Category Archives: Books and Magazines

Get a FREE One Day Pass to Sam’s Wholesale Club

 

If you aren’t a member of Sam’s Wholesale Club, you can get a
FREE one-day pass to shop there, now through December 31st.
 

Do note that a 10% Service fee applies on all purchases made with the pass,
so take this into account when comparing prices and buying. Also, Sam’s
requires that purchases be made with cash, a debit card, MasterCard,
Discover card, or Wal-Mart credit card (they do not accept checks). 

Details, Details
How:
To get the FREE one-day pass or to learn more, click here. 

Where: To find the nearest Sam’s Store, click here. 

When: Pass is good for one visit now through December 31, 2010. 

Enjoy & Share! :)  

  

 

Get FREE Movie Tickets to Toy Story 3 PLUS Save
$40 With Purchase of Toy Story Bundle On Blu-ray 

FREE Monthly Jazz Series in Fort Worth  

  

 

Want to keep up with fresh ways to save money
and button down the family finances? 

Subscribe to Frugal in Fort Worth now. It’s FREE!   

Did you find these savings tips helpful? Please let us know in the
comments section or forward this site to others! 

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Get FREE Movie Tickets to Toy Story 3 PLUS Save $40 With Purchase of Toy Story Bundle On Blu-ray

     

For a limited time, Amazon.com is offering a really great bundle
special for Toy Story and Toy Story 2 on Blu-Ray.
     

You’ll get 2 FREE movie tickets to see Toy Story 3 (or any other
movie) plus save an
additional $40 OFF list price
 when you Pre-order
both movies together!     

Easy steps to get the special:     

  1. Go to the Amazon link here and scroll down past the preview video.
  2. You will see a section titled “Best Value” with the following
    details: Buy Toy Story (Two-Disc Special Edition Blu-ray/DVD Combo
    w/Blu-ray Packaging) and get Toy Story 2 (Two-Disc Special Edition
    Blu-ray/DVD Combo w/ Blu-ray Packaging) at an extra $10.00 off
    Amazon.com’s already discounted price . 
  3. Use the “Add both to Cart” button to select both movies. You
    will pay $39.98 total (a savings of  $40 = $30 off the list price +
    $10 Off Amazon’s Pre-order special price). 
  4. Select “FREE Super Saver Shipping” as your shipping speed at
    checkout to get free shipping.
  5. Each Blu-Ray movie comes with a voucher for a FREE Movie
    Ticket.
     This voucher can be redeemed for a movie ticket to see Toy
    Story 3 (or any other movie you would like) from March 26 to June 30,
    2010 – up to $8.50!  Your Movie Cash tickets can be used at 19 area
    movie theaters including Cinemark, Rave, and Regal Entertainment. 
    Find the
    locations here.

More good news:  Since this is a pre-order offer (the movies come out on
3/23), it comes with Amazon.com’s pre-order guarantee. If the price happens
to drop between now and 3/23, you will receive a refund for the difference!     

 Enjoy! :)     

      

     

Want to keep up with fresh ways to save money
and button down the family finances?
     

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Did you find these savings tips helpful? Please let us know in the
comments section or forward this site to others!
     

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FREEBIE ALERT: Receive a FREE “No Strings Attached” Pretzel from Auntie Anne’s ~ Saturday, February 20th!

      

Try a Fresh Pretzel at Auntie Anne’s for FREE!
Have you ever been taunted by the aroma of baked cinnamon goods while
walking through the mall? Chances are, you might have been smelling the
wonderful, fresh-baked pretzels from Auntie Anne’s (IMHO, the best pretzels
on Earth!).  Good news, Auntie Anne’s wants everyone to try a pretzel for
FREE this Saturday!      

Details, Details
What:
  Receive a FREE Original or Cinnamon Sugar Pretzel.  One Per Person.
Sign up for an email reminder or learn more details here.
When:  Saturday, February 20 ~ 10am-3pm
Where:  All Auntie Anne’s locations.  Click here to find a store near you.     

