Tom Purves / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Your smart phone is about to get smarter as mobile payment apps replace swiping plastic, by enabling you to tap your phone and exchange your credit card information via a radio frequency field. But just how safe is this?
I first learned about mobile payment apps in a college personal finance class. My professor warned us to be careful about using these apps until laws catch up with technology. Let me explain.
Once upon a time
Here comes the lipstick! Credit: cerromijares/Flickr
Found this story on the best beauty buys in the July 2011 issue of ShopSmart mag, published by Consumer Reports. The mag’s secret shoppers tested 38 popular makeup products and came up with 25 deals. The mag found the retailers with the best prices were HarmonDiscount.com, Walmart, and Target. Drugstore.com showed up on the price winners and loser list?! Other losers included CVS, Walgreens, and Ulta.com. If you want to score free makeup samples, it’s easy. So is making homemade makeup remover.
Lipstick
Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolor – $4.99 at HarmonDiscount.com
Covergirl Lip Perfection – $5.49 at HarmonDiscount.com
L’Oreal Colour Riche Lipcolour – $5.17 at Target
Lip gloss
Maybelline Color Sensational – $4.89 at HarmonDiscount.com
Neutrogena Moisture Shine Gloss – $7.69 at HarmonDiscount.com
Revlon Colorburst Lipgloss – $5.79 at HarmonDiscount.com
sdc2027 / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
TLC’s “Extreme Couponing” is changing the rules of the coupon game for the rest of us as retailers update their coupon policies to prevent consumers from buying hundreds of dollars of groceries for almost nothing. Here’s how some retailers and a manufacture have changed their coupon policies. If you are new to couponing, here’s an easy guide to getting started.
Rite Aid – Amended its policy to allow just one buy one, get one free (BOGO) coupon per pair of items. Previously, shoppers could combine BOGO offers to take home both items for free. The drugstore also limits shoppers to four of the same coupon, and managers can further restrict the quantities if an item is running low. No more 87 bottles of mustard for free!
Procter & Gamble – This manufacturer now limits consumers to four of the same coupon per shopping trip for P&G coupons. It’s counting on retailers to impose the new rule. That means you’ll have to
Half-priced cheesecake at The Cheesecake Factory July 30, 2011. Credit: The Cheesecake Factory.
There are 28 coupons and freebies today. If you shop online, check if there is a cash back rebate for shopping through Ebates or Shortcuts. It’s free to join and you can save a bit extra.
TODAY! Free slurpee – 7-Eleven celebrates its anniversary every year by giving away free 7.11-ounce slurpees and the freebie day is coming up – July 11, 2011!
Free pizza – Get a free slice of cheese pizza when you “like” the Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen’s Facebook page. Expires July 31, 2011. Thanks, It’s Hip to Save!
Free fuel economy guides – Download two free fuel economy guides from the U.S. Department of Energy to see how much your car, or one you are considering buying, costs per year in gas costs. Thanks Frugal Freebies!
Get online coupons for these stores below.
Target - This week’s list of Target coupon deals include St. Ives Oatmeal & Shea Butter Body Wash 3 oz Travel Size for as low as free, Hefty One zip 7 ct 1 qt travel bags for as low as $0.34, and Shout 4-Pack Travel Size Wipes for $0.42 after coupon. Go to Target’s online coupons.
Staples – Hip 2 Save lists hot Staples coupons including Staples 8.5 x 11″ Multi-purpose Paper for $0.25, Slider Pencil Case for $0.25, and BIC Student Choice Mechanical Pencils 5 pack for $0.25.
CVS - Bargain Briana has all the CVS coupon deals for this week, including a free balance bar, Bic Soleil Shimmer Razor Starter Kit for $0.99, and Edge, Skintimate Shave Gel or Cream for $1.44. (more…)
The Vespa gathering dust.
Bobbi’s posts about buying used cars got me thinking about selling my husband’s Vespa scooter because we almost never use it. It came out once last summer, to be exact. I’ve never even driven the two-wheeler myself! But its potential for fun and gas savings makes us hesitant to sell. Are we being foolish by not selling it – or by not using it? What would you do?
Pros of selling
Cash – Nada Guides values the 2007 LX50 Vespa scooter at $2,310, a nice chunk of change. (Edmunds and KBB do not value scooters). That would more than cover a summer vacation next month or go halfway to maxing out one of our ROTH IRAs.
No guilt – We won’t feel guilty every time we see the Vespa gathering dust in the basement. And we won’t be bogged down by the Vespa’s inertia, currently greater than our motivation to get it
woodleywonderworks/Flickr
The five most popular posts on BargainBabe.com one year ago (July 2010) had good reason to be – they’re still relevant and interesting today!
How to get free TV tickets – Do you yearn to be a screaming audience member on The Price is Right or a cheering fan on the Tonight show? Do you dream of watching your favorite star being filmed on-set? With some pre-planning, patience and luck, these experiences can be yours – for free.
Yazmin compares the cost of three lunch options. You’re in the office and your tummy starts grumbling. You have many options for lunch but which one is best for your wallet? Options include
Lots of clothing sales this weekend at Gap, Land's End, and SelfishStyle.com
There are 25 coupons and freebies today. If you shop online, check if there is a cash back rebate for shopping through Ebates or Shortcuts. It’s free to join and you can save a bit extra.
