$5 Million Giveaway: Free Savings Club Membership for One Year!

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Savings Club - Free membership!Welcome to Our $5 Million Savings Club Giveaway!

You like us, you really like us!

We are so excited to reach 500,000 likes on Facebook that we’re celebrating by giving back. For a limited time, you can receive a free Savings Club membership, valid for one year.  Savings Club gives you access hard-to-find coupons from many of your favorite brands. Membership is normally a $30 value, but we’re giving it away free to a select number of our friends right now.

So don’t wait—it’s your party, you can save if you want to! But these free memberships will go fast. Sign up today, and here’s what you’ll get:

Bigger and better savings. The coupons offered to Savings Club members are often higher-value deals from top brands, so you save more with fewer coupons. The average savings of a club member is about $16 a month, which is a nice little sum you can tuck away for a mom’s night out, a pair of kids’ shoes or next month’s grocery budget.

All the benefits, none of the work. Only Savings Club members have access to the Coupon Finder, an exclusive feature. The Coupon Finder searches the web for the best coupons available, and then gathers them all together in one spot so you don’t have to go search hundreds of brands’ websites, looking for deals. Just let the Coupon Finder do its thing, then click and print the offers that best meet your needs. Consider it your personal butler, serving the web’s best coupons on a silver platter. Don’t we all deserve VIP service?

We’re thrilled to offer this free membership to our friends right now—we know you will love saving smarter as a club member, and we can’t wait for you to try it out.

Don’t wait—get your free membership now!

 

File Your Taxes for Free and Other Tax Preparation Tips

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Tax return checkTax day is just a few months away, and if you haven’t already, it’s time to start settling up with Uncle Sam. If you’re expecting a refund, go on, get your money. If you owe, you don’t have to write the check until April, but can plan over the next few months.

A few tax preparation tips:

  • If your adjusted gross income was $57,000 or less, you qualify for free file tax software. Go to www.irs.gov/freefile to find out which company you are eligible for.
  • Alternatively, anyone can file federal taxes for free using a tax service website like FreeTaxUSA. The catch is that these websites will generally try to up-sell additional services such as filing your state taxes or manual review of your work. You can simply decline and continue to file your federal taxes for free. Keep in mind that these free federal filing services do not include a manual audit of your taxes so make sure you double check your work.  The free federal filing is best for those who typically file using the 1040 or 1040EZ forms.
  • Many states now offer free e-filing for your state taxes. To learn if your state offers free online filing, please visit your state’s franchise tax board website .
  • You can get your refund in as few as 10 days when you e-file and choose direct deposit.
  • Wondering where your money is? Download the free IRS2Go smart phone app to check your refund status on the go.
  • Stumped on a tax issue? The IRS Interactive Tax Assistant will ask you a series of questions to give you a personalized answer to your tax queries.
  • Once you have 2011 squared away, get organized for 2012.  Use OfficeMax coupons to help you save on all the materials that you’ll need.  Create new paper files and computer files to organize your receipts.
  • Lastly, start racking up tax deductions for next year. Skip the garage sale and give your unwanted items to an organization like the Salvation Army. They value bicycles up to $80, vacuums up to $65 and jackets up to $12. Find out more with the complete Salvation Army Valuation Guide.

Final Word: Tax time will be less stressful if you start now. Get 2011 wrapped up, then get organized for 2012. It’s much easier to stay on top of tax issues throughout the year than wait and scramble at the end.

The article above was written by our newest contributor – Jeanette Pavini – an Emmy award-winning consumer reporter and personal finance columnist for The Wall Street Journal Digital Network.

 

How to Keep Flowers Fresh

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How to keep flowers freshRoses for Valentine’s Day? Show them some love. The beauty of red roses is they say “I love you” without a word. The downside—their charm can be fleeting. Here’s how to make your blossoms bloom longer.

