Lőrinc / 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.

Brushes
Basting brushes are the same quality as paintbrushes at hardware stores, but there so much cheaper. They’re usually less than $1 so it may be worth stocking up on different sizes to tackle different tasks. You can use brushes for basting and glazing everything from roasts to fruit tarts.

Blowtorch
A chef’s blowtorch starts at around $30, but hardware store torches are much cheaper and hold more fuel. These are a must if you want to caramelize the top of a creme brulee. Yum! The torch also comes in handy when making bananas foster.

Pizza Stones and Bricks
The secret to a crispy pizza is a pizza stone. Awhile back, I share how you can make your own pizza stone with unglazed ceramic or quarry tile from the hardware store. You can also buy a cheap brick to use as a weight (just cover it with foil) when making paninis or chicken under a brick.

Graters and Zesters
Head to the woodworking aisle to find cheap graters to zest lemons and other citrus fruits. Did you know Microplane first release it’s graters and zesters as woodworking tools? You’ll find quality rasps for a fraction of the cost as those found in fancy cooking supply stores. Make sure to buy one made out of stainless steel so it doesn’t rust.

Cedar Planks and Hickory Chips
With summer just around the corner, head to the hardware store to get ready for barbecues. Add flavor to your food with wood planks or chips. Cedar pairs well with salmon on the grill and hickory chips will impart a woodsy taste to you meat.

Pliers
These are a must if you have small kids that like to eat fish. You can use pliers to pick small bones out of fresh fish. Needle-nose pliers from the hardware store are inexpensive and precise. They usually cost less than $2, while fish tweezers at cooking supply stores cost $15 or more.

Scrapers and Knives
Drywall scraper and paint knives can double as tools for bakers. These hardware finds are cheap compared to pastry knives and cake decoration tools and work just as well. They can run you anywhere from $1 -$2 compared to $7 – $15.

Funnels

Funnels come in handy when you want to transfer oil to a spritz bottle. Hardware stores usually sell them in a set of two or three for less than $5. One funnel at a cooking supply store can set you back $15!

Have you tried any of these less expensive alternative kitchen utensils? What other hardware store finds double as cooking tools?

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Do you "envelope" budget? Credit: PinkMoose/Flickr

A friend emailed me with a bit of budgeting advice passed on from her mother, the professional organizer Janet Fishman:

Set up separate bank accounts for: living expenses, play, long-term savings, education, charity, and retirement and have either a percentage or fixed dollar amount from each paycheck go into these accounts. Most all companies that offer automatic deposits for payroll have the ability to automatically deposit into multiple accounts. Figure out how much you need to pay taxes, divide by the number of weeks you work, and that constitutes the dollar amount to set aside for each week. Repeat this for the categories above and you will be fully prepared and organized year round!

This ads up to six accounts – or more if you set up one for taxes and other categories. Phew! That strikes me as a lot to manage. Plus, you would have a harder time hitting minimum balance requirements to keep your account free or low cost.

On the other hand, how much money you have to spend on any given thing would be crystal clear. No pushing money earmarked for one expense to cover something else. Plus, retirement is singled out, which makes it more likely that you will save for retirement.

What do you think of this modern take on the “envelope” system? Would you use it?

pt101 / Flickr

I share five must read blog posts about saving money every Friday.

Pay Yourself First – Putting yourself first is a must when it comes time to save money. Here’s how to do it. (Wisebread)

Student loans – Can’t pay your student loans? Find out what happens if you default on federal student loans and get tips to avoid it. (Money Crashers)

Coupons for snobs - The expansion of Groupon Reserve continues. Don’t know what it is? It’s the company’s luxury offerings. (Time Moneyland)

Tax audits – Here are 11 red flags you’re going get a tax audit. Plus, tips to avoid them. (CNN Money)

Student discounts – Check out this long list of student discounts. You’ll find some major savings! (Main Street)

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EvelynGiggles/flickr

My kids recently went to see “The Lorax” and when they came home, my son proudly told me that he discovered a great bargain. From opening until 11:59 a.m., tickets for any movie are $6. After noon, the price jumped almost twice as much.

This got me thinking about the various ways to save money on movie theater tickets. Yazmin also has 12 easy ways to save money at the movies.

