I Love Post-Holiday Shopping

I always let myself splurge a little the week after Christmas. I think it goes back to when I was young. Whatever money I received for Christmas would be spent quickly on cheap merchandise before New Year's. So it feels like tradition to me!

Yesterday I was at Walgreen's and all of their holiday merchandise was 75% off. There are things you can find in holiday packages that really can be used anytime. For instance, I found a Starbucks gift set for $3.75 (marked down from $14.99). It included a mug, a bag of coffee, two tea bags, some chocolates and best of all, a voucher for a free tall Starbucks drink (about a $3.00 value).

I let my daughter pick out one of those huge holiday tins of popcorn and it was less than $2.00. Kids do not care if it is after Christmas - fun things are fun anytime. I often pick up the gingerbread kits after Christmas (for 75% off) and let her build those.

At World Market I found premium brand dark chocolates for 75% off, and Reindeer label wine on sale, too. Who cares that it's wrapped in holiday labels? I'm on it.

And it goes without saying that this is the best time of year to buy wrap, bows, labels and cards.

Today I'm going to CVS to transfer a prescription and get a free $25 gift card. I'm hoping their holiday merchandise is also marked down so I can have some fun with my gift card. [END OF POST] Click Here to Read More..

Are You Using Your CVS Card to the Max?

Do you have a CVS drugstore card? And if so, have you heard how savvy shoppers are working this CVS card in a way that brings them outstanding deals? I have recently heard about this, but have not yet tried it. I found a great explanation of how to do it on this website. It involves buying specific products each week that will earn you Extra Care Bucks (ECB's). You then return to CVS to redeem your ECB's on anything you want. To find out which product purchases will earn you free ECB's each week, check their weekly online circular. I have GOT to try this! [END OF POST] Click Here to Read More..

I'm Going to Disney World Free For A Day

I have a Disney Rewards Visa card. I earn Disney Dream Dollars instead of earning airlines miles or similar rewards. I have never redeemed the Dream Dollars and didn't know how many I had. I called Disney yesterday and found out I have $220, enough for my family to get into the Magic Kingdom for free! When we drive down to Disney World, we stay off-site in the $50 cheap hotels and try to eat cheap food before or after hitting the park. We only stay a day or two. Our Disney vacation will cost about $300 for gas, hotel and food this time. Most families I know spend about $5000 when they go. [END OF POST] Click Here to Read More..

JcPenney Coupons for 12/26 Only

If you like the craziness of the Day After Christmas sales, you can print coupons on the JCPenney website and use them tomorrow morning. The promotion is called JCPenney Doorbusters. [END OF POST] Click Here to Read More..

Job Loss - Books to Lift Your Spirits

I lost my job twice during 2008. The first one I totally saw coming and it was difficult to deal with. When I landed the second job, all was perfect in my world. I thought 'everything happens for a reason'. I was making more money, working in a less stressful job with nicer coworkers/boss, doing work I loved. I was totally and completely blind-sided when I was told (via email on a Sunday night) not to come back Monday because they couldn't afford me. It was one of the most painful events of my entire life.

Thank goodness I found these 2 books that totally changed my outlook. I highly recommend you read them, and maybe write some of the key points in a personal journal. I did this and I review those points whenever I start to feel low.

The Books Are:

*It's Not Over Until You Win by Les Brown

*The Joys of Much Too Much by Bonnie Fuller (geared more toward women)

The most valuable points I took away from these books are these:

*Bad things can happen to you, even a few times in a row, but it doesn't mean you are a bad person or are bad at what you do. Sometimes it's random.
*Don't ever doubt your abilities.
*Be unstoppable. Keep reaching back up until you get to where you want to be. It will happen.
*Don't sulk when you have lost a job. Fight back! For me personally, this means bettering my skills and getting a higher salary next time.

If you know of another great motivational book, please leave a comment. Click Here to Read More..

The Way I Spent Money This Weekend

Just to give you an idea of how I operate with little money, here's my pattern for spending money this weekend:

Friday Night - I went on a mystery shopping dinner at an upscale casual restaurant. My husband had a rib-eye, I had a French Dip. We each had two cocktails, an appetizer and a dessert to share. The tab would have been $120 but for me it was free since it was a mystery shop. I spent $2 on a tip for the valet.

