Happy Birthday BargainBabe.com! Credit: soapylovedeb/Flickr
Don’t forget to enter the contest to celebrate BargainBabe.com’s third anniversary!!! We’re giving away a bunch of cool prizes.
- 1 GRAND PRIZE: $100 Amazon gift card
- 10 BIG WINNERS: $25 Restaurant.com gift card
- 25 WINNERS: “I brake for bargains” bumper sticker
There are six ways to enter to win. Do as many as you like!
- Comment on this post with your favorite way to save money
- “Like” BargainBabe.com on Facebook
- Share the contest on Facebook with a link to http://bit.ly/yRdRXn
- Follow BargainBabe.com on Twitter
- Tweet about the contest: “I want to win one of 36 giveaways to celebrate the third anniversary of @bargainbabe http://bit.ly/yRdRXn“
- Join our freebie and deal email
Leave a comment for each entry so we can keep track. The contest ends Monday, Jan 16, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. EST.
We heart saving money! 401k /Flickr
If you haven’t already heard, we are celebrating BargainBabe.com’s third anniversary by giving away 35 prizes! Julia asked you to share your favorite way to save money and the giveaway post was flooded with comments. Get inspiration from fellow BargainBabe.com readers!
The most popular way our readers like to save money is… (more…)
BargainBabe.com turns 3!
We’re celebrating BargainBabe.com’s third anniversary this month!!! Sometimes it’s hard to believe I’ve been blogging for three years (plus 1.5 years at the Los Angeles Daily News). And even harder to believe that some of you have been reading me the entire way. Thank you!
To celebrate, we’re giving away a bunch of cool prizes.
- 1 GRAND PRIZE: $100 Amazon gift card
- 10 BIG WINNERS: $25 Restaurant.com gift card
- 25 WINNERS: “I brake for bargains” bumper sticker
There are six ways to enter to win. Do as many as you like!
My belly needs room in this year's contest!
This year’s annual Halloween costume contest has a big – pun intended – twist. I’m pregnant! As you can see from the photo, my belly will play a role in whatever I dress up as for Halloween this year. Here’s how the contest works:
You suggest your most zany and frugal Halloween costume for me to wear.
The most unusual and fun costume is what I’ll dress up as. Bonus points for a costume my husband and I can do together.
I’ll prance around town in your costume and post a picture of me in costume. No matter how silly it is!
Comment with your idea for a Halloween costume by Oct. 19, 2011. That gives me about a week to put the winning costume together.
Interested in more preggo details?
I’m speaking at an upcoming writer’s conference in New York City April 29-May 1, 2011. The panel I’m contributing to is “Make Money with Your Blog: Secrets and How To’s For Success” on Apr. 30 from 3:15-4:15 p.m.
The session is open to the public and members of ASJA, the writers and editors organization putting the conference on, though it costs money to get in. Come say hello!
Tim Pearce, Los Gatos/Flickr
This is your last chance to win the $250 Macy’s gift card donated by Friendgiftr. The other prizes include:
- “Free Fun Guides“ to LA and SF, donated by FreeFunGuides (two winners)
- “Secrets of a Stingy Scoundel“ donated by author Phil Villarreal (one winner)
- “How to Survive on a Teacher’s Salary“ donated by author Danny Kofke (one winner)
- “How to Shop for Free“ donated by author Kathy Spencer (one winner)
- “Debt Free U“ donated by author Zac Bissonnette (5 winners)
To win, enter the contest here. This contest ends Monday, Jan. 17 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Thanks for reading BargainBabe.com!
Loimere/Flickr
I’ve lined up a slew of reader giveaways to celebrate the second anniversary of BargainBabe.com. There are 11 free prizes this week and 155 prizes next week (see below). Working for myself as a blogger has been a true challenge and very satisfying. I’m honored to be a leader in this community of money savers!
Thanks to our generous donors who contributed these amazing prizes!
- “Free Fun Guides“ to LA and SF, donated by FreeFunGuides (two winners)
- “Secrets of a Stingy Scoundel“ donated by author Phil Villarreal (one winner)
- “How to Survive on a Teacher’s Salary“ donated by author Danny Kofke (one winner)
- “How to Shop for Free“ donated by author Kathy Spencer (one winner)
- “Debt Free U“ donated by author Zac Bissonnette (5 winners)
- A $250 Macy’s gift card donated by FriendGiftr, which sells gift cards that can be swapped among 150 major retailers and restaurants in case the recipient wants to spend their GAP gift card at Old Navy, for instance (one winner)
To win one of this week’s prizes do one or more of the following things:
- Comment on this post about which book you want to win and how you would spend the $250 Macys gift card (one entry)
- Tweet “I want to win a $250 Macy’s gift card from @BargainBabe! http://wp.me/ppHNJ-5YZ” (one entry)
- Post a Facebook update about the contest with a link to the contest http://wp.me/ppHNJ-5YZ (one entry)
- Join the BargainBabe.com email list to receive money saving tips (three entries)
- Blog about the contest (five entries)
For each entry, leave a comment on this post so I know you entered. The contest ends Monday Jan. 17 at 11:59 p.m.
Prizes being given away next week: (more…)
Here is the clip of the interview I did on Marketplace Money, which runs on NPR across the country. The story is “Tips for staying financially fit.”
As reader Harvey commented on my post Friday about the radio spot, “It is the January 7, 2011 edition. You are near the beginning – the fifth and last blogger to be interviewed. You can listen directly or download the podcast.” You can also read the transcript of the entire clip, though it’s fun to hear my voice on the radio (at least, for me it is!).
Thanks for summing it up and providing a link, Harvey!
