Recently, I decided to try Definity, a drugstore brand from Olay, which is supposed to fight discoloration, dullness, brown spots and wrinkles.   Off to CVS, where their loyalty programs gives me in-store cash to use on anything for a limited time. TIP: Check expiration dates on all coupons and cards so you get the full value of them when you need something.

Before heading to CVS, armed with a $5.00 coupon for Definity from the Sunday paper, and $12 in CVS cash, I quickly check my email.  Voila!  Here’s an email from CVS with $5 off this weekend only!  So, I go to CVS to buy my Definity item, and a root touch-up hair color product.  Guess what?  Definity is on sale for $25,  Root Touch-Up for $5, using my $21 in credits, it costs me less than $10 for both items.

When I paid for my items, my receipt contained a coupon for another $5 off a $25 purchase.  Hopefully Definity will be back on sale before they expire.

Another tip:  Log onto CVS.com and sign up for their card, if you don’t have one already.  At Walgreen’s, it’s a different set-up, but you can get lots of discounts by using their online rebate system, with a 10 percent bonus if you take the rebate in the form of a Walgreen’s gift card.  Check out your local drugstore chains and see what they are offering.

For more on Cosmetics, click here.

But first, a confession:  I am so embarrassed — in the frenzy of the holidays I went to the supermarket and paid full price for everything!  I felt like I was cheating you guys by not living the lifestyle I am teaching you, but I guess the lesson there is that sometimes, time and sanity win out over bargains and thriftiness.  (Not always, not often, but sometimes!)

Anyway, sorry for being off track, and watch in the next few days for my special report on starting the new year with some great new money-saving habits.  

Wishing you all a happy, healthy, prosperous 2009.   See you  soon.

I looked at several discount travel agencies (I will list links to some of them next week), and got us set up with a hotel and some food.  Now, what I wanted was discount tickets for Sea World.  Checked on the SW site, a few others, Googled discounts and visited some other sites where I could find deals that I might be eligible to participate in — which I wasn’t.  So, lots of time invested for a really minimal ROI.   Honestly, I got to save a few bucks, but I’m not sure it was really worth the time.  Today’s tip — sometimes you have to measure money saved in relation to what you could have done with the time, and sometimes, it’s just not worth it.   Check back in a few days and I’ll give you some stuff that will be (worth it, that is).

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.

For a  long, long time, I knew that I had a talent for finding just what I wanted, at the price I wanted to pay — and it was always way less than you’d expect.  And it’s not just about the stuff!  I’ve eaten at the finest restaurants, traveled the world, done lots of fun things and made a few great investments to ensure a safe and abundant future.   Now, I’ll teach YOU how to do the same.  Rule #1 — make it fun.  

For a little more about me, please click here.  Check back often, as I will be sharing lots of tricks I’ve learned over many years of bargain shopping.  And please, write to me too — I’d like to know some of your tricks and triumphs, what was your Best Bargain EVER, and what info you’d like from me.  

Till next time, 

Robin