By
Joe Wallace
Friday, February 27, 2009, 09:54 AM
Category:
Deal Gossip
Transparency alert--I found the information that inspired today's blog rant on About.com. I've said elsewhere that for the most part I find About.com as useful as reading the Sunday funnies, but in this case I am forced to make an exception. About.com writer Barbara Farfan's article on Worst Return Policies for retailers is quite eye-opening and a little scary.
According to Farfan, you can get royally screwed if you don't read the fine print on those retail return policies, especially if you're purchasing a gift that has to sit for a few weeks before it gets opened. Farfan's article includes a mention of Best Buy's return policy on goods purchased online.
Did you know that Best Buy sale laptop you bought for your nephew's graduation has to be returned within 14 days if it's defective? If you bought it a month ago and your poor nephew finds he got dead-on-arrival laptop, it's too late to do anything about it. Barbara Farfan says buying at the last minute is a good idea.
To which I say, forget THAT. Buy the kid a Best Buy gift card for the amount of purchase instead. Sorry, Barbara, but I never encourage people to buy last minute. Purely for selfish reasons, mind you. My friends read me telling gift givers to procrastinate ONE TIME and on my next birthday I'll wind up with a whole lot of IOUs. No thanks!
Now I haven't independently verified Farfan's facts, but even so, her article is food for thought--double check those return policies to make sure you know what you're getting into before taking advantage of that cheap deal. You might just decide to go with a different vendor at a slightly higher (but hopefully still discounted) price if the return policy is more customer-friendly.
--Joe Wallace
By
Yo Prinzel
Wednesday, February 25, 2009, 07:33 PM
Category:
Deal Gossip
I've noticed that my weekly $10 gas shopping spree is not netting as much gas as usual these days. Used to be my little Dodge Neon could go a week and a day on $10. Now, I tend to be running on fumes by Friday and in Florida, the heat makes the fumes evaporate quickly (science heads, please don't email me corrections on my theory of evaporation). So why is the price of gas going up this time?
We’ve reduced demand since the $4 per gallon phase and we’ve got enough oil--so what’s the deal? Really, it doesn’t even matter. If you need to drive to work, you need to buy gas. You already know some ways to lessen your need for gas (drive slower, put air in those tires, call in sick to work…huh? Oh, that’s not on the official list? Well, I still recommend it) but there’s no cheap deal or coupon code for gas. What you use, you pay full price for.
Luckily, there are other things you can do to cut costs in other areas of you life that will leave you with some extra change for the gas station fiends.
1. Shop locally. Why not ride your bike to the local farmer’s market? You’ll find cheaper produce and spices since the vendors didn’t have to drive too far to get there, and you’ll save yourself some gas money. Okay, this is not so timely for some folks in the U.S. right now (i.e. cold, northern places where nary any natural green can be seen), but for those of us in the south- farmer’s markets are always on. Y’all northerners can get in on it in a few months.
2. Enjoy the simpler things in life. If I say ‘Date Night’, what does that mean to you? Does that mean tenderloin on the Thames or does it mean picnic in the park? Simplifying your life and your desires often means cheapening your expenses.
3. Please don't stop reading when I suggest you take your lunch to work. I know, I know cliche'. Every site and its brother is raving about how much money you can save by bringing your lunch to work. You can make your blue nylon lunch bag fun by filling it with food that you've made to look like fun faces, animals and pictures with Bento Boxes.
4. Sign up for the CheapToday Weekly Wow newsletter to get weekly information about great deals and check CheapToday often to see the shorter deals before they’re through.
Remember, you don’t have to sacrifice all your shopping to accommodate expensive gas, you just have to shop smarter.
Yolander Prinzel
Thanks to iboy_daniel for the old-timey gas photo.
By
Yo Prinzel
Tuesday, February 24, 2009, 06:51 PM
Category:
Deal Gossip
As you can see, I’m the newest blogger here at CheapToday. For my first blog post I wanted to take some time to introduce myself and let you know why I'm here. Well, not why I'm here on Earth, but why I'm blogging here at CheapToday. My name, as you see from the title of this post, is Yolander and I'm a 33 year old frugal chick. I'm a clearance sale girl- but I don't want to look like one. I like to have the latest and greatest fad, but I don't like to pay much for it. I like clothes and shoes and accessories and electronics and facials and pedicures and...well...you get the drift. There's nothing I enjoy more, after a day of shopping, than bragging to my husband about what I would have paid for my shopping spree had I not been so savvy.
But beyond my ingrained frugal consumerism and clearance clothing lust, I’ve got a very special reason for being ultra-cheap.
In 2004, my husband had a heart attack. He was in his 40’s and we were completely caught off guard- we thought he was too young to have a heart attack. Since then, he's been hospitalized many times for rhythm problems and additional cardiac catheters. Naturally, his chronic health condition prompted us to reevaluate our lives. We reexamined our bills and spending habits and realized we were living too much for things. We then decided that he should take early retirement and we would change our lives to live on one salary.