Saturday Night - I ate at Wolfgang Puck Express in Atlanta. My family of 3 had pizza, pasta, drinks, dessert. It was wonderful food. I paid $10 for everything because the tab was $35 and I used a gift certificate from Restaurant.com. I bought the $25 gift certificate for around $5 so in actuality, it was $15 for 3 of us to dine in this amazing restaurant.

Sunday Afternoon - I had a craving for a latte but didn't want to spend the money. I went to Panera Bread and redeemed a card for a free beverage. The way the cards work is you buy 8 coffee drinks, collect 8 stamps then get a free drink. The best way to work this deal is to buy 8 regular cups of cheap coffee (around $1.50 each) but when you redeem your card, choose an expensive drink, like a latte or cappuccino (around $4.00). One Panera location told me they are discontinuing the program but others told me they are not.

Sunday Night - Another mystery shop. I will be dining at one of the finest steakhouses in Atlanta - for free. The value is $150. It will require an hour or two of my time tonight to fill out the online evaluation after dinner.

I tell you all of this not to boast but to tell you that you can do it, too! If you put your mind to it, and a little research and effort, you can have the lifestyle you want with little money. Am I unemployed right now? Yes I am. Do I feel poor? No I do not! Click Here to Read More..

Honey Baked Ham Can Be Cheap

As a child, I grew up eating Honey Baked Ham at Christmas every year. The real kind from the official Honey Baked Ham store, with the crunchy, sugary crust. Christmas Eve equaled ham and Christmas morning, ham sandwiches. As an adult I have always assumed it was too expensive, especially for my small family of 3. Well, today I discovered I was wrong! I just discovered you can buy one pound of ham for $9.99. It's sliced into about 10 pieces. If you are trying to make a nice dinner for a small family, it's perfect. I'm making hash brown casserole and a vegetable with it. The total for the dinner will be right around $20. Not bad for a classy but cheap Christmas dinner! By the way, the ham can be stored in the fridge for 7-10 days so it's not too early to buy. [END OF POST] Click Here to Read More..

Top 10 Easy Cheap Dinners

Times are tight for most families and getting dinner on the table can be so costly. I have a small family of 3 and have found some terrific cheap dinners that are easy to make. I'm not claiming they are healthy, but they are tasty. Even when my family was not seeking cheap meals, I would serve one of these once a week to save money.

Guide to Cheap, Easy Meals

Bertolli Classic Skillet Dinner - You can find these in bags in the freezer section. It costs about $6 for the bag. You pour the bag in a skillet and heat it. My family loves Chicken Parmigiana with Penne. The bag feeds 2 adults but my family of three shares a bag plus a loaf of garlic bread. Find coupons on the Bertolli website.


Stouffer's Macaroni and Cheese - Buy the Family Size box in the freezer section for about $6. Sometimes I grab a bunch of fresh broccoli to boil and serve with this. My family is in the habit of sprinkling lemon pepper seasoning on the whole meal and it's great.

Trader Joe's Gnocchi with Pesto Sauce - Trader Joe's has more than one kind of gnocchi but I buy the potato gnocchi, vacuum packed and found on a shelf (not refrigerated or frozen). Nearby you can find a jar of their green pesto sauce which is so delicious. A fabulous dinner and it only takes 5 minutes to prepare.

Baked Noodles with Melted Cheese - This is my own creation. I just buy a box of noodles, such as penne. After boiling and draining, I put them on a plate, top with shredded mozzarella and Italian seasoning and broil for just a couple of minutes until the cheese melts. Great comfort food and it's cheap and easy. Add garlic bread if you wish.

Pierogies - You can find pierogies in the freezer section. They come in different flavors, commonly potato and cheese or potato and onion. Mrs. T's is a brand I buy. Just boil the pierogies and serve. Use sour cream as a dip. Young children will enjoy these, too.

Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup - This is the only meal my spouse will cook but I love it none-the-less. All you need is bread, butter, cheese and soup.

Jose Ole Tacos with Mexican Rice - I buy the mini tacos or taquitos from the freezer section and bake them. Grocery stores will often have sales where you can save if you buy 2 boxes at once. I serve them with sour cream or guacamole dip and a can of Mexican rice. I've taken these to parties (without the rice) and received numerous compliments!


