By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of Bobbisbargains.
TimParkinson/Flickr
The last few days of the year are a buyer’s market. Stores are trying to make every sale that they can via year end clearance sales. Hopefully at this point every sale they make is profit. This means that you, the consumer, can get some great deals.
The other not-as-well-known reason that there are great sales is because stores have to do a year-end inventory. They REALLY want to get rid of items that aren’t selling because not only are they taking up shelf space, employees would rather not count them. Stores that are seasonal will be clearing their shelves bare before the end of the month because their leases are ending.
Be open to just about anything (more…)
gapplewagen / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
There is nothing more comforting and tasty than pasta, but to cut down on meat consumption to save money, this veggie lasagna recipe is a great alternative. And because the noodles cook in the pan, it’s a bit quicker than other lasagna recipes.
For the pasta sauce I use Trader Joe’s Organic Basil Tomato Marinara and add red pepper flakes for a kick. I’ve also made the lasagna using pesto and it’s just as yummy, but you can use your favorite pasta sauce. I love cheese and use it quite liberally when making this dish. If you are vegetarian or lactose intolerant (more…)
skyseeker/Flickr
Free calender – Snag a free 2011 calender from the online party supply store Oriental Trading for a limited time. Its unclear if you have to pay shipping.
Free movie rental - Rent two movies from Blockbuster Express and get a third movie rental free through Dec. 31, 2010.
Free food - A college accreditation site compiled a list of 50 ways to get free food. Some of the suggestions are suspect (complain for a free meal) while others are quite savvy (befriend a gardener who may come by lots of extra food).
Kohl’s sale - Kohl’s is having a massive after-Christmas sale through Jan. 2, with online shipping just $.99 per item. Hot!
Picaboo photo coupon – Get 30% off using this Picaboo photo coupon for classic photo books and calenders through Dec. 30, 2010.
Illustration by OConnorCartoons.com
Ralphs – The Ralphs prices assume coupon doubling up to $1. Get all the Ralphs coupons later today. Chief Family Officer is running a tad behind schedule because of the holidays (as are a few other bloggers).
Safeway/Vons - Get all the Safeway/Vons coupons and deals later today.
Albertsons - Check back this afternoon for the full list of Albertsons coupon match ups.
Whole Foods - Get Whole Foods coupon match ups later today.
Publix – Wahoo! Southern Savers has posted this week’s Publix grocery coupons. Highlights include free Clorox wipes, Northland juice for $1.74, Lay’s potato chips for $1.99, and pork loin for $1.99/lb. (more…)
Doxieone / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Whether you’re spending a quiet New Year’s Eve with your family or throwing a party to celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another, we have tips to help you save money on decorations, food, and drinks.
Decorations
To save money on decorations, repurpose your Christmas decorations. New Year’s decorations are all about the glitter and glitz, and by using your (more…)
Take the frugal quiz! Credit: erix!/Flickr
How savvy of a spender are you? Take the annual BargainBabe.com quiz to find out. Answers below. Or take last year’s frugal quiz.
1. If an item you want is on sale but you don’t have a coupon, do you buy it?
a) Yes
b) No
2. How long do you weigh a purchase before buying?
a) Three minutes
b) Three days
c) Three months
3. My attitude toward budgeting is that it’s for
a) Finance whizzes
b) People with no money
c) Everyone (more…)
emilydickinsonridesabmx/Flickr
Hot! Oprah magazine $10 – For a limited time, get a yearlong subscription to Oprah magazine for $10 – that’s 64% off the usual price of $28!
Restaurant.com 80% off – Get a $25 gift certificate for $2 with Restaurant.com coupon code CLEARANCE through Dec. 31, 2010.
Rare! L’Occitane coupon – Get 10% off sale items with this rare L’Occitane coupon. Expires Jan. 16, 2010. (more…)
Illustration by OConnorCartoons.com
Target - This week’s list of Target coupons includes Fancy Feast Cat Food as low as $.18 each with coupons, Coca Cola 2-liters as low as $.74 after coupons, and Halls Cough drops 30-count as low as $.19 per pack after coupons.
