CarbonNYC/Flickr
It is legit to take advantage of prescription transfer coupons that mainstream pharmacies offer from time to time. Here are all the transfer coupons I found.
Rite Aid offers $25 gift cards for prescription transfers, up to two. Page three of yesterday’s flyer (in the April 25, 2010 newspaper) also had two $25 prescription transfer coupons.
Kmart offers $25 per transferred prescription up to $100 through May 22, 2010.
Walgreens issued a few prescription transfer coupons last month but I did not find any fersh ones.
Target occasionally issues $10 prescription transfer coupons in their weekly flyers.
CVS also issues prescription transfer coupons but I could not find any.
Do you have a link to a prescription transfer coupon?
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains
basykes/Flickr
Should you buy used shoes? My answer used to be a resounding “NO,” but now I answer “maybe.”
When I was little, I was pigeon toed. I had to wear sturdy shoes to correct my stance at a time when sturdy shoes were very OUT. As socially debilitating as the experience was, I learned a thing or two about how shoes affect your feet and how your feet affect the rest of your body.
When you wear someone’s shoes, you are inheriting their improper body alignment and foot problems.
This is because when you are wearing shoes, the weight of your body wears down the heels and bends the fabric to match your pressures. Someone with properly aligned hips and strong ankles would wear out the heels of their shoes in the middle, not to one side or the other.
It used to be that people had one or two pairs of shoes. However, in this day and age of Imelda Marcos shoe shoppers, you can easily find shoes at a yard sale or thrift shop that have never been worn or only worn once or twice. But should you buy them?
Here is how you check if too many miles have been put on the second hand shoes you are considering buying:
- Check the heels for wear. If you see any wear, the shoes have been worn too much to buy.
- Check for wear and tear inside the shoes. Has the size been worn off? Are there indentations in the insoles? Sometimes you won’t see the wear on the heels, but it will show up inside the shoe.
- Is the shoe sitting straight? Are the sides up and down or are they at an angle? Any sag or bulge or deviation from the original shape is a sign that you do not want to inherit the back problems of the previous owner.
If you find a pair of shoes that you just HAVE to have because they perfectly match your new pink taffeta ball gown that you plan to wear to Comic Con, but they have worn heels; don’t despair. Do what your ancestors did. Buy them and take them to a cobbler and have new heels put on them.
Don’t turn your nose up at used shoes. Just make sure to inspect them for wear before purchasing. I got a pair of brand new $200 handmade Brazilian leather shoes for my husband at a Really Free Swap. Score!
Subway.com
Get a free breakfast at Subway from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 27, 2010 at So Cal Subway locations. The freebie is for a English Muffin Melt and an 8-ounce beverage. No coupon is needed to get the deal. The freebie is part of a publicity campaign to highlight Subway’s new breakfast options, which range from $1.75 to $3.25.
Valid only at Subway locations in Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange County, San Bernadino, and Riverside counties. Watch the Subway commercial about the deal via YouTube.
Caveats: may not be combined with any other offer. Substitutions cost extra.
My frugal friends at Savings.com (belatedly) shared these coupons.
Get $15 off $75 at Smashbox. Expiration date unknown.
Get $15 off $75 at Urban Outfitters. Expires April 28, 2010.
Get 20% off any single item at Gaiam. Expires April 30, 2010.
Get 20% off women’s apparel with free shipping at Reebok. Expires April 30, 2010.
VirtualErn/Flickr
Check this out! Eat a free Whopper when you bring in this Burger King coupon.
If you don’t like burgers, here is a Jack in the Box coupon for a free sandwich when you buy one.
Snag a free sample of o.b. tampons when you register on the o.b. site.
The Jamba Juice coupon for buy one get free smoothies expires soon – April 25!
Use this Coldwater Creek Outlet coupon to get an extra 25% off plus free shipping on your purchase through May 2, 2010. No minimum purchase!
Get an extra 50% off more than a dozen already-discounted magazine subscriptions through Amazon until the end of April.
Mother’s Day photo discounts and deals end soon.
Check out all the coupons and deals on my WalletPop blog.
dospaz/Flickr
So many readers shared great ideas for Mother’s Day gifts that I wanted to make sure everyone saw them.
Sue has a surprise planned:
Since my daughter is also a Mom, I like to do something for her, as well. I’m a little arthritic and can’t bend down the way I used to, so I asked my gardener to go to her house and replant the pots she has lining her front walk. The existing ones are in bad shape. It will be a surprise.
2babies1momma suggests an unusual custom gift:
Every year we make a calendar for my MIL with pictures in the day for everyone’s bday, any photo site makes them. Or last year we made coasters for my mom and they were a huge hit! Photoworks has a cutting board you can customize with photo’s, I have one and it is awesome!
Terri says no food!
As a mother I can highly recommend a ’special outing’. I have ’stuff’. What I truly enjoy is a day doing something that my son(s) and I both enjoy doing together. A trip to the city, museum hopping…just a day out together! It’s the best… and it doesn’t have to be on Mother’s Day (one of the worst days for doing things!) On Mother’s Day, just a card inviting me on an outing, (and no cooking!)
