Coupon Tuesday!!

Another fabulous roundup of deals coming your way. Stay tuned for more helpful shopping hints this week! Also, if there is a coupon or deal for a particular store or website you would like, please let me know. I will personally hunt one down for you. Happy shopping! : )

Gap and Gap.com – Save 25% on news styles and FREE shipping on orders of $100 or more (enter GAPSAVE at checkout online or visit your local Gap store) – thru 9/29 only

http://www.gap.com/browse/home.do?cid=5058&tid=gpemgolm25&EV=9282010_N_GWM&DI=55033769&CD=GNC_GPR

FREE Bare Escentuals Buxom Lash Mascara sample at Sephora inside JC Penney. No catch, just print the coupon to redeem! While supplies last thru 10/22/10

http://f.chtah.com/i/2/95827765/092210_SIJCP_ePDF_FINAL_4.jpg

The Limited – Take $15 off every $50 you spend thru 10/10 online or in store with this coupon

http://f.chtah.com/i/5/1385098083/20100901_wcoupon.html

Michaels Stores (printable) – Save 40% on one regularly priced item now thru 10/2

http://www.mommysavesbig.com/printable-coupons/40-michaels.html

Borders.com – Take 33% off full list price of any one item (valid for Borders Rewards members only, BUT membership is free) – enter code BXV8393P at checkout

http://www.borders.com/online/store/Home

**as a side note, you get tons of other great coupons and offers sent to you via e-mail when you sign up for Borders Rewards and NOT just for Borders! Other great stores too like Best Buy, Sephora, JC Penney, etc.

Carters or Carters.com – Save 25% off your entire purchase thru tomorrow 9/29 (enter FRIENDS at checkout OR print the coupon on the website for in store purchases)

http://www.carters.com/carters

Coldwatercreek.com – Save 40% off your purchase thru 10/3 or 25% off plus free shipping. Enter WHH7449 for the 40% or AFLA726 for the 25% plus free shipping

http://www.coldwatercreek.com/default.aspx?fj=true&email=&oc=&flood=&bar=

Coupon Tuesday!!

It’s coupon Tuesday again! Woo hoo! Here are some of my favorites for this week. Happy shopping!

Dermstore.com – Save 10% off your entire order, plus free shipping!

http://www.dermstore.com/ and enter DSCANDY at checkout

Bath and Body Works – FREE Signature Collection Body Care item with any $10 purchase in store – expires 9/26

http://ebm.cheetahmail.com/r/regf2?aid=528207786&a=0&n=33&cm_mmc=CH-_-20100830RDMSC30-_-10015102-_-mainPrintCoupon&cm_lm

Urban Outfitters – Save 10% off your entire online purchase through 9/30/10 –

http://www.urbanoutfitters.com/urban/index.jsp and enter HAPPYFALL at checkout

Lands End – Save 20% off outerwear and FREE shipping until 9/28/10 –

http://www.landsend.com/ and enter SEP28AFF with PIN 2647

Kohls.com – Save 30%  off everything when you use your Kohl’s card or save 15% off regular orders using ADOFF15 –

http://www.kohls.com/upgrade/webstore/home.jsp

JC Penny – Save $10 off $50 in Home through 9/23/10 or FREE shipping of any purchase over $49 using 4FALL49 or print coupon below –

http://f.jcpenneyem.com/i/50/221750778/WeddRegWebinar.html

Ralph Lauren Handbag Collection

Just in time for fall! Ralph Lauren has just introduced their new Lauren handbag line featuring timeless essentials to statement-making fashion. Including Acadian, Larchmont, Martingale, Lauren Check, Chatsworth, Gloucestershire, Modernaire, Brompton & Cumberland Collections. Check out the photo gallery of gorgeous pictures and pricing for these handbags that are sure to be a staple in your wardrobe!

Click on this link to view the collection:
Lauren Handbag Collection

The Lure of the CLEARANCE Sign

Clearly we have established that I am a shopper who is all about going for the bargains.  You’ll notice stores will typically lure you in with a sale sign outside the door. Maybe even put a table right up front with shirts priced at $20. But everywhere around it most everything is full price. But as you slowly meander around the store to the back, you spot them. The CLEARANCE signs. I know they’re back there before I even set foot in a store. But I usually don’t just beeline it for the back. I mean, I don’t want to seem cheap or anything. : ) I just casually saunter over while browsing the full price racks. Maybe even picking up a shirt or two to inspect it further. But my heart and interest lies pretty much within the racks of clothes with the bright red signs flashing 50-70% off. This is where I typically find my best deals. But it’s also when I become my pickiest. Like outlets, many items are off-season, have limited sizes or are super trendy. To the point where no one would wear it or it’s just plain ugly. This is also the time to double check for stains, broken zippers, missing buttons or clothes that are odd fitting (super long sleeves, too high collars, etc). But when I do find something that I deem a great find, I walk out of that store with my head held high. Proud of my accomplishment!

You could also get a discount on top of a discount. Stores like Aeropostale and New York and Company allow you to use your AAA or military discounts on top of their clearance prices. It can’t hurt to ask wherever you go! But keep this point in mind. Always second guess yourself. Most importantly, ask yourself, "Would I buy this if it wasn't on sale?" If the answer is no, move on. It's not a bargain if you won't wear it.

Shoes, shoes and more SHOES!