CVS - Bargain Briana has all the CVS coupon deals for this week, including Pantene shampoo, conditioner, or styler for $.99 with coupons, Always Pads and Pantiliners for (more…)
Credit: Clearly Ambiguous/Flickr
Thanks for sharing so many awesome Bargain Babe bumper sticker slogans. Here are my favorite 10. I modified a few to include the web site address where appropriate. The top three slogan writers will win a $10 Starbucks gift card. Which sticker would you like to slap on your car?
Patti C – Save with BargainBabe.com
Becky M. – I’m not just a Babe…I’m a Bargain Babe!
Andi – Love to save with BargainBabe.com.
Keonte – I’ve got it made. I’m a Bargain Babe.
Jennifer – Save at BargainBabe.com.
Gwen – BargainBabe.com Makes Dollars and Cents
Barbara – BargainBabe.com Is The Way To Save!
Karen – I’m not cheap, but I AM a Bargain Babe!
Marlene – I break for bargains!
Liz – Smart babes love bargains.
jimbosity / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Meat tends to be the most expensive item in my shopping cart and although I am not a vegetarian, I’m considering becoming a Flexitarian to save money.
Flexitarians like eating meat, but go without it now and then for different reasons. One reason is to decrease your environmental impact. Cutting down on meat consumption won’t cost you a thing, unlike some expensive eco-friendly changes. In fact, getting protein from non-meat sources will save you $1.05 per person per meal, according to a comparison Bargain Babe did in April 2009.
I easily spend about $35 per week on organic (more…)
jennifer donley/Flickr
I’m off to enjoy a looong holiday weekend with my family in California. In between opening presents and stuffing my belly, I’m hoping to introduce them to several interactive (and free) games I recently learned.
Have a wonderful holiday. I’ll be back Tuesday,
Julia
aka Bargain Babe
This post is brought to you by the Shopping Online Bro, bringing you online shopping with convenient Facebook ratings.
I don’t usually hit the post-Christmas sales, but I have almost no Christmas decorations so I want to pick up a few things. I also am on the lookout for a few household comforts. Here is my post-holiday shopping plan.
- Crate & Barrel - I want to hit the outlet in the East Bay to look for holiday ornaments and a table cloth for daily use.
- Etsy.com - I’ve got my eye on a beautiful advent calender and a set of three tiny gnomes that would look lovely in the living room. I’m hoping they will go on sale after the holiday, though there is no guarantee.
- Macy’s - I’m curious if the store will have any (more…)
Coupon for Kenneth Cole below. Credit: Frenchyme/Flickr
Get a free sample of Prilosec over-the-counter heartburn medicine through the grocery chain Kroger. You must qualify to receive the free sample by answering three questions about your heartburn, including how often you suffer from heartburn, how often you take medicine for heartburn and the month and year of your birth.
If you qualify, share your name, address, email, and gender. You can sign up for a Prilosec email newsletter and an email list from P&G if you choose. By requesting the free sample, you agree to receive occasional emails asking about your experience with the free sample.
Caveats: The free sample takes 6-8 weeks to arrive. Available to U.S. residents only. One sample per household.
Free holiday labels and gift tags - Vista Print has free holiday labels and gift tags when you pay for shipping, usually $3-$8. Check to see if you will receive them in time for Christmas, or stock up for next year.
Free heartburn medicine - Get a free sample of over the counter Priosec heartburn medicine.
Hot! CVS coupon - Get this CVS coupon via Facebook to save 20% off in stores through Dec. 26, 2010.
Wine.com 50% off - Get $60 of wine from Wine.com for just $30 for Groupon. That’s what I call a Merry Christmas!
Taxes ware so high in Monopoly, as kids my sisters and I abolished it. Credit: alancleaver_2000/Flickr
End of year tax tips are rolling in. Below I paraphrased the best 15 tax tips that I received from Grant Thorton, TurboTax, H&R Block, and Free From Broke.
1. Get a tax question answered for FREE at FreeTaxQuestion.com through Jan. 31, 2011. It can be about personal, federal, state, or business taxes. You’ll get an email or personal call back at a time you request.
2. Understand how changes to FSA’s, HSA’s, and HRA’s due to the Affordable Care Act will affect your taxes.
3. Adjust timing of income and deductions. If tax rates are expected to rise next year, see what wiggle room you have to count income and deductions in the current tax year. Paying taxes now at a (more…)
Check out my latest WalletPop video on the best stocking stuffers. I couldn’t believe how many great stocking stuffers you can find at drugstores!
