Monday, December 29, 2008

Free Redbox Movie Tonight

It's Monday, so that must mean it's free Redbox movie day.

Head to your nearest Redbox kiosk and enter promo code 545DZ9 to get a free one-night movie rental.

I'm thinking of seeing Mamma Mia. How about you?

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Borrow Wii Games for Free at the Library

If you got a new Wii system for Christmas or Hanukkah, you may be surprised at how expensive the individual games are (I was). Fortunately, you can now borrow Wii games from the library, just like you borrow books, DVDs, or CDs.

In the Rochester, NY area, many library branches now stock Wii games - search the online catalog here to find the one you want - but you'll need to visit the branch that owns the game in order to pick it up. You can also place an online hold on a copy of a game, but you'll have to travel to the branch that stocks it to pick it up, and perhaps to return it.

What a great way to try out a game before you decide to buy it, or just to introduce some variety into your current gaming, without a rental fee.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

If all else fails, try haggling

According to a news report on Monday, some desperate retailers are increasingly willing to haggle with customers as the holiday shopping season winds down. Check out this article to see what I'm talking about.

Although it sounds like this practice is more common at smaller stores, keep it in mind as you finish up any last minute holiday shopping today and tomorrow. Ask, "Can you do any better on this?" Or, "Do you have any promotions or special offers going on right now that might bring this price down a little?" If you ask nicely, you may find out that there's a sale starting Friday but that the store is authorized to give you that bargain price today. Or maybe a sale just ended, but they'll extend that price to you now.

You're in a better bargaining position with several items in your shopping basket, but I'd ask for a discount even if you have just one. As my mother often tells me, "It never hurts to ask!"

Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Save $4 on a $20 CVS Purchase

If you're like me and have Extra Care Bucks from CVS to spend, here's a new coupon that will help you get even more for your money. Print out this CVS coupon and save $4 on your purchase of $20 or more through December 29th.

Free Redbox Movie Today

Enjoy a free one-night movie rental tonight (Wednesday) at Redbox using this code: 9WAG27.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

I'll be on Channel 13 on Weds. at 5:55 am

For everyone in the Rochester, NY area, if you're looking for more ideas for saving money, feel free to tune into channel 13 tomorrow (Wednesday, 12/17) starting at 5:55 a.m. until 7:15 a.m.

We're going to talk about helpful websites where you can learn about great deals and promotions.

If you miss it, or are not in Rochester, the clips should be on the station's website at www.13wham.com by noon.

Cheap (maybe even free) Reynolds Wrap

As you wander the aisles of your local grocery story this holiday season, keep an eye out for recipe booklets from Reynolds Wrap. I've found them on end-cap displays in the stores. I'm sure the recipies are delicious, but what whet my appetite even more were the coupons on the last page, including $1.00 off Reynolds Wrap. That's a great coupon in and of itself, but when you combine it with the current Reynolds Wrap rebate, you should be able to get three packages for next to nothing.

The rebate form, which you can find here: http://reynoldswrapsavings.com/rebate.pdf offers $10.00 back by mail after you purchase three rolls of 200 sq ft. Reynolds Wrap. Granted, that's a lot of foil, but if you can find it on sale, use the coupons from several booklets, and then submit for the rebate, you can do very well.

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Softest socks ever at Bath & Body Works

If you're looking for an inexpensive gift that will be truly appreciated by the recipient, check out the "sweetest, softest socks ever" at Bath and Body Works.

They are currently on sale for $5 each - regular retail is $7.50 - and there is a printable coupon here that will get you a free item worth up to $13 when you spend $10. So buy two pairs of socks and get a free Signature item like lotion or shampoo.

I paid full price for them a couple of weeks ago and absolutely love them. Now that they're on sale I'm going to buy two more - one to give and one to keep!

Monday, December 8, 2008

Coupon Tips on The Today Show

This morning on The Today Show, Jean Chatzky offered tips for finding and using coupons more effectively. If you missed the segment, here's a link: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/28110664/

One of the best tips included detailed instructions on stacking coupons - how to combine store sales, store coupons, and manufacturer coupons to pay as little as humanly possible.

What she didn't tell you was where this will work. Unless a store offers its own coupons, it's harder to stack. Fortunately, Target, Tops Friendly Markets, Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS, and other grocery stores and pharmacies do. So look at the stores' websites and join their mailing list to be sure you're receiving all the store coupons they're issuing.

Another tip I loved was to hunt for coupons online before you walk out the door to shop. This is especially helpful at Christmas. If you Google the word "coupon" and the name of the store where you're headed, you may be surprised to find printable coupons you can use to save even more money at the cash register. Or you might discover an online coupon code that makes your trip out in the car unnecessary.

Watch for JCPenney $10 off $10 coupons

It's that time of year again - no, not the holidays - it's JCPenney's $10 off a $10 purchase coupon time.

For years I've heard friends talk about saving gobs of money by gathering these $10 coupons from friends and family who didn't plan to use them but until yesterday, I had never actually held one myself. Imagine my excitement!

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, let me explain quickly. JCPenney's $10 off a $10 purchase coupons are some of the best around and are generally only sent to JCPenney credit card holders. This time, however, the company has mailed them to a broader cross-section of buyers.

The coupons are so exciting because JCPenney often marks down their merchandise right before mailing the coupons, making it possible to grab some real bargains for next to nothing. The goal when shopping with one of these coupons is to find a marked-down product you need for as close to $10 as possible, so that you spend as little out-of-pocket as possible.

If you didn't receive one of the coupons, do a search on eBay for "JCPenney $10" to find people who have extras who are willing to mail them to you in exchange for a handling fee. They expire December 24th, so you have enough time to request them and still use them.

Happy shopping!

Friday, December 5, 2008

Great Amex Gift Card Deal at Walgreens

Through tomorrow, Walgreens is offering a $15 mail-in gas card rebate when you buy three (3)or more American Express gift cards. This is an attractive deal whether you intend to give the gift cards or simply use them yourself for some holiday shopping.

You should be able to buy three (3) $25 American Express gift cards, for example, and then mail in the rebate request for a free $15 gas card.

In addition, if you've snared any of the beer rebate forms - I think from Coors - offering a $15 cash rebate when you buy $100 in gift cards, this could be even more attractive. Just make sure you buy at least $100 worth of American Express gift cards if you intend to do that deal.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Free Movie Night Tonight

It's Monday again and you know what that means - a free movie rental at any RedBox machine.

The code for today, which is good through midnight tonight, is: CC67M4. Simply enter it at Checkout, after selecting your movie, by pressing Promo Code.

Sign up to receive your own email each Monday with a freebie code at www.insideredbox.com.

Another Tops $5 off $50 coupon

Before you recycle your Sunday Democrat & Chronicle here in Rochester, be sure and peel the $5 off $50 Tops coupon off the front. It's a yellow sticky square that will net you as much as 10% off your grocery bill.

Inside the Tops flyer is a coupon for a gallon of milk for $1.99 when you spend $15, which you also won't want to miss.