NEW! Free photobook – Walgreens is giving away free photobooks
measuring 8″ x 10″ with coupon code CREATEBOOK. One use per account through July 9, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. CST. Discount does not apply to additional pages, previous purchases, taxes or shipping charges. Online only.
Free cat food – Stop by Petco JUly 8-10, 2011 and get two free cans of cat food from Royal Canin. Details on Facebook but you can still take advantage if you aren’t on Facebook. No purchase mentioned.
Free learning tools - A retired kindergarten teacher shares free kindergarten worksheets about early writing and learning tools on her site, SchoolSparks.com.
Free ice cream – Redheads (natural or fake) can get a scoop of free Red Velvet ice cream at Marble Slab Creamery on Monday, July 11, 2011.
Madmoiselle Lavender / Flickr
I share five must read blog posts about saving money every Friday.
Save time, money and energy by making killer meals at home by following these 7 time-saving kitchen tips. (WiseBread)
Get vaccinated for free. Starting this year, your insurer must cover 100% of the cost of 10 vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (CNN Money)
Get away on the cheap with these secrets for scoring cheap airline tickets. (Time)
Use your smartphone to book a hotel. Mobile hotel booking is now a possibility with a free app. (Hotel Tonight)
Payday may be the deadliest time of the month. (MainStreet)
How are you going to pay for college? Credit: Sean MacEntee/Flickr
A 529 plan is a college savings plan with tax benefits. They have been around for 15 years, but there are still many misconceptions. I summarized these four tips from Marina Goodman, an investment strategist at Brinton Eaton in New Jersey.
1. Not realizing you can sign up for a 529 plan in any state. Just because you don’t live in Idaho doesn’t mean you can’t join that state’s 529 plan. While you can get lower state taxes for joining your home state’s plan, each state sets its own
Organic cherries (may not be as pictured) are $2.99/lb at Whole Foods Friday only! Credit: La Grande Farmer's Market/Flickr
There are 27 coupons and freebies today. If you shop online, check if there is a cash back rebate for shopping through Ebates or Shortcuts. It’s free to join and you can save a bit extra.
Free bras and ice cream – What a winning combination! Skinny Cow Ice Cream is touring five cities (Boston, Providence, Chicago, Houston, and Los Angeles) to offer free bras, free bra fittings, and free ice cream! I’m signing up because I need a new bra!
Tomorrow! Free Chick-fil-A meal - On Friday, July 8, 2011 show up at any Chick-fil-A dressed as a cow from “head to hoof” and get a free Chick-fil-A meal!
Free Chili’s appetizer - Get a free Chili’s appetizer of Skillet Queso & Cheese when you sign up for the Chili’s email list.
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
digitizedchaos/flickr
A couple years ago, I knew NOTHING about cars. They appeared in my life (from my parents) when I needed them. This lovely, but unsustainable situation, disappeared with the passing of my folks. I had to learn about a subject that interested me as much as fantasy football.
Two years later, I am a used car buying guru. As a follow up to my post about free car repair via recalls, here are ten key websites that I have found necessary to educate myself prior to buying an “out of warranty” vehicle.
A few weeks ago readers emailed me saying images in the Bargain Babe daily emails were missing. Just a bit of text in their place. I worked with my tech crew to fix it and haven’t heard any recent complaints.
Are you still having problems?
If so, please forward me an email to julia at bargainbabe dot com where you cannot see the images.
Thanks!
~ Julia
aka Bargain Babe
Free movie codes for Blockbuster Express below.
There are 24 coupons and freebies today. If you shop online, check if there is a cash back rebate for shopping through Ebates or Shortcuts. It’s free to join and you can save a bit extra.
Free Youth Code moisturizer - Get a free sample of L’Oreal’s Youth Code lotion (there are various products in the line) courtesy of Walmart when you share a little info about yourself. While supplies last.
Free Honey Nut Cheerios - Get a free sample of Honey Nut Cheerios while they last.
Free swifter samples – The first 15,000 people will receive free Swifter samples as part of Better Housekeeping promotion. Note, you do not have to subscribe to the mag to enter. Unclear how long this will last. (more…)
This list now includes grocery deals at Giant Eagle! Plus, online coupon links below.
Ralphs - The Ralphs prices assume coupon doubling up to $1. Get all the Ralphs coupons later today. Our tips for saving money at Ralphs.
Safeway/Vons - Get all the Safeway/Vons coupons and deals later today. Highlights include Blue Diamond Almonds for as low as $0.99, Minute Maid Drinks for $0.99 with in-ad coupon, and Quaker Chewy Granola Bars $1.88 with in-ad coupon.
Albertsons - Get the full list of Albertsons coupons later today. Highlights include free Weber Seasoning Marinade Mix, American Beauty Pasta for $0.88, and Chicken of the Sea Solid White Tuna for $0.88.
Whole Foods - Get Whole Foods coupons later today. Our tips for saving money at Whole Foods. (more…)
