For the broke and not loving it, the week or two following the holidays can be the absolute best opportunity to plan ahead for next year's decorative and gift giving joy.
Don't be afraid to start early, REALLY early. Make up your list of recipients for next year's festivities, set yourself a budget and go shopping to get a lot more for your money! Act fast to get the best deals and enjoy the peace of mind of knowing that in Holiday Season 2013 you'll be sitting back with a warm cup of cocoa while everyone else fights the holiday rush.
Happy shopping!
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Monday, December 24, 2012
Giving gifts when your pockets are empty
The holiday season is a time of joy and giving, right? A time when every heart should feel a bit lighter, a bit warmer and a lot more happy. This is the time to put aside your daily cares and remember what is truly important in your life. It's a time for love.
Yet for many, this time of year is one filled with anxiety and pain. Whether you want to give to others because you have bought into the society's rules of give til you break or you want to give for the beautiful reason of sharing your love for a person in a tangible way, when you are struggling just to pay your basic household expenses, gift giving becomes a source of guilt and hurt.
Some advise you to put aside a little money all year long, and this is truly good advice. But if you are frequently doing a balancing act between keeping food on the table and a roof above your head, you know darn well that every penny needs to go towards those priorities and it's just not easy to keep anything aside for the future.
So what to do? Well I have a suggestion. It will sound cheesy, it will sound maybe almost childish. But I'd like you to mull it over carefully before you reject it out of hand. Because if done with loving thought towards the recipient, it may be just what they needed.
Ready for it? Here it is: Homemade Gift Coupons. That's right, like your grade school teachers had you make for Mommy and Daddy. But instead of coupons like "one free hug" or "clean my room", you'll give a coupon for what that person really needs to make their lives a bit easier. This is a practical gift that costs nothing but time and thoughtfulness.
Let me use my own life to demonstrate the value:
I work anywhere from 45-60 hours in any given week depending on demands (thankfully the 60 hours is on the rare side). In addition to my work, I commute an hour in each direction. It's early when I leave and late when I get home. I have a wonderful husband and two rapidly growing children- a teenage girl and an almost pre-teen boy. My daughter dances 3 days a week and my son requires significant hands-on help to ensure his school work is completed. My husband works full time. We only have one car, which is always with me. Basically, my life is a little piece of insanity.
The kids devour all the food in sight and leave piles of dirty dishes. They are good kids but it's almost a full-time job in itself to remind them to clean up after themselves and to do chores. My husband and I are too exhausted between work, schoolwork, classes, appointments and dinner to do much of anything during the week. This means we shove a ton of cleaning, all the shopping and any other errands the family needs into two very short weekend days. In order to enjoy our time and do something outside the necessary, means putting aside things that need doing.
If someone came to me and gifted me with a coupon I could use in the future, that addressed any of these items, I would be ecstatic. For me, it could be something as simple as "One family dinner cooked for you" or "One night's dishes washed". Another great one would be "I'll run to the store for you to pick up some things". These are all gifts that cost nothing, but would make a huge impact in my life. And the closer you are to a person, the more you can offer.
A husband to a new stay at home mom could give her a coupon for a day without baby, to go out with her friend for coffee and window shopping.
A close friend could offer to clean up the kitchen and living room for a busy working family.
Going out for coffee may be great for the mom of teenagers who just needs some quiet time and an ear to talk to.
Gift giving should not be about the money you put into it, or the things you purchase, it's about understanding what the gift recipient truly needs right now and making it happen for them. So, if your pockets are empty but your heart is full, you now have a way to show how much you understand what a person is going through and how much you care.
Happy Gifting!
Yet for many, this time of year is one filled with anxiety and pain. Whether you want to give to others because you have bought into the society's rules of give til you break or you want to give for the beautiful reason of sharing your love for a person in a tangible way, when you are struggling just to pay your basic household expenses, gift giving becomes a source of guilt and hurt.
Some advise you to put aside a little money all year long, and this is truly good advice. But if you are frequently doing a balancing act between keeping food on the table and a roof above your head, you know darn well that every penny needs to go towards those priorities and it's just not easy to keep anything aside for the future.
So what to do? Well I have a suggestion. It will sound cheesy, it will sound maybe almost childish. But I'd like you to mull it over carefully before you reject it out of hand. Because if done with loving thought towards the recipient, it may be just what they needed.
