Get a subscription to Weight Watchers for $4!

Don’t miss out on this week’s hot magazine deals including Weight Watchers and Yoga Journal magazines! If you don’t see your go-to magazine listed, browse DiscountMags.com to find your fave and use the coupon code to save 20% off (see the details below).

Weight Watchers
$4 with coupon code BARGAINBABE
Valid Jan. 31-Feb 1, 2012

Yoga Journal
$4 with coupon code BARGAINBABE
Valid Feb. 1-2, 2012

SITEWIDE COUPON
20% off your order at DiscountMags.com
Use coupon code BARGAINBABE
Valid Feb. 3-Mar. 31, 2012

Don’t forget to mark your calender so you won’t miss any of these hot magazine deals.

Clicking on these links supports BargainBabe.com. Thank you for helping make blogging my full time job! This post is copyrighted by BargainBabe.com. Other sites posting this content are violating the DMCA.

alsis35 / Flickr

This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.

It was an hour till dinner time when I tried turning on the stove. POOF! The oven turned off, then on and it wouldn’t shut off.

“Has it been on all day? It’s warm. What are we supposed to do?” I asked my handy father.

“Turn off the gas.”

Thirty minutes later we were still dealing with the stove.

“How long ago did you guys buy the stove?”

“I can’t even remember,” he responded.

A few minutes later, we began discussing possible solutions. Do we get it fixed? Do we buy a new one? Can we afford a new one?

All this ran through my mind and it gave me a headache. The stench of gas didn’t help either.

Repairing the stove was not an option as it was too old and way too costly.

Since I cook and bake at home a lot, I wanted a high quality stand alone range. I did a bunch of research online before settling on an $800 budget and specific qualifications. I spent an entire day going to five different stores to negotiate prices and compare models.

I did not consider buying from an outlet, but here are Bargain Babe’s tips to shopping at an appliance outlet.

I settled on Home Depot. They have free delivery and haul away. Sears was trying to charge me $65 for delivery. HA!

The General Electric range I picked has everything I need. Five burners including a grill and oven. It’s also stainless steel — a plus, but not a requirement.

I paid $732.11. The original price was $848, but it was on sale for $748. A 10% discount I managed to snag brought down the price to $673. I saved a whooping $174.80!

My new stove will be delivered tomorrow. In the mean time, Bobbi’s post about alternative cooking methods has been handy.

What appliance has given you a tough time?

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Reader Dianna scored big at Pier 1 Imports!!! mysudbury.ca - ouisudbury.ca / Flickr

Reader Dianna scored big at Pier 1 Imports after using a coupon we shared last week  on clearance items. She writes:

Honestly, I felt like a kid in a candy store at Pier 1 last weekend. My girlfriend met me, and we roamed the aisles, several times. Most were on clearance. I was looking mainly for shell décor.

This is what I got and the price I paid. The original price is not listed on the receipt, but I think I remember though.

Handmade birthday card
orig. $6.00 paid $2.80

Multi gem stones to scatter round a candle
orig. $12.00 paid $3.89

Costal diffuser shell & fragrance for bath
orig. $19.00 paid $9.38

Flamingo mug (not much on sale, but it was too cute to pass up)
orig. $6.00 paid $4.48

Wine stone coasters
orig. $19.00 paid $12.96

Turbo shells for bath & living room decor
orig. $18.00 paid $6.38

Lavender votive
orig. $1.50 paid $1

Patchouli votive
orig. $1.50 paid $.80

Original total $83
On-sale total $41.69
Less $10 coupon = $31.69
Tax $2.95
Total paid $34.64

The week before I went in just to look and spent about $7, but many of the items were not yet on clearance. So by waiting, I saved more. Thank you so much for posting items for your readers!

Dianna got her haul for more than half off the original price! How awesome is that?! Don’t forget to check out our daily coupon and freebie posts to score fantastic deals like Dianna. Email me at yazmin@bargainbabe.com to share your frugal haul.

TFDuesing/flickr

If you want something you don’t have the money for, figure out how to make it. (I’ve already talked about getting things by swapping or repurposing).