When we made that decision, our finances were completely upside down. We had a mortgage on our home, credit card debt and no savings. Now, five years later, we live comfortably on a small, five figure income. Our mortgage is Lilliputian and our credit card debt is near nil. The decision to be more careful with our spending has had some amazing benefits that we didn’t expect. Our lives are no longer ruled by things (although we do still like things quite a bit), we have less stress, we have fun searching for deals together and getting the most for our money, and we live comfortably while staying below our means.
Through the Cheap Today blog I hope to share all my secrets with you to help you and your family enjoy the benefits of living cheap while avoiding any pitfalls along the way.
Yolander Prinzel
By
Joe Wallace
Tuesday, February 24, 2009, 02:17 PM
Category:
Deal Gossip
The bad economy certainly does bring some interesting developments, and one of those could be a big price war on beauty products and services.
A recent article in Retail Traffic Magazine noted the death of those shopping mall kiosks that sell glasses, watches and other trinkets--all victims of the economic free-fall. According to the author Riccardo Davis, a new kind of kiosk has taken root in American malls. You can get a massage, facial treatment, even cosmetic dentistry in those kiosks now. Those high-falutin' hair salons and hair fashion chop shops aren't the only game in town anymore now that the kiosks have gotten into the game.
You know what they say, competition is good for business; when things are good this situation would mean a few decent discounts. Today? I think the stakes are a lot higher.
These new beauty and massage mall vendors are definitely on to something. What's the first thing a financially-stressed out shopper wants when trying to get some relaxation and forget about those money woes? There's nothing like a massage or a new hairdo to make you feel like a million bucks, even if you're only worth a few hundred according to your last bank statement. Go to the mall, do some window shopping, then hit that booth with the feel-good services. New hair, a nice back rub and some expert attention...you'll feel just as good as if you had an armload of Macy's bags.
The rise of the shopping mall shiatsu and new-do kiosks might not mean anything to your average bargain hunter at first. But let's think about this for a second. If these little kiosks start presenting competition for the more established salons, what's going to happen?
You guessed it, a delicious money-saving price war between the kiosks and those overpriced salons on everything from conditioner to facial masks. Services should also see some nice bidding battles, too.
It might take a little while for this war for your health and beauty dollars to really kick off, but as a CheapToday expert deal hunter and all around cheap living obsessive my advice is to start paying more attention to the prices between those mall kiosks and your favorite salon. You might just find some deals for the taking you didn't expect to run across. See why it pays to watch the retail news? You can learn all kinds of crazy stuff by paying attention to these kinds of trends.
Gotta run, there might be a cheap massage on offer at the corner hair salon...if the battle of the beauty shops is happening here, I want in.
By
Joe Wallace
Monday, February 23, 2009, 09:11 AM
Category:
Deal Gossip
Staying on the cheap deals warpath means looking at good deals like this $5 magazine subscription No, I don't read Cosmo, but if YOU do, five bucks for a year's worth is a good deal!
Being a voracious expert deal hunter also means wading through CRAPPY deals like the current promotion at Target where they breathlessly offer you FREE SHIPPING if you spend more than $50 on "select bath" items. Attention Target.com: that is NO DEAL AT ALL. We can just drive to the store and buy bath items in any amount we want and not have to pay for shipping. So please don't bowl us over with the staggering generosity, mkay? We might just hit our heads on the concrete floor.
My favorite things as a deal obsessive include finding other websites that clue in the rest of the world on stuff you might have missed. This morning I am very pleased to have discovered a killer frugal living/advice site called...get ready...Dumb Little Man. The name alone made me take a gander, and I have to say that Dumb Little Man is anything but, especially when it comes to living well in the lousy economy. One of the DLM posts is titled "How To Use The Bad Economy To Get In Shape". Bravo! I've been doing that one myself since gas went to four bucks a gallon.
Take note of the Earning and Saving Money section, which is chock full of great advice (including the Get In Shape article). Excellent advice on all fronts, including 16 Ways To Slash Unnecessary Spending (And Save $12, 410.) I KNOW you're intrigued now.
I haven't contacted Dumb Little Man to ask this, but I DO wonder...once upon a time when I was working fulltime as a music journalist (something I do now for fun, thanks--I like it better that way) I needed to get in touch with the band Nine Inch Nails. The PR agency for Trent Reznor and company is called NASTY LITTLE MAN, which made me wonder if that's what I should expect when I called them...is there some kind of six degrees of Kevin Bacon between Dumb Little Man and Nasty Little Man?
In the end, I got my Nine Inch Nails interview, but now I wonder if Dumb and Nasty are connected. Maybe there are two brothers, one in PR and one in smart living? Probably not and never mind. Go look at Dumb Little Man...you might learn a trick or two. I did.
P.S. Have you signed up for the CheapToday Weekly Wow Newsletter yet? Don't miss out on this week's killer Top 20 deals. It gets published every Tuesday...this week's deals look pretty sweet!