On a personal side note
I had an opportunity to hear Anne Beiler (founder of Auntie Anne’s Pretzels)
speak a couple of years ago.  She has an amazing life story of tragedy and
triumph that reaches far beyond how she started her pretzel business
with the recipe that was passed down from Amish Christian home.  
     

If you want to learn more about Anne Beiler, read her autobiography,
Twist of Faith: The Story of Anne Beiler, published by Thomas Nelson. 
You can likely find the book at most Christian bookstores,
or click here
to find it on sale at Amazon.com
.
     

Enjoy! :)      

    

Want to keep up with fresh ways to save money
and button down the family finances?   

Subscribe to Frugal in Fort Worth now. It’s FREE!     

Did you find these savings tips helpful? Please let us know in the
comments section or forward this site to others!    

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Make Your Own Sweets for Your Sweet with the FREE Taste of Home Magazine & Cookbook!

This Valentines Day, you don’t have to break the bank to do
something sweet for your sweetheart.

Head over to the FREE February edition of Taste of Home Magazine
(this is the FREE online version of the very same issue that is on newsstands
now!), and follow the simple instructions to make your own decadent
Chocolate Valentines Cupcakes (pages 16-18).  Yum!

The recipe provides easy-to-follow directions for making these rich
cupcakes with three different fillings:

  • Chocolate-Coffee Filling
  • Chocolate Hazelnut
  • Chocolate Orange

Click here, to visit the FREE online magazine and learn more.

Enjoy! :)


Want to keep up with fresh ways to save money
and button down the family finances?

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comments section or forward this site to others!

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25 Exclusive Sundance Square Coupons: 50% OFF Jamba Juice, 20% OFF Barnes & Noble, 25% OFF Texas Rangers Store ~ Plus Many More!

Fort Worth’s Sundance Square February online newsletter has a handy
list of 25  printable savings coupons & offers (and
they are good ALL month)!

Some of the exclusive merchant coupons you will find include:

  • Marble Slab: Buy One Get One FREE
  • Circle Theatre: Buy One Get One FREE
  • Jamba Juice: Buy One Get One 50% OFF
  • Texas Rangers Store: 25% OFF
  • Simply Fondue: 20% OFF
  • Barnes & Noble: 20% OFF
  • Barse: 20% OFF
  • Retro Cowboy: 15% OFF
  • Earth Bones: 15% OFF
  • Daddy Jack’s: 10% OFF
  • Quiznos Subs: $1 OFF
  • Billy Miner’s: $1 OFF

To download the coupons & newsletter (in PDF format), click here.

Enjoy! :)


How to Save $360 A Year On Your Wireless AT&T or
Verizon Plan (For Current & New Users)

10 Easy Strategies to Save a Bundle on Prescriptions

Please Share with Teachers You Know:
15% OFF Discount At Container Store
~ Discount is Good ALL Year!

75% OFF Tools & Home Improvement at Amazon


Want to keep up with fresh ways to save money
and button down the family finances?

Subscribe to Frugal in Fort Worth now. It’s FREE!

Did you find these savings tips helpful? Please let us know in the
comments section or forward this site to others!

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Frugal & Fun Fort Worth Weekend Events (January 29-31 Edition) ~ Girls Night Out, Stock Show and Rodeo, FREE Museum Event and More!

ABOUT THE FRUGAL & FUN FORT WORTH WEEKEND EDITION ~
Each Friday, we post ideas for FREE (or almost free) weekend entertainment
for you and your family. This weekend’s tips include:

• Ladies Night Out Fun (with Comedian Chonda Pierce)
FREE Day at the Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas
• 2010 Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo
FREE Decorate a Valentines Craft Event at Michael’s
• FREE Disney Princess Party
• FREE Fun Day for Kids at Lifeway Stores
(plus a link to a 25% Off Coupon)

.

Frugal Weekend Entertainment Option #1

For the Ladies:  Enjoy a Fun Girls Night Out at the Movies
Friday, January 30

Laugh out Loud with Popcorn, Movie & Snacks.

