Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Free Magazine Subscriptions...
Head on over to Money Saving Mom to get information on free magazine subscriptions to Parents, Martha Stewart Living and Woman's Day.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Like Quiznos?
Slickdeals reports that:
Quizno's is giving away One Million Free Subs. To get your Free Sub, Click Here and register your name, email address, and birthdate. A link to a Printable Coupon will be emailed to you.
Note: Entrants will be added to their Q-Club Mailing List. To opt out of the mailing list in the future, click here or just use a 'junk mail' email account.
Quizno's is giving away One Million Free Subs. To get your Free Sub, Click Here and register your name, email address, and birthdate. A link to a Printable Coupon will be emailed to you.
Note: Entrants will be added to their Q-Club Mailing List. To opt out of the mailing list in the future, click here or just use a 'junk mail' email account.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
My Favorite Travel Sites: Priceline
I was recently talking with Lisa about her upcoming trip to NYC and was letting her know that I highly recommend Priceline and I thought it would make a good post! Priceline, in my opinion, is the very best route to go for a hotel room in a large city. I don't particularly like PL for smaller cities, flights or cars though. PL has changed a lot in the past few years though and the most important thing you have to watch for is making sure you are bidding on a room using PL's "Name Your Own Price" part of their website and not using their retail site. There are lot's of limitations to PL, the most obvious is that once a reservation is made you can not make changes or cancellations. Also, you are bidding on a room for 2 (1 bed). Most times you can request 2 beds at the front desk when checking in, however they are under no obligation to give you one. In addition, in cities like NY rooms large enough to fit two beds are a rare commodity I hear. If you hope to stay at the same hotel as a friend, the best thing to do is one bid on two rooms on PL at the same time (during the same bid). The things you can control on PL are the area or zone you want to stay in within a particular city and the star level. And, one nice change PL has made in the past few years is that you only have to wait 24hrs to re-bid (it used to be 72hrs).
The very first thing I do when bidding on a room on PL is check for the lowest rates available and then my goal is to get the room for cheaper than that. I check for the lowest rates using www.kayak.com. Then, once I know what the standard rates are I go to www.biddingfortravel.com and see what type of bids are being accepted. Biddingfortravel is your best resource for using PL. Not only can you see what type of bids have been accepted and rejected in the area you are looking, but it also has endless information on getting "free" rebids, rules, limitations and faq's. Also, there is a hotel list of places that have accepted winning bids so you have an idea of where you might be staying if your bid gets accepted at that particular zone and star level.
My best advice for getting a winning bid on PL is using free re-bids. A free rebid means that once you initial bid is rejected, you are offered a re-bid as long as you change your bid (by changing the star level, zone, or changing the check-in or checkout date). Do NOT add a lower star level to change your bid, instead if you add a zone on a re-bid that offers the same quality level you are bidding, For re-bidding purposes, add a zone that has only up to a lower quality level than what you are bidding, because that just gives you a free re-bid for your original zone. In other words, if Zone B has only 1*, 2* and 3* hotels (or 1* and 2*), and your original bid for a 4* hotel in Zone A has been rejected, you can add Zone B as a free rebid to your Zone A offer. You will not get a hotel in Zone B because it does not offer 4* hotels. Of course when you add the zone, you'll need to increase your bid amount and not lower your original quality level. To determine which zones offer which star levels, go to Priceline just as though you were going to place a bid and place a check mark in the box of the zone as though you were going to bid that zone. Scroll down and note the highest quality level offered in that zone. Then scroll back up, uncheck the zone and check the next zone and note the highest quality level offered in that zone. Do this for each zone listed. Make sure that only one zone is checked each time. And you should always re-check zone definitions and quality levels offered prior to each bid (even if you just bid the same city the day before), as Priceline makes changes to quality levels offered and zone definitions all the time. When performing this check, make sure the check-in date is not the current date, or you will not be able to check the zones that do not offer same day bidding. Once you have exhausted your bids and free re-bids, you must wait 24hrs before bidding again.
Hopefully this isn't too confusing. It's really easy to use and can save you A LOT of money. If you have any questions, let me know... this is something I enjoy doing!
Anyone else have any advice for using Priceline?
The very first thing I do when bidding on a room on PL is check for the lowest rates available and then my goal is to get the room for cheaper than that. I check for the lowest rates using www.kayak.com. Then, once I know what the standard rates are I go to www.biddingfortravel.com and see what type of bids are being accepted. Biddingfortravel is your best resource for using PL. Not only can you see what type of bids have been accepted and rejected in the area you are looking, but it also has endless information on getting "free" rebids, rules, limitations and faq's. Also, there is a hotel list of places that have accepted winning bids so you have an idea of where you might be staying if your bid gets accepted at that particular zone and star level.