Ready for it? Here it is: Homemade Gift Coupons. That's right, like your grade school teachers had you make for Mommy and Daddy. But instead of coupons like "one free hug" or "clean my room", you'll give a coupon for what that person really needs to make their lives a bit easier. This is a practical gift that costs nothing but time and thoughtfulness.
Let me use my own life to demonstrate the value:
I work anywhere from 45-60 hours in any given week depending on demands (thankfully the 60 hours is on the rare side). In addition to my work, I commute an hour in each direction. It's early when I leave and late when I get home. I have a wonderful husband and two rapidly growing children- a teenage girl and an almost pre-teen boy. My daughter dances 3 days a week and my son requires significant hands-on help to ensure his school work is completed. My husband works full time. We only have one car, which is always with me. Basically, my life is a little piece of insanity.
The kids devour all the food in sight and leave piles of dirty dishes. They are good kids but it's almost a full-time job in itself to remind them to clean up after themselves and to do chores. My husband and I are too exhausted between work, schoolwork, classes, appointments and dinner to do much of anything during the week. This means we shove a ton of cleaning, all the shopping and any other errands the family needs into two very short weekend days. In order to enjoy our time and do something outside the necessary, means putting aside things that need doing.
If someone came to me and gifted me with a coupon I could use in the future, that addressed any of these items, I would be ecstatic. For me, it could be something as simple as "One family dinner cooked for you" or "One night's dishes washed". Another great one would be "I'll run to the store for you to pick up some things". These are all gifts that cost nothing, but would make a huge impact in my life. And the closer you are to a person, the more you can offer.
A husband to a new stay at home mom could give her a coupon for a day without baby, to go out with her friend for coffee and window shopping.
A close friend could offer to clean up the kitchen and living room for a busy working family.
Going out for coffee may be great for the mom of teenagers who just needs some quiet time and an ear to talk to.
Gift giving should not be about the money you put into it, or the things you purchase, it's about understanding what the gift recipient truly needs right now and making it happen for them. So, if your pockets are empty but your heart is full, you now have a way to show how much you understand what a person is going through and how much you care.
Happy Gifting!
Sunday, December 23, 2012
A list o'savings and holiday deadlines
Still not done with your shopping but don't want to spend a lot of time in the store? Order online at www.walmart.com by 12pm 12/24 for in store pick up by 6pm. Applies only to select items showing availability "as soon as today".
Don't forget your four-legged friends, your slithery friends or even your vet or local animal shelter. Petco is offering up to 40% off at www.petco.com with no coupon code required, through 12/25. As an added bonus, get free standard shipping on orders of $49 or more, now through 12/31. Some exclusions apply. (Hint: Be sure to join the free PALS rewards program and get a $5 coupon for every $100 you spend as well as special savings by mail and e-mail)
Have a musician in your life? Visit www.sheetmusicplus.com and take advantage of sales of up to 20%. Need something fast? 10% of digital print titles! Buy it, print it, gift it!
Use my Friends and Family Office Max coupon code and save 20% on your purchases. Enter FRIEND20 at checkout. http://www.officemax.com/?EDID=J9ZOD4-X0N64-4DD3RW-NTH53R-2NV6U-v1&cm_mmc=Email-_-promo-_-wk52mp-_-Hero_Office_Max
Michaels has great coupons available on their website to print and take to the store. Can you say 50% off any regular priced item? I can (with a big grin on my face too!). Bonus coupons also available-
http://weeklyad.michaels.com/coupons/?showOverlap=true&cm_mmc=email-_-20121222Dyn-_-H1-_-weekly+ad
Don't forget your four-legged friends, your slithery friends or even your vet or local animal shelter. Petco is offering up to 40% off at www.petco.com with no coupon code required, through 12/25. As an added bonus, get free standard shipping on orders of $49 or more, now through 12/31. Some exclusions apply. (Hint: Be sure to join the free PALS rewards program and get a $5 coupon for every $100 you spend as well as special savings by mail and e-mail)
Have a musician in your life? Visit www.sheetmusicplus.com and take advantage of sales of up to 20%. Need something fast? 10% of digital print titles! Buy it, print it, gift it!
