LÅ‘rinc / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
My secret to having an arsenal full of specialized cooking utensils without going broke is the hardware store. In many cases, the only difference between a hardware store tool and the kitchen version is price. Read on to see what cheap kitchen tools you can find at your local hardware.
Cooking Twine
Skip the small packages of kitchen twine sold at supermarkets and buy a cheap roll of twine at the hardware store. Just make sure to look for cotton twine only as nylon and other synthetic twines will melt. Twine comes in handy for trussing up poultry, tying together bouquet garnis, and holding roasts together.
Want to save money on your phone service? Try Ooma. It was recently named the best home phone service by Consumer Reports. Ooma offers long-term savings without having to sacrifice on high-quality phone service or affordable add-on options.
Ooma allows you to take control of how you communicate! Stay in touch with friends and loved ones for free with crystal-clear audio, and home and mobile services.
Here’s how it works: Ooma uses broadband Internet (Voice over IP technology) to provide free home phone service with voicemail, caller ID, and call waiting. All you have to do is plug the device, which costs $199.99, into your high-speed Internet connection and then you plug your phone into the Ooma unit. You don’t even need a computer. Note that many VoIP services can’t be used for emergency calls, but with Ooma you can make an emergency call!
All you pay is roughly $3.50 a month for taxes and fees. For an average family spending $30-$40 a month on home phone service, Ooma can pay for itself within 7 to 10 months, and continue to save them money year after year.
Calls between Ooma phones are always free from anywhere in the world. For those who have family outside the U.S., users can purchase 500 international minutes for just $4.99, plus the $9.99/month fee – that’s a penny a minute!
With Ooma Premier, an optional level of service for $9.99/month, you’ll get more than 25 advanced features including a second line, three-way conferencing, blacklisting and call screening.
To save money on your mobile plan, just download the Ooma Mobile Application, which uses Wi-Fi or 3G connections on Droid phones, iPhone, iPad or the iPod Touch. You’ll save minutes on your calling plan and save up to 90 percent on international calls compared to mobile plans.
This is dedicated content. Want to reach tens of thousands of savvy spenders? Read our blog marketing page.
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
celesteh/flickr
I cook from scratch everyday. My kitchen cabinets and drawers are FULL of gizmos and gadgets. Save yourself money and don’t buy things you don’t need for your kitchen – no matter how enticing the infomercial. If you feel like you MUST get it, wait until it shows up at a yard sale.
There is nothing on this list that I have not seen or purchased at a yard sale or thrift store.
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)
Charlie Brewer / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
Earlier I wrote about three phone alternatives to a landline that can save you money and reader Lore suggested Gmail Voice. I am a Google fan and can’t believe I didn’t mention the company’s phone feature, which you can access through Gmail and Google Talk.
Google Talk is a free Windows and web-based application for instant messaging that also allows you to make calls to others with Google Talk only. Google Voice is a free Google Internet service that uses voice over internet protocol (VoIP) to enable users to make and receive calls for free. You don’t have to be at your computer and can call any number. In this post we’ll explore how using Google Voice can cut down your phone bill.
Google Voice is similar to Skype in that it enables you to make a call and video chat. To make calls you will need (more…)
biblicone / Flickr
This is a post by BargainBabe.com writer Yazmin Cruz.
I know a lot of people who gave up their landline because they didn’t want to pay a monthly bill for a phone they were rarely using. Now, they solely rely on their cell phones.
If you’re looking to save money by giving up your land line, consider Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service providers like Vonage, Skype and magicJack. To use these services, you must have access to a computer with Internet and contrary to popular belief, some allow you to make emergency 911 calls. Below is a price comparison of their services and a description of how they work.
Vonage
A phone, high speed Internet and Vonage adapter is needed to use this service. Before purchasing the equipment, log onto their site to test whether the speed of your Internet connection is ideal. I have DSL and my Internet did not pass their Internet speed test. To receive or make incoming calls, your computer doesn’t have to be (more…)
This post is brought to you by DailyVista where you can get new business leads.
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of Bobbisbargains.
mirimcfly/Flickr
This question just came in from a reader in Southern California:
Can you suggest sources of quality dresses to wear on job interviews? Most stores don�t seem to carry business dresses anymore. The key factor wanted is QUALITY with conservative designs. Would like to pay no more than $100 for an interview dress, if possible. Pantsuits are not the best choice for my field and age group, but skirted suits are ok. Any ideas? I am a mature job applicant who does not look appropriate in wild, trendy styles.