Leave the kiddos and hubby at home and bring all your girl friends to this
fun event. You will laugh until your side hurts watching Christian comedian
Chonda Pierce. The event includes Chonda on DVD, popcorn, snacks, soda and
a whole lot of fun for the ladies. To get a taste of the fun in store, watch the
Chonda Pierce youtube video here.

Details, details
What:
For more information, click here.
When:
Friday, January 29 ~ 7:30-10:30pm
Where:
Keller at NorthWood Church (Rufe Snow & N. Tarrant Pkwy).
1870 Rufe Snow Dr. Keller, TX.  For directions, click here.
Cost:
$5

::

Frugal Weekend Entertainment Option #2

Take in some traditional Western fun at the legendary
2010 Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo
Now through February 7, 2010

Kick up your heels and enjoy acres of excitement and western
heritage at the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo. Events include
pulse-pounding rodeo action (extra ticket required), free musical
entertainment, petting zoo, family friendly exhibits, premier livestock
shows, and more.

There are lots of special activities to enjoy and the schedule
of events
is fresh each day. Some of my favorites include:

Friday, January 29
50% OFF, Senior Citizens Day
: Senior citizens will be admitted to the
Stock Show grounds every Friday throughout the show (Jan 29 and Feb 5)
for a discounted admission price of $4.

FREE Admission Boy Scout Day: In celebration of the 100th
Anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America, all scouts in uniform
receive complimentary Stock Show Grounds Admission.

Cowtown Cattle Drive Charolais Sale: Cattle Sale Arena, 6:00pm

Saturday , January 30
Palomino Horse Performance Classes
: Justin Arena 8:00am

Miniature Horse Costume and Halter Stallions Classes:
Justin Arena 6:00pm

Sunday, January 31
Cowboy Church: Everyone is welcome and dress is “come as you are.”
Service by Shepherd’s Valley Church – West Arena, 10:00am

Monday, February 1
FREE Admission for Military Families
:
All active and retired military
personnel and their immediate families will receive complimentary Stock
Show grounds admission and rodeo tickets

Details, details
What:
The 2010 Stock Show and Rodeo schedule of events changes daily.
To get the
schedule of daily events, click here.
For the schedule of
special activities, click here.
To find out more about the entertainment schedule, click here.
For daily coverage of stock show events, check out
The Hog Blog.
When: Now through February 7, 2010
Where: 3400 Burnett-Tandy Dr.
Click here for driving directions.
How:
A Special Park & Ride shuttle will be available Saturdays and Sundays
during the Stock Show. It will take you directly to the front gate, pick you
up, and return you to your vehicle parking lot for only $1.00 each way.
To find out more, click here.
Cost:
For opportunities to attend the Stock Show for FREE,
click here.
Otherwise, General Admission is:
Adults ~$8, Children 6 – 16 ~ $4, Children 5 & Under ~ FREE.
Buy One Get One FREE rodeo ticket coupons are available from
Dickies and Lone Star Ag Credit.

::

Frugal Weekend Entertainment Option #3

Take a Family Art-Trek to Dallas’s Nasher Sculpture Center and
Get FREE Admission to the Jaume Plensa Exhibition
Opening
Day Celebration and Family Event
Saturday, January 30

Enjoy the FREE one-day Nasher Sculpture Center event in celebration of
the opening of Jaume Plensa: Genus and Species. Visitors will gain
complimentary access to the exhibition and enjoy a full day of artistic
activities.  Event includes, guided tours, art demonstrations, family art
activities, artist’s lecture,  and more.

Details, details
What:
For more details on activities and events, click here.
When:
Saturday, January 30 ~ 11:00am-5:00pm.
For schedule of seminars and activities, click here.
Where:
Nasher Sculpture Center in Dallas, 2001 Flora St
For driving directions, click here.
Cost:
FREE!
.
Many thanks to reader CShone for this tip!

::

Frugal Weekend Entertainment Option #4

Michael’s Arts & Crafts Stores Family Valentines Craft Event
Saturday, January 30

If your kiddos love crafts, you won’t want to  miss this (almost) FREE
Family Event!  On Saturday January 30, at all Michael’s Arts and Crafts
stores, each child can make a decorated valentines picture frame for
loved ones and friends.

