basykes/Flickr
Reader Iggy is sneaky. S/he somehow got inside information about this year’s Frugal Festival and shared it in a comment on my post about the on-going reader gift card giveaway:
You should get those companies to join the next Bargain Babe Free Swap event at the park in NoHo! (hint hint…when will you have another one? The first one was tremendous fun!)
Well Iggy, I am working hard on this year’s Frugal Festival, which will be Saturday, June 19, 2010. Mark your calenders and look for an announcement Monday about who is coming to the Festival, what prizes we will be giving away, and where in Los Angeles it will be held. I can’t wait to see you there!
Marshalls
Have you signed up to win one of three fabulous prizes – a $25 Amazon gift card, a $25 Marshalls gift card, and a $25 TJ Maxx gift card? To be eligible to win, sign up for my daily email list.
Sign up by May 10 at 11:59 p.m. to be eligible to win. If you read my blog through an RSS reader, you are not eligible (I have no way to contact you!) If you are already on my daily list, you don’t need to do anything.
Winners will have 48 hours to respond to my notification email, which will be sent on May 11. Good luck and thanks for reading BargainBabe.com!
~ Julia
aka Bargain Babe
Irargerich/Flickr
My frugal friends at Savings.com shared these coupons with me this week.
Exclusive! Get 20% off flower arrangements at FTD. Expires: Ongoing
Get 25% off any order at The Limited. Expiration date unknown.
Save $10 per night on hotel reservations at Expedia. Expires July 31, 2010.
Exclusive! Get 10% off any order at Verizon Wireless. Expires May 31, 2010.
Get 50% off with free shipping on $85 or more at New York & Company. Expires May 9, 2010.
One of the downsides – or perhaps you think it’s an upside – to growing your own food is funky fruit. Check out this lemon I found in my backyard!
It reminds me of a neti pot, hehehe. This lemon’s bizarre shape made me realize that so much of the food we consume is picture perfect. You would NEVER see something like this for sale at Albertsons. Shoppers expect “normal” looking produce, which means a lot of food must get thrown away, which in turn raises prices. So if you knew buying a lemon like this would contribute to lower prices, would you take it home?
Tired of Office Depot and Staples? Capital Office Products is a family-owned business that guarantees their prices for office supplies cost less than national chains, including up to 50% off toner cartridges.
But national chains have better prices because they are so big, right? Not always. Small businesses have less overhead. You aren’t going to see a Nascar Capital Office Product Car. Instead, owner Carolyn and her staff win over clients one by one by personally introducing themselves. Small companies like Capital Office Products are harder to find because they don’t have huge advertising budgets, but they are worth checking out.
One of the ways Capital Office Products helps you save money is through personal service. They actually prefer to take your order by phone or email! When you call, you get to speak to the same person every time. When you are looking for a product, they suggest alternatives to lower your bill. Capital Office Products sells a generic brand of toner, which is one of their specialties, that costs about half of what brand names like HP cost. Bet a national chain wouldn’t point that out to you!
This isn’t your typical mom-and-pop business. Capital Office Products has 40,000 items in their online inventory and and 25,000 items in their catalog. You aren’t going to miss out on rebates or special offers, either. Capital Office Products has an entire page devoted to rebates and specials.
Capital Office Products is based in Sylmar, CA. They offer super-speedy service to the greater Los Angeles market and ship nationwide. Spend just $40 and get free delivery to your business! Place your order by calling 818-362-4156 or by emailing carolynnelson77@hotmail.com.
This is paid content. Interested in buying an ad? Read my Advertise page.
Horia Varlan/Flickr
Is your utility bill too high? Now you can actually check how your rates compare using a tool on WhiteFence.com, a site similar to BillShrink.com in that it helps you find low-cost providers for household services like cable TV and cell phone service. WhiteFence paid for a sponsored post on BargainBabe.com two months ago, but it wasn’t until now that I realized the site has valuable pricing information that consumers can use to get a good deal.
Such as a comparison of average utility bills in 21 major cities. The most expensive cities and the corresponding average monthly electric bills are Baltimore ($132), Houston ($120), Orlando ($115), Minneapolis ($114), and Portland ($108). The least expensive cities are San Diego ($30), San Francisco ($36), Los Angeles ($36), Denver ($43), and Atlanta ($48). I live in Los Angeles and I can’t imagine paying $132 every month to turn the lights on!