Personally, I have found that learning to make something is the best way to go. I get what I need, and I know how to repair it. Here are my five favorite sites to go to when I want to learn new things:

1. General instructions - Instructables - You can learn anything from how to carve a pumpkin to how to build your own computer to how to construct a rocket ship. Instructables has more pictures and instructions than videos.
2. Video tutorials - YouTube – Now that YouTube has grown beyond silly home videos, you can find all sorts of wonderful how-to videos. Check on the length of the video before choosing which one you want to watch. It’s pretty boring to watch a 10-minute video on how to tie a knot and it’s pretty useless to watch a 30-second video on how to do your taxes.
3. 5 minute Life Videopedia – Five minute videos about all sorts of stuff.
4. The ultimate handyman site - DIYnetwork – I also like HandymanUSA. These are both wonderful sites to go to when you want to know how to fix your broken doorknob or unclog your sink.
5. Hundreds of the best 18-minute talks on Technology, Education & Design - TED talks – Think of the very best speaker you ever heard. Now imagine the talk being no more than 18 minutes long. These are TED talks. My favorite ones are by Sir Ken Richardson on the subject of education.

There are so many things we pay for someone do for us that we could do ourselves. By hiring others to weed our gardens, cook our food, and fix every broken thing, we lose the joy of creating our own lives.  The internet gives us access to information that allows us to learn new things with a few clicks. Use it!

What are your favorite sites to learn new things?

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Get a subscription to Shape mag for only $4!

This week’s hot magazine deals include Shape and Family Fun magazines. Get in on these hot magazine deals EXCLUSIVE to BargainBabe.com before it’s too late! Don’t see your favorite magazine listed? Browse DiscountMags.com to find your fave and use the coupon code below to save 20% off (see the details below).

Shape
$4 with coupon code BARGAINBABE
Valid Jan. 24-25, 2012

Family Fun
$4 with coupon code BARGAINBABE
Valid Jan. 25-26, 2012

Weight Watchers
$4 with coupon code BARGAINBABE
Valid Jan. 31-Feb 1, 2012

Yoga Journal
$4 with coupon code BARGAINBABE
Valid Feb. 1-2, 2012

SITEWIDE COUPON
20% off your order at DiscountMags.com
Use coupon code BARGAINBABE
Valid Feb. 3-Mar. 31, 2012

Don’t forget to mark your calender so you won’t miss any of these hot magazine deals.

Clicking on these links supports BargainBabe.com. Thank you for helping make blogging my full time job! This post is copyrighted by BargainBabe.com. Other sites posting this content are violating the DMCA.

rachel_titiriga/flickr

I live in Southern California, the land of the lemon tree. With so many donations from friends, I have found tons of uses for the mighty little lemon.

Here are ten of my favorites:

1. Lemon juice and salt on your copper bottom pans make an instant cleaning miracle. Just sprinkle the salt on the copper bottom, then squirt on some lemon juice and give a gentle scrub. Your copper will shine like the day it was made. This works on any copper surface, not just pot bottoms.

2. Put lemon juice in a spray bottle and go for a little sunbath. Spritz the lemon juice on your hair and let the sun do its job. You will end up with a summer blond look.
3. Turn those lemons into lemonade. The very best lemonade that I ever had was at a yard sale. The little boy who sold it to me was proud to tell me that the lemons came from the tree in his backyard. Lemon juice + filtered water + honey + ice = yummy lemonade
4. After shampoo rinse. When I was little, my mom used to pour lemon juice over my hair as an after shampoo rinse. Some people don’t use shampoo or conditioner at all – only water and some lemon juice.
5. Deodorize your garbage disposal. After you are done squeezing the juice out of the lemon, cut it up into strips and put down your disposal. Not only does it help break up the grease and gunk on the blades, but it leaves a pleasant lemon scent.
6. Keep guacamole from turning brown. Avocado turns brown when exposed to air, so your wonderful homemade guacamole can look yucky while still tasting great. Spritz the top of your guac with lemon juice to keep a bright green.
7. Similar to the avocado, apple slices will also turn brown when left out to the air. Dip the slices in lemon juice to keep them nice looking. The taste of the lemon compliments the apples.
8. Help soften elbows and heels by rubbing a squeezed lemon rind on them. Make sure you don’t have any cuts in your skin or they will sting.
9. Lemon and honey in hot water is good for a sore throat or a cold. If nothing else, the honey tastes good and the heat soothes.
10. Kill weeds in the cracks in your sidewalk. Much like the tip that Bargain Babe gave us with vinegar, it turns out that lemon juice also kills weeds. Soak the area with lemon juice instead of toxic chemicals. You will definitely want a friend with an overloaded lemon tree for this tip.

