lock in the price, even if you do your taxes in April.
The H&R Block At Home basic, deluxe and premium programs offer audit support from a live tax professional, the ability to import data from your employer and financial provider, and a tax calculator. You can also import last year’s tax data from TurboTax or TaxCut.
I found 16 spankin’ deals and freebies related to chocolate, flowers, and other Valentine’s Day treats, including a free $30 bouquet of roses with chocolates when you sign up for eBates. Seriously, this is a one-of-a-kind deal!
Follow @CVS_Extra on Twitter and you’ll get a 25 percent off code for their entire website. What a way to attract new followers!
Get 33 percent off at Borders now through Feb. 11, 2010.
Restaurant.com is 80 percent off now through Feb. 14, 2010.
Do you surf? Get a free subscription to Surfer Magazine when you share a few questions about your job.
Here’s a Michaels coupon for 40 percent off, good through Feb. 20, 2010.
Zooopreme/Flickr
I’ve gushed before about how cool of a magazine ShopSmart is. The no-ad publication is put out by Consumer Reports so it’s trustworthy and it is geared towards savvy-spenders. When it arrives in my mailbox it’s a little bit of heaven.
The March 2010 issue has a cool story (p. 7) on making new jeans look worn-in. Did you know distressing jeans is a huge part of the cost of designer denim? I didn’t. ShopSmart has s number of tips to get a worn-in designer jean look, which I’ve summarized below:
1. Soften your new jeans by washing them several times with fabric softener and a clean pair of tennis shoes.
2. Don’t over do it. Wear your new jeans around the house to see where they naturally crease, then emphasize those lines with the tricks below. Seams on the side, back pockets, and knees are natural wear spots.
3. If you use bleach, put a layer of plastic wrap in the leg so you don’t get mirror bleach spots on the other side. Place a block of wood other other durable material inside the leg to protect the rest of the fabric.
4. Sandpaper will create a “fuzzy effect” when you rub it on the denim. A pumice stone is also a good tool to wear down spots. A cheese grater will do greater damage, creating rips and snags. Test a small patch, look at the effect, and work slowly.
5. Snip the hem and pocket edges with small scissors to create a frayed look.
6. Change the color of your jeans by lightening with small amounts of bleach (apply with a rag or sponge, ShopSmart says). Or you can darken for a “dirty” look with fabric dye, such as Rit or strong coffee.
7. If you’re not sure what distressed look you want, flip through magazines, fashion websites, or take pictures of jeans you see in stores.
This sounds like such a fun project! I can’t wait to try it on my next pair of jeans. On second thought, I may try some of these techniques on older pairs of jeans that I don’t care much about, then apply my new skills to a new pair.
This could also be a great project for a teen who wants jeans that are 100 percent unique.
Offbeat Photography/Flickr
A friend of mine lives in a part of the country where expenses are so high that nearly every couple works two high-paying jobs and still struggles financially. So how do they get buy?
The answer shocked me – they accept money from their parents.
“It’s not a matter of whether you do or do not accept money from your parents,” she said. “But how much.”
My friend was talking about more than simple birthday or Christmas gifts. For her and her friends, parental cash flow affects the household’s bottom line.
Some parents send a check every month. Others give generously at holidays, provide extensive child care, or pay for entire family vacations. Still other parents pay for school tutition or establish college funds for grand kids.
It can be difficult for grown adults to accept money from parents. Many people turn it down because of pride. Others are held up by particulars. Does there needs to be a written contract? How do you ask for more, or less? Most importantly, is it possible to have “no strings attached”?
A contract is not usually necessary, but depends on what everyone involved is comfortable with. Asking for more or less comes down to explaining the request and being able to accept the answer – and additional strings. Because after the agreement is made, what lingers is the strings.
Financial gifts nearly always come with strings attached. And the bigger the gift, the more strings there are.
For instance, my Mom used to send me $100-$300 every month in college. I had a family credit card for groceries, but everything else was on me – clothes, movies, subway tokens – and the paycheck from my part-time job didn’t go far. There were few strings attached to this money, partly because it was a relatively low dollar amount. (Though it did encourage me to call home every week.)