You can also compare average monthly rates by state for cable TV, phone, natural gas, and high speed Internet by clicking on the “More Info for Services” tab. If you want to lower your electricity bill beyond getting a better rate, consider unplugging appliances. Not convinced your appliances cost much to run? Plug in numbers on your fridge and you may change your mind.
Data for the rankings comes from the hundreds of thousands of orders placed on WhiteFence’s websites for household services. WhiteFence used relationships with service providers to get utility prices. Read more about the survey’s methodology.
mbaylor/Flickr
Check out this huge list of Mother’s Day 2010 deals and freebies I assembled!
The Steve Madden spring sandal and shoe sale has pairs up to 30% off – and there’s free shipping!
Cinnabon is free for nurses today through May 12, 2010!
Get a free sample of Nivea body wash or lotion when you fill out a brief form.
Read all the coupons and deals I blog about on WalletPop.
By Mike Barclay of 10CentsWorth.com
A lot of you may be surprised to know that I’m not the most financially savvy person. What might floor you even more is that I’m still learning. Here’s what I’ve learned and where I need your help. Deal?
Priorities and Will Power
If you were faced with the choice to pay rent or your cell phone bill, which would you choose? The logical choice should be rent, right? For a while, I would actually choose my cell phone. I figured it was okay to accrue late fees so I could text my friends. Well no more!
I have a file on my computer that sums up my bill priorities in the order they need to be taken care of and reminders on my calendar to check it periodically. Here are the top 5 things on my list as of right now:
1. Rent (I always make sure my rent is set aside. Being homeless = not a good idea.)
2. Court Fees (Speeding tickets people, speeding tickets. I’m no criminal.)
3. Cell Phone (For me, I need my phone on for potential employers, etc.)
4. Car Insurance
5. Credit Card Bills
I’ve conditioned myself to take care of the important priorities by having my friend reward or punish me with small things, like taking away my laptop for a couple of hours, or we’ll grab a bottle of wine as a reward. With proper budgeting I have enough to take care of everything.
Planning
I was an impulse buyer. I’d go grocery shopping with no list, a rough idea of what I needed, and a wad of cash. I’d walk into the market and out with a whole bunch of random food, inevitably forgetting an essential, like milk. I’d end up spending way over what I’d planned. Now, any time I go grocery shopping, I make a detailed list beforehand and, most importantly, I don’t deviate.
Banking Alerts
If my bank gave me the money they charge for over drafting, I’d be sitting on a beach somewhere drinking wine and doing nothing. I was horrible at looking at my account balance daily and making sure I had enough to spend. Thankfully, we now have modern technology. If you bank online, there’s a way to set up email and text alerts if your account drops below a certain amount. And (depending on the bank) you can even make it send you your balance text after every purchase. I don’t have an excuse to over-draft anymore.
Savings Accounts
My dad taught me the value of a savings account, I just never paid attention. “Have money, will spend” has always been my mentality. What I’m trying to do now is put away 10% of my check into a savings account and never look at it again. If I ever need car repairs or have an emergency, I’ll have money ready to go.
Some of these strategies I practice now. Others, I’m not fully on board with yet (e.g. putting money in a savings account). Do you have any advice to make it easier to manage my finances? What have you learned from your moments of weakness?
emrank/Flickrs
Borders has two coupons – one for 40% off CDs and another for 33% off list price books. Both expire Thursday, May 6, 2010.
Good news for coupon clippers! Shortcuts.com now has printable coupons.
Are you considering joining Costco? New members can get two months to Costco free when they join by June 30, 2010.
Woot woot! Starting this Friday frappuccinos at Starbucks are 50% off during “happy hour,” which is 3-5 p.m.
Here are two free movie coupon codes for Blockbuster Express kiosks. One expires today!
Fight your spring and summer colds with this Emergen-C coupon for 20% off vitamin packets.