  • Feed your flowers. AquaPlus™, Floralife® and Chrysal™ come in packets that are usually included with a bouquet. Mix the solution using lukewarm water—fresh flowers absorb warm water faster. If you run out, make your own by mixing a teaspoon of bleach and a tablespoon of sugar in a gallon of water.
  • Before you put the flowers in a vase, remove foliage that would fall below the water line to prevent bacteria from growing.
  • Cut one to two inches off of the stems at a steep angle. Use a sharp knife rather than dull scissors, which can crush the vascular system of the stem. Don’t drop the stems in—this can bruise the cut ends when they hit the bottom of the vase.
  • Keep your flowers away from warm spots—they last longer if they stay cooler. Also, keep them away from the fruit bowl. Fruit gives off ethylene gas, which will make flowers deteriorate more quickly.
  • Check the water level in the vase daily. It’s best to change it every day, but don’t go longer than every other. Mist freshly cut flowers with water often to keep moisture in their petals.

With a little TLC, your can keep your flowers fresh for several days.

 

Last-Minute Valentine’s Day Gift Ideas

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“How do I love thee?” If you’re still pondering that question, hurry—you only have four days to count the ways. Valentine’s Day is next Tuesday! Here are some last-minute gift ideas that are quick and easy.

For your significant other: Surprise your sweetie with a weekend getaway. Sites like Priceline and Travelocity offer mini vacations, some up to 70 percent off when you book at the last minute. Here’s one time when it pays to procrastinate.

For your kids: Show them how much you care with an evening of their favorite foods. Let them “order” what they’d like to eat, then prepare a smorgasbord of their favorites on Valentines Day. Create a tablecloth out of butcher paper, include crayons for decorating, and set the table with heart-shaped plates. For dessert, dip into a chocolate fondue or frost and sprinkle sugar cookies. (Messy, yes, but all for love.)

For your parents: Send a last-minute bouquet using ProFlowers coupons, but sweeten the deal with Shari’s Berries. Add a sentimental card, and your parents will love the thoughtfulness—and the sweets.

For your pet: No chocolate for Fido, but how about Red Velvet Pupcakes? Whip up some goodies for your favorite four-legged friend and give him a Valentine’s Day treat that’s both pet and budget-friendly.

For yourself: Last but not least, you have permission to indulge. Buy a spa deal from a daily deal site. Catch a chick flick at the theater instead of an action movie. Or instead of leaving to find alone time, ask your spouse to take the kids out for an evening of fun so you can enjoy the peace and quiet of an empty house. (When’s the last time that happened?)

 

Five Ways to Save on Clothes for Your Kids

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Buying kids clothesYou know the drill—you spend a small fortune on your kids’ clothing and before those little pants, shirts and dresses have made it through a laundry cycle, your kids have outgrown them. Frustrating? You bet. That’s why it pays to find ways to save. Try these options for cutting your children’s wardrobe budget.

Shop resale (or consignment) stores. It’s a brilliant concept, probably dreamed up by a mom. Resale shops sell gently used and even new clothes for kids. The typical savings is 75% off of the original retail price.  To save even more, bring in the clothes that your kids have outgrown and either sell them or get store credit.

Check online. Sites like eBay or Etsy are great places to shop for kids’ clothes—many times sellers will package items in bulk for one lump sum.  You should also look for coupon codes before shopping online.  For example, you can often find Babies R Us coupons or The Children’s Place coupons which can help you stack additional savings on top of sale prices.

Swap it out. Plan a clothing swap with other parents. You can even use websites like thredUP.com to that facilitate the process.

Know the store’s guarantee. Kid’s clothing should be durable. Make sure you know what a store’s return policy is before you buy.  For example, L.L. Bean clothes are guaranteed to last. They accept returns without a receipt and there is no time restriction.

Shop outlets. Outlet malls offer great deals. Before you shop, visit the outlet center’s website and look for coupons, or visit the customer service desk at the mall and ask about special promotions or coupon books. You’ll often find coupons worth at least 10% off.

