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This week in deals: Up to 70% at The Children's Place

By SavingsMommie(view all posts by SavingsMommie)
at 6:00AM Wednesday February 20, 2013
under Money Saving Tips

Viva Las Vegas! I just came back from our road trip to Sin City and after calculating what we spent there, I definitely need to get those coupons out and save every penny I can.

I went there thinking that our total budget would be $300, $175 for food and $125 for other stuff (boy, was I wrong). I learned from this trip that when you travel with other people, you may end up spending more than you planned in order to be accommodating (which happened to us in this case, but hopefully never again).

Since we have to make up for what we spent over-budget, we'll be relying heavily on weekly sales, clearance sections and those coupons until the end of this month. For you, I have 5 of the best deals on our site that you can take advantage of this week: Read More »

Savings Secrets: how to make your own flour

By CrystalECollinsDealPro(view all posts by CrystalECollins)
at 9:29AM Monday February 18, 2013
under Money Saving Tips

These days it can be expensive to buy good, quality flour that doesn't contain added chemicals like bleach. If you're still thinking about those New Year's Resolutions, and wanting to be healthy, you need some simple ways to stay healthy. It's actually quite simple to make your own flour at home. All you need is either a wheat grinder (gah - they are expensive), OR you can just use your blender (save money - FTW!). 

How to make your own flour:
  1. Place two cups of wheat berries (or alternative) into your blender (any more than this and it will take FOREVER to blend up). 
  2. Blend up until you have flour. This can be anywhere from 2-5 minutes. Then sift your flour with a sifter.

And with gluten intolerance becoming more and more prevalent these days, it's definitely a money-saver to make your own gluten-free flour at home.  Read More »

This week in deals: Lunar New Year deals that will keep you prosperous

By SavingsMommie(view all posts by SavingsMommie)
at 6:00AM Wednesday February 13, 2013
under Money Saving Tips

(photo credit: Getty)

Gung how fat choy (恭禧發財)! The Chinese New Year was this past Sunday. Many people in parts of Asia and across the world celebrate the first day of the lunar calendar. I grew up celebrating the Chinese New Year by eating duk guk, a traditional Korean dish with rice cakes and broth (every country has their own traditions and rituals). I was told it would bring me good fortune and an additional year of life.

We would wear our hanbok (traditional costumes), wished our elders a Happy New Year and sebae (bow to them). They would wish us good health, prosperity and happiness. After, we would get sebae don (pocket money, also known as "lucky money" for the Chinese).

At that early age, I would take the money which would come out to be around $300 and budget for things that I needed the entire year. It was my first peak into saving money, budgeting and finding ways to buy things for less than retail price and get more for my money.

With your budget in mind for the Lunar New Year, we have 5 of the best deals on our site for you: Read More »

Cheapest places to buy flowers

By CrystalECollinsDealPro(view all posts by CrystalECollins)
at 12:00PM Tuesday February 12, 2013
under Money Saving Tips

I still remember early in my relationship with my man, when I told him that I wasn't one of those women that wanted my man to waste money buying flowers for me. They are expensive and just die within a few days or a week. 

Ladies, don't tell your men this. This is a mistake. If you tell them this, then they will never buy you flowers again. Men listen to us. So here's what you tell them instead:

I love flowers, but I don't like the ones that die so quickly because they seem like a waste of money. Instead, I love potted plants or potted flowers. They last longer, and I can eventually plant them if I wish to.  Read More »

Savings Secrets: 6 last-minute Valentine's gift ideas for him and for her

By CrystalECollinsDealPro(view all posts by CrystalECollins)
at 8:45AM Monday February 11, 2013
under Money Saving Tips

Valentine's Day is in a few days, so what are some inexpensive, gifts that you can get last-minute? Here are six ideas to help you save AND get a nice gift for the love in your life. 

For Her:

Luxury sheets

Luxury sheets aren't exactly a necessity, and that's why they will make the perfect gift that she'll be thankful for. And the best way to get a good deal on some high thread-count, luxury sheets? Use one of the weekly coupons at Bed Bath & Beyond, or check out your local Goodwill. Clean the sheets before surprising her with them on the bed. She'll never know you saved money, and got her something really nice! 

Potted plants or flowers

Flowers are nice, but I'm always frustrated with how quickly they die. That just seems like a waste of money. Potted flowers and plants can cost you around $6, and last a long time. A dozen roses will cost you $20 or more, and be gone within a couple days or weeks.  Read More »

How to save on cable: Eliminate it with these 6 cheap or free alternatives!

By CrystalECollinsDealPro(view all posts by CrystalECollins)
at 6:00AM Friday February 8, 2013
under Money Saving Tips

Cable is something that I haven't paid for in years. Ever since shows started becoming available to watch online, I found that I needed cable TV less and less.