My best advice for getting a winning bid on PL is using free re-bids. A free rebid means that once you initial bid is rejected, you are offered a re-bid as long as you change your bid (by changing the star level, zone, or changing the check-in or checkout date). Do NOT add a lower star level to change your bid, instead if you add a zone on a re-bid that offers the same quality level you are bidding, For re-bidding purposes, add a zone that has only up to a lower quality level than what you are bidding, because that just gives you a free re-bid for your original zone. In other words, if Zone B has only 1*, 2* and 3* hotels (or 1* and 2*), and your original bid for a 4* hotel in Zone A has been rejected, you can add Zone B as a free rebid to your Zone A offer. You will not get a hotel in Zone B because it does not offer 4* hotels. Of course when you add the zone, you'll need to increase your bid amount and not lower your original quality level. To determine which zones offer which star levels, go to Priceline just as though you were going to place a bid and place a check mark in the box of the zone as though you were going to bid that zone. Scroll down and note the highest quality level offered in that zone. Then scroll back up, uncheck the zone and check the next zone and note the highest quality level offered in that zone. Do this for each zone listed. Make sure that only one zone is checked each time. And you should always re-check zone definitions and quality levels offered prior to each bid (even if you just bid the same city the day before), as Priceline makes changes to quality levels offered and zone definitions all the time. When performing this check, make sure the check-in date is not the current date, or you will not be able to check the zones that do not offer same day bidding. Once you have exhausted your bids and free re-bids, you must wait 24hrs before bidding again.
Hopefully this isn't too confusing. It's really easy to use and can save you A LOT of money. If you have any questions, let me know... this is something I enjoy doing!
Anyone else have any advice for using Priceline?
It's been a good past 10 days for me on the deals!
First off, the mail the past few days has been awesome. I've received $53.29 back in checks from Beer rebates, Caregivers Marketplace rebates and Rite Aid diaper rebates. I don't generally receive that many rebates back all at once, but it was fun!
Then, I received some major coupons. First, I received 8 coupons for free products (used one already), for a total savings of up to $31.46. Then, I received two formula coupons for $5 off (from someone who doesn't use that kind of formula). What is great is that I use all of the products regularly, except the suave shampoo. NICE!
My next great deal was from JC Penney. I don't generally shop there, but I learned from another site that they will randomly send you great coupons and rewards certificates just for joining their rewards program, so I joined. And they sent me a Valentine. I got a certificate for $10 off any purchase of $10 or more. So Saturday I searched the store and ended up selecting these Carters brand PJ's for Jacob. The price tag shows $20, on sale for $10.99. Using my certificate I snagged them for $1.05. Ka-chow!
Currently, the rewards program is offering a $5 rewards certificate just for signing up, just enter code 3008 when signing up at jcprewards.com.
So I know the jury is still out on if Crocs are cute or not for adults, but I think everybody agrees they are super cute on kids! My last deal of the past ten days are these mammoth crocs for the boys. Regularly priced $29.98 at Macy's, they are on sale for $9.99 plus an additional 30% off that making them just $6.99. Sizes are very limited, I only saw 6/7 and 8/9 (so I grabbed one of each). Use your Macy's card and I think you get an additional 15% off.
Then, I received some major coupons. First, I received 8 coupons for free products (used one already), for a total savings of up to $31.46. Then, I received two formula coupons for $5 off (from someone who doesn't use that kind of formula). What is great is that I use all of the products regularly, except the suave shampoo. NICE!
My next great deal was from JC Penney. I don't generally shop there, but I learned from another site that they will randomly send you great coupons and rewards certificates just for joining their rewards program, so I joined. And they sent me a Valentine. I got a certificate for $10 off any purchase of $10 or more. So Saturday I searched the store and ended up selecting these Carters brand PJ's for Jacob. The price tag shows $20, on sale for $10.99. Using my certificate I snagged them for $1.05. Ka-chow!
Currently, the rewards program is offering a $5 rewards certificate just for signing up, just enter code 3008 when signing up at jcprewards.com.