The Final Word: Kids’ clothing and equipment is a budget item you can control. Consider resale shops, online stores, and clothing swaps to get deals.  If you’re not into gently used, shop outlet malls and ask about additional savings.

The article above was written by our newest contributor – Jeanette Pavini – an Emmy award-winning consumer reporter and personal finance columnist for The Wall Street Journal Digital Network.

 

Four Easy Ways to Make Money on the Side

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If you know where to look, you can make more than a penny for your thoughts.

In an effort to better understand consumer behavior, several companies pay people for their opinions on everything from chocolate to computers to restaurants. I call it “moonlighting money” and it’s a great way to earn a few extra bucks without a lot of effort.  Here are four ways to make money.

  • Focus groups. Participate in a focus group and you can earn between $30 and $300 depending on topic, length and location. Focus groups do everything from taste testing to rating product packaging. Search for market research companies in your area and sign up in their database.
  • Mock juries. Before heading to the courtroom, some attorneys test their cases on a mock jury. These mock trials are done in person through market research groups and can pay about $200 a day. You can also look online at sites like eJury.com, which pay $5 – $10 for about 35 minutes of your time.
  • Mystery shoppers. Several retailers, from restaurants to clothing stores, hire mystery shoppers in order to better understand their customer’s experience. In addition to paying for your time and feedback, some businesses also let you keep the merchandise. Learn more at Mystery Shopping Providers Association.
  • Poll workers. You can help others express their opinions through voting by working in your area’s polling place. Visit your county’s website for more information. Some counties have programs for students and some pay as much as $122 for a day’s work.

The Final Word:  Getting paid for your opinion is a great way to earn extra cash. Just remember, no legitimate market research or mystery shopping provider will ask you to pay a fee to participate or try to sell you a product or service.

The article above was written by our newest contributor – Jeanette Pavini – an Emmy award-winning consumer reporter and personal finance columnist for The Wall Street Journal Digital Network.

 

Love Is in the Air

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Saying “I love you” doesn’t have to wipe out your budget and bank account. There are creative ways to be romantic and playful on Valentine’s Day and be financially savvy. Here are some gift ideas to show some love this year to both your sweetheart and your wallet.

 

Have a sense of humor. Instead of dropping a wad of cash on expensive gifts, exchange gag gifts. Maybe it’s a silly pair of boxers or a roll of heart-printed toilet paper. Add a challenge and set a price limit of $10—see how creative the two of you can be.

Share the love. Pool your money with your honey and shop together for one gift that you can enjoy together. It might be a practical item, like a cool new kitchen gadget or something more indulgent like a nice bottle of wine.

Send your message in a bottle. Words from your heart are priceless, so write a love note, a poem or even a Top Five Reasons why you love your valentine. If you save wine bottles, place your message in a favorite bottle, cork it, and deliver it to his doorstep or work while he’s not looking. Add a small box of chocolates as a bonus.

Personalize a puzzle. Go to puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com and create a free customized crossword that incorporates words and clues from your relationship. For example:
5 Down: Your favorite type of restaurant.
Answer: Italian.

Find a savvy splurge. You can find several Valentine’s-themed deals right now so keep your eye out for great bargains that you can enjoy with your other half. Buying a “50 percent off” coupon for a new restaurant, a wine tasting for two or yummy baked goods may provide a nice splurge without the hefty price tag.

One last tip—celebrate later. Valentine’s Day is on a Tuesday this year, so why not wait for the weekend? Avoid the hectic rush on the holiday itself and enjoy some romance without work hanging over your head. Plus, you’ll be able to take advantage of post-Valentine’s Day sales on candy and other gifts.

 

Nosh: Goodies for Sunday’s Super Bowl

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Hosting a Super Bowl party on Sunday? Relax, there’s no need to go all gourmet in order to throw a super party. Save time and money with these quick and easy ideas.