1. Go during discount times. Besides the above stated $6 before-noon discount, there are other discounts. Some theaters have special “senior” days. AMC is currently running a special Student Day discount on Thursdays. It is worth checking the theater website for special pricing before deciding on the show you are going to go to. Going to an earlier or later show could cut your ticket price in half. Note, many theaters don’t raise their prices until late afternoon.
2. Wait a few weeks until the movie is at a discount theater. Some theaters only run movies that have been out for awhile. Ticket prices are as low as a couple of dollars. You won’t be the first to see the movie, but you’ll have extra money in your pocket.
3. Look for package deals. The Academy Theater in Pasadena has a Wednesday date night package – 2 tickets, 2 sodas, and 2 popcorns for $10. Check your local theater for similar deals. Hint: mid-week bargains are more likely.
4. Buy your tickets in bulk. Warehouse stores typically sell bulk movie tickets. Prices vary depending on where you live, but they are always cheaper than buying tickets individually. Take note that you will probably have to pay a surcharge for 3D or IMAX shows.
5. Buy tickets with your credit card points. Credit card reward programs often can be exchanged for movie tickets. The ones I get through Discover have two tickets and two coupons for popcorn. These make great presents.
6. Get invited to screenings. There are lots of ways to find out about movie screenings (scroll down). Sometimes people hand out flyers for screenings at local farmer’s markets. You can search for “movie screenings + name of your city.” You can also talk to the manager of a local theater that shows screenings. They may know how to get on a screening mailing list.
7. Work at a movie theater. If you really love movies and spend a lot of your time and money going to see movies in theaters, then perhaps it is your calling to work there. Seeing movies for free is one of the perks of working at a theater. Note that one of the drawbacks is that you will smell like popcorn.
8. Wait until the movie is on DVD and borrow it from your local library. My favorite bargain of all time is the local library. Some libraries will even let you order the movie online and get it shipped to your local library. The one drawback is that movie rental times are usually short and the fines are steep. The selection is also limited. However, the price is right.

Of course, this just saves money on the tickets. The other expense involved is the food. Do you sneak food into the movies? What’s your favorite way to save money on movie tickets?

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Stop wasting money and food! The folks over at All You shared a handy inforgraphic that compares the shelf life of food kept in the freezer and the pantry so you know how long items keep. Taking advantage of sales and stocking up is a good way to save money on groceries, but throwing food away is wasteful.

This weekend I’m taking inventory of everything that’s in our pantry. I want to cut down on my grocery bill even more and this is the first step to lowering my food budget. The fridge also needs a good scrub down. I’m using baking soda to leave it smelling fresh. Check out these other secret uses for baking soda.

[Source: Daily Savings from All You]

Winner announced below!

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

I was surprised that only 17 readers entered our book giveaway contest. I’m assuming it’s because “Money Saving Blueprint” by Bryan Bowers is a Kindle book and not many have the e-reader. Those who entered had a higher chance of winning, but I could only pick one person!

I initially wanted to give the book to reader Kay, who said the Great Recession has greatly affected her family. She said after reading the book she would share it with her book lending club for other local families to benefit from her win. There was only one problem – it’s a Kindle book. Rats!

Ultimately, I declared the winner as…

Jolyne Dunn, who’s raising her grand kids:

Our daughter passed away suddenly and we have taken in two grandchildren. We are living on Social Security so money is very tight for us.

I hope this Kindle book helps you cut down expenses, Jolyne.

First runner up is shirley i:

This recession has affected us in many ways, but right now the price of gas is making us rethink every trip to the market, drugstore, visits to friends and family, etc. We really think about combining errands and we have to calculate whether it really is worth the extra gas in order to save a few dollars by driving farther.

Second runner up is Donna:

When the recession began, the company I worked at went out of business so we had to live very frugally on unemployment until I found another job. Thankfully, I eventually did find a job, but it has taught us to save more for you cannot always predict when a rainy day may come again.

The winner and runners up will be notified by email. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, the book goes to the first runner up, and so on.

Thanks to everyone that participated. If you’d like to read the book, you can buy it on Amazon for just $2.99.

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Win a Kindle version (or PDF version) of this book!

