Nov

28

Black Friday — Amateur Night at the Mall

Filed Under Shopping | Comments Off

Today is the day after Thanksgiving, known in the retail world as Black Friday, the busiest day of the retail year.  It got the name because this is traditionally the day that the stores go from being in-the-red to in-the-black, but now it’s taken on a new meaning, for bargain-mavens anyway…the day the amateurs go shopping. People were actually lining up at midnight for pre-dawn bargains at stores all over the country. (At least down here in South Florida they don’t have to bundle up for the wait.) The stores are advertising like crazy, the Miami Herald delivered a paper to my door on both Thursday and Friday although I only have a Sunday subscription, people are queued up to get INTO stores!  Is it really worth it?  

I wanted to take the day off, but I would be remiss if I ignored this day.  So, a few thoughts on Black Friday, Bargains and blogs:

1) I would have to be paid a substantial sum to get me into the stores on this day — maybe if they paid me to take the merchandise……maybe. 

2) It’s a great day to do your non-shopping chores – I went to the salon next to my building for a root touch-up (using a 25% off coupon for new customers) –it was calm and quiet as all the Friday regulars were standing on line at the mall.  

3) If you stick with me, and follow my suggestions, you’ll be so far ahead of the game by next Thanksgiving that you’ll be lounging in a spa for some ridiculously cheap massage, having done the bulk of your holiday shopping on line already, while the retail shoppers are clamoring for those “sale” items that they could have gotten any time for as good a price if only they knew the tricks!

Every day, every TV station and every magazine in every city has some kind of Best Holiday Buys story.  I’m not going to chase these deals for you. But I will give you links to every bargain site I come across (will be posted on my pages on the right).  I do find great opportunities every day and am happy to share!

Sadly, the news just reported that a Wal-Mart employee in a New York suburb was killed by a stampede of eager early-morning shoppers.  I say it’s getting a little out of hand. What do you think?

Wishing you a fun, safe holiday season.

Nov

24

An Inexpensive Spa day at a Very Expensive Spa!

Filed Under Health and Well-Being | Comments Off

It was pouring rain here in South Florida last Friday, steam is rising from the streets — a perfect day for a little self pampering, courtesy of my bank and credit card loyalty programs. I pull into the very ritzy hotel and spa just minutes from my house, valet park the car, (self parking, which would have been my first choice, is unavailable due to construction), and head into the lobby. At the spa desk, I have my valet ticket validated (always ask!) and proceed to have a beautiful day at the spa. First, a workout in the luxuriously appointed gym, followed by an invigorating shower in a booth with jets on the ceiling and walls, and one of those big raindrop showerheads which gives me a cold blast in between hot cascades, then soothing jacuzzi, a few minutes in the sauna, a cup of tea in the calming waiting room, and then…

a full body scrub followed by a relaxing, yet invigorating massage. But wait, there’s more — one of the best facials I’ve ever received, where I speak with the aesthetician about life, business, husbands and bargains. Of course, this is one of my best topics — and this day was one of my best bargains! How did I do it? To begin, my credit card offers a cashback bonus on money spent. Instead of cash, however, I choose a gift certificate, where I get even more value than the cash. So for $180 I receive a $250 spa certificate good at several international hotel spas. Then, I find an ad in a local magazine for 20% off my spa services. Since they add a 20% service charge, then take off the 20%, it’s like not having to pay extra for a tip. So, all this for $265, plus $5 for the validated parking, plus $1 tip for the valet, less the gift certificate for $250, gives me a luxury spa day for $16! Ahh, I DO love a good bargain!

Advice for the day: always be on the lookout for multiple discounts for the same things. ALWAYS sign up for cash-back and other incentive programs. When you need a new credit card, or are just looking to lower your rates and/or get bonuses, try to find some that offer you good rewards. I’m looking for a good place for you to start and will report back shortly. And we’ll definitely talk more about credit cards soon.

Life is good.

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