Years later when Hubby and I prepared to buy a condo, my Mom advanced me a large portion of my inheritance so that I could contribute to the downpayment. We wrote up a simple agreement about the terms and both kept a signed copy. The rules were very clear, which made it easier on both of us. The money came with one very strong string – it was not to be used for anything else.
Some years after the condo advance, my Mom offered another fiscal carrot. If I moved back to California (I remained in New York City after graduating) she would give me her car, worth about $10,000. The money came with a very clear string – a California address – and it was one I was happy to accept.
There is nothing wrong with taking money from parents as long as two conditions exisit. The support has got to benefit both sides (don’t take money from parents who can’t afford it). And both sides must agree to and accept the strings attached.
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I met Stacy Johnson at a work event in San Francisco months ago and was pleased to hear he had a new book coming out (actually, a re-do of a book he published 10 years ago.) Stacy, who is a CPA, shows in Life or Debt 2010: A New Path to Financial Freedom that he knows what he is talking about.
The book begins with a 5-page rant on why personal and national debt is damaging. Then Stacy puts our current fiscal mess it into perspective:
In the 1930s, unemployment approached 25 percent, more than twice what it is now, and there were no unemployment checks. The stock market declined 80 percent. When banks failed, and hundreds did, there was no FDIC to insure deposits, you simply lost your money. So if you think it’s tough these days, imagine what that was like. But there was a silver lining to that dark cloud: The Greatest Generation became tough…They learned that their only protection was to save a dime every time they earned a dollar and not to trust their employer or their government for their financial security…
They also got behind legislation that changed the financial system so it would be tilted more to the benefit of the have-nots. They created Social Security, a means to help people when they become too old or sick to work. They created the FDIC, which guarantees that nobody would lose money in a bank failure again, at last within the insured limits. They created unemployment insurance at both the federal and state levels…
In short, the Greatest Generation harnessed their collective power and changed the United States in major ways in an attempt to ensure that a tragedy like the Great Depression couldn’t devastate their children the way it had devastated them.
Many of us are re-learning the hard lessons of the Great Depression now. To prosper Stacy recommends:
- Stop whining and start acting
- Reconsider the relationship between material possessions and happiness
- Create financial freedom by living below your means
In seven chapters Stacy explains how to get out of debt as quickly as possible, how to stop creating more debt, and how to rank your debts to determine which one to payoff first. There are also three chapters at the end with 250 tips to save, how to repair your credit, and resources for getting help.
Many chapters have charts and worksheets so you can crunch your numbers. Stacy ends each chapter with a handful of key points so you remember the lessons. The book is 223 pages. Life or Debt is sensible, occasionally funny, and very down to earth. I highly recommend it!
Leave a comment on this post for a chance to win my review copy. Or buy Life or Debt 2010 from Amazon for $8.50 (orig. $15).
I 
mailed the last of the BargainBabe.com 1-year anniversary giveaway prizes yesterday! I must have mailed two dozen packages, envelopes, and cards yesterday.
If you missed the list of winners and want to check if your name is on it, go here to see the winners from Day 1-4 or go here to see the grand prize winners from Day 5.
If you received an email from me notifying you of your winnings, check your mail for the next week. Thanks to everyone for reading BargainBabe.com!
A friend of mine is very into DIY (do-it-yourself) culture. She recently showed me how to plant a spring vegetable garden without spending a dime (aside from buying seeds, which you will need to buy unless you saved some from last year).
You will likely have all the supplies you need on hand:
- Newspaper
- Tape (duct tape works well) or string
- Compost or soil
- Trays (you can use baking dishes, plastic bowls, anything with a flat surface that is rimmed)
- Plastic wrap
- Spritz bottle
Rip the newspaper into 3-4 inch strips and roll them into tubes so the opening is about 2-3 inches across. Tape each tube around the middle or fasten with string so they stay rolled up, as above. Fill each one with compost and set in a tray.
Plant seeds according to the directions on the packet. Most of the seeds will want to be nestled at the top of the dirt. Separate trays by seed type (one tray for tomatoes, another for eggplant, etc) and mark them with tape so you remember what you are sprouting. Plant more seeds that you think you need because many will not make it.
Once you plant, spritz each seed cup with water 2-5 times, so they are moist but not wet. Cover each tray loosely with plastic wrap and set in a warm place. My friend puts her trays above her fridge. The seeds need a bit of light, but not too much or they will dry out. Spritz the seeds once a day, then re-cover with the plastic wrap.