Today is your last chance to comment for a chance to win Bryan Bowers’ “Money Saving Blueprint.”  Only 6 readers have entered, so your chances of winning are super high! Bowers shows you how to cut down expenses in his easy to read, 39-page book.

Bowers’ family had to trim expenses after being hard hit by the recession. He wrote the book to inspire others. He writes:

This guide is different from other advice you may find online. Most sites simply list areas to reduce expenses and then send you on your merry way. Unfortunately, these lists never give you detailed instructions on how to actually achieve these cost-cutting benefits. It’s like sitting down for a meal consisting of ice chips… after finishing the meal, you haven’t satisfied your hunger and have wasted valuable time.

In case you missed my book review, Bower’s offers suggestions on saving money on your landline, cutting cable TV costs, and reducing your morning coffee expenses. This book is for someone who is new to saving money. Seasoned savers may find that they’ve already implemented many of Bower’s money saving suggestions.

The book does offer nuggets of information on overlooked areas to save money like property taxes, irrigating your home, and car payments. And Bower’s follows through on his promise — no lists — just resources to make it easier to cut costs.

To win a Kindle version of this book (or PDF version), let me know how the Great Recession has affected your family. Can’t wait to read the book? Buy it on Amazon for $2.99. Comment by today, March 9 at 11:59 p.m. EST to be eligible to win. The winner will be announced Monday!

This post is copyrighted by BargainBabe.com. Other sites posting this content are violating the DMCA.

401K / Flickr

This post is brought to you by Bankers Life and Casualty Company.

Creating a financial budget that puts you first is essential for women who faced with the decision to help themselves or others would opt for the latter. Guilty.

Most of my life I’ve been told that a person’s budget is a reflection of their beliefs and morals and because of that I’ve struggled to put myself first. I’d be lying if I said I’ve figured out the perfect budget because there isn’t a one size fits all. What I’ve come up with is a budget that takes care of me first and also supports my beliefs. Here’s how I’ve allocated my money.

1. Pay yourself first. How many times have you heard that one before? And how many times have you done the exact opposite? When money comes in, take a percentage and deposit it into your retirement account, savings, and emergency fund. During this hard economic time, it’s wise to have six months or more worth of income in your savings. I’m doing it at a snail’s pace, but I’m getting there. I save 30% of my income and divide it among my savings accounts.

2. Pay off unavoidable bills. It’s funny how I’ve always managed to pay these bills even when I’ve been strapped for cash because I know there are immediate consequences. I used to short change myself by using money from my savings account. Now I make sure to reduce costs where ever possible to use only 30% of what’s left after I save money.

3. Be good to yourself. A few years ago, this category was nonexistent. This includes money for the extras like entertainment, eating out and shopping. I also use this money for health expenses. Although I allot 25% of my income to this category, sometimes it goes unused as these expenses are not reoccurring and I save it for later use. This was another step to taking better care of myself.

4. Be good to others. The remaining money is used to contribute to causes I believe in, helping others and tithing. I didn’t have this category included in my budget before. If friends or family had an emergency, out of my savings account it came out. Big mistake. I’ve come to understand that helping others is just as important as caring for myself. If needed, I allow myself to reduce this category to meet other necessary needs first.

To build a budget that reflects your beliefs without putting yourself last, take mine and alter it to fit your needs.

This post is a part of Women’s Money Week 2012. For more posts about budgeting, see womensmoneyweek.com.

Win a Kindle version of this book!

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

In “Money Saving Blueprint,” Bryan Bowers teaches you how to save hundreds of dollars each month with practical advice. Win a Kindle version of his book! Details are below.

In the 39-page book, Bowers reveals how his family cut expenses after being hard hit by the Great Recession. To deal with the blow of a dramatic loss of income his family reduced and eliminate expenses. He shares his journey to inspire others to save money. He writes:

This guide is different from other advice you may find online. Most sites simply list areas to reduce expenses and then send you on your merry way. Unfortunately, these lists never give you detailed instructions on how to actually achieve these cost-cutting benefits. It’s like sitting down for a meal consisting of ice chips… after finishing the meal, you haven’t satisfied your hunger and have wasted valuable time.

This book is for someone who is new to saving money. Seasoned savers may find that they’ve already implemented many of Bower’s money saving suggestions. The book does offer nuggets of information on overlooked areas to save money like property taxes, irrigating your home, and car payments.

Bower’s also offers suggestions on saving money on your landline, cutting cable TV costs, and reducing your morning coffee expenses. The book is an easy read and Bower’s follows through on his promise — no lists — just resources to make it easier to cut costs.

To win a Kindle version of this book, let me know how the Great Recession affected your family. Can’t wait to read the book? Buy it on Amazon for $2.99. Comment by Friday, March 9, 2012 at 11:59 p.m. EST to be eligible to win. The winner will be announced Monday!

This post is copyrighted by BargainBabe.com. Other sites posting this content are violating the DMCA.

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.

1. Knives – I have good ones and keep them sharp. They are a cook’s best friend.
2. A manual can opener – I finally got one with rubber covered handles. My hands are glad.
3. Measuring cups & spoons – Pyrex measuring cup for liquids. Nested measuring cups for solids.
4. Nested glass bowls – The smallest bowl is great for scrambling one egg. The largest bowl is a swell family popcorn bowl.
5. A manual hand mixer – The best tool to use for mixing pudding, pancake batter, and a lot of other things. A lighter and more mobile tool than counter top mixers.
6. Large soup pot & lid – How could I cook for my family without a soup pot? Throw in some meat, veggies and water and simmer, simmer, simmer.
7. Small saute skillet – From one fried egg to sauteed mushrooms.
8. Large deep skillet – I use this to make chili. I suppose if I fried chicken, I would use this skillet.
9. Electric kettle – I only acquired this in the last year and it is soooo wonderful. I can boil up water for a cup of tea in a 30 seconds. I don’t use it for anything but water, so I don’t have to wash it.
10. Vegetable peeler – My peeler is an ergonomic palm peeler. I think this little number is my favorite kitchen helper.
11. Small electric chopper - Use for chopping onions tear-free.
12. Garlic press – Way easier than trying to mince with a knife.
13. Blendtec blender – Used daily for making green drinks, blended soups and nut flours. I’ve used it to make homemade ice cream.
14. Pot holders – Can’t do without these handy-dandy hand savers.
15. Strainers (large and small) – Large for pasta and small for washing berries
16. Salt grinder – I only use Himalayan salt that I grind myself. Salt is essential to life, but you have to eat the right salt.
17. Slotted spoon – For stirring and poaching.
    
18. Spatula – For flipping pancakes, eggs and the like.
19. Cutting board - I have wooden and plastic.
20. Manual juicer (for lemons and oranges) – Fresh lemon on salad is the best.
21. Kitchen scissors – Use daily for everything from cutting string to chicken bones.
22. Toaster oven – I don’t use a microwave, so we warm up individual casseroles in the toaster oven.
23. Cookie sheet - Get the kind that don’t burn your cookies.
24. Casserole dish – Another Pyrex wonder.
25. Pot with handle & lid – Boil eggs in 20 minutes or boil a pound of noodles.
26. Cheese slicer - I got this from Harmony Farms almost 20 years ago and it’s still perfect. What a great tool for thin slicing hard cheese.
27. Grater – There is nothing better for making egg salad.
28. Egg slicer – OK, we are a big egg family. Hard boiled eggs are just more fun when they are sliced.
29. Tin foil – Line the broiler, cover the dish, clean the dirty casserole dish. A great invention.
30. Sponge, towels & soap – Gotta clean up all the mess I made using the above items.

Do you have unnecessary items in your kitchen?

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Tackle financial resolutions with Mint

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

catd_mitchell / Flickr

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

Seems like every year we make resolutions only to break them, but could it be that in the end we are saving money by not sticking to them? Below I calculate the amount of money spent on meeting New Year’s resolutions and share tips to getting them done on a budget.

I will get fit.

A gym membership costs about $40 a month (if not a lot more). In a year, you’ll spend $480! Can’t afford the gym? Get in shape on a budget with our tips. Heck, you can even make money while you exercise. How about taking up a part-time job as a dog walker?

I will read more.

New books cost $10 – $20 at bookstores. If you buy one every month you’ll spend between $120 – $240 a year. The solution? Head to the library for classics and new books for free – as long as you return them on time. You can also download the classics for free on your iPad, iTouch, or iPhone. I recently downloaded Jane Austin’s Pride and Prejudice for free! Have a Kindle? Here’s how to get free ebooks for your Kindle.

I will quit smoking.

Not only is this good for your health and those around you, but it will cost you. I did a search online for Nicorette Gum and found it for $68. NicoDerm Patches cost $156. Together it cost $224 and depending on how long it takes you to quit it will keep adding up! Don’t make this a reason not to quit. Smoking costs you lots, too. Bobbi shared a while ago how quitting smoking can save thousand of dollars a year. To lessen the cost of quitting smoking, keep in mind that some health care providers will cover some of the costs of quitting.

I will work on my finances.

Getting your finances in order can be a daunting task that’s why many rely on the expertise of financial advisers. Working with a CPA can cost up to $1,500 a year. Though this may seems like a hefty price to pay, keep in mind that professional advice can save you money. Planning for the future? Here are six cheap ways to stay on top of your finances and financial management tools to track where your money is going.

Although many of these resolutions carry a high price, look at the long-term benefits. To make it easier on your wallet, tackle one resolution at a time. What do you want to accomplish this year?

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Check out Best Buy's current holiday sale!

There are 37 coupons and freebies today. If you shop online, get a cash back rebate on every purchase through Ebates. Free to join! Don’t miss exclusive coupons we share on the BargainBabe.com Facebook page. “Like” us today!

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H&M sale - Mega holiday sale, with lingerie from $1, tops from $5, cozy knits from $7, kids jackets from $10 and adults’ jackets from $15.

Track holiday spending - Track your holiday spending with free budgeting software from Mint.com.

The Walking Company coupon - Spend $100 and get a free upgrade to second day shipping with The Walking Company coupon code FREE2DAY. Expires Jan. 13, 2012.

J.Jill coupon - Save 25% off your entire purchase online with this click through J.Jill coupon.

Picaboo coupon - Get 20% off your order of holiday cards of $50 or more with coupon code SPREADJOY. Expires Dec. 15, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. PST.

Bev Mo discount - Buy 6 or more bottles of wine in store or online and get an extra 10% off, no coupon code needed. Your discount will show up automatically in your cart. More than 300 bottles are eligible for the extra discount. Ends Jan. 2, 2012.

MyPublisher - Save 25% off $50 or more, or bigger discounts if you spend even more with MyPublisher coupon code FINALSALE. Expires Dec. 19.

Ends today! Restaurant.com coupon - Pay $2 for a $25 Restaurant.com gift certificate with coupon code STOCKING. Expires Dec. 14, 2011. Gift cards are $4 with this promo code. Not valid with egift cards and dinner of the month. Here’s how Restaurant.com works. Get an extra 20-30% back in cash when you shop through Ebates.

GoDaddy.com coupon - Save 15% off $30 or more with Go Daddy promo code gdz1241d. Expires Dec. 25, 2011.

Whole Living mag deal - DiscountMags.com has a $4 daily deal for a yearlong A-list mag subscription! Here is this week’s lineup of mag deals: Dec. 14 Whole Living magazine with promo code 5918; Dec. 15 Car and Driver with promo code 7567. Plus, get 10% off most mags with DiscountMags promo code HOLIDAY10. No expiration date given.

Family Fun mag deal - Get an extra 20% off with Family Fun magazine code WKLYSPEC through Dec. 18, 2011. You pay $3.76 for the year!

Taste of home deal - Get an extra 40% off with Taste of home magazine code TASTEOFHOME through Dec. 18, 2011. You pay $5.40 for the year!

Rider mag deals - Best Deal Magazines has a bunch of super cheap magazine deals – $4.39 for a year subscription unless otherwise noted – this week. Each deal is valid for one day only. Dec. 14 Rider ($5.29); Dec. 15 Yoga Journal; Dec. 16 Whole Living; Dec. 17 Oxygen ($5.29); Dec. 18 Car & Driver. Save an extra 15% off most titles with promo code PXCJ1218. Expires Dec. 18, 2011.

Grocery coupons - My Coupon Database searches dozens of coupon sites for all grocery and drugstore coupons available, including Coupons.com, mobile coupons from Cellfire, Redplum, CouponNetwork, SmartSource, and lots more. Totally free!

Coupon lessons - Grocery University is a comprehensive, 19-lesson set that will take your coupon skills (if any) to the next savings level. Sign up for these coupon lessons now and see your grocery bill drop!

Free Target events - In 34 cities across the country, Target sponsors free museum days and cultural events. Search by city to see what’s happening near you.

Groupon travel deals - Find hot travel deals leaving from your city.

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This laptop is on super sale at Office Max today only! Credit: Office Max

There are 31 coupons and freebies today. If you shop online, get a cash back rebate on every purchase through Ebates. Free to join! Don’t miss exclusive coupons we share on the BargainBabe.com Facebook page. “Like” us today!

THIS WEEKEND! Free museums with B of A card - On the first full weekend of every month, get into more than 150 museums nationwide with your Bank of America/Merrill Lynch debit or credit card as part of its museums on us program. The freebie includes general admission and excludes special exhibitions, ticketed shows and fundraising events. Only the cardholder gets in free.

$25 mag credit - Join the online magazine newstand Zinio and get a $25 credit that you can use to buy any of their 5,000 titles. It’s all in digital format, so you can read your mags on your Kindle Fire, iPad, Android, and many more. Ends March 2012.

Free holiday music - Amazon has plenty of free holiday music to download. Check back because the selection changes frequently.

Freebie glasses cloth and cleaner – You can still get a coupon for a freebie cloth and cleaner for your glasses through Walmart.

OUT mag free - Get 10 free magazine issues of OUT in digital format through ValueMags.com. No purchase necessary! I’ve got many free subscriptions through this site.

Free coffee w/purchase - Buy one drink and get a second free with this Peet’s coupon. It is valid Dec. 1-4 from 2-5 p.m. each day. Not valid at BART, airport, and supermarket locations. Excludes bottles beverages.

Movie free w/$2 - Rent two movies at any Blockbuster Kiosk and get a third rental free (or $1 towards a higher-priced rental) with coupon code HOLIDAYFUN. Expires Dec. 4, 2011.

Free tax advice TurboTax - TurboTax customers can get free tax advice daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. PST.

Target coupons - Spend $75 on children’s and infant clothes, get 20% off with this click through online Target coupon. Disney princess toys are buy one get one 50% off with this Target coupon. Same deal on Thomas and Friends. Buy select Kinect bundles and get a $50 Target gift card free. Shop through Ebates for an extra 3% off.

Applebee’s gift card deal - Get a free bonus $10 gift card when you spend $50 or more on Applebee’s gift cards.

Gap coupon - Get 30% off new arrivals with Gap promo code GAPCHEER. Online only. Expires Dec. 4 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Get an extra 2% back when you shop through Ebates.

TODAY! Laptop deal - Today only Office Max is selling the HP Laptop (2000-353NR) for $339.99, (orig. $479.99). The deal expires Dec. 2, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. CST. The laptop has a 15.6-inch HD LED-backlit display, a 500GB hard drive with a built-in Wi-Fi, digital media reader, integrated webcam, and microphone and more. Get it online at Office Max holiday deals or in stores. Get an extra 3% back when you shop through Ebates.

NYT deal - Get 50% off the New York Times home delivery with this newspaper deal for 12 weeks. When you subscribe to the paper, even for just one day a week, you get complete access to nytimes.com. Check your zip code to see if this deal is available.

Old Navy coupon - Get $10 off $50 online and in stores with this Old Navy coupon that is accessible through its Facebook page. Get an extra 3% back when you shop through Ebates.

$.99 holiday deals - The 99 Cents Only store has many holiday items for less than $1, including holiday cards, ornaments, wreaths, stockings, garlands, gift wrap, and gift bags. Expect many similar items at other dollar stores, like Family Dollar.

Dell coupons - Dell has rotating computer and laptop deals as part of its 12 Days of Dell sale. Everyday there are new PC deals, each one lasts for 48 hours only. Free shipping, too! Ends Dec. 13, 2011. Get an extra 2% off when you shop through Ebates.

Kmart sale - This Sunday, Dec. 4 Kmart is having an online customer appreciation holiday sale with almost everything an extra 5-10% off. Shipping is free with $49 or more. Sale happening online only. Get an extra 6% back when you shop through Ebates.

Ghirardelli coupon - Everything ships for just $5 flat when you buy chocolate with this click through Ghirardelli coupon. No expiration date given. Get an extra 5% back when you shop through Ebates.

Kodak coupons - Spend $100 and get $25 off your Kodak Gallery photo order. That is a nice 25% discount on holiday cards! Get an extra 7.5% back when you shop through Ebates.

Cheap glasses - Get a pair of prescription glasses for cheap from CoastalContacts.com with the following coupons, which sadly cannot be combined. Use coupon code DOORCRASHER to get any of the frames within the Door Crasher Glasses category for $10. Or use coupon code 40PCYBER to get 40% off and free shipping on any eyeglasses order. Lastly, use coupon code 10CONTACTS to get $10 off plus free shipping any contact lens order over $150. Expires Dec. 4, 2012. Get an extra 5% back when you shop through Ebates.

REI free shipping - Now through Dec. 31, shipping is free at REI with no minimum. Hot stuff! Get an extra 6% back when you shop through Ebates.

Restaurant.com coupon - Pay $3 for a $25 Restaurant.com gift certificate with coupon code SNOW. Expires Dec. 4, 2011. Not valid with gift cards, egift cards, and dinner of the month. Here’s how Restaurant.com works. Save an extra 25% off when you shop through Ebates.

Kohl’s coupon - Print this Kohl’s coupon pass and save 20% off through Dec. 5, 2011. Online use coupon code HOLLY20. Shipping is free with $50 or more. Get an extra 4% back when you shop through Ebates.

Grocery coupons - My Coupon Database searches dozens of coupon sites for all grocery and drugstore coupons available, including Coupons.com, mobile coupons from Cellfire, Redplum, CouponNetwork, SmartSource, and lots more. Totally free!

Land’s End coupon - Get free shipping with no minimum with Land’s End coupon code STAR and PIN 3013. Expires Dec. 2 at 11:59 p.m. CST. Get an extra 6% cash back when you shop through Ebates.

Coupon lessons - Grocery University is a comprehensive, 19-lesson set that will take your coupon skills (if any) to the next savings level. Sign up for these coupon lessons now and see your grocery bill drop!

Container store coupon - Spend $100 and get free shipping through Dec. 4, 2011. No code needed.

Free Target events - In 34 cities across the country, Target sponsors free museum days and cultural events. Search by city to see what’s happening near you.

Groupon travel deals - Find hot travel deals leaving from your city.

Mega Swagbucks – It’s Friday and that means it’s Mega Swagbucks day, when you earn even more swagbucks for your normal Internet searching. Get 30 Swagbucks just for joining. This site feeds my Starbucks habit!

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Grocery University is on sale for less than $10!

If you missed yesterday’s super sale at Grocery University, a 19-part coupon class, the sale has been extended! The audio class usually sells for $24.95 but today it is on sale for $9.95. That’s 60% off!!!

This sale only comes around every six months, so if you have any interest in using grocery coupons to save money, or want to take your couponing to the next level, I HIGHLY RECOMMEND GROCERY UNIVERSITY. I use it, and it has really helped me fine tune my couponing. I’m even getting my husband involved!

Here’s a sneak peek at Grocery University, taught by my blogger friend Carrie.

The first chapter is on menu planning, which cuts down on extra grocery trips and helps avoid eating out and ordering take out. The trick, Carrie says, is to make a grocery list around sales, then plan the meals based on what deals you’ll be getting. People usually do the meal planning first. It’s not about changing what meals you make, just timing them to sales.

Tip: Carrie compares grocery sales at five stores each week, but she only shops at the 2-3 stores with the most deals.

Her grocery list is comprised of:

• What’s on sale that week.
• What’s at a stock up price (to replenish her pantry).
• What she absolutely needs to buy that week, even if it’s full price.

Carrie’s goal is to buy the main items in her meal plan at a great price. She spends 15-20 minutes each week to plan meals and says she eventually developed a feel for meal planning around sales and can “wing it.”

Grocery University will help you learn to use coupons and take your coupon savings to the next level. The lessons are quick (most less than 10 minutes) and Carrie is fun to listen to.

Today is your last chance to buy Grocery University for less than $10 and start saving hundreds of dollars at the grocery store.

I earn a commission on each GU sold. Thank you for helping me make BargainBabe.com my full time job!