Stouffer's French Bread Pizza - You can find these on sale for 2 boxes for $5, which gives you 4 pizzas. I've also seen a huge case of them at stores like Walmart. Bake a pizza for each family member and throw together a tossed salad.

Trader Joe's French Onion Soup - Find this in the freezer section. It comes with two frozen cylinders of soup. You put the soup in your own crocks and bake them. This soup is yummy and hearty. Serve with a loaf of fresh bread for even more satisfaction.

Frozen Stir Fry - I've tried the Kroger brand and my family loved it...but there are other brands in your grocer's freezer. There are different kinds and different recipes. They cost about $6 a bag. I'll have to figure out which is the best! And if you already know, please leave a comment for me. Click Here to Read More..

Restaurant.com Gift Certificates for 80% Off!

Restaurant.com is a great way to try new restaurants and save money. You will normally find $25 restaurant gift certificates on their website for $10. Right now they are 80% off provided you enter coupon code GIVE at check-out. This offer is valid through Christmas Day. I have used Restaurant.com on many occasions and they are great for a classy but cheap meal. Just make sure to read the small print on each offer. It normally states you have to spend at least $35 at the restaurant in order to use the $25 certificate. Or sometimes you are restricted to certain dates, time, or party sizes. Have fun! [END OF POST] Click Here to Read More..

Cheap Necklaces and Cheap Watches at Bijoux Terner

If you like costume jewelry and fun accessories, you'll love the Bijoux Terner store, where each item is just $10. Some of their great merchandise includes watches, necklaces, purses and pashimas. You can't order from their website so you have to visit their physical store. I've been to one in the Atlanta airport and one in Treasure Island hotel in Las Vegas. I have lots of different color necklaces and watches from their store. I've given the items as gifts, too. Bijoux Terner is just too much fun. If you need some cheap jewelry or some classy but cheap gifts, you have to check it out. [END OF POST] Click Here to Read More..

Jump on Holiday Gift Certificate Deals

I have been seeing a plethora of deals on holiday gift cards this year. If you see one of these deals for a business you like to frequent yourself, consider buying the gift cards and keeping them! There is no rule that says you have to give gift cards away.

Some deals I've seen in my city today:

*Ruby Tuesday: Buy a $25 gift card, get a $5 bonus certificate. (works out to 20% free)
*Red Robin: Buy a $25 gift card, get a $5 bonus certificate.
(works out to 20% free)
*TGI Fridays: Buy a $25 gift card, get a $5 bonus bites card. (works out to 20% free)
*Outback Steakhouse: Buy $100 in gift cards, get $20 free. (works out to 20% free)
*Great Clips: Buy a gift card, get a free haircut today.

Again, this is a great deal for you if you:

*Were already going to spend money at that business in 2009 anyway.
*Don't have to charge the purchase on a credit card and pay interest on it.

It's a great way to make your meals and services a little cheaper. [END OF POST] Click Here to Read More..

Job Loss - Holding on through Rough Times - Part 2

Sometimes you kind of know a job loss is coming...you can feel it in the air. Budgets are being scaled back. Common perks like free lunches or bonuses are eliminated. Managers are more stressed than usual. You might know your job is on the line and tell yourself you'd better find something else.

Other times, losing your job may be a total surprise, like a sneaky plot twist during a Survivor tribal council. You find out others knew about it before you did. You find out you were the person pinpointed to leave next. I've been laid off individually, and also with big groups of employees. No matter how it happens, it hurts.

For most of us work is more than a paycheck, it's our daily social life...our only venture out of the house each day. So we connect with our work, our office, our coworkers...and when all of its eliminated at once, plus the paycheck, it is a shock to the system. The weirdest feeling is the first day you aren't going to work anymore. You have this big open space in your schedule, and everyone you know is at work, and it feels horrible.

You need to immediately tell yourself you are not going to think about your old job. Rehashing what happened, stewing about it, wondering what could have been, is all a waste of your time. It's over so it's time to move on. The best way I've dealt with this situation is to immediately make a to-do list. Not just tasks but more like personal enrichment. Think of everything you always wanted to do but never had time. For me, reading certain books was top-of-mind. You might think of a home improvement project, a scrap-booking project, a class you have been meaning to take. The past couple of times I found myself unemployed I made a huge list. Here's how one of mine started out:

*Read about web analytics.
*Work out 3 times a week.
*Start a blog.
*Sort my sock drawer (very exciting I know).
*Be a better mom - spend more time with my child.
*Get my mystery shopping certification.
*Put family photos in albums.
*Cook some new recipes.
*Take a trip to visit my parents.