Nancy looks forward to many simple pleasures:
My favorite MD is when my kids let me sleep in and then they bring me breakfast in bed with homemade cards and tickets of “things they will do for me”. We all lay in bed and read them togeter, it is time just for them and me! Those are the best gifts I ever get. And at night my husband will cook!
Best day ever! ps my kids are 16, 14 and 7.
Debra suggested:
I think a letter detailing how much she means to you, put in a frame with a favorite photo, would be lovely and meaningful. Or along the same lines, frame a photograph of a special moment with the two of you with a note about how you treasured that day together. Re-create that moment/day if possible and affordable.
Ellie has lots of ideas but says the right gift depends on your Mom:
Having been on both the giving and receiving end of Mothers’ Day gifts, I’ve found that what matters most is that Mom is remembered in a personal way. A heart-felt card with a personal message (handmade cards when my boys were kids) tops the list. Meeting Mom’s needs with things she wants done but can’t do herself are right up there. A special treat to a meal away from home, whether at a restaurant or at your house, is always appreciated. Store-bought items that don’t mean anything personal… not so much. And most important: no more clutter of “stuff.” You know your mom… do whatever makes her the happiest!
What do you think makes a good Mother’s Day gift?
The reason I love shopping at thrift stores is the truly amazing deals. I set my budget at $25 for a new-to-me pair of jeans (both my current pairs are one squat away from ripping in the crotch) and came away with eight items for $14.49. She shoots…she scores!
I bought:
- Two baskets for holding fruit and potatoes/onions/yams – $1 each
- A wooden tray for holding garlic and onions – $3
- Two juice glasses – $1 each
- A brick red scarf with brown and creme accents – $1 (I’m still on the fence about this purchase because I can’t tell if it screams “retro” or “grandma”)
- A ring of four measuring spoons – $.49
- A pair of jeans that make my butt look bigger than it is (a plus in my book) – $6
The cool thing is that everything but the scarf was on my list of items to look out for until I found a good deal. I could have paid $10-$15 per basket at Pier 1 Imports or Ikea, $4 a glass at Crate & Barrel, and who knows how much for a new wooden carved tray. Earlier in the day I stopped in at a high-end thrift store and saw used jeans for as much as $70. Ridiculous!
Now to settle the scarf issue. A picture of it is above. Do you think it is retro or grandmotherly? How would you wear it?
Related:
Money Morality: legit to shop at thrift stores?
Friday Fun: Are my bargain basement shoes tacky?
Getting bargains at thrift stores
woodleywonderworks/Flickr
Happy Earth Day! Whether or not you recognize this holiday, you should check out the amazing (if I do say so myself) list of Earth Day freebies and deals I compiled on my WalletPop blog. A sneak peak:
- $1 ink cartridge refills today only at Walgreens!
- free baseball caps at the Disney Store
- 22-33% off earth-friendly brands and products at Walgreens
- $8 off coupons for Alicia Silverstone’s EcoTools beauty product line
- free entrance to our National Parks this week
Read all the Earth Day freebies and deals here.
brdwatchr1/Flickr
The federal government is padding appliance rebates for energy efficient dishwashers, refrigerators, and room A/C’s as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Each state has their own program, rules, and rebate forms. In general you have to do three things to get a federal appliance rebate, which comes in addition to any state, retailer, or manufacturer rebates that may be available.
1. Buy an eligible appliance in a store during the eligible period. Online purchases are not valid.
2. Recycle your old appliance with a certified recycler.
3. Fill out and mail in the rebate form.
Start by finding your state’s appliance rebate program. In California, the appliance rebate program begins today with discounts from $50-$200 per appliance. It runs until May 23, 2010 but the rebate funds may run out before then so turn in your rebate form sooner rather than later.
Some interesting factoids about energy from the California rebate page:
- New Energy Star refrigerators cost as little as $48 to run a year. In the 1970s, the average refrigerator sucked up $259 in electricity every year.
- New fridges are a lot quieter and don’t create as much heat.
- Energy efficient washers spin clothes 2-3 times faster than older models, which means your dryer does not have to work as hard to dry the clothes!
- If your washer is more than 10 years old, you can save about $135 a year in energy costs.
- In the 1970s it cost about $195 to run your washer for a year. Today’s most energy efficient washers need only $47 in electricity.
If you have an older fridge, washer, or room A/C, check which rebates are available in your state and see how much you could save in electricity costs. You may well break even in just a year or two.
If a new appliance costs you $500, but you get $250 back in rebates and save $50 in energy per year, you will get your $250 investment back in five years.
(appliance cost – rebates) / yearly energy savings = years it will take you to break even
Thanks, Sarah!
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.
This is paid content. Want to take out an ad? Read my advertise page.
The site is acting wonky so I’m not able to make links right now. Instead, I pasted in the links, which you can copy and paste into a new browser window. Thanks for your patience while we work out these tech issues!