The top three suggestions for what a BargainBabe.com bumper sticker should say will each win a $10 Starbucks gift card. You can leave as many suggestions as you want!
I’m asking for ideas because I’m considering making about 200 bumper stickers to giveaway to readers and fans of BargainBabe.com. Here is one idea to get you started:
I’m a Bargain Babe too!
(and in smaller print) BargainBabe.com
Thanks for sharing your idea!
Illustration by OConnorCartoons.com
I have so many new ideas to improve BargainBabe.com it’s ridiculous. Thank you to the 219 readers who commented with a suggestion, thereby entering themselves to win the 10-pound swag bag I lugged home from BlogHer (winner named below). I am taking each idea to heart and have already implemented many of your suggestions.
You wanted custom subject lines in your daily email - you got it! Yesterday I found a way to modify the subject line.
You wanted more coupons and deals – you got it! I am going to post drugstore deals (CVS, Walgreens, and Rite Aid) on Monday and grocery deals (Ralphs and Safeway) on Wednesday. If you want to see links to additional stores, let me know by commenting on this post.
You wanted a better site design and navigation tabs – it’s in the works! I’ve contacted a web designer/tech geek about making the site easier to use and easier to look at. Realistically, a major change to the site will take at least (more…)
Me and a scruffy stuffed bear at a restaurant in Breckenridge, CO.
I recently returned from an intense two-day Savvy Blogging Summit in Breckenridge, CO where I met dozens of other bloggers and learned how to be a better blogger. My to do list has 56 items on it so I’ll just share a few changes I want to make.
- tell more stories, including reader successes and failures (email me yours!)
- make technical changes to improve site speed and usability
- share more of my own financial challenges, changes, and decisions (hence my post on nontraditional banks)
- create new tabs for popular topics like groceries and freebies
- expand my presence on Facebook and on Twitter (see poll below)
What changes would you like to see on BargainBabe.com?
[poll id="63"]
I recently filmed a short video for WalletPop.com about where to find the best freebies online. Click on the video below to watch.
I’ve never seen a dog get so excited about going on a walk as Bella. She gets air in this 47-second video. Pets are very entertaining!
Note: this video has nothing to do with saving money, it’s just fun.
Better Homes & Gardens, July 2010
My Mother called me last night to tell me I have nice legs.
“Your Aunt Sarah and I were talking and we both agreed you should wear skirts more often.”
Thanks, Mom. They were discussing my two-page photo spread and interview in the July issue of Better Homes & Gardens, which is on newsstands.
My Mom also told me that my two 5-year-old nephews refused to accept that the beautiful gal on page 125 and 126 is me.
“Luc and Nico denied that was you,” she emailed me. “They said the pictures were not the same person because the outfits were different and that it wasn’t you because your hair isn’t that curly! What they will learn…”
Better Homes & Gardens, July 2010
My slightly older nephew, who is eight, realized the pictures were of me but wasn’t sure what to make of it.
“It’s just weird,” he told my Mom. “That’s not her hair. Her hair is black.”
HA!
Okay, I’m done tooting my own horn. Back to work on the Frugal Festival this Saturday.
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yatoobin/Flickr
I asked you why you read BargainBabe.com and received feedback that left me stunned and touched. I hardly know what to say other than thank you for making me feel special. I am glad what I do helps others save money.
Exactly 95 readers commented on my post requesting site feedback for a chance to win a $50 Sears e-gift card, which was generously donated by Sears in honor of their Memorial Day sale this weekend. I read every comment and tallied the reasons you provided (some readers gave more than one reason). You said you read the blog for:
Frugal philosophy, tips, and ideas – 32 readers
Deals – 21 readers
Freebies – 13 readers
Coupons – 12 readers
Inspiration, motivation and encouragement – 10 readers
Entertainment – 8 readers
Personal stories – 6 readers
Giveaways – 6 readers
Budgeting advice – 6 readers
Frugal community – 3 readers
Grocery savings – 3 readers
Restaurant savings – 3 readers
Comments – 2 readers
Experiments – 2 readers
New website reviews – 2 readers
Los Angeles deals – 1 reader
Credit card control – 1 reader
Reader Paolina said my 15-minute budget helped her buy a car!
I love reading Bargain Babe because you have helped me financially. I did your budget and saved hundreds of dollars a month! Because of your Blog I was able to purchase my first car on my own with no co-signer and a large down payment. All of your articles help, from either saving a few bucks on a great deal or how to save for a big investment. Plus your entertaining and fun!! Who doesnt love that? Thanks Bargain Babe keep doing what youre doing!
I never knew I had a friend in reader Tahrer until reading her comment:
I have friends and relatives that call me up constantly while their shopping, whether it be for groceries, clothes or home decor. They call and ask me if what their getting is a good deal for the amount their paying. Sometimes they even tell me that the only time they feel like their saving is when I go shopping with them. Im more than glad to provide such reassurance to my friends and family. However, they always end up asking me how I do it all and my response is always the same, I have a friend too, her name is Bargain Babe.
Reader Joannie stole my heart and won the $50 Sears e-gift card with her rhyming poem.
Why do I read Julia aka Bargain Babe.com?
Because thats where great ideas come from.
Like learning to budget and saving a buck
When your finances seem to be running amok.
The Babe helps us to find great items for free,
Or a gift card from Sears for you or me.
Its the first and best blog I go to each day
Theres always some inspiration to take away.
Babes money-savers are her claim to fame,
She puts Suze Ormans advice to shame.
So thank you, Julia, you entertain and delight
As you write byte by byte on your frugal site!
Joannie has 24 hours to respond to my notification email or the prize goes to first runner up Tahrer or second runner up Paolina.