By
Joe Wallace
Friday, February 20, 2009, 10:28 AM
Category:
Deal Gossip
See the picture of these Merino knee-high socks? They're on sale at Bebe for just over $16, down from $24. The most thrifty among us will pass on these, since paying $16 for a single pair of socks is, shall we say, counter-intuitive to saving lots of money. Granted, they are a wool/nylon blend and would probably catch the eye of the more fashion-minded among us. But that's not the point.
I found these Merino socks on sale because I was reading the bad news about Bebe as a retailer. A recent article at MSN Money reveals Bebe posted earnings of EIGHT CENTS at the end of January. You read that right and you don't need an advanced degree to know that earning eight cents in a single quarter is NOT good.
So what did thrifty-minded me do the moment I read Bebe was earning pennies? Right you are--I immediately went over to Bebe.com to see what was on sale.
I found all kinds of sale items. Some of the deals weren't bad at all. I found a dress for $70 off, and a few other items. No, I wasn't shopping for myself.
In this particular case, in spite of the eight whole pennies Bebe earned in a singe quarter, Bebe is NOT desperate enough yet--these prices are still a bit too silly for me. Once Bebe.com gets good and ready to bring out the bargain hunters in droves, we might well see these prices come back down to earth. For now though, I'd suggest having a look because a handful of things are worth the bother, but don't expect massive savings across the board.
The real lesson here? If you've been reading this blog for any length of time now, you know it's my standard line. Check out the financial headlines for the latest floundering retailers and then head over to those retailers online to see what they are up to--you might find prices slashed all over the place. In Bebe.com's case I think it's just a matter of time, so keep an eye on this company. This is like playing the stock market in reverse. Watch to see who's taking a dive this week and go buy buy buy anything you might need before they turn out all the lights. Yeah, I've been saying it for a while now--watch the stock ticker and hit up the retailers shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic.
Call me a deal vulture if you must, but that's the way of the world for now...you can save money while these stores flounder around and try to stay in business. And let's face it, we pay too much for some of this ANYWAY. Keep your eyes on the news, folks! The deals are waiting. When things finally start to improve there will still be deals aplenty, but we'll adjust our bargain-spotting techniques along the way. Til then, bad news for them is good news for us cheap deal hunters.
--Joe Wallace
By
Lulu Thrift
Wednesday, February 18, 2009, 06:19 PM
Category:
Deal Gossip
My Manifesto
(...Or Lulu Th
rift's Top 7 Tips for Bargain Shopping)
Hello everyone from sunny Florida where Lulu is having a thrifty but fabulous vacation with the family Von Thrift. Hence the beach shot that I couldn't resist. More about that in my next post, but suffice to say buying beach gear in February yielded me some wondrous bargains I'll be sharing with you soon, so watch this space (but in the meantime I have to agree with my friend Joe - I always pack a brown bag picnic for the airplane and he's right, it's cheaper and tastes better, those airports sting you every which way....)
Here for you now though is my "Manifesto." It's a list of seven key tips to keep in mind when shopping for bargains on line and so far they've all worked for me. I intend to expand on each one in time, so again, keep checking back over the coming days and weeks for updates and a fuller, more fabulous post on each one of my seven top tips for bargain shopping.
1. Cheap is Chic. Saving money is not something sordid, so show off your bargain purchases with pride. Let go of shame and embrace your inner cheap with joy. If you're reading this blog, you're already on your way, so jolly well done.
2. Don't take "No" for an Answer: When dealing with customer service on a transaction, be assertive, not rude. Tenacity really pays off. And remember: as a consumer you have more power than you think you do. If you're unhappy with your experience, say so. You probably have reason to be, and there is always something to be gained by speaking up.
3. Try before you buy: If at all possible, stroll in the sneakers or stroke the linens at the store before you hit the mouse and surf for the cheapest deal. Doing your product research first saves time and keeps you focused on finding the right price for your item.
4. Shop around, but stay focused: Don't commit to the first good deal you come across. Use "search & compare" sites like NexTag and keep a tally of total cost plus shipping. You'll be astounded at the differences you'll find and how much you can save - but time is money too, so use the FAB Scale below.
5. Apply my "FAB Scale" to the purchase: Your time and energy are valuable resources, so be thrifty with them too. Weigh them against your $ savings for a Factor Analyzed Bargain.
FAB = Cost (energy & time spent on purchase) - Benefit ($$ saved).
6. Sign up: Start with our CheapToday Weekly WOW newsletter. Often your favorite store or site will give you sneak peeks or first grabs at sale prices or other savings if you sign up for their alerts. While you don't want a bunch of unsolicited rubbish clogging up your daily inbox, it's worth "trialing" ones you want. Remember you can always sign off again later.
7. Have Fun: Just because you're at home in your PJ's, it doesn't mean you shouldn't be having fun. Staying home means you save gas, stress, and likely, a whole bunch of cash you can spend on something else. Congratulations!