When I start this kind of list, I can go on and on...and find there are an endless amount of things I would like to accomplish when I'm not at work. I start on these tasks right away, and the more mentally engaging, the better, because it keeps my mind off what just happened with my job. Life is short and when you're working full-time there's no time to do anything so do it all now!

The pain of losing your job really does start to go away as you become involved in other activities, let go of the past and give it a few weeks time. The best thing you can do is look at this life stage as a brand new opportunity and be excited and curious about what life is going to serve up next. Click Here to Read More..

Free Shipping at Coca Cola Store Online

The Coca Cola Online Store has a lot of fun products. There's a special page with Coca Cola sale items. In particular, there's a great selection of ladies' t-shirts for $6.99 each. For free shipping on any purchase over $25, enter code: COKESHIP25 at checkout on the Coca Cola website. I found out about this deal when I visited the World of Coke today. You must order by December 18th to ensure delivery of your holiday gifts by Christmas. [END OF POST] Click Here to Read More..

Job Loss - Holding on through Rough Times - Part I

I am in my late 30's and have already gone through 6 layoffs. I could write an entire book on how job loss affects a person, but instead I will just blog about it.

I graduated college and began work in Detroit, right before the dot com bubble burst. The first 7 or 8 years of my career were great but after that Detroit's auto industry, combined with my selected field of video production/internet production, started going through some turbulent times.

As the Big 3 automakers started cutting back, so did all of their suppliers. I worked in a field where I created corporate videos and websites for these companies through ad agencies. The first agency cut me when business slowed down. It was my first career blow and it stung. The next 3 agencies went out of business and laid off their entire staffs. I lost 3 more jobs over the course of 3 years.

After a few years of trying to get back on my feet and waiting for Detroit's economy to turn, I made a bold move. I decided to move to Atlanta, a booming technology hub. I was immediately rewarded for my bravery and landed a great internet job. After 2 years, the company was acquired and I was let go. I next landed a contract position with another internet company. After 3 months I was told I was making twice as much as the younger workers in my group and they couldn't afford to keep me. That was last month and I am currently unemployed.

I am a top-performing employee and a well-liked individual. I could give you 100 references. So why is it that I have now lost my last 6 jobs over the course of the past 11 years? Bad luck, bad timing, bad economy. But if there's one thing I've learned, it's how to dust myself off and get out there and find my next opportunity. It's easier said than done but I plan to share my ideas, thoughts and tips with you over the next week or so. Click Here to Read More..

Save on Perfume and Cologne

Fragrance.com is offering $10 off a $60 purchase provided you enter your email address on the website. I do not consider these to be cheap perfumes, but if you need your favorite classy name brand fragrance, you may not be likely to find it on sale anywhere. So if you want to avoid the crowded mall, take advantage of this holiday special. [END OF POST] Click Here to Read More..

Job Loss - Holding on through Rough Times

I've decided to write a series of posts on job loss for the following reasons:

I've lost two jobs in 2008.

Millions of Americans have lost jobs this year.

Losing your job is one of the worst feelings in the world.

Being out of work affects not just your financial bottom line, it affects all aspects of your life.

I want to bring hope and camaraderie to others who are in the same boat as me.

Please check back daily as I will begin sharing my personal stories about losing my job, and provide ideas that can help you during rough times. And please get involved in our online community by sharing comments. [END OF POST] Click Here to Read More..

How to Buy Designer Handbags for a Steal!

If you haven't shopped TJ Maxx for designer purses, you should. You can get great designer labels for sensational prices. I buy all of my purses at TJ Maxx. Today I found a Tommy Hilfiger purse that was originally $69 for $28. Also, did you know if you see a defect on a product, you can ask for a discount? I heard another shopper do this one time at TJ Maxx so I tried it today. The purse had a small ink stain on it (most of their products are not damaged or irregular). I asked the cashier for a discount and she took $2 off. $26 is cheap for my awesome new Hilfiger bag! [END OF POST] Click Here to Read More..