My immediate answer was (more…)
GoldenEel/Flickr
I share five must read blog posts about saving money every Friday.
Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery – and a money grab. Walmart launches a Groupon-style “deal of the day.” (Walletpop)
Like KFC? Dress up as Col. Sanders on Halloween, email KFC a picture by Nov. 4, and you could win a lifetime supply of KFC. (OC Deals)
True and simple rules for house sitting (Surviving and Thriving)
Want to change your financial situation, weight, or career? Stick to one simple rules and you’re golden. (The Simple Dollar)
Feed your family of four for a month for $30 through Angel Ministries. Whoever heard of such cheap groceries without coupons? (Faithful Provisions)
Stay on top of the latest strategies, coupons, and inspiration to save money everyday with BargainBabe.com’s email list.
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.
boulter/Flickr
By Bobbi Burger Brunoehler of BobbisBargains.
The day I got my driver’s license my mother bought me an Automobile Club of America (AAA) membership. She continued to gift me the renewal fee on that membership for many years. Her gift, thankfully, kept me from being stranded on the road many times.
Every time I whipped out my AAA card and called for a service truck, I always thought of my mother. I would call and thank her while I waited for the tow truck to arrive. I think she planned it that way.
I have used my membership privileges (this link opens a word document) to get help:
- jump starting my battery in the dead of winter
- changing a flat tire in the blazing sun
- opening a locked car door when the keys were still in the car and I was not
- towing my car to a mechanic when I broke down in the middle of nowhere
- registering my car with the DMV without having to GO to the DMV (priceless)
A basic AAA membership averages a $1 a week. (Prices vary in different parts of the country.) Any one of the above services would have cost more than I paid for my yearly membership. Upgrades to the membership give you additional benefits including a much larger free towing radius. Check to see if there are current coupon codes available before signing up.
You can even use your card to get roadside help if you are just the passenger in the car. This is the biggest difference between AAA and other roadside assistance programs. A gift of an AAA membership is a great way to help out a low income friend.
Without a doubt, I have gotten my money’s worth from this company. Besides the roadside services, you can also get discounts on phone service, amusement park tickets, air fares, free maps and atlas’, hotel and food discounts, discounted car rentals, free reviews of auto repair shops, passport services, and international driving permits. Check out the discounts in your area.
I never fully appreciated the value of my AAA membership until the day that my son got his driver’s license. I realized that he was about to hit the road and I wouldn’t be there to watch over him. On that day, I purchased his AAA membership. Maybe someday he’ll call me and say “Thanks Mom.”
brianjmatis/Flickr
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Get ready for tax season! Preparing will be a little easier knowing you can file for free thanks to a partnership between the IRS and the Free File Alliance LLC, a group of private sector tax software companies. The site does not go live for 2010 until Jan. 15, so this is really just a heads up.
Here’s how it worked for 2008 taxes filed last April. I expect the free filing options to be very similar for 2009 taxes.
Option No. 1. You can file your federal returns for free using the traditional Free File, which offers step-by-step help, if your adjusted gross income is $56,000 or less (this number could vary slightly for 2009). The software puts your answers directly into the forms and does the math for you. You can get a refund as quick as 10 days if you opt for direct deposit. This service is available in Spanish.
Option No. 2. You can fill in your own tax forms without the help of software using the Free Fillable Forms. This hands-off approach lets you prepare and e-file your 1040, 1040 A and 1040EZ federal returns. There are no income limits, as with Option No. 1. State forms are not included.
Both of these options make it possible to file your federal tax forms for free. State forms are not included, however. Does anybody know a way to file state taxes for free?
Thanks, Tina!
You haven’t checked out my new site? Tsk tsk. It’s SUPER awesome (if you live in LA).
The coolest thing about BargainBabeLA.com is that EVERYONE can share a deal. Here’s what I mean:
The Unethical Man shared a deal to get 5 free listings/mo on eBay.
Amygrahek shared info about a free concert series in Culver City that features Barbara Morrison and The Young Dubliners.
So_Cal_Retail_Slut shared info about free buses to Venice beach, Playa Vista and Marina del Rey that are operating through Sept. 7.
I posted a quick review of a fabulous burrito joint in Long Beach.
Check it out and don’t forget to celebrate the launch of BargainBabeLA.com with me on July 26, 2009 at Frugal Fe$tival! One lucky person will walk away with a $100 cash prize. Not joking.