Now where did I put my two-for-one margarita? And can someone pass me the own-brand sun block? More soon from the cold North-East, but meanwhile,
Yours thriftily
By
Joe Wallace
Monday, February 16, 2009, 11:39 AM
Category:
Deal Gossip
Last week I flew to San Antonio, Texas to catch up with my old band mates in Crevice to perform what some call vaguely Pink Floyd-esque sounds. We were scheduled to play a reunion show of sorts, and I was excited to catch up with my old mates again after a long absence from the stage. You might not think that has anything to do with cheap deals or thrifty living, but ask anybody who plays music even as a hobby and you'll find a world of people working very hard to save money.
Musicians are some of the most frugal, thrifty people I know. Imagine what it's like to drive across the country playing shows in little tiny dives where five people show up on one night, and large packed venues the next. One day you're contemplating the cat food, the next you're eating Texas-sized ribeyes.
Theoretically.
What really happens when you travel like that is you just about break even. So instead of eating cat food or giant steaks, you aim for the middle. Cheap, without resorting to eating Mister Bigglesworth's dinner. (If you don't know who Mister Bigglesworth is, just imagine the biggest white hairball cat in the world. You get the picture.)
In conversation with my old bandmates, cheap living naturally came up. One of the group bragged about saving money in the entertainment department by hanging on to his old VCR. "There are plenty of video stores going out of business 'round these parts," he said, "I scored tons of great foreign flicks and crazy 80s movies." For this guy, entertainment goes hand-in-hand with commerce. He watches the movie to make sure the tape is intact, then sells it to collectors on eBay. Not bad, my friend!
Another bandmate discovered a practical gold mine of cheap living. Instead of looking for cheap deals on food at the grocery store or even on Amazon.com, he saves a decent amount of money by offering to house-sit for people. This is a brilliant cheap living idea because most people who need house-sitting services have a fully stocked fridge. The owners don't want the food to go to waste, so most of the time my band-mate buddy eats for free, enjoys someone else's DVD collection instead of buying movies, and socks away a nice little bundle of cash.
Brilliant, eh?
For some reason, the thriftiest people you'll meet in a band are often not IN the band, but they're related to it. The spouses, boyfriends and girlfriends of a traveling band learn how to cut corners in a pinch. Anyone who travels with a band not actually playing in the group quickly becomes keen to save as much as possible. After all, those hotels, gas, and road food all take their toll on the budget. I once asked the girlfriend of a traveling musician about her all-time best money-saving secret for eating on the road. Her answer? "Peanut butter. You can buy a huge jar, it lasts a week, and there's always some on sale."
Genius. If you have to save money while traveling, you could do a lot worse than living on peanut butter sandwiches for a couple of days or so. It's a lot better than eating the cat food. You're talking about endless meals for the price of the bread and spread. If you've gotta save, that's some great advice.
There are so many ways to save I couldn't possibly relate them all here, but you get the picture. Sometimes all you need to save some money is a great idea...it doesn't have to be original, just thrifty-minded. Whether you're eating peanut butter sandwiches on the road or doing a bit of house-sitting, in the end the money you save is the important thing. Oh, and while you're at it, save a few more pennies by taking advantage of the CheapToday Weekly Wow Newsletter. I know it's a shameless plug. I did it anyway.
By
Joe Wallace
Friday, February 13, 2009, 10:12 AM
Category:
Deal Gossip
Today’s entry is coming to you from the airport lounge at San Antonio International, where at the time of this writing I’ve just landed as part of a weekend jaunt to reunite with some old friends and perform as part of the legendary (in Texas) San Antonio psychedelic/experimental band, Crevice.
I’ve got cheap travel on the brain today after some sticker shock at Starbucks and other financial misadventures. It’s never a good idea to leave the house without being properly caffeinated and loaded with food. Once you hit that financial twilight zone known as Your Local Airport, common sense goes right out the window and you find yourself contemplating a sub-prime second mortgage just to pay for a quick meal.
Overheard while waiting in line for coffee:
“I was five pounds over the limit. They said my checked baggage was too heavy. It cost me FIFTY BUCKS!”
Now that seems a little bit excessive, doesn’t it? Here are my secrets for sparing the excess baggage or overweight baggage fee; plan to recycle (as in re-wear) at least one pair of jeans, pack a sweater you can wear over another shirt and re-use again later. I don’t carry a travel alarm clock—my cell phone works nicely, and I usually don’t carry any shampoos, soap or other toiletries. I buy ‘em on the other end. That all adds up to less space required, and a lighter piece of luggage.
If you are returning from a trip, you can keep your luggage weight lower by discarding all packaging on anything you purchased on your trip. Get rid of the cardboard boxes, packing materials and other stuff you’ll throw away once you get home. Wrap your purchases in your clothes for extra padding and protection and you’re set.
The sticker shock at the airport Starbucks made me ponder how I could get around those nutty prices. First, I saved myself a few bucks by getting a hot tea instead of a coffee—the teas are only two bucks as opposed to the much sillier price of Starbucks coffees. I was going to treat myself to an espresso brownie, but with dessert prices upwards to two and a half bucks for a sliver of something sweet, I passed. I just got my caffeine fix and got out.