Details, details
What:
For more information, click here.
When: Saturday, January 30 ~ 10:00-1:00pm
Where:
All Michael’s Craft Stores.
Click here to find a store near you.
Cost: Purchase a frame in store (for $1) and decorate it for
FREE at this fun event.

::

Frugal Weekend Entertainment Option #5

FREE Perfect Princess Party at the Hulen Disney Store
Saturday, January 30


This Saturday at the Hulen Disney Store, your little one can wear her
favorite princess gown and learn how to become a “perfect princess.”
This FREE event for the Princess-in-training will include 4 lessons:

  • The perfect curtsey
  • Princess posture
  • The princess wave
  • Proper tea

Details, details
What:
For more information, click here.
When: Saturday, January 30

  • Session 1: 11:00am – 11:45am
  • Session 2: 1:00pm – 1:45pm

Where: 4800 South Hulen.  To get directions to the Disney
Store, click here.
Cost: FREE!

::

Frugal Weekend Entertainment Option #6

FREE LifeWay Kids Fun Day Event
Saturday, January 30


This Saturday, bring your child to LifeWay Stores for a Day of Fun.
There will be crafts, snacks, special discounts and more!  Select children’s
items will be 50% Off too!

Click here to print a coupon for 25% OFF one regularly priced item
good on this day (1/30/10), too.

Details, details
What:
For more information, click here. Then click on “Back Cover.”
When: Saturday, January 30 ~ 11:00am-1:00pm
Where:
To find a LifeWay Store, click here.
Cost: FREE!

Enjoy! :)



How to Save $360 A Year On Your Wireless AT&T or
Verizon Plan (For Current & New Users)

10 Easy Strategies to Save a Bundle on Prescriptions

Please Share with Teachers You Know:
15% OFF Discount At Container Store
~ Discount is Good ALL Year!

75% OFF Tools & Home Improvement at Amazon


Want to keep up with fresh ways to save money
and button down the family finances?

Subscribe to Frugal in Fort Worth now. It’s FREE!

Did you find these savings tips helpful? Please let us know in the
comments section or forward this site to others!

Bookmark and Share



FRUGAL ALERT: Get a FREE VeggieTales DVD!

  

I have to admit, as an adult, I have always loved VeggieTales.   

 The wit and goofy humor, is right up my alley, plus VeggieTales’ stories always
end with a terrific, applicable lesson and truth. So, with that confession, I am
glad to share this offer of a
FREE VeggieTales DVD from Big Idea online.    

Details, Details
What:
  The FREE VeggieTales DVD offer includes a choice of a few different 
     titles ($2.99 shipping applies to order).
Click here to get the scoop.
When: If interested, don’t delay as the offer is for a limited time and
    while supplies last.
  

Enjoy! :)  



  

  

How to Save $360 A Year On Your Wireless AT&T or
Verizon Plan (For Current & New Users)
  

10 Easy Strategies to Save a Bundle on Prescriptions  

 Please Share with Teachers You Know:
15% OFF Discount At Container Store
~ Discount is Good ALL Year!
  

75% OFF Tools & Home Improvement at Amazon  


  

  

Want to keep up with fresh ways to save money
and button down the family finances?
  

Subscribe to Frugal in Fort Worth now. It’s FREE!   

Did you find these savings tips helpful? Please let us know in the
comments section or forward this site to others!
  

Bookmark and Share  

 
 

Get FREE Books to Review from BookSneeze and Thomas Nelson Christian Book Publishers

  

                                 

BookSneeze gives bloggers books to review for FREE!
If you are a blogger (no matter how active) and are interested in receiving
FREE books from top Christian publisher Thomas Nelson, take a look
at Book Sneeze

In exchange for reading new books and writing a review on your blog,
you’ll be able to request and get FREE books from their review list. 