This is a guest post from BargainBabe.com’s intern, Alex.
Military spending may seem like far-off dollars that will never see your pocket, but military-based discounts are everywhere. They just aren’t usually displayed in storefront windows.
As a dependent of my dad who retired from the air force, I received tons of discounts all throughout high school and college on stuff like movie tickets, flowers, and hotel reservations. The only time I had to step foot on a military base was to get my military ID card, a process which can take a couple hours but is well worth it.
Sometimes the hardest part is just remembering to ask about these discounts. Who would have thought I would save 15 percent on my lift ticket and ski rental last winter? Oh, and not just for me, but my two friends as well. If you know somebody with a military ID, be sure to remind them of possible discounts.
And flowers! Are flowers expensive or what? I was able to get a discount on Valentine’s Day flowers online because I have a friend in the active military. I showed him Military.com, a site that lists companies with military discounts, and he hooked me up with some of the exclusive coupon codes.
Some places are a little less accommodating. They have strict rules about offering their discounts only to those serving active duty, meaning nobody who is retired or simply has a parent in the military is eligible. Should you try to get your discount anyway? Knowing you’re not active military that’s up to the individual. The average behind-the-counter-guy/girl is not going to be up to speed on the differences between military ID cards, but that may change. Knowledge is power I say, use it with everyone in mind.
The savings don’t stop at the storefronts, though. I was once pulled over for an illegal U-Turn as well as impeding traffic. The cop started writing me up before he noticed the military ID in my wallet as I showed him my driver’s license.
He still wrote me up for a basic traffic violation, but made it clear that he could have done worse. Did he hold off because of the military affiliation? Maybe. Something tells me picking up that military ID card on the base was worth the time. It expired years ago, but still comes in handy.
Check this eHow page to see if your relationship to somebody in the military makes you qualified for special discounts.
There are so many ways to save online it can get a bit overwhelming. Below I break it into four steps to minimize frustration and maximize the available online shopping discounts.
1. Compare prices. Start the buying process by getting an idea of what a “good” price is for the item you want. Check out PriceSpider.com (click on an item to see its price over the past 6 months or sign up for an email alert when prices drop), DealAlerter.com (similar to PriceSpider, powered by PriceGrabber.com), and Nextag (general price comparison from various retailers)
2. Search for coupon codes. Quickly check for coupon codes at RetailMeNot.com, SlickDeals.net, and FatWallet.com. It’s also a good idea to search Google for “product + coupon codes” or “product + promo code.” If there aren’t ANY coupon codes, sign up for the email list of the retailer you are going to buy from. Newbies often get a welcome discount.
3. Make sure to get an automatic rebate. There are three major sites that give shoppers an automatic cash rebate for shopping “through” their sites: eBates.com, Cashbaq.com and Extrabux.com. Each one requires you register on their site and they all have different deals with each retailer. So the percentage cash back you get can vary from 1% to 50%. Before you buy, log-in at one of the rebate sites and click through to the retailer from their site. They track your purchase and later send you a check. Note, the delay can be as long as 3 months.
4. Check for a free shipping code. FreeShipping.org is my favorite place to check for free shipping codes. Also check ShipGooder.com to compare which shipping method is cheapest.
Today I am unveiling an exciting new website – BargainBabeLA.com!
This site helps people save money in their neighborhood using Google maps. Current deals on the site include free yoga classes on the Santa Monica beach, a $1 grocery sale in Buena Park, and $6 Angels tickets. Wahoo!
The most exciting part about BargainBabeLA.com is that EVERYONE can share a deal, be it a clothing sale they spot on their drive to work, a restaurant discount they come across while ordering take out, or a free event coming up nearby. The goal is for everyone to be able to get the deal you saw!
After you register on the site you can start sharing your favorite deals. You’ll see a few of my ardent bargain hunting friends have already shared their favorite deals. Remember to add a location for your deal otherwise the software randomly locates your deal in the ocean. No joke, a friend shared a deal that ended up off the coast of Africa. If it’s a chain store, pick one of their locations in the LA region like Culver City, Glendale, or Sherman Oaks.
I’m installing a cool box on the upper right hand of BargainBabe.com to remind you of the exciting deals on BargainBabeLA.com. Click on it to visit the new site.
If you live outside of LA and are insanely jealous, email me. Maybe we can start a deal site in your city.