So clearly I take great pride in my shopping habits. And one of my biggest vices are SHOES. I could have 200 pairs and still not have enough. Actually, I’m pretty sure I have close to that many already…if you count my 20 pairs of flip-flops. Why shoes? Well, like jewelry, it’s the one of those things that no matter what size pants I get my butt into that month, my shoes will always fit. I can take a boring black and white outfit up a notch by adding my little red flats. In fact, since I’m such a budget shopping, the cheapest way for me to get a new outfit is to simply dig through my closet, pair up a shirt/skirt/pants that I don’t normally wear together, add a piece of statement jewelry and a cute pair of shoes. Sometimes I actually put together an outfit solely on the shoes alone (no pun intended). Ha. The only shoes I actually spend a decent amount of money on are the ones that I regularly wear to work or if I need a comfortable but stylish pair for doing a lot of walking or sightseeing. Like a basic pair of black heels for work and Hushpuppies, Aerosoles or Clarks for walking. So my rule of thumb; cut corners on trendy clothes but invest in everyday basics and SHOES!

On that note, here’s a little deal I would like to share with you all. From today, September 15^th through Sunday, September 19^th, Macy’s is having a major shoe sale. Save 25% when you purchase two pairs of shoes. Even on those that typically NEVER go on sale. Score! Happy shopping!

Coupon Tuesday!

Today is coupon Tuesday! Which means every Tuesday I will post links to coupons that you can use now or in the foreseeable future. Today’s featured coupons are from Old Navy, Gymboree, Express and a few from Glamour magazine including Armani Exchange, Bare Esscentuals, Origins and Talbots.

Don’t see a coupon you really want here? Let me know and I’ll do my best to dig one up for you. : )

Happy shopping!

Express - $50 off a $150 purchase or $25 off a $50 purchase

http://www.printablecouponfeed.com/express/25738

Old Navy – Save 30% off a single item (or 40% with your Old Navy or Gap credit card)

http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/info.do?cid=34939&tid=onembt0245

Gymboree – Save 20% everything in store or online, including sale items

http://links.mkt2170.com/servlet/MailView?ms=MzI0OTMzMwS2&r=MTUwODExMTY5NTIS1&j=MTk0NjgyMjU2S0&mt=1&rt=0

Various – Courtesy of Glamour Magazine

http://www.glamalert.com/1009/pages.cfm?section=1&promo=0

The Real Deal About Outlet Shopping

Obviously I am shopping fanatic. And you would think that a someone like myself would absolutely LOVE outlet shopping. It’s like the Mecca of good deals and steals…right? Errr, not so much. While there are many deals to be had at outlets, their “blowout and clearance” prices are not always what they appear. If you’re a frequent shopper to an outlet stores regular, full price store, you may notice that the prices are often comparable to a regular sale any other day of the week. It’s kind of a “bait and switch” really. And people really do believe they are getting a fantastic deal. And sometimes you really can!


The best thing you can do is research before you go. If you’re looking for something in particular, look online or in their regular store first before trekking off to the outlet. Keep in mind that you may not find what you’re looking for if you go in looking for something specific at an outlet. True outlet stores typically try to get rid of last years stock, out of season apparel and accessories or discontinued items. With that in mind, make sure you ask about their return policy before you plop down the plastic.

Also, many outlet stores also do not take coupons or discounts so many times a coupon at the full price store gives you a better deal than if you had purchased it at the outlet. With that being said, there are some who do honor those additional savings. It’s wise to check out the webpage or customer service office for the outlet mall to see if there are online coupons, specials or VIP coupon books that you can utilize to save even more money. Some even take AAA or AARP discounts on top of their discount prices! Happy shopping!

Make Your Money Work for You!

I am all about making my money go further. So if you’re an online shopper, sign up for free programs like EBATES, which gives you cash back on purchases (up to 25%) just for linking to your online destination through their website first. Pretty simple! And I never hit “purchase” before looking around online for a coupon or promo code. Sites like RetailMeNot can give you the latest and greatest codes out there, posted by other online bloggers and shoppers. You can also just Google "promo coupon code for Old Navy" (or whatever site you're shopping on) and it should pull up several links to get one.


Whether you shop online or prefer to hit up the stores, see if your bank has a debit or credit card that can earn you points for free things like airline miles or hotel stays. Many banks are now offering Visa or Mastercard debit cards that earn miles the same way interest charging credit cards do. Keep in mind, there is usually a small annual fee associated so weigh out the value.

Welcome!

Sooo, this is my first official blog and posting! Bear with me folks. I have a lot of information to share that so far only my friends and family have been privy to. But why keep a good thing to myself, right? In this day and age especially, all of us want to save some money. Anyone who knows me will agree that I like to have nice things but I don’t want to pay a lot for them. And you don’t have to. I am a self-proclaimed budget-shopaholic and I’m proud of it! I think it comes from my very frugal German mother who I affectionately used to refer to as “cheap” before I actually had to start paying for things on my own of course. I am a firm believer that the rich don’t get rich by throwing their money away. And hopefully this blog will help all of you realize that you don’t have to spend a lot to get a lot. It’s all about timing, coupons (yes, coupons) and a little bit of research. Which I will be doing the bulk of for you. I will post about shopping for clothing, accessories, beauty products/make-up, furniture, home goods, online shopping - you name it! So I hope you all enjoy this blog and feel free to hit me up with any questions you may have!