Check out all the coupons and deals on my WalletPop blog.
flash.pro/Flickr
The latest issue of ShopSmart mag, an ad-free publication by Consumer Reports, has a great story on where to find the best prices on beauty deals. ShopSmart compared prices for dozens of shampoos, conditioners, and styling products sold at CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Drugstore.com, Target, and Walmart.
Guess which retailer had the best prices?
Target and Walmart every time!
Target and Walmart prices were $1-$2 cheaper for many products. Some were as much as $3 less!If you prefer Target over Walmart or vice versa, don’t feel bad about buying all your toiletries at either store, because many of the items below were priced pennies apart.
Here are the products and the low prices ShopSmart found. Use this as a guideline for what is a “good price” on these products the next time you shop. You can lower these prices further with coupons.
Shampoo
Clairol Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Moisturizing Shampoo – $4.98, Walmart
Dove Shampoo – $5.02, Target
Garnier Fructis Fortifying Shampoo – $4.98, Target
Pantene Pro-V Shampoo – $5.45, Walmart
Suave Naturals Shampoo – $1.46, Walmart
Tresemme Shampoo – $4.14, Walmart
Conditioner
Clairol Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Moisturizing Conditioner – $5.07, Walmart and Target
Dove Conditioner – $4.96, Walmart
Garnier Fructis Fortifying Cream Conditioner – $4.98, Target
Nexxus Humectress Ultimate Moisturizing Conditioner – $23.46, Target
Pantene Pro-V Conditioner – $5.45, Walmart
Suave Naturals Conditioner- $1.45, Walmart
Tresemme Conditioner – $4.14, Walmart
Styling Products
American Crew Gel – $13.46, Walmart
Aquanet Hair Spray – $1.95, Target and Walmart
Clairol Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Gel – $2.98, Target
Clairol Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Mousse – $2.98, Target
Dove Hair Spray – $2.98, Walmart
Frizz-Ease Dream Curls – $5.18, Target
Garnier Fructis Style Full Control Mousse – $3.38, Target
LA Looks Absolute Style Gel – $1.95, Walmart
Pantene Pro-V Style Curl, Gel – $3.84, Target and Walmart
Pantene Pro-V Style Curl, Spray Mousse – $3.84, Target and Walmart
Rave – $1.98, Walmart
SG Salon Grafix Shaping Hair Spray – $3.99, Walmart
Suave Max Hold Hair Spray – $2.04, Walmart
Tresemme Flawless Curls Mousse – $3.27, Target
Tresemme Tres Two Hair Spray – $3.17, Target
Cathy from Chief Family Officer shared four of her best grocery matchups at Ralphs this week. Price are with coupon doubling. New to coupons? Check out my post on coupon clipping basics. If you want to take advantage of these deals, make sure to save the coupon inserts you receive in the mail or with your Sunday newspaper. Here’s a great suggestion for how to handle coupon organization.
Cliff Mojo Bar on sale for $1
Use $0.50 off 1 coupon from Spring Mambo Sprouts booklet (look for one in the mail, at Sprouts stores, or at Ralphs)
Final price: FREE
Daisy Sour Cream on sale for $2
Use $0.50 off 1 from 3/28 Smart Source coupon insert
Final price: $1
Mission Flour Tortillas on sale for $1.50
Use $0.75 off 1 printable coupon
Final price: 50 cents
Tropicana Pure Premium Orange Juice on sale for $2.38, buy two
Use $1 off 2 Tropicana Pure Premium or Trop 50 from 4/25 Red Plum coupon insert
Use $1 off 1 Trop 50 from 3/14 Red Plum
Final price: as low as $1.38
Check out the rest of Cathy’s grocery deals at Ralphs.
Mike Sansone/Flickr
This week is Educator Appreciation Week, which means if you are a teacher you are eligible for all sorts of deals and discounts!
Today only at Applebees educators can get a free meal from a special menu.
Get 25% off at Borders with a classroom discount card.
Through May 8, educators can get a 10% off in stores using this Office Depot coupon, plus 50% off specific brands in stores and online.
Get 15% off at Ann Taylor Loft. Unclear when this discount expires.
On May 5 only, teachers can get three items at 25% off at Old Navy with ID.
Year round at Barnes & Noble educators can get 20-25% off books and supplies.
Apple has special discounts for teachers and students year round.
