Help Dad get ready for a frugal summer vacation with a gift card from Camping World. They have all kind of deals on your camping essentials.
Available from $10 to $500. Good when shopping in Camping World’s stores, on their website or by catalog.
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- Instant Coupon - Save an additional $5 off Sonicare brush heads at drugstore.com! Offer ends 02.06.2011.
- Exclusive 10% Off + Free