Use my Friends and Family Office Max coupon code and save 20% on your purchases. Enter FRIEND20 at checkout. http://www.officemax.com/?EDID=J9ZOD4-X0N64-4DD3RW-NTH53R-2NV6U-v1&cm_mmc=Email-_-promo-_-wk52mp-_-Hero_Office_Max
Michaels has great coupons available on their website to print and take to the store. Can you say 50% off any regular priced item? I can (with a big grin on my face too!). Bonus coupons also available-
http://weeklyad.michaels.com/coupons/?showOverlap=true&cm_mmc=email-_-20121222Dyn-_-H1-_-weekly+ad
Good Eats for Less with Restaurant.com
Get Restaurant.com $10 gift certificates for $2 when you use promo code PIECE at checkout. Expires at Midnight. My husband and I use these to try out new places or visit old favorites at a discount! www.restaurant.com.
Plus visit restaurant.com/feeditforward to electronically gift $10 restaurant.com gift cards to all your friends and family- for free- 15 per day! Visit this blog link for full details: http://thedish.restaurant.com/feed-it-forward-returns-for-a-5th-year/#more-2673
Plus visit restaurant.com/feeditforward to electronically gift $10 restaurant.com gift cards to all your friends and family- for free- 15 per day! Visit this blog link for full details: http://thedish.restaurant.com/feed-it-forward-returns-for-a-5th-year/#more-2673
Bath and Body Works Daily Special
Today's special in Bath and Body Works stores is $5 for all aromatherapy body washes, a savings of $9.
Other sales ending 12/24:
- Signature Collection Body Care- Buy 3 get 3 free
- 3 wick candles- 2 for $20
- Anti bacterial hand soaps- 4 for $15 or 6 for $20
Hot Topic: Buy One, Get 50% off One in store and online
Hot Topic stores and www.hottopic.com currently are running a fantastic sale- Buy one, get 50% off one. This is good on anything!
PLUS- right now they are offering a $15 Hot Cash coupon good on a January 17-27 purchase for every $30 you spend.
They have great jeans:
Music and music related clothing:
Even lingerie for your sweetie!
Enjoy!
PLUS- right now they are offering a $15 Hot Cash coupon good on a January 17-27 purchase for every $30 you spend.
They have great jeans:
Music and music related clothing:
Even lingerie for your sweetie!
Enjoy!
Saturday, December 22, 2012
Mmmmm..... Godiva savings!
For every $50 you spend now through 12/24, either in a Godiva store or at www.godiva.com receive a $10 rewards card for a future purchase. Their fine print is below. While you're there, take advantage of their free membership program like I did. You get rewards, special savings and one free chocolate a month from their display case just for walking into the store and scanning your card ( no purchase necessary). I love it!
Receive a $10 Reward Card for every $50 you spend in a single order (4 card limit)*
11/23/12 thru 12/24/12
11/23/12 thru 12/24/12
Spend $50 or more and receive 1 $10 reward card.
Spend $100 or more and receive 2 $10 reward cards
Spend $150 or more and receive 3 $10 reward cards
Spend $200 or more and receive 4 $10 reward cards
Spend $100 or more and receive 2 $10 reward cards
Spend $150 or more and receive 3 $10 reward cards
Spend $200 or more and receive 4 $10 reward cards
*Limit four (4) Reward Cards per person, regardless of order total, while supplies of cards last. Order totals are on a single order only. Multiple orders/purchases cannot be combined to meet minimum. Purchase minimums exclude shipping and tax. This offer is not combinable with any other offer. Cards earned through an online purchase will be mailed after 12/25/12. Cards will not be mailed outside the U.S. Return of any Card as undeliverable will result in forfeiture of card. GODIVA may substitute Card with another item of comparable or greater value, at its sole discretion, if Card becomes unavailable.
If used in-store, must be surrendered at the time of use. To use Reward Card online, enter card number in the GODIVA Gift Card section at checkout.
Reward Cards are redeemable 12/26/12 through 01/31/13 only at any Godiva Boutique in the U.S.A., Canada, and at Godiva.com. Not redeemable through 1-800-9-GODIVA. Cards are non-transferable. One-time use only. Any card balance remaining after single use is forfeited, except as required by law. If an order exceeds the amount of the Card, the balance must be paid with a credit card or other available payment method. Card cannot be combined with any promotional offer (except other Holiday Reward Cards and sale items), or Godiva employee discount. Card cannot be redeemed for cash or cash equivalent, except as required by law, applied to past purchases, used as payment on an account, or used for purchasing Godiva Gift Cards. If a return is made from qualifying purchase, Reward Card may be void and must be returned with original receipt. Treat Card like cash; it cannot be replaced if lost or stolen, except as required by law. Void where prohibited. This Card may not be resold by any unlicensed vendor or through any unauthorized channels such as online auctions. Use of Card constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions. Issued by GODIVA Chocolatier, Inc.