  Fearless    I Believe Bunny    Everyday Greatness    The Busy People's Fast and Frugal Cookbook    Green 

Lots of FREE book choices.
The list changes regularly and the range of previous titles is large ~ from
fiction and non-fiction titles from top-selling authors like Max Lucado,
Stephen Covey, and Ted Dekker to children’s books and cookbooks.

Details, Details
Signing up for the FREE Book & Review Program is easy.
 

  1. Register for a FREE BookSneeze Account Here.  
  2. Select an available book to review here.
  3. Read the book, write your review, and post it.

  The Tallest of Smalls   The Hole in Our Gospel   Love & Respect   Skeeter and the Mystery of the Lost Mosquito Treasure (DVD)   Between Wyomings

 

 Enjoy! :)   

 

FREE Betty Crocker Cookbook 

Please Share with Teachers You Know:
15% OFF Discount At Container Store
~ Discount is Good ALL Year!
 

   

  

Want to keep up with fresh ways to save money
and button down the family finances?  

Subscribe to Frugal in Fort Worth now. It’s FREE!   

Did you find these savings tips helpful? Please let us know in the
comments section or forward this site to others! 

Bookmark and Share 

 

FREE Betty Crocker Downloadable Cookbook: Soups, Stews, Chilies, and Homemade Bread

                                          

With all the chilly winter lately, I’m going to enjoy this FREE e-copy of Betty Crocker’s Soups, Stews and Chilies Cookbook.  I like the fact that all the recipes have nutritional information (calories, fiber, fat, etc.), plus many of the recipes can be prepared in a slow cooker for easy prep. It also includes a nice section on homemade breads that look simple to make and sound perfect for serving with a hearty bowl of soup. 

Visit the FREE online cookbook here. 

Enjoy! :) 

  

 

$10 OFF Lowes Coupon and
75% OFF Tools & Home Improvement
 

Please Share with Teachers You Know:
15% OFF Discount At Container Store
~ Discount is Good ALL Year!
 

  

 

Want to keep up with fresh ways to save money
and button down the family finances?
 

Subscribe to Frugal in Fort Worth now. It’s FREE!  

Did you find these savings tips helpful? Please let us know in the
comments section or forward this site to others!
 

Bookmark and Share 

Please Share This With Teachers You Know: Special Container Store 15% OFF Discount Now Available for Educators ~ Discount is Good ALL 2010! :)

                                 A special post for my teacher friends:    

                           Container Store Logo   

One of my favorite stores, The Container Store, is offering a special
discount just for teachers, AND it is good ALL YEAR! 
   

As an educator, you qualify for Container Store’s special 15% OFF
“Organized Teacher” discount, now through December 31, 2010!
   

Container Store is a terrific one-stop-shop to get everything you need to get
organized < or just get organization inspiration! :) > for just about every part
of life.  My favorite department is their travel area with its great ideas for
making packing simple & organized.   

Details, details
How:  In order to take advantage of the 15% OFF educators discount, you’ll
need to sign up for the offer, which you can get by following this link.   

Where: The discount will work both at the Container Store’s bricks & mortar
store and at their online store too (containerstore.com).   

 Many thanks for helping pass the word to teachers you know! :)   

 Enjoy! :)   

    

 

    

Up to 70% OFF With New Price Markdowns
on Toys and Games at Amazon
   

$5 Magazine Subscriptions ~ Southern Living,
Good Housekeeping, Disney Family Fun, & Many More
  

$5 FREE Hallmark Stores Coupon   

   

   

Want to keep up with fresh ways to save money
and button down the family finances?
   

Subscribe to Frugal in Fort Worth now. It’s FREE!    

Did you find these savings tips helpful? Please let us know in the
comments section or forward this site to others!
   

Bookmark and Share   

 

Christmas Dinner Placesetting Tips: Trying to Remember which Fork Goes Where?