Air Jamaica Massive Sale

Ready for a tropical getaway this winter? Air Jamaica is having a massive sale! Buy cheap flights on Air Jamaica's website. The fares listed are valid on travel between the USA and the Caribbean from January 09, 2009 to March 31, 2009. You only have 3 more days to book flights. The sale ends December 11th. [END OF POST] Click Here to Read More..

Burger Giant Causes Controversy

Should poor people in other countries be used as guinea pigs in a Burger King taste test promotion? That is the question millions of Americans are asking today. Burger King's latest marketing campaign, Whopper Virgin, takes hamburgers to remote areas of the world, asking poverty-stricken foreigners which burger is best: the Big Mac or the Whopper. Is this a cheap ploy for publicity or a solid advertising pitch? Watch more Flame-Broiled Controversy on FoxNews.com. [END OF POST] Click Here to Read More..

Worth the Splurge: Gardener's Hand Therapy

This hand lotion is amazing - and I'm not being paid to endorse it! It really moisturizes your hands when they are dry from the cold weather. The product is named "Gardener's" hand therapy but it's not just for gardeners. The scent is a spicy mix of green clover, lavender, sage, rosemary and thyme.

This is one of the few things I will splurge on once a year. It's $21 for the bottle shown but sometimes you can grab it on sale. It's made by Crabtree & Evelyn. [END OF POST] Click Here to Read More..

How Much Holiday Spending Is Enough?

My husband and I got into a long discussion about how many holiday gifts we gave his family. We exchanged Christmas gifts with his family at Thankgiving since we won't see them at Christmas. I am unemployed right now so money is tight. I bought each of his family members about $30 of goods, although I picked them up on sale....mostly at Pier One Imports.

So let's say I bought his Aunt $30 worth of products but they were half-off so I spent $15 on her. I feel good about it because it's $30 worth of very nice stuff and nicely packaged in Pier One boxes. My husband looked at everything and said, "I feel like we should be giving everybody more." This must be an issue for everyone...when do you stop shopping? How much holiday spending is enough? I don't want to look cheap or uncaring but wouldn't family members be more excited about us coming into town to visit them and not worried about how much money we spent on them? I would never want my friends or family to spend more on my gift than what was comfortable for them. [END OF POST] Click Here to Read More..

Great Deal on Kids' Clothes at Gymboree

Visit Gymboree.com for 25% off everything AND free shipping. Gymboree has the cutest kids' clothes but they are usually not cheap. The combination of the 25% off plus free shipping makes for an unbeatable Gymboree sale. The offer is for a limited time only and doesn't specify an end date. [END OF POST] Click Here to Read More..

10 Traits You Need to Be a Mystery Shopper

If you're thinking about becoming a mystery shopper, otherwise known as a secret shopper, take an honest assessment of your skills and abilities. For some, mystery shopping is an easy and rewarding endeavor. Others struggle to meet deadlines and write reports, leading them to fail as mystery shoppers. Do you have what it takes?

The 10 Traits

1. Are you reliable? - Can you commit to a time and date to perform a mystery shopping assignment and agree not to cancel it no matter what is going on in your life? Most mystery shopping companies are not lenient and some allow you to reschedule assignments no more than twice a year. Are you willing to go out no matter what the weather? No matter what your mood? No matter what your health? No matter how crazy your day winds up being?
   
2. Are you a strong writer? - Did you do well with writing in school? Does writing come naturally to you? Do you know proper punctuation and spelling? If you struggle in these areas, you will spend too much time working on shop reports and likely have numerous errors.
   
3. Are you detail-oriented? - A mystery shopper must observe dozens of details during a visit. This is a skill that can be developed with practice but I wouldn't recommend mystery shopping to someone who is extremely forgetful.
   
4. Are you organized? - You must keep track of exact dates, times and locations for your visit. You will often print maps and make reservations ahead of time. You will take notes during your shop and use them to fill out your mystery shop report. The company will ask you to submit receipts and to save them. You have to be on top of things!
   
5. Are you objective? - Can you stay level-headed in the face of bad service? Can you fairly assess an employee, despite their appearance, age, race, gender? If an employee treats you badly, can you write about it in a calm way without ranting? Mystery shopping companies and their clients want reports they can read back to their employees, therefore, you cannot write in an insulting manner, no matter what the circumstances.
   