When the seeds have sprouted and grown a bit, a few daily spritzes will not be enough to keep them moist. Stop spritzing and add water so it rises about a half-inch from the bottom of the tray. The newspaper and seed roots will soak up the water. Re-add a half-inch of water every other day or so when the seeds need it. You want them to be moist, but not soaked.
When the seedlings are bursting through the cups, pull the newspaper away and plant outside. You are well on your way to spring harvest!
Thanks, Mariel!
Reader Iggy has a great tip for creating mini-greenhouses to nurture new seeds:
You can also re-use the styrofoam trays from produce as pot liners. Also, you can create mini-greenhouses out of plastic salad containers or washed out containers from fast food restaurants (tray plus lid). You won’t have to spritz any water for at least a week. It helps to open the container every couple of days for a few minutes to prevent the air from stagnating and checking the moisture level.
soapylovedeb/Flickr
I have an intense itch to make my own soap, partly because my past attempts to clean with vinegar and baking soda were so successful. If I can make my own cleaning products for less that work, why not?
My sister used to own a soap business so I know making bar soap is a huge ordeal that involved vats of olive oil and lye, a dangerous chemical.
But there is another option. Laundry detergent, which I am also low on. My friend Matt Jabs of FiveCentNickel made his own laundry detergent and reports “I CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH HOW INCREDIBLY FAST & EASY IT WAS.” (His caps, not mine.)
Matt’s recipe calls for 55 ounce box of Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda, a 76 ounce box of 20 Mule Team Borax, and 10 pack of 4.5 ounce bars of Ivory Bar Soap (or another cheap bar soap.)
I plan to add a few drops of essential lavender oils to give my clothes a nice scent. I hope to pick up these ingredients later this week and will let you know how my first soap-making adventure goes!
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UPDATE: Reader Pauline recommends an alternative to Ivory:
The best soap to use is Fels Naphta, a bit more expensive but worth it. Where does Matt purchase the Washing Soda? Thanks
Rabbi Wendy has a great tip for home made cleaners.
The most amazing and effective book of recipes for household products is “Clean House, Clean Planet” by Karen Logan. It is still in print, with plenty of copies on Amazon. The recipe for spray cleaner on page 85 is the best spray cleaner I’ve ever used, hands down. Logan is so thorough in her explanations. She even sells bottles for the finished products. It’s a fun read, even if you don’t make any of the cleaning products. Check it out!
I went ahead and checked Amazon, which has Clean House, Clean Planet for $10.76 (orig. $15). I might buy it if my library does not have it.
SECOND UPDATE: Susan warns:
I made this detergent a few months ago, a word of caution, my dark purple towels faded a little using it. I now use it for whites and light colors but not black or really dark colors. Also the arm and hammer super washing soda is sold at Albertson’s. It is the only place around the valley I could find it.
You’ve heard of Groupon, right? It’s a group coupon site that offers city-specific discounts for restaurants, spas, and gyms. My friends at MainStreet.com recently wrote about a new Groupon rival, or imitator, depending on your perspective:
The success of their site has spawned a fair share of imitators and, as far as Groupon is concerned, blatant rip offs.
The most recent example of this is SocialBuy. Like Groupon, SocialBuy partners primarily with hospitality businesses to offer deals on a ticking clock and is founded on the notion of collective buying. This might not seem so egregious if the layout of the site itself did not also appear to be an exact replica of Groupon (judge for yourself.) When we brought this site to the attention of Groupon’s CEO and founder, Andrew Mason, he did not seem pleased.
“We have a patent on all of this so everything they are doing is illegal,” he said.
What’s the upside for you and me? Keep reading the story.
Here are the latest and greatest deals from my WalletPop blog.
Get 25 percent off at Borders with a coupon that ends today, Feb. 8, 2010.
Snag this Old Navy coupon code and get 20 percent off your purchase online, with some caveats, through Feb. 18, 2010.
I’m sitting pretty with this Michaels 40 percent off coupon, good through Feb. 20, 2010.
Buying luggage, travel accessories, or leather products? Check out this $20 off $100 coupon code for Luggage Pros.
Scoops of ice cream are just 99-cents at Baskin Robbins when you buy one scoop to start.