That’s cheesy. It’s tough to go wrong with cream cheese. For a creamy snack minus the stirring, place a brick of light cream cheese on a plate, top with a bottle of berry sauce and serve with crackers. Or top with fresh salsa and serve with tortilla chips.

Bowl ‘em over. Hollow out sourdough rolls (or any rolls with a hard crust) to use as edible bowls and have guests serve themselves from crockpots filled with chili and clam chowder. You can also use these bowls to hold toppings, like oyster crackers, scallions, cheese and light sour cream (or plain yogurt). Use the leftover bread for dipping.

Hot diggity dog. Make hot dogs the main event at your Super Bowl party. For a unique flavor, boil them in beer and set up a condiment bar with favorite toppings. Cut calories and fat with turkey dogs or chicken sausages.

Eat your veggies. Fill celery ribs, hollowed cherry tomatoes, mushrooms or large pasta shells with tuna or chicken salad.

One potato, two. Make potatoes a finger food without the deep fryer. Steam a bag of baby red potatoes. Once cool, cut in half and scoop out centers, leaving 1/4 inch of potato in the skin. Fill the potato “boats” with nonfat sour cream, salsa, chicken or ground beef, broccoli and bacon bits.

S’mores, please. Make the kids happy—combine 3 cups air-popped popcorn, 1 cup Golden Grahams, 1 cup mini marshmallows, 1/2 cup M&Ms and 1/2 cup raisins for an easy, inexpensive snack mix.

One more quick tip—make ice ahead of time to avoid a last-minute trip. Also, ask guests to bring their favorite drinks while you supply iced tea and water. It’ll save you both time and money.

 

Rock the Super Bowl with Easy Party Prep

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Super Bowl Football PartyThe football, the food, the halftime show and commercials—sports fan or not, the Super Bowl is the perfect excuse to party. Get your game face on and throw a bash your friends will remember without stressing yourself out. Here’s how to tackle the details.

  • Cut square coasters out of Astroturf for a creative way to protect your furniture. You can find an inexpensive version for about $2 per square foot at your local hardware store.
  • Rearrange your furniture if necessary to maximize seating, streamline traffic flow or create better viewing options.
  • If you have the space, set up a TV in one room for hard-core fans who want to watch without distractions and a TV in another room for casual party-goers. You’ll make both sets happier.
  • Place garbage/recycling bins in convenient places outside of the kitchen to ease traffic and encourage guests to toss their stuff (so you don’t have to later).
  • Spring for sturdy disposable plates and cups. You may have to spend a little up front, but you’ll save your carpet and furniture cleaning.
  • Super Bowl ads are a big deal—have fun during the timeouts with commercial Bingo. Create your own cards and fill squares with things that guests can easily find in an ad, like talking animals or celebrities.
  • Don’t keep all the food in the kitchen—place snacks and appetizers in a variety of spots for easy access. Plus, it will encourage guests to move around and mingle.
 

Super Bowl = Super TV Deals

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TVGiants or Patriots fan? Congrats!

The rest of you may be in need of some retail therapy, especially if you’re still mourning the loss of a close game. Good news—now’s the best time to score a great deal on a new TV. The week before the Super Bowl is one of the last opportunities that manufacturers have to clear out last year’s models.

Just keep these five tips in mind before you fork over your hard-earned cash.

  • What size to get? Measure the viewing distance between your TV and your couch. Divide the distance by 3 to get the minimum size and by 1.5 to get the maximum size screen that you should purchase for optimal viewing.
  • Choose a store with a price match guarantee that includes sale items. That way you can reap the benefits of any post Super Bowl sales or competitor sales.
  • Refurbished? It’s like new for less. Floor models, returns or TVs with minor cosmetic damages are inspected, repaired, repackaged and sold at a deep discount. Read the warranty and check the return or exchange policy.

Be mindful of installation charges. It can cost hundreds of dollars to mount your big screen TV. Look or ask for installation deals with purchase.