This tip comes courtesy of my mother, the quintessential hostess… 

Thanksgiving Table Setting  

If you are like me, daily dinners at home rarely include a  table formally set with
all the various forks, glasses, etc.  If you are hosting Christmas dinner at your
home and need a refresher on which fork goes where, Replacements, Etc.
has a handy guide for setting the table correctly for just about any type of meal. 
Just follow the link here and you’ll be “Emily Post Etiquette” approved! 
And if you are still working on your menu…
 
There are some terrific FREE downloadable cookbooks and resources to help
give you inspiration, ideas, and yummy recipes:

Enjoy! :) 

 

Up to 70% OFF With New Price Markdowns
on Toys and Games at Amazon

Frugal & Fun Fort Worth December Weekend Events 

 $5 Magazine Subscriptions ~ Southern Living,
Good Housekeeping, Disney Family Fun, & Many More

$5 FREE Hallmark Stores Coupon 

 

 

Want to keep up with fresh ways to save money
and button down the family finances?
 

Subscribe to Frugal in Fort Worth now. It’s FREE!  

Did you find these savings tips helpful? Please let us know in the
comments section or forward this site to others!
 

Bookmark and Share 

  

LAST DAY REMINDER: $5 Magazine Subscriptions ~ Southern Living, Popular Mechanics, Sports Illustrated for Kids, Smart Money, & Many More

I rarely post magazine deals, but Amazon has a long list of magazine subscriptions on sale for $5 (many end today!) that is too good of a bargain not to mention. I’ve never seen this many magazines selling at such rock-bottom prices (even the 2 year subscriptions are incredibly cheap!). If you already subscribe, you can use the offer to extend your subscription (just make sure you use the same name and address).

There is an abundance of $5 subscription titles to choose from. Here is a small sample of the list (great gift ideas!):

Home & Garden Interests

Magazine - Good Housekeeping

Magazines for the Family

Magazine - Disney Family FunMagazine - National Geographic

Special Interests

Magazine - Popular MechanicsMagazine - Road and Track

Savings Tip: Bundle your purchases. If you have any other shopping to do with Amazon, magazine purchases will work as a great filler to get the FREE Shipping from Amazon when you spend $25 or more.

These make excellent stocking stuffers at this price!

Enjoy! :)

~:~
 
SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE!
 
 Want to keep up with fresh ways to save money
and button down the family finances?
 
 
We love to hear from our readers! Please give us a shout in the
comments section or forward this site to others!

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TODAY ONLY (Tuesday): FREE Holiday Photo Cards, Photo Calendar, Photo Book, or $25 Gift Certificate from American Greetings’ PhotoWorks

Today Only!  American Greetings’ PhotoWorks is offering a great FREEBIE promotion! 

What:  If you sign up in time, you can choose from 4 great FREE personalized items: a photobook, a pack of 25 photo paper holiday cards, a photo calendar, or a $25 Gift Certificate to be used towards other items (free order must be placed before 12/31/09).

How:  Visit americangreetings.com today.  Click on the link on the bottom right of their homepage and be one of the first 20,000 people to request a special coupon code for a gift from PhotoWorks.com.

Offer available to the U.S. and Canada only.

::   

OTHER POPULAR POSTS: 

  •  $5 Magazine Subscriptions ~ Southern Living,
Good Housekeeping, Disney Family Fun, & Many More  

 •  FREE Cookbooks from Martha Stewart,
Paula Deen, Taste of Home and More!
   

 

::  

SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE!

Want to keep up with fresh ways to save money
and button down the family finances?

Subscribe to Frugal in Fort Worth now. It’s FREE!

Did you find these savings tips helpful? Please let us know in the
comments section or forward this site to others!

Bookmark and Share

 

Get a FREE One Day Pass to Sam’s Wholesale Club

                          

If you aren’t already a member of Sam’s Wholesale Club, you can get a FREE one-day pass to shop now through November 29th. 

Do note that a 10% Service fee applies on all purchases made with the pass, so take this into account when comparing prices and buying.  Also, Sam’s requires that purchases be made with cash, a debit card, MasterCard, Discover card, and Wal-Mart credit card (they do not accept checks).

To get the FREE One-Day Pass Coupon or learn more, click here.

To find the nearest location, click here.