I know that there are tons more uses for this great little fruit. What are your favorite uses for lemons?

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Last week I ordered Bon Appetit for $4.99 for one year. How awesome is that?! You can still get in on these hot magazine deals EXCLUSIVE to BargainBabe.com! If these mags are not your fave, browse DiscountMags.com to find ones you like and use the coupon code below to save 20% off (see the details below).

Rachel Ray
$4 with coupon code BARGAINBABE
Valid Jan. 17-18, 2012

Family Circle
$4 with coupon code BARGAINBABE
Valid Jan. 18-19, 2012

Shape
$4 with coupon code BARGAINBABE
Valid Jan. 24-25, 2012

Family Fun
$4 with coupon code BARGAINBABE
Valid Jan. 25-26, 2012

Weight Watchers
$4 with coupon code BARGAINBABE
Valid Jan. 31-Feb 1, 2012

Yoga Journal
$4 with coupon code BARGAINBABE
Valid Feb. 1-2, 2012

Better Homes & Garden
$4 with coupon code BARGAINBABE
Valid Feb. 2-3, 2012

SITEWIDE COUPON
20% off your order at DiscountMags.com
Use coupon code BARGAINBABE
Valid Feb. 4-Mar. 31, 2012

Don’t forget to mark your calender so you won’t miss any of these hot magazine deals.

This post is copyrighted by BargainBabe.com. Other sites posting this content are violating the DMCA. Clicking on these links supports BargainBabe.com.

jypsygen / Flickr

This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.

A while back, I wrote about the many uses of vinegar. Julia even gushed about vinegar in a video. More recently I haven’t been able to live without hydrogen peroxide. It all started after my dental emergency. Below I share 25 uses for the liquid in the brown bottle, H2O2. (It’s usually sold with a 3% active ingredient concentration.)

DISCLOSURE: I’m not attempting to give medical advice. You should consult your dentist or doctor before using hydrogen peroxide to treat ailments.

1. My dentist suggested I soak my toothbrush in hydrogen peroxide between uses to keep it clean and prevent the transfer of germs. This is particularly helpful when you or someone in your family has a cold or the flu. I’ve been fighting a bug!
2. Use hydrogen peroxide as a mouthwash to freshen breath. It kills the bacteria that causes halitosis.
3. Mixed with salt and baking soda, hydrogen peroxide works as a whitening toothpaste.
4. It’s said to helps with early stages of gingivitis as it kills bacteria.
5. Clean a wound with hydrogen peroxide.
6. Use a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide to clean and freshen kitchen counters.
7. Clean your cutting boards to kill salmonella and other bacteria.
8. Sanitize your kids’ lunch boxes/bags.
9. Wash vegetables and fruits with hydrogen peroxide. Add 1/4 cup of H2O2 to a sink of cold water. After washing rinse thoroughly with cool water.
10. Dab hydrogen peroxide on pimples or acne to help clear skin.
11. Use a mixture of 1 part hydrogen peroxide to 32 parts water to improve your plants’ root system. It’s said to help with rotting.
12. Hydrogen peroxide helps to sprout seeds for new plantings. Use a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution once a day and spritz the seed every time you re-moisten.
13. Use H2O2 instead of using chlorine bleach when washing a white load. Toss in half a cup straight out of the bottle along with your usual laundry detergent. Did you know it’s one of the main ingredients in Oxiclean? It works well against grass, blood and red wine stains.
14. Remove yellowing from lace curtains or tablecloths. Fill a sink with cold water and a 2 cups of 3% hydrogen peroxide. Soak for at least an hour, rinse in cold water and air dry.
15. Soaking your feet in a peroxide solution helps soften calluses and corns, and disinfects minor cuts.
16. Spritz a weak solution of H2O2 on your hair to bring out your natural highlights.
17. Can kill harmful bacteria, including E. coli, viral agents, and mold and mildew spores.
18. Use it to remove ear wax. Use a solution of 3% with olive or almond oil. Add a couple drops of oil first then H2O2. After a few minutes, tilt head to remove solution and wax.
19. Helps with foot fungus. Spray a 50/50 mixture of hydrogen peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry.
20. Clean with hydrogen peroxide to remove mold.
21. Spraying down the shower with hydrogen peroxide to kill bacteria and viruses.
22. Use 1 pint of 3% hydrogen peroxide to a gallon of water to clean humidifiers and steamers.
23. Wash shower curtains with hydrogen peroxide to remove mildew and soap scum. Place curtains in machine with a bath towel and your regular detergent. Add 1 cup full strength 3% hydrogen peroxide to the rinse cycle.
24. Scrub the toilet bowl with 2 quarts water and 1 cup 3% hydrogen peroxide. Let stand 30 minutes. Then scrub with brush.
25. Use hydrogen peroxide to control fungi present in aquariums. Don’t worry, it won’t hurt your fish. Use sparingly for this purpose.

