I LOVE a Good Bargain! » Cash Back Programs

A Quick Note on Having a Beautiful Holiday

Robin — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 20:32:54 +0000

Yesterday I was given a gift that inspires another way to give presents that keep on giving. My gift was a haircut at a really cool place that actually makes a difference on many levels.

The Aveda Institute is primarily a school for all things spa — haircuts, color, massages, facials and the like — where students perform under the tutelage of experienced professors. I have always found that I get amazing services in this type of set-up, and this one was even better. All the students were young, hip, dressed in black and with fabulous hair, so I knew I could count on them for a new and up-to-date look. Because it’s Aveda, all the products are eco-friendly, and the corporate philosophy is to give back. So, I got a haircut (regular price only $12!), bought myself a gift box of products ($40, regular price $45) which came in a beautiful, handmade paper box made by a craftsperson in Nepal, AND I scored a $20 gift card with purchase for my next visit, which I scheduled before leaving. (The Aveda website also offers gifts and samples with purchases; click here.) So, I suported a student, a Nepalese family, myself (with a fab new look and products and a new place to go) and my friend, for company and allowing her to contribute to me. We had a fun girly day and made a difference.

Search the internet for haircare, massage, nail and related schools, and call to see if they have student clinics. The savings are amazing and make great gifts for yourself and others.

On a related note, if you haven’t already, now is a great time to join Groupon, which offers amazing city-specific savings on all kinds of goods and services. I just bought the hubby a haircut and MANicure for just $15! Check them out here.

The thing is, a lot of people have been cutting back (no pun intended) on things this year. Haircuts and other personal pampering services are often the first things to go. Find out what your friends are putting off, and you’ve got the perfect gift.

For more ideas on gift-giving that makes a difference, please click here.

Harnessing the Power of Volume Discounts

Robin — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:32:33 +0000

Just back from the cruise, I am loaded up with shopping info and topics to complete, from discount shopping on cruises (more on that soon from my sister, the Rebate Queen, who returns today from Caribbean adventure) to the more important category of affordable health insurance. But for now, as we re-settle, a word about a cool new discount club.

Have you heard of Groupon? I first became aware of this organization about 5 months ago, when a reader from New York mentioned it. As it was very focused on only a few cities, I passed on reporting it at the time. But now, it’s expanded to over 30 cities, so it’s time to let all my readers in on it.

Groupon, and other organizations like it, put people together to harness the power of volume buying. It’s a deal-a-day thing, city specific, where, if they get a certain number of people to sign up for it, everyone gets the deal. (If not enough people buy, the deal is cancelled and you get a refund. But this seems to be a rare occurrence.) The deals are for spa treatments, bars and restaurants, amusements and the like. It’s a great way for businesses to build their customer bases, and for consumers to get awesome deals, sometimes up to 82 per cent off retail! Plus, they’re brilliant at growing their own customer base, urging readers to sign up their friends so they can create a big enough demand for each offer, and offering referral bonuses in Groupon cash for each member registered.

Groupon now serves 35 metro areas, and they’re actively growing, so if you live in or near any major city, it’s worth a look. www.groupon.com.

For more ways to save on lots of great stuff, click here.

Living the 20-Per-Cent-Off Life

Robin — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:24:26 +0000

Hey, this is even more than 20%!

You can thank (if you’re a consumer; blame if you’re a retailer) Bed Bath & Beyond and Linens ‘n Things (RIP) for the fabulous trend of stores selling everything they own for a 20% or more discount off the suggested retail prices. They’ve started something that has cut stores’ profit margins and added value to almost every consumer shopping trip forever!

(Kudos too, while we’re at it, to Macys, which many years ago started the pre-Christmas sale, and the constant one-day sales, effectively training their customers to never, ever pay full retail.)

I was personally thrilled to find that BB&B had started carrying drugstore items, too. (See my post Drugstore Junkie for more on this.) Hey, 20% off generally beats the best discounts at the pharmacy chains, and saves a trip. And now, going into the Holiday Shopping season, lots of other stores have jumped on the bandwagon. Just this week, not even Halloween yet, my local paper carried 20 % or greater discounts from Old Navy, Michaels crafts, and a local decorator. If this year is anything like last, you should soon be seeing more and better discounts, right off the top of any purchase, from such varied retailers as Toys R Us, Sports Authority, Party City, Best Buy, Macys, Walmart (They stole my quote: Save Money. Live Better), Ulta Beauty, GNC, Vitamin World, Firestone Tires, Sears and others. Many of these will accept multiple, expired and competitors’ coupons, too.

While getting my fingers all inky on the Sunday paper is my favorite way of finding coupons, you can now go online to do the same. These are some of the better sites for coupons and coupon codes:

www.Big Crumbs.com This one also gives you cash back at many retailers!

www.thegrocerygame.com

Wanna be a savvy couponer? Check out The Couponizer, for a new way to organize your coupons and maximize your savings.

Getting into the holiday spirit, we’ll be looking at the best and cheapest ways to party, shop, decorate and save on all. Starting with, of course, Halloween — click here for lots of great ideas for cheap or free costumes.