Holiday Shopping Deal: Bath and Body Works
Looking for last minute presents for the ladies in your life? Head over to Bath and Body Works for one of their great daily deals.
Today's special:
Today's special:
- Signature Collection Fine Fragrance Mist- $6 each
- Spend $30 and you can purchase their Santa's Special Gift Set containing 10 of their favorite products for only $20.
Also on sale for a limited time:
- Signature Collection Body Care- Buy 3 get 3 free
- 3 wick candles- 2 for $20
- Anti bacterial hand soaps- 4 for $15 or 6 for $20
Ladies love things that pamper and smell good. Bath and Body Works items are sure to be a hit!
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Burlington Coat Factory- Sweepstakes and Mailing List
No purchase necessary to enter this sweepstakes for a $500 shopping spree at Burlington Coat Factory. Follow this link and complete your details: http://www.burlingtoncoatfactory.com/sweepsbcf/Default.aspx
You'll be added to their e-mail mailing list with information on their money-savings specials AND you'll be entered to win. The contest is open until 7/31/2013.
It takes seconds to enter and someone has to win- why not give it a shot for your family?!
You'll be added to their e-mail mailing list with information on their money-savings specials AND you'll be entered to win. The contest is open until 7/31/2013.
It takes seconds to enter and someone has to win- why not give it a shot for your family?!
Monday, September 3, 2012
Recommended Site: Get Rewarded for what you do already!
Do you read e-mails? Do you shop online? Would you like a little reward for your time and money?
I have been a My Points member since 2005 and have loved the experience from the very beginning. Unlike other reward programs, with My Points you have no obligation to make purchases. While I do shop through their link ups to many of the sites I already frequented and get the bonus points, most of my earning comes from clicking on a few e-mails a day. Over the years I've earned gift cards to Borders (I miss you!), Walmart, Target and my recent fave- gas stations.
The e-mails are not overwhelming, I have never noticed an increase in spam and you can customize your experience. Special offers and discounts are made available to you by e-mail and website. You can even print grocery store coupons and earn points for using them. Quick point opportunities are available on the website and there are frequent, fun promotions.
The only downside I have found to the program is when redeeming rewards. I personally like to enter a point range and see everything I could earn within that range pop up. The My Points system does not allow for ranges. You can scroll through all rewards to find one that matches the points burning a hole in your virtual pocket, or you can choose by category and find something you know you'll love. There are gift cards to big name stores, specialty boutiques, restaurants, gas stations, even for charitable donations. My Points now even offers the chance to convert points into cash, deposited into your PayPal account.
The best part of the program? It's free to join! Check it out today at www.mypoints.com . Tell them Holly sent you!
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Savings at Kohls.com
Need clothes for those Back to School kiddies? Your own closet need a refresh? Here are some great online savings codes for Kohls.com expiring 8/23/2012. Use these along with Kohls' great sales and clearance events and you might bring home a whole lot more for your money! Pair up with MyPoints.com first, go to Kohls through their site and earn 2 points per dollar spent. Use your reward points towards gift cards and services.
10% off any order: Coupon Code BLOGIT10
15% off any order: Coupon Code LOCKER15
Extra 15% off lowest prices of season: Coupon Code LPS15OFF
20% off an order of $100 or more: Coupon Code TAKE20
You can also save 15% in store right now- go to the website and print your savings pass. This is also valid until 8/23.
Happy shopping!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Recommended Savings Site (and sweepstakes)
Savings Star is a unique program offering coupons on everyday grocery purchases. How is that unique, you ask?
You don't clip these coupons, bring them to the store or deal with any muss and fuss. You simply go online, click the ones you want and shop with your store rewards card. After you purchase the selected items, money builds in your Savings Star account and when you reach $5 or more, you redeem for bank or Paypal deposit, Amazon gift cards or donations to American Forests.
Participating stores include:
A&P
Big Y
CVS
Food Town
Hanniford
Rite Aid
Shop Rite
Stop and Shop
Reviews of this program have been good both in shopping articles and online comments. Due to our primarily organic, natural and health food lifestyle of late, I do not have a lot of opportunity to take advantage of many of the deals, but it takes me two minutes to check in weekly and select the coupons I might use over the next two weeks to a month. After all, money for what I'm already buying is a sure pleaser in my book. So why wouldn't you join?
Follow this link to enter a Savings Star sweepstakes for 6 months of free groceries and learn more about the program: http://pop.to/ekgj
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