What do you use hydrogen peroxide for?

Urban Woodstalker/flickr

Do you know the main idea that separates people who live over-budget from those who live under-budget?

People who go over-budget do so because they think they must have NEW stuff. This often translates into buying at the highest price. Go to the mall and buy a new shirt. Top dollar. Go to the car dealer and buy a new replacement part for your car. Super top dollar. Go to the bookstore and buy a just published book. Very expensive.

Some people feel that it is “bad” or “uncool” or “low class” to buy recycled, used, or discounted. Well, if you are super rich and have money to burn, then, be my guest and buy retail. I surely want to go to your yard sales and I certainly don’t want to try and balance your budget.

People who live under-budget think new stuff is a waste of money. They would rather get used stuff and re-purpose it.

So where are the best places to get great re-purposed stuff? Here is my top 7 list:

1. Yard Sales – You just can’t beat a yard sale for great prices and wild diversity. I love the adventure of yard sales. Go to a family neighborhood for kid stuff. Go to an area with lots of artists for cool and unique items. Utilize Yard Sale Treasure Map to find the yard sales in your area.

2. Thrift Stores – You never know what kind of great buys you will get in a thrift store. I’ve seen designer suits for $9.95 and service-for-12 Noritake china for $29.95. It’s important that you check for nicks, tears, broken zippers, stains, etc. when buying at a thrift store. There is no returning. On the flip side, I love donating to my local thrift store. I get a tax deduction plus I know I’m putting treasures into someone else’s hand and out of the landfill.

3. Swaps - Find a swap, attend a swap, create a swap. Just swap! The best way to recycle and re-purpose and end up with new-to-you stuff. Many swaps have some sort of minimal entrance fee plus you need to bring stuff to swap. I’m hooked on swaps.

4. Your friends and/or co-workers – Have a closet clean out with your friend. Get your co-workers to swap clothing, books, electronics. It can be as simple as putting a basket in the office lunchroom for a book exchange.

5. On the curb of the sidewalk – I have found the most wonderful stuff on the curb. I’ve gotten a great light table for graphics, an end table and a treadmill. Keep the universe happy and put your cool stuff out on the curb for others to find.

6. Consignment stores – Not as good as a thrift store, but sometimes you can get GREAT deals on very high quality designer clothes for young and old.

7. Specialized consignment sales – Some sales, like the LA Kids Consignment sale specialize in public such as kids, plus size or sports equipment

Learn to love the re-purposed lifestyle and do what you REALLY want with the money you save. How do you re-purpose?

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Get Bon Appetit for $5!