In Los Angeles, El Pollo Loco has a coupon for 10% off if you are a teacher, including catering orders!
What other discounts can teachers get this week?
Get free ice cream TODAY ONLY (May 4) at Ben & Jerry’s between 5-7 p.m.
Much of CVS.com is on sale by 20% off today only. Make sure to read the brand exclusions.
Get an extra $1-$5 in free MP3 credits on Amazon when you dump your change into a Coinstar machine by May 31, 2010.
Get a free sample of Suffuse Tea when you fill out their marketing questionnaire.
A nice selection of 11 magazines are on sale for $5-$10 at Amazon.com in honor of Mother’s Day.
Here is a Quiznos coupon for a free drink and bag of chips when you buy a regular sub.
Check out all the coupons and deals on my WalletPop blog.
kevin/Flickr
This post is brought to you by Mint.com, an excellent source for a budget planner.
I’m getting fed up with consumers – the little guys like you and me – taking the blame for the economy. We as a nation spent like crazy, lost a ton of money in the housing and stock market, and now are getting blamed for being careful with our money. “Even as the economic recovery plods ahead, many American consumers are refusing to come along,” says an AP story published today. “They’re not spending freely – and they have no plans to.”
The story makes it seem as if “spending freely” were a good thing. Craziness!
The headline of the story in my local paper (it might have been different in yours) is, “Economy’s new threat: frugality.” If so, here is the face of the enemy: Marjorie Feldman of St. Louis, who owns a home that lost 20% of its value and who saw her retirement account shrink by 15%. Marjorie’s confidence in the economy will “never” recover, according to the story.
That’s code for she’s not spending like she used to. Marjorie’s new frugal spending habits, which many Americans have adopted, are important because consumer spending accounts for about 70 percent of our nation’s economy. If Marjorie and others in her situation would max out their credit cards, we could see the economy recover, the story seems to say.
Or…we could recognize that our economy has an unhealthy dependence on consumer spending that is not sustainable.
Instead of spending beyond our means, we could budget and live within our means. We could save money to retire before we croak. We could save so that social security, Mediccare, and unemployment are not our only safety nets. We could save so our kids can get through college without crippling debt. We could save so that when times get tough we have emergency savings to rely on.
Americans currently save an average of 3.1 percent, down from last year’s peak of 6.4, the story says. I save 10-20% of my income because I feel responsible for my fiscal future. Why do you save?
Kirk's Original Coco Castile Soap
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of Bobbisbargains
I love natural, unscented soap products. For many years, I used a wonderful face soap from Origins. The last time I went to the mall specifically to get this product, I was told that it was no longer manufactured. I was given a phone number for the Origins “Gone but Not Forgotten” department, which will scour the warehouse to look for your no-longer manufactured product. I had to pre-approve the payment on my credit card for the soap and shipping just in case they found any bars. Plus, there was no discount! I was paying full price – $20 per bar. I REALLY like this soap. However, I even if they find the soap in the warehouse, they will be manufacturing no more of this soap.
In search of a new soap brand, I was looking at a huge row of soaps in the supermarket and happened to notice (on the bottom shelf) a bar of Kirk’s Original Coco Castile Soap. The name rang a bell, perhaps because the company has been manufacturing this soap since 1839. I have never used the product before but was willing to take a chance. After all, it is hypoallergenic, contains no animal by products, no synthetic detergents, is biodegradable and is never tested on animals. Plus it moisturizes your skin.
I grabbed up Kirk’s cute little red, white and blue package and invited it to take a shower with me.
I love this soap. And this isn’t even the unscented version, which I am going to try next. The scented version had a very mild scent. It created a great lather, yet the soap rinsed off easily and completely leaving my skin feeling soft and silky (just like the ads say.)
Cost of this wonderful of bar of soap? $1.99.
How can this fabulous bar of soap be so cheap and yet, so good? I don’t know. But, I do know that this soap isn’t alone. Kirk has a line of shampoos and conditions that I am certainly going to try.
For other hard to find and long lost items, check out The Vermont Country Store, which specializes in practical but hard to find products. The prices aren’t super cheap, but at least you can find them.
Do you have an affordable natural product? Share your secret with the rest of us.