So I know the jury is still out on if Crocs are cute or not for adults, but I think everybody agrees they are super cute on kids! My last deal of the past ten days are these mammoth crocs for the boys. Regularly priced $29.98 at Macy's, they are on sale for $9.99 plus an additional 30% off that making them just $6.99. Sizes are very limited, I only saw 6/7 and 8/9 (so I grabbed one of each). Use your Macy's card and I think you get an additional 15% off.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Free (after rebate) Revlon Lip Gloss
Check out Walgreens this week for some Free-After-Rebate Revlon Lip Gloss. This week they are on sale 2 for $9.99 and you can submit them for a rebate online (no stamps needed, you don't even have to send in a receipt). Additionally, if you choose to receive your rebate back via Walgreen's gift card, you will receive an EXTRA 10%. They pay YOU to buy the lip gloss. I picked one up last week - when they were full price :( - and liked it so much I went and bought another one in another color! If you have a coupon (like from the 2/8 newspaper), you can save even more money! For detailed information on how to take advantage of Walgreens rebates, check out Money Saving Mom's post titled "Walgreens 101".
Revlon Creme Lip Gloss--on sale B1G1 (2/$9.99)
Use 2 $2/1 coupon from 2/8 inserts
Submit for Free After Rebate--Offer #4
Pay $5.99 for two after coupons
Get $9.99 EasySaver rebate back
Free plus overage after sale, coupons, and rebate
Need a new notebook case?
Slickdeals reports that Lenovo has a few Kensington Notebook Cases on sale for $14.40 - $2.88 (with code USP48HOURSALE) = $11.52 with free shipping.
That's about a $60 savings on the Notebook Case.
- Kensington Contour Cargo Notebook Case
- Kensington Contour Terrain Notebook Backpack
- Kensington Contour Cargo Notebook Messenger
That's about a $60 savings on the Notebook Case.
Diapers (or shoes, or bottles, or whatever...) deal
Babycheapskate spotted a deal for first time customers at Diapers.com. Their initial diaper prices suck, but just spend $49 or more and get $10 off your order as a first-time shopper with code AFFL10 (if that doesn't work try BABYCODE, mybabylove, or carter1). PLUS, get a $14.97 rebate (or a free subscription to Parenting magazine) You'll find information on the rebate on the Diapers.com home page.
This is a good place to pick up those hard to find size 2-3 Pampers Swaddlers. Also, you could use this deal to stock up on other baby products (such as my favorite baby shoes, Robeez).
This is a good place to pick up those hard to find size 2-3 Pampers Swaddlers. Also, you could use this deal to stock up on other baby products (such as my favorite baby shoes, Robeez).
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Nice GPS Deal
This GPS is for sale on Amazon for $199. Looks like it gets pretty good reviews and has a ton of features such as advanced navigation, a huge display, preloaded maps, an FM transmitter, hands-free calling, traffic alerts (I think you have to subscribe though?), etc. Also, with a tap of the screen, you can display your exact latitude and longitude coordinates, the nearest address and intersection, and the closest hospitals, police stations and gas stations. How cool is that?
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Cute Photo Playing Cards
Check out Artscow.com for some fun Single Design Photo Playing Cards (Regular, Round, Heart) for $3.88/each with free shipping! Use check out code: CARDS388 before March 15th to take advantage of this deal. This coupon also works with a 54-Designs Playing Cards (Regular, Round, Heart), bringing the total to $5.88/each, with free shipping! And don't worry, the unique picture is on the face of the card, the back of the card is the same for all. Just in case you... eh, hem... don't quite trust the people you play cards with ;)
I'm definitely going to take advantage of this deal, sounds like a great gift idea!
I'm definitely going to take advantage of this deal, sounds like a great gift idea!
Be on the lookout: Beer Deal!
Slickdeals reports that there are $15 Mail in Rebate forms on Michelob 6-packs at Meijer. If you happen to see the little rebate form on a 6 pack on your next shopping trip, you should pick some up (it ends up costing about $8/case, not bad!). You have to purchase four 6-packs in order to obtain the whole $15 and it's good for Michelob special brews as well (Shock Top, Dunkel Wiesse ,etc.). Meijer has these for $5.79 / 6 pack and that price is good until 2/28. The rebate is available through April 30th, so if you don't see one on your next shopping trip just keep looking.
I checked our Meijer today and didn't see any, but I was checking the 24 packs and not the 6 packs... I'll look again next time I'm in there and let you know if I find them!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Britax Sale
Britax carseats generally go on sale twice a year (Feb and Sept, I think), so if you are looking for a Britax, now is the time to pick one up! Check out BabyCheapskate for the best places to pick one up. Here are some details:
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