Got kids? Then check out the Kids Consignment sale in Santa Clarita this weekend. There will be 40,000 baby, toddler and kids items at 50-70% off retail! http://bargainbabela.townluxe.com/content/kids-consignment-sale-santa-clarita-weekend
I could use a massage. How about you? Spaphile.com is a new site that sells super discounted spa packages in Los Angeles. http://bargainbabela.townluxe.com/content/introducingspaphile-website-crazy-spa-deals
If you are an LA trivia guru, answer a few questions about LA for a chance to win a fabulous weekend getaway! http://bargainbabela.townluxe.com/content/contest-win-la-hotel-stays-and-weekend-packages
Here is a Steinmart coupon for 20% off, plus if you donate $5 you can get an additional 10% off. http://bargainbabela.townluxe.com/content/steinmart-coupon-20
Angels tickets are on super sale through Travelzoo. http://bargainbabela.townluxe.com/content/attention-angels-fans
The massive denim and jean sale known as the Warehouse Sale returns to Pasadena this weekend. Next weekend it will be at the LA Convention Center. http://bargainbabela.townluxe.com/content/warehouse-denim-sale-returns-pasadena-weekend
Here’s a Staples coupon for $75 off any HP computer. http://bargainbabela.townluxe.com/content/75-any-hp-computer-staples
There is a free market in Pasadena this weekend. Bring stuff you want to get rid of and pick up some stuff – all for free! http://bargainbabela.townluxe.com/content/free-market-pasadena-saturday
31-cent scoop night is coming to Baskin Robbins next week! http://bargainbabela.townluxe.com/content/31c-scoops-baskin-robbins-ice-cream
You can find some great deals for glasses at a Newhall optometrist. http://bargainbabela.townluxe.com/content/great-deals-glasses
Check out all the Los Angeles deals on BargainBabeLA.com.
oskay/Flickr
Get an instant 10% off coupon for Cost Plus World Market when you join their email list.
Mark your calenders! Free pretzel day is Monday, April 26, 2010 and many pretzel stores are giving away free pretzels.
Check out all the deals and discounts on my WalletPop blog. Coming later today is s 25% off coupon code for Coldwater Creek Outlet, Mother’s Day photo discounts and deals, and a 50% off coupon code for more than a dozen magazines on Amazon.com.
It’s a tall task thinking up a gift for a great Mom. How can one present possibly express thanks for the loving support and kind words a Mom gives her kid?
Last year I made my Mom a memory jar but this year I’d like to surprise her. I’m brainstorming Mother’s Day gifts to the ideas flowing.
- custom-made T-shirt that celebrates her
- jar of memories of your mom
- hand written letter
- special outing
- help around the house
- surprise visit
- make her a gift basket
- gift card
- lunch/dinner at her favorite restaurant
- phone call or card
- flowers (use a local florist for the best deal)
- poem or book
- spa day
- old photo you found and framed
I wish I could come up with something more original. What do you think makes a good gift for a Mom?
Cathy at Chief Family Officer sent me these four freebies and deals at Ralphs this week. For her full list, see the link below.
Mentos Gum $1
Use $.55 off 1 Mentos Gum from 2/21 Smart Source coupon insert
Final price: FREE
Bumble Bee Seafood $1
Use $.55 off 1 Bumble Bee Premium Tuna Pouch 2.5 or 5 oz from 2/21 Smart Source
Final price: FREE
Vitaminwater Zero $1
Use $1 off 2 Vitaminwater or Vitaminwater Zero from 4/11 Smart Source
Final price: 50 cents each when you buy 2
Haagen-Dazs or Skinny Cow Ice Cream Cup $1
$1 off 2 Skinny Cow Cups printable (FF or IE)
$1 off 3 Skinny Cow, Haagen-Dazs, or Edy’s Cup from May All You
Final price: as low as 50 cents each when you buy 2
Read all Cathy’s deals and freebies at Ralphs. Thanks, Cathy!
back_garage/Flickr
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains
Bargainistas know not to pay retail for clothes (except for undergarments.) We all have our favorite thrift shops and know when the new stuff is put out.
But, what to do when you are on vacation? Are you really going to pay $25 for a t-shirt at the seaside resort when you know there is a gently used version for $2.99 at a second-hand shop within blocks?
Let me introduce you to my favorite “don’t leave home without it” web site – The National Thrift Store Directory. No matter where you are in the United States, plug in your zip code and you will find a thrift store near you. Oh be still my beating heart!
I would much rather visit the local thrift shop in some small town than spend time in a tourist trap. Not only can you pick up local souvenirs for a fraction of the cost (mugs that go for $25 at Disneyland are a dollar or two at a thrift store) but you can talk to fellow shoppers and possibly find out about a local event that you would never know was happening (like a pancake breakfast at the community center or a free concert at the high school.)
The National Thrift Store Directory currently has almost 10,000 listings, but you can help other bargain hunters by adding your favorite store.
What is the best item you ever found at a thrift store?
