Jan

6

To a Happy, Healthy and Frugalicious 2010!

Filed Under Building Wealth | Comments Off

While we’re sort of closed for renovation, I wanted to repost last year’s New Year message, and let you know we’re working hard to make YOUR 2010 the most bargain-filled ever.  Be back soon!

best year everHappy New Year, dear readers, and I hope you like the new word I am using. Frugalicious is the term for living the lifestyle of the rich and famous on an ordinary person’s budget, and we’re going for it big time in 2009. 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.

Dec

15

Sharing the Holiday Spirit — Gifts that Give Back (to YOU!)

Filed Under Dining Out, Discount Programs, Saving Money, Shopping | 4 Comments

Sharing Holiday GiftsWhen I was younger and worked every Holiday season at an expensive New York gift store, I coined the phrase  ”the one for you and one for me” theory of gift-giving;  that is, if you buy for yourself when buying for others, you won’t be quite as upset when the bills come in in January.  If you played your (gift) cards right, there will be something there for you to enjoy as well.  This year, with so many stores and restaurants giving bonuses up to 50% on their cards, it’s easier than ever.

So, in honor of the 10 shopping days till Xmas, we offer 10 Great Holiday Gifts that give back for 2009:

1)Get a $5 gift card from Amazon when you purchase a magazine subscription as a gift.

2) L.L.Bean: Spend $25 or more in-store or online and receive a free $10 gift card. Deal ends December 24.

3)Marriott: Receive a 10% bonus with the purchase of any $50 or greater gift card. Plus, Marriott Rewards Members and Marriott Visa card holders can receive 10 points for every dollar spent when you enter your Marriott Rewards number on your gift card purchase or pay for your gift card with your Marriott Visa. Deal ends December 31.

4) Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: Receive a free $20 gift card with the purchase of every $100 gift card. This applies to all OSI Restaurant Partners including Outback Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill, Carrabba’s, and Roy’s. Deal ends December 31.

5) Morton’s Steakhouse: Receive a free $50 gift card when you purchase a gift card of $300 or more. Or get a free $100 gift card when you purchase a gift card valued at $500 or more. Offer expires December 31.

6) Ruth Chris’ Steakhouse: For every gift card purchase of $250 or more, receive 10% back in bonus cards. Deal ends December 31.

7) Free $5 gift card with $25 gift card purchase at Boston Market.

8 ) CVS Pharmacy will give a $5 rebate for a $25 gift card purchase, with kickbacks up to $30 for larger denominations.

9) Buy a $100 gift card at the Container Store, get a $25 bonus card for yourself, up to five $25 e-cards.

10) Now is the perfect time to join Restaurant.com — and  Take 70% off Restaurant.com $25 Gift Cert. orders! Use code SNOW and Pay $3 thru 12/17/09. Get some for yourself too!

Coming up soon,  some great ways to give a gift that keeps on giving to others.

Meanwhile, for more ideas on discount shopping, click here. Happy Shopping!