I’m working with DiscountMags.com to offer a number of really hot magazine deals, two each week. Year long subscriptions. Mark your calender because these deals are EXCLUSIVE to BargainBabe.com!!!

Bon Appetit
$4.99 with coupon code BARGAINBABE
Expires Jan. 12, 2012
(checking exact time this code expires today)

Rachel Ray
$4 with coupon code BARGAINBABE
Valid Jan. 17-18, 2012

Family Circle
$4 with coupon code BARGAINBABE
Valid Jan. 18-19, 2012

Shape
$4 with coupon code BARGAINBABE
Valid Jan. 24-25, 2012

Family Fun
$4 with coupon code BARGAINBABE
Valid Jan. 25-26, 2012

Weight Watchers
$4 with coupon code BARGAINBABE
Valid Jan. 31-Feb 1, 2012

Yoga Journal
$4 with coupon code BARGAINBABE
Valid Feb. 1-2, 2012

SITEWIDE COUPON
20% off your order at DiscountMags.com
Use coupon code BARGAINBABE
Valid Feb. 3-Mar. 31, 2012

Don’t forget to mark your calender so you won’t miss any of these hot magazine deals.

Clicking on these links supports BargainBabe.com. Thank you for helping make blogging my full time job! This post is copyrighted by BargainBabe.com. Other sites posting this content are violating the DMCA.

Soft, soft cashmere - photo by Bobbi Burger Brunoehler

I just scored a cashmere sweater for 99 cents at the 99 cent store. Yep. A cashmere sweater for less than a dollar! This unbelievable discount got me thinking about my Bargain Hall of Fame.

I find bargains every day, but sometimes my finds are special. Here are my personal top 10 best buys:

1. Brand new original Leatherman tool for $1.50. Retailed for $50 (but it is retired and you can’t even buy it anymore except as a collector’s item).
2. Sewing machine (like new) for free on Freecycle.
3. Large box FULL of jewelry (including a gold ring) for $20. My daughter had a field day taking the jewelry apart and redesigning it. I often wonder if the man that sold me this box of jewelry got in trouble with his wife.
4. Three giant garbage bags full of clothes at swap-o-rama-rama. Entrance fee was a bag of my clothes and $5. My favorite way to get new clothes is at a swap.
5. Wooden swing set with slide, fort and two swings for $200. Retail cost $2,200. We got years of fun out of this swing set in two different States. We finally sold it to someone else for $150.
6. The afore mentioned cashmere sweater for 99 cents – retail price $255 at Nordstrom. It’s a super soft sweater as you can see from the picture.
7. Hundreds of dollars worth of fake flowers for $15 at an estate sale. I later used these flowers in a craft tent at a huge children’s festival.
8. A David’s Bridal bridesmaid’s gown for $20. Retail $220. This gown is now part of my daughter’s costume collection.
9. Fixing my car horn, cruise control and air bag for free under factory recall. Savings of at least $500 dollars.
10. Buying my home in a short sale for half of what the previous owner paid for it. BIG savings.

Those are my Bargain Hall of Fame nominees. How about you? What are your best bargains ever?

Jasonwoodhead23/flickr

By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.

Per Southern California Gas Company, home heating is 65% of a residential gas bill during the winter months. (That’s what it said in my bill insert this month.) Wow! If that is true in Southern California, what is it in actual cold parts of the country?

With so much of your utility budget going toward keeping your home warm, anything that you can do to retain heat in your home or keep the heat from leaving is a money saver. Here are 5 tips that will help you to lower your heating bill:

1. Open your drapes when the sun is shining into the window. This allows the sun to heat your home. Close your drapes (the heavier the better) when the sun is not shining in the window. This will help to hold the heat in the space and keep it from literally going out the window. Follow the tips in the winterize your home video to keep those windows from being drafty.
2. Clean or replace the filters in your heating system. Ensure you do not have furniture or storage in front of your heating vents, especially if you have floor vents. Remember heat rises and it can’t rise if it is covered by your sofa.
3. Get an annual inspection for your furnace.  Yes, heating systems need to be maintained just like your air conditioner. An annual servicing of your furnace can not only save you money but it can also prevent a fire by cleaning out lint build-up and ensuring that your system is operating properly and efficiently. Per the Chicago Tribune, if your system is only 60% efficient, then that means that you are loosing 40 cents on every dollar!
4. If your health will allow, wear more clothes and lower the temperature a few degrees. Place lap rugs around your house so that you can place one over your legs or over your shoulders to keep you warm. If you are in Southern California… it’s time to take off the flip-flops and put on socks and shoes.
5. Wear a hat.  Remember how Scrooge had on a sleeping cap when he went to bed in every version of Charles Dicken’s Christmas classic? Scrooge was saving money by not heating his house. So, he wore a hat to keep him warm. You don’t have to be Scrooge to wear a comfy sleeping night cap. They really do keep you warm.

Hummm. All this writing about the cold is making me want a nice mug of hot chocolate with mini marshmallows. Another great way to keep warm.

Beth Rankin / Flickr

This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.

If the holidays didn’t wreak havoc on your finances, you’re in for a good shopping season. Below I share four items to shop for in the month of January to save money.

Bedding and bathroom linens - This is the time of year I stock up on new bedroom and bathroom linens. Many stores will begin competing to sell you sheets, comforters, towels, and pillows during their so-called white sales. Expect prices to keep on dropping. I share tips to

save money at white sales in case you need to stock up.

Air conditioners - Depending on where you live, you may not even be thinking of air conditioners. Rest assured no one else is either. So this is a great time to hit the stores and get some quotes. You can also do this online! Come the first hot day of the summer, you’ll be glad you shopped early. Bobbi shows you how to buy an air conditioner.

Jewelry – Plan ahead for Valentine’s Day to save money on jewelry gifts. Jewelry stores tend to see their traffic wither after the holiday season and it doesn’t tends to pick up till February. Look for bargains now for that gift for your special someone. Ladies, now’s the time to drop a hint to your man!

Patio Furniture – Stores that sell patio furniture tend not to see a whole lot of customers during the winter months. If you are planning on getting patio furniture, this is the time to do it. You will be getting last year’s model, but you’ll be saving lots of money. Price compare and take home your furniture. Make sure you have a place to store it till spring comes around or better yet, buy furniture that is weather proof.

What other deals do you tend to find in January?

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Is it safe to buy appliances from an outlet? Credit: Editor B/Flickr

Jeannie is not sure she can trust an appliance outlet store. What do you think?

Dear Julia, Love your site. Question for you or the readers: we need a new dishwasher and Consumer Reports recommends 2 Whirlpool models in our price range. I did “Bargain Babe” due diligence in looking around for a great price and came across the Whirlpool Outlet store, which claims it has brand new products. But how do I know I can trust them?

Their site looks legit, but they’re based in the Midwest and we’re on the East Coast, so it makes me wonder if I’d be better off paying a little more and buying from a brick-and-mortar store, which feels so 1990s to me! Any advice you could offer would be great! Thanks, Jeannie

Jeannie, I would check a few things off my list before making a major purchase from an online retailer you are new to.

1. Is the site a manufacturer site for Whirlpool, or just a reseller?

2. Does the site have an address and phone number listed for customer service?

3. When you call the customer service phone number, do you get a legit response?

4. What is the site’s return policy? Does it seem reasonable to you?

5. Is the price on this Whirlpool Outlet ridiculously lower than anything else you’ve seen? I know the Sears “scratch and dent” store 45 minutes from my home sells appliances 40-70% off, but they are a legit branch of Sears that sells damaged items. We bought a freezer there and have been very happy with it.

Here are 12 more indicators that an online retailer might be fraudulent.

What do you think Jeannie should do?

Even if your utility company doesn’t provide a free energy audit to find leaks, the video has a secret to doing it yourself! I really need to make time for this stuff!

My weatherizing to do list:

• Check if my utility offers free energy audits
• Finish insulating basement pipes with foam insulation that we have laying around!
• Caulk leaky windows
• Buy and install insulation strip for drafty front door

What weatherizing projects are you not looking forward to doing?