6. Are you plugged into technology? - Do you have a good internet connection? The best shoppers check email several times a day. They have a digital camera and are able to upload receipts to their computer. The days of using fax machines and snail mail are quickly fading in this industry.
   
7. Do you strive for perfection? - As a mystery shopper, you are essentially running your own business. You are an independent contractor. To build a reputation for yourself, you have to be willing to see each job through to 100% completion. I have often been contacted after my shop and asked to rewrite a paragraph or re-size a photo. While this can be frustrating, you must be willing to give the company exactly what they need, even if it takes up extra time.
   
8. Do you have high integrity? - Honesty is key in this line of work. Some mystery shoppers cave to temptations. For example, a mystery shop company might send you a gift card to spend in a store while on assignment. Shoppers with low standards might keep the gift card without performing the shop. This kind of behavior will get you banned from the industry. Mystery shopping companies also require that you keep a lot of information in confidence.
   
9. Can you blend in? - If you want to do a variety of mystery shop assignments, you need to have a variety of looks. You may be asked to wear formal wear to an elegant restaurant, to wear business wear to a hotel, or sometimes to even have two different looks for a fast food restaurant (one for inside and one for the drive thru). You have to be comfortable dressing the part.
   
10. Do you have enough time? If you have a demanding, full-time job, mystery shopping may not be for you. When you get home from a mystery shop, you will spend anywhere from 30 minutes to 3 hours filling out your shop report online. Personally, mystery shopping has worked out best for me during times I was unemployed or staying home with my child. When I am employed full-time, I will pick up a Saturday night shop for dinner, but that's about all I can fit in.

If you think you have these 10 traits you may want to become a mystery shopper. You can earn freebies and make money mystery shopping. Click Here to Read More..

Are You An Overnight Delivery Money Waster?

If you procrastinate holiday shopping for so long that you end up paying for overnight delivery, you don't need me to tell you that you are wasting money. I thought about this tonight when I ordered some prints from Kodak Gallery. The website indicated I could pick the prints up at my local store in a few days for a delivery charge of $2.49 or I could get them overnight for $57.00. I'm sorry but $57 for the delivery of photos? Somebody must be paying for this service or it would not be offered.

The best way to avoid paying for overnight delivery is to start early and be prepared. Since time sneaks up on all of us, I always start gathering gifts and boxes much earlier than December. My spouse always thinks I am crazy when I have boxes, gifts and wrap sitting out in early November, but without fail, by the time we piece everything together, we are lucky to get the gifts delivered by Christmas. Click Here to Read More..

Old Navy Jeans for $12 This Saturday

Old Navy jeans are going to be only $12 this Saturday. It's a one day sale at their brick and mortar stores...not sure if you can get the deal online. This is just another fantastic value from Old Navy. [END OF POST] Click Here to Read More..

You Can Buy Cheap Christmas Cards at the Dollar Store

Most dollar stores have a selection of cheap holiday cards. I bought three boxes at Dollar Tree. They were $1 per box and have 16 cards per box. I have to admit, the paper feels really thin, so they are not top quality, but they will do. Every year I make a collage of family photos on an 8x10 sheet of paper and make color copies at Kinkos. I include the collage with each card. I believe the recipients of my Christmas Cards enjoy the collage more than the card it comes in so I buy cheap cards and spend a little more on the Kinkos copies. If you had a scanner and color printer at home, you could make the copies yourself.

Even though I'm classy but cheap, I will end up spending quite a bit on my Christmas cards by the time you factor in the cards, holiday labels, collages or photos and postage. I guess since it's the only contact I have with many of my faraway friends for the year, I want it to be special.

Is there something you always buy at the dollar store? I'd love for you to share your tips with my blog community by leaving a comment. [END OF POST] Click Here to Read More..

Willing to Kill for a Good Deal - Tragic Death at Walmart

On Black Friday, the day after Thanksgiving, crowds lined up at the Walmart in Valley Stream, New York, for some holiday shopping. As the doors opened at 5 a.m., the crowds stampeded, plowing right over a 34-year-old male Walmart employee, thereby killing him. What I want to know is, how many people trampled over this man after he fell? How could Americans be so cold as to walk right over a man in order to go shopping? Why didn't anybody help this man get up? Our society has so much of a 'fend for yourself' mentality. I'm guilty of it, too. I've seen people stranded on the side of the road and thought 'They probably have a cell phone' rather than stopping to offer help. I can't imagine I'd push someone down or walk on top of them in order to get cheap merchandise at Walmart, though. [END OF POST] Click Here to Read More..