Enjoy! :)

::   

OTHER POPULAR POSTS: 

  •  $5 Magazine Subscriptions ~ Southern Living,
Good Housekeeping, Disney Family Fun, & Many More  

 •  FREE Thanksgiving Cookbooks from Martha Stewart,
Paula Deen, Taste of Home and More!
   

 •  Savings Guide: Get a Head Start on Black Friday Deals! 

 

::  

SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE!

Want to keep up with fresh ways to save money
and button down the family finances?

Subscribe to Frugal in Fort Worth now. It’s FREE!

Did you find these savings tips helpful? Please let us know in the
comments section or forward this site to others!

Bookmark and Share

 

Savings Guide: Get a Head Start on Black Friday Deals!

     

Black Friday, the official kickoff to the holiday shopping season, is a week from tomorrow.  Apparently no one has informed the nation’s top retailers that THIS is the day that Christmas shopping begins <grin>, as they have been in full swing with their pre-Christmas sales for a while.  Stores eager for a bit of our wallets are offering big sales and sneak peeks at their ad deals long before the doors open on Friday. 

After perusing many of the sneak-peek sale ads, I have a few tips to help you get the best deals on your shopping list:

#1  Know what you are going to buy and make your list before you go shopping.  It’s easy to get pulled into the excitement of shopping’s “superbowl” day, but if you have a list, it will help you stay on budget and not overspend.

#2 Study the sale ads before you go.  After looking at several Black Friday sites, I recommend using the following sites for sale ad research:

  • Black-friday.net ~ This site has a LONG list of sneak peek ads for Black Friday which are very organized and easy to navigate (point. click. & voila! You can see next Friday’s ads for lots of stores).  They also have an easy search feature, where you can type in a specific item and compare ad prices.  I typed in “ipod” in the search field and every retailer that featured an Apple IPod in their sale ads popped up in a tidy list, making it easy to compare retailers’ offers.  I like their “Shopping List” feature too.  It allows you to make a handy-dandy list of the items you are interested in, by retailer.
  • TheBlackFriday.blogspot.com ~  If you just want to peruse the ads each day that the “sneak peeks” are released, this is a good spot.  It has some of the best quality ad scans and the simplicity of this site makes it easy to see the latest ads at a quick glance. 

 #3 Compare the sale ad prices to online sites before you go.   It is a good idea to compare the total cost product + tax (8.25% in Fort Worth) of purchasing at your local store vs. buying the same item from an online retailer (product + shipping).  At an almost 10% increase to the bottom line, tax can add up quick.  Many online stores (like Amazon.com or Buy.com) offer free shipping on some purchases AND are tax-free (plus most of their prices are nicely discounted every day).  

Take a look at our recent example of Amazon vs. Walmart on a Wii system ~ the savings can be significant!

 #4 Use an online price comparison tool.  Ditto #3 above, regarding comparing total cost of purchase (add local tax or online shipping).  Some of the most useful sites for comparing online prices include:

  • Beatmyprice.com ~ This is one of my favorite  sites for finding the best comparisons across many retailers.  Rather than using computers to scan the internet to search the best deal, this site is a “people powered” price comparison tool.
  • Epinions.com ~ Epinions is a great site for getting online reviews on products you might be considering.  It also has a handy price comparison section as well.
  • Google.com/products ~  This is a new section of Google that is in beta testing.  Out of the gates, I find it is a really good price evaluation tool.  Their slogan is “Search for Stuff to Buy.”  Need more be said?

 #5 Have fun and enjoy yourself.   Spread good cheer! Remember that you are blessed to be able to walk through the aisles with enough money to buy something for the people you love most.  If they are out of Zhu-Zhu toys, it is not the end of the world.   

::   

OTHER POPULAR POSTS: 

   •  $5 Magazine Subscriptions ~ Southern Living,
Good Housekeeping, Disney Family Fun, & Many More  

•  FREE Thanksgiving Cookbooks from Martha Stewart,
Paula Deen, Taste of Home and More!
   

 •  Cheapest Days for Thanksgiving Travel  

 

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