Depending on where you live and the deal you get, cable could be costing you a pretty big chunk of change. Wouldn't it be nice to save all that money? Here are cheap or free alternatives that can allow you to eliminate your monthly cable bill:

1. Check the TV station websites. Sites like NBC, CBS and more offer their TV shows for viewing on their websites. Downton Abbey fans? You can watch the episodes the day after they air online at PBS.org.  Read More »

How to save up to 70% off popular Valentine's Day gifts

By SavingsMommie(view all posts by SavingsMommie)
at 12:00PM Wednesday February 6, 2013
under Money Saving Tips

(photo credit: Getty)

According to the National Retail Federation, the average person is planning to spend upwards of $130 on a Valentine's gift this year, with total spending expected to reach $18.6 billion.

With Valentine's Day only one week away, online consumers are looking to find the best deals available to them. Our Savings.com deal experts have handpicked the top deals for Valentine's Day by factoring in overall brand appeal and deepest discounts: Read More »

This week in deals: 50% off flowers and gifts from FTD at Groupon

By SavingsMommie(view all posts by SavingsMommie)
at 6:00AM Wednesday February 6, 2013
under Money Saving Tips

How much have you budgeted for Valentine's Day? According to the National Retail Federation, the average person will spend about $130.97 for Valentine's Day and the total spending is estimated to reach $18.6 billion dollars.  From those figures, men are expected to spend an average of $175.61 and women are expected to spend an average of $88.78.

As consumers are getting smarter about comparison shopping and getting the most bang for their buck, online shopping is expected to rise up to 26.3% this year. The deals on chocolates, flowers and jewelry are so incredible online, especially combined with coupons, it's almost crazy not to shop online.

With Valentine's Day only one week away, I've found five incredible deals that will get you started on the hunt for the perfect gift for your loved one: Read More »

Savings Secrets: What to do in case of a power outage

By CrystalECollinsDealPro(view all posts by CrystalECollins)
at 7:20AM Monday February 4, 2013
under Money Saving Tips

(photo courtesy of Alesa Dam)

In "light" of recent events at the Super Bowl, this might be a good time to consider what you can do and how you can save during an unexpected power outage. 

1. Always keep jugs of fresh, clean water on hand. If the power also affects your water supply, it's a good idea to have a good source of fresh, clean water. Be sure to also check with your local water authorities, to make sure that the water is not contaminated. It may be necessary to find a way to boil water. 

2. Keep candles, flash lights, and/or battery-powered lamps on hand. We have a battery-powered lantern that we use for camping trips, and this is perfect for when the power goes out. Sometimes candles aren't ideal or don't put off enough light, so it's important to have some good alternatives. 

3. Have plenty of non-perishable foods on hand. Just like you need to keep everyone hydrated, food is also important.  Read More »

5 tips to have a wedding on a budget

By Cheryl.LockGuest Blogger(view all posts by Cheryl.Lock)
at 6:00AM Friday February 1, 2013
under Money Saving Tips

When my now-husband and I got engaged, my first thought was, "Yay!" followed quickly by, "Wonder how much this is going to cost?"

With the cost of an average wedding at around $27,800, that's not an odd second thought to have. And while we ended up having a small ceremony—with just the two of us and one witness—at City Hall, we did spend months planning a full-on extravaganza before deciding to go casual.

To help you plan your own amazing wedding that won't break the bank, I thought I'd share with you a few of the cost-saving tips I picked up along the way. Read More »

Create and stick to a budget with Budget Envelopes for iOS

By Rick.BroidaGuest Blogger(view all posts by Rick.Broida)
at 9:45AM Thursday January 31, 2013
under Money Saving Tips

It's too bad they don't teach money-management in schools (at least, they didn't in my day), because everyone should learn how to create and stick to a budget.

One of the simplest methods is called envelope budgeting, which started in the days when cash was used to pay for most things--but it can still work today.

The core idea works like this: You create envelopes for various expenses like food, clothing, gifts, and entertainment.

Within each envelope you put the amount of money you've budgeted for that particular category. When the time comes to buy something,you draw from the appropriate envelope. Read More »

Super Bowl Appetizer Ideas & Recipes with Our DealPros

By SavingsMommie(view all posts by SavingsMommie)
at 9:00AM Wednesday January 30, 2013
under Money Saving Tips

(photo credit: A Few Short Cuts)

It's Super Bowl XLVII or to be easier on us, 47.  Let's bring out the grills, charcoal, the iceboxes and get this party started!  Whether you're hosting a party or having a nice small get together with a potluck, our DealPros have some really nice appetizer ideas to share with you.  So pull up your sleeves and get ready to get your eat on!

Dips

You can't have a party without a dip.  While a dip is considered a condiment or a better way to put it, a co-star in most cases. At a Super Bowl party, you better believe it, it's the star of the party.  So if you want a successful party, get that dip concoction started.

Creamy Jalapeno Ranch Dip by Saving with Shellie
BLT Dip by Getting Freedom from Debt
Homemade Guacamole Dip by Cleverly Simple

After you're done getting your dips together, how about creating your own Super Bowl Snack-idum by Frugalissa Finds.  Such a clever idea that will get your guest talking for days! Read More »