Free Prescription Drugs at Publix

In the back of my mind I remember hearing about Publix free prescription drug program but I had never taken advantage of it. Launched in 2007, the program allows anyone to get the following oral antibiotics at any Publix Pharmacy:

amoxicillin

cephalexin

sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (SMZ-TMP)

ciprofloxacin (excluding ciprofloxacin XR)

penicillin VK

ampicillin

erythromycin (excluding Ery-Tab).

I always thought there must be some catch, or some hassle involved in getting a free medication at Publix grocery. I was wrong. I dropped off a prescription yesterday. I was a new customer. I had to fill out a quick name/address form and that was it. It took 15 minutes to have it filled and it was absolutely free.

Never be afraid to ask your physician for free or cheap prescriptions. Even with health insurance, my generic drugs cost $15 and name brand are $30. At times when I didn't have prescription coverage I asked my doctor for samples. The doctors keep a hefty supply of medication samples that they receive from pharmaceutical sales representatives. My doctor would give me a couple boxes of samples in lieu of a prescription. If your doctor is not sympathetic to your money crunch, consider switching doctors.

Also, look for offers from drug stores to transfer prescriptions and get free gift cards. I wrote more about that inthis other post. Click Here to Read More..

25% Off at Bath and Body Works Web Site Thru Dec 2nd

Enter the coupon code 25PERCENT at checkout when you shop Bath and Body Works Online today and tomorrow. Get your classy but cheap holiday gifts now. By the way, do you know the Bath and Body Works return policy? You can take any unopened product to their store, without a receipt, and exchange it for another product. I did not know this for years, and donated so many scents people gave me that I just didn't like. Last year I heard about this and took some lotion back to the store and sure enough I was able to choose my favorite scents - no receipts, no questions asked. What a great policy! So enjoy this Black Monday sale without fear of giving someone a product they do not like. Shopping is so much fun! [END OF POST] Click Here to Read More..

Does It Pain You to Watch Other People Waste Money?

One thing that always kills me during tight times, is watching people waste money on unnecessary things. If you have ever been out of work or struggling financially, you know that guilty, sick feeling you have when you buy anything. Then you see other people you know, friends and family members, spending money like they can print more at home.

A recent example for me personally happened this holiday season. We just exchanged gifts with one side of the family this past weekend since we won't see them this Christmas. My husband and I have just gone through a year loaded with financial stress. He lost a job, I lost 2 jobs and we had to evict someone who rented our house and didn't pay. What we really need right now are very practical things...a couch is our biggest desire. We don't have a couch because we donated our 10-year old couch when we moved to a new state (before we knew all the struggles 2008 would hold for us). But we also need socks, jeans, jackets, many every day items.

Recently, some relatives asked if my husband would like a GPS for his car for Christmas. Those things aren't cheap. He said he didn't need or want one but they bought it anyway. And they opened it too so it was non-returnable. They also gave our elementary school child one of the best MP3 players you can find, with a lot of accessories. All of this is frivolous spending. It would be one thing if we were rich but we are definitely not and neither is our family. Due to our circumstances this year, we could barely afford the gas to go see them this past weekend (11 hour drive each way) so why the impractical gifts? What we wouldn't give to return those things and put $250 in our daughter's college account.

I don't mean to sound ungrateful but I am trying to understand how people handle money. I feel grateful to have generous relatives, I just feel like they don't have our best interests in mind. Maybe it makes them feel good to give expensive gifts rather than practical gifts?

It reminds me of when I was a student struggling with college tuition. I was working and taking out student loans to put myself through school. At Christmas, my step-mom would give me classy, expensive items like a ski jacket (I don't ski), a designer luggage set (I couldn't afford to travel) and fine pearls (I didn't have anywhere to wear them). All while I ate Ramen Noodles and lay awake every night wondering how I would finish college when I had no money.

Have these kinds of things happened to anyone else? Please share your story by leaving a comment. Click Here to Read More..