And then there’s lunch. It’s so much better to brown bag it than pay for the airport food. Yes, it looks like you’re on some kind of goofy picnic when you’re eating your home-made sandwich and such, but you didn’t have sell your kidneys on the black market to afford that wilty salad and the limp, artery-clogging chicken tenders at Chili’s Too. Your own food will taste better, trust me.
Once you get on the plane, the prices only get sillier. On my American Airlines flight, they were selling “premium nut assortments” for SIX DOLLARS. If I have to eat a premium nut assortment at those prices, those nuts had better come off endangered trees harvested by specially trained monkeys. I think I’d rather go the picnic route, thanks.
It’s just too bad I forgot to pack one. I DID remember to pack my OWN nut assortment, thank you very much. I munched on my own hand-blended nut-n-dried-fruit mix rather than shell out for what was likely a small bag of mashed cashews mixed with some old dry-roasted peanuts that smell like locker room feet. Saving money is not only good for your bottom line; it’s also good for your appetite.
By
Joe Wallace
Wednesday, February 11, 2009, 10:55 AM
Category:
Deal Gossip
I hate those scenes in the movies where some guy in the driver's seat of a car turns to his passengers--usually hitchhikers or some random strangers he's picked up on the side of the road--and whips out a CD. With a mischevious grin on his face, he asks "Hey, do you guys like...music? Check this out."
Is that the dumbest question you've ever heard? Who doesn't like music?
A more important question--who doesn't like cheap music? In today's economy--a phrase I grow ever sick of typing--the prices on albums, singles, and special editions has plummeted, but Gang of Four bassist and new media blogger Dave Allen has news for you. When it comes to great music, free is the new cheap.
Some in the music biz already know this. In his blog, Dave Allen has already give plenty of column inches to bands like Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails, who have given their music away for free or allowed customers to set their own prices.
What Dave Allen said in a recent blog entry that Joe Music Buyer will be interested in? Allen and other forward-thinking members of the music biz are telling up-and-coming bands to let customers set their own prices when selling CDs at concerts and shows. I remember the last time I went to a big-name concert--The Cure at Radio City Music Hall last summer--and the merchandise table prices were outrageous. How can a band possibly make any money by letting someone pay all, some, or none of the retail price of a CD?
According to the feedback Dave Allen is getting from bands who try this approach, it's working. Bands who let you take the CD for free or at a reduced cost know they have fans who can--and do--pay for that music. For those in the crowd who need to be more frugal, the ability to pay a more affordable rate means they'll actually go home with the disc instead of just the memories of the show.
Allen and his fellow forward thinkers also advise bands to give away free MP3s as a standard part of doing business, so there's even more benefit to us rabid music lovers. Free MP3s from the band's official site mean more interest in the rest of the work. For my friends the cheap deal downloaders, there's a lot of mix disc making going on with all those free songs.
For people like me, this ain't news--the rabid downloaders already know and have more free music than they know what to do with. But for you casual downloaders and Amazon.com or iTunes MP3 users, do yourself a great big cheap favor--check the band's official website before you buy that track. It might just be going for free. Sure, you can support the band--buy one of their OTHER songs...one that's not being given away.
This free and "set your own price" thing is not going away. It started out as a gimmick, to be sure. But it's something that's taken on a life of its' own now...the smart music downloader should hit up the band's page or go catch their live act before shelling out full price for that new album. You might just get it for a steal instead.
By
Lulu Thrift
Monday, February 09, 2009, 02:56 PM
Category:
Deal Gossip
You've heard it said before, but it's true, people. Cheap is chic. Don't just take my word for it (although you could quite reasonably do so), even Katie Couric thinks so. Take a gander (British for "peek").
As this on-point CBS reporter sums up: "The new trend? Not how much you spend - but how much you save". Right on sister. Something Lulu and the bargain-monkeys at CheapToday have been yelling loud and clear for, well, forever really (ok, as long as we've been around, which is not that long so aren't you darned lucky to be in on the start of something so good?).
So - it's time for all us thrift mongers to come out of the "closet of cheap", take a step forward into the limelight (checking first we remembered to snip the 70% off tag from our outfits) and take a bow.
Those naysayers who sneered over their full price carrier bags while you waited patiently for the sales to arrive are laughing on the other side of their faces now since whatever cashola they had left from all that spending went South in the economic down slide.
Yes, if like Lulu, "Cheap" has been your middle name all along, you're already a big step ahead. Jolly well done. But spare a thought oh brothers and sisters of thrift, for those behind you in the virtual checkout line at Target. They're looking fearful and fidgety, and it's not just because we snapped up all the best Thakoon threads before they got to the store.
They need our help.
It's time to take pity on those flighty of wallet and lend them a hand. If not a five spot. We may not be bigger spenders but we're bigger people. Now that everyone wants a piece of the savings pie let's warm the oven and pull up some chairs.
Think of this blog as a sort of warm heart at the center of savings central. If CheapToday is the home of thrift, Lulu and her fellow bloggers live in the kitchen with a well stocked fridge (yes we eat the leftovers because they taste good and save us $$), friendly banter and an inviting aroma of home cooking. Lulu may have her wipe clean apron on, but it was half price at Cath Kidston and she looks fabulous in it.
Indeed bargain hunters, Lulu Thrift is a philanthropic sort of gal (that means she likes to help people). Over the coming weeks and months you'll be hearing a lot more from Lulu on her favorite subject: how to shop savvy, save money and stay happy.
But here's the best place to start: If you haven't done so already (and what In heaven's name are you waiting for) sign up for our newsletter so you can get up to the second alerts on the best bargains out there in real time.
I'll be here to hold your hand on the adventure which is bargain shopping my friends, so there's a shed load more where this came from. Hold onto your credit cards it's going to be a fun ride! Look out for the Lulu Thrift Manifesto coming soon...
Yours Thriftily,
By
Joe Wallace
Monday, February 09, 2009, 11:51 AM
Category:
Deal Gossip
There are too many variables to mention to promise you'll get your Valentine's Day gifts on time if you ship now--even if you order the fastest, most expensive option. A quick bit of research reveals some websites with long lists of online retailers who offer specials on shipping, while others just point you to the nearest next-day shipping service and say "Good Luck!" Me personally? I've never had good luck ordering last-minute and hoping the quick ship option will save me.
One thing is for sure--even if it does work, you'll pay more for those next-day, second-day, and overnight shipping options. Sure, you could order that dozen roses and chocolate box and have it sent three-day express if you order by noon on Tuesday (Feb. 10). But if you're reading this blog, chances are you're already in a bind and you want an inexpensive way out. Brace yourselves, bargain hunters. I'm going to help you save your bacon.
There's nothing in the world like procrastination--I'm personally a big fan. But when it comes to stuff like Valentine's Day, procrastination often goes hand in hand with "What do I buy?" Thanks to the Internet, you don't even really have to THINK about what to get any more--but you should make damn sure it comes from the heart, whatever you wind up getting. Or else Valentine's Day is going to be about as fun as Pet an Alligator Day.
For guys--and some ladies, too--not knowing what to get is cured by seeing a few likely trinkets and ruling out the ones you know he or she won't like, and getting down to the two or three you think might bring the warm fuzzies. Fortunately, plenty of online retailers have suggestion pages to help--but since we know it's too late to pay reasonable shipping rates, you're probably wondering why I mention it.
Big box retailers like Kmart and Walmart both have suggestion pages. The Kmart Valentine's Day page is packed with goodies including discounts on jewelry. Walmart has a similar Valentine's Day suggestion page also featuring good stuff on sale and a few gift ideas you might not have thought of, like a February 14th playlist you can assemble and purchase for your honey.
I hear you thinking it. "But I can't buy this stuff online! You already mentioned that it's too late for cheapskates!" That's right. But you CAN grab that telephone, call the Kmart or Walmart nearest you and see if they have the items in stock you're currently looking at online. It's a simple solution, so easy that some people never think to give it a try. You can pick the right gift out online over your coffee break, pick it up over lunch, and get it gift wrapped when you get off work. And you're done!
And no, you aren't limited to Walmart and Kmart. Zales has an online Valentine's catalog, and so does Macy's. Plenty of online stores have Valentine's Day product pages. Look up the items, call your local store and cross your fingers that there's still one or two left in stock. If you do it today chances are good you might score on the first call or two. As late as Wednesday? Don't push your luck (but try anyway if you must).
I know this advice probably seems a bit obvious to some, but then again so does shopping early and not being put into a last-second Valentine's Day jam in the first place. If you're reading this blog for Valentine's Day gift advice, you're probably in the grip of gift-giving desperation you hoped to leave behind on December 26th. How time does fly...and if you were smart and already made your selections and have them nicely wrapped and ready? Pass this advice on to a friend who didn't join you in shopping early. Everybody knows at least one professional procrastinator.
--Joe Wallace
By
Joe Wallace
Friday, February 06, 2009, 04:05 PM
Category:
Deal Gossip
There is plenty of economic gloom and doom aimed at pet lovers in the news lately. Some reports say more dogs are heading to the animal shelter as people feel the budget crunch, and there's no shortage of local newpaper features urging animal lovers to support those shelters in these tough times.
Thankfully, pet retailers like Doghouses.com are doing their part to help out with a sale or two to help keep your dog fed and housed. A half price sale is never a bad thing--who wouldn't be tempted by a half-price dog house?
One idea that has pet lovers in Germany feeling thankful is the soup kitchen for dogs. According to an article at InventorSpot.com, German dog lover Claudia Holm was so moved by the plight of hungry pets that she started the soup kitchen as a way to help dog owners afford to keep their furry friends.
That brings a tear to your eye, doesn't it? I tried to search for a USA-based doggie soup kitchen but came up with nothing but more instances of the same Berlin-based charity started by Claudia Holm. When I tried to do a search for cheap deals on dog supplies, I got a lot of cheap deals on the dogs themselves. But the bargains ARE out there, as Doghouses.com proves.
So how can a struggling pet owner do more with less for man's best friend?
A lot of the advice you use shopping for deals to feed your own face works for puppy, too. Some of the best advice? Buy dog food in bulk and save more per pound. Those small bags may wind up costing more--pay a lot up front and save over the long haul. There's one bit of advice animal experts give out here--don't feed your poor dog the cheapest food available. Make sure you're buying quality, nutritious food. Otherwise you could wind up spending even more money on your dog's malnourishment issues.
Some recommend a special diet for dogs that can help save money on your pet's dental visits. And while we're on the subject, why don't people shop around for vets with good service AND good prices? You wouldn't dream of buying a car without shopping around; use the same logic for choosing a veterinarian. One of the best ways you can save money on vet visits is to learn how to administer your dog's vaccines yourself. A lot of pet owners do this--both cats and dogs--and while you should get the advice of a qualified vet before trying injections or other methods, this is a great way to save.
The German soup kitchen for dogs might not catch on in a neighborhood near you, but with a little CheapToday thinking you can save some money without short-changing man's best friend.
By
Lulu Thrift
Wednesday, February 04, 2009, 03:44 PM
Category:
Deal Gossip
Lulu Thrift is CheapToday's resident Deal Mistress - here weekly to share her shopping tips and passion for a bargain.
I find men tend to get into a right old lather around this time of year. Even the biggest and bravest among you come out in hives just thinking about the potential minefield that is Valentines Day. So this post is for all you men who really want to know What Women Want on February 14th. Hint: it's not how much you spend, it's how you deliver it...
Ok I have to start with a disclaimer. Lulu doesn't really "do" Valentine's Day anymore. Well, not in the traditional (read cliché) manner with heart shaped balloons and a candlelit dinner out kind of way.
She used to. But then she had a kid and all that went out the window. Not to say that she and Mr. Thrift aren't romantic in their own way, it's just now Little Miss Thrift (LMT) tends to get in on the deal too (she likes to eat all the chocolate and have you even tried getting a sitter in the 'burbs on Valentine's Day?).
Don't get me wrong, Lulu Loves a Celebration. Never been one to turn down an opportunity to turn the Ordinary into the Extraordinary, the Mundane into the Sparkling. And Valentine's Day should be no exception. The Golden Rule, as with all things is to Keep it Real. And that, my deal-loving friends is Good News because "real" doesn't have to mean "expensive". As you're about to learn, it's all about ATTITUDE. So fellers, please do as LMT's Preschool teacher likes to instruct and "Switch Your Listening Ears On".
So for those of you who might not have a clue where to start, and even for those who do, here's Lulu's Top 4 Things-Men-Give Women on Valentine's Day and my advice for each category:
1. Chocolates: Fact = (nearly) all women love chocolate. I know it seems like a cliché but personally Lulu would be distraught if she didn't receive her customary box of Godiva on the day. Here's a coupon code for the Belgian yumminess that lasts until well after you've blown out the candles. Ghiradelli comes a not-bad second and costs less.
2. Flowers: Personally I think there's something a bit sad about watching a bunch of flowers wilt and die. Not the impression you want to give on the longevity of your coupledom. How about switching up the trad bunch of 'Mums for a beautiful and lasting plant to say "I Love You". Or even a small but significant tree?
The folks at TyTy nursery have got it right. I challenge you to find a sexier site to buy foliage. Lulu likes the plumptiously exotic Persimmon Tree which starts at less than $30. Depending on growing conditions where you live you could be feasting on sweet juicy fruit by Fall. How'bout that for a sensual gift that keeps on giving?
If there's a need for reconciliation "chez vous" you could opt instead for a timeless Olive Tree for the same money, which hopefully (for your date anyway) might get delivered by this guy.
3. Underwear: Hear that wailing siren? That's the MINEFIELD ALERT I promised you gentlemen. Unless you are Absolutely Certain of her size in a particular label (and remember, a size 6 last year in one brand does NOT mean a size 6 this year in another brand) DO NOT GUESS. You run the risk of either buying too small and thus embarrassing her when she doesn't fit into it or worse, buying too big and having her think you view her as a Lard ***.
My advice? If you must go with underwear, go for something like the world changing Hanky Panky. This is a revolution in thong-ery. A lacy stretchy number that achieves the impossible: it is sexy to look at, unimaginably comfy for all shapes and sizes, eliminates the VPL (Mr.T says I have to spell this out for you: Visible Panty Line. Trust me, this matters) issue AND (wait for it chaps) comes in ONE SIZE ONLY. Brilliant.
4. Jewelry: Here's a good way to buy something personal and keepable, but not necessarily spend a fortune. If you're on a budget (and who isn't) Avoid Big Name Brands. Example. Mr. Thrift used to buy Lulu jewels from Tiffany every year til he wised up to the exorbitant mark up that comes with every duck-egg blue gift box. If you go with a known label like that you're done for unless you have more money than sense. She'll know what you spent and that's not sexy. 
Instead go with something she won't see every other woman wearing on the metro/ treadmill/ next cubicle/ playground the following week. Try fabulous handmade goody site Etsy for something unique like this groovy heart-filled bracelet: pretty, individual and doesn't scream the fact that you "Only Paid $10 for it"! That's right chaps, ten bucks. Not bad eh? You couldn't even get shown the door for that at Tiff'ny.
And for What Not to Get? I have only one rule about this. Absolutely NO kitchen appliance however Big or Small. I don't care if she once mumbled something about a Cuisinart mixer on sale at Macy's, she DOESN'T WANT ONE for Valentine's Day. If you can't turn down any bargain however inappropriate, buy one anyway, but give it the following week and make light of the "gift" part of it. (If you're at the stage in your relationship where you actually purchase mixers for your date then chances are high you're going to benefit from the food produced, so it's not really a gift for Her anyway, right?)
Here's the Bottom Line: Presentation Is Key. As in, a diamond tiara chucked across the brekkie table on your way out to work will mean less than a home-made card delivered with a loving embrace and some hand picked flowers from the yard. ('course the diamonds'd be nice too you understand but we work with what we have, right?) If you're still in doubt, at least have a bottle of something bubbly on hand (America makes some fine bubbles - this one's only $10. Check delivery laws to your state here and help change them too!) when she gets home from work.
Keep it Real, be yourself and give with love and a spicy side of flirtation. It's all about ATTITUDE. Decide what you're giving but spend more energy on how you give it than what you give.
In short: What Women Really Want from you on Valentines' Day? Your full attention, something which shows you actually thought about the woman you're giving to, and a side of flirtation. Works every time.
Have a good one and let me know how it went!
Yours Thriftily,
By
Joe Wallace
Wednesday, February 04, 2009, 10:42 AM
Category:
Deal Gossip
Every year it's the same thing--you see a million and one articles and news stories giving guys advice about buying Valentine's Day presents for their significant others. What I don't see much of--if any? Some sound Valentine's gift-giving advice for the ladies. I actually heard one woman say "It's Valentine's Day, he's supposed to buy gifts for ME, I don't buy for HIM."
That sort of thinking is SO last century. You might be able to get away with that if your boyfriend still has Flock of Seagulls hair or has a lot of hopeless romantic Lord Byron action in his book collection, but in the 21st Century, a lot of guys would love some appreciation on Valentine's Day. A little two-way street action never hurt anybody, right?
Now we're not talking about extravagance here. None of the guys I know expect their other half to present platinum cufflinks in a gold-plated box. But a little something would be lovely, thanks. Some ladies are already hip to this idea, and I salute them.
But what to buy for your man?
Some guys like to buy their girlfriends sexy underwear for Valentine's Day.Does this work both ways, you ask? For guys, I'm sure you could go the underwear route, but let's face it, it's not QUITE the same thing. A guy in sexy underwear looks a little ridiculous. There's just no way to get around it, no matter how finely chiseled the male model, when you look at that goofy codpiece he's wearing you just want him to take it off as quickly as possible--and not because you want to get down to business. It's because you can't stop laughing.
So what's the guy version of the sexy lingerie gift? I have one word for you: robes. That's much more like it. James Bond wore a robe--have you ever seen Bond in his underwear except for any scene where somebody was trying to kill him? There's a lesson there, I think. Robe prices are reasonable, and you can go totally nuts and get 'em monogrammed and handsomely packaged if you decide to throw thrifty shopping out the window for the 14th. In other words, a bargain hunter's dream---a decently priced gift idea with options.
Some aren't remotely interested in attractive bedroom wear for their man. If that's you, have no fear. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the humble wristwatch. It is an excellent, usually on-sale gift that some completely overlook for Valentine's Day. Olympia Sports, for example, has a very attractive Pittsburgh Steelers dress watch by Fossil for $119. If your man was glued to the television on Super Bowl Sunday, jumping up and down like a complete idiot in the final five minutes, you could not miss with this watch. (UPDATE:Too bad the Pittsburgh Steelers dress watch by Fossil has since sold out--it would have made an amazing gift for a Steelers fan.)
There are thousands of watches out there, this is just a very obvious example. But look at that price tag--low. Look at the potential for Valentine's Day joy--high. For the right guy, that's a gift that would stand out for all time. He'd be bragging to all his buddies; "Look at what that crazy other half of mine got me! It's PERFECT!" He'd even wear it to bed.
All this talk about the right gift is a bit of a distraction from one of the real underlying reasons some significant others go the extra mile on Valentine's Day. Face it, us guys aren't the brightest in the world when it comes to gift giving. One way to show a guy how to treat YOU on Valentine's Day is to give a little something special of your own. Give us a subtle hint by example. Just do us a favor and give us a pass the first year while we're still clueless. If you were grumbling last year about Valentine's Day as a non-event, turn this year into something special for HIM and you'll be singing a different tune the next time there's a special occasion to celebrate. The smart guy will take the hint and won't wait for a year to go by before he returns the favor.
A bit of avarice? Self-interest disguised as love for your man? Not a bit. There's no reason why you can't be sweet and generous AND save a buck by hitting a hot sale AND tell your guy how you like to be appreciated on February 14th. It all works out in the end. Everybody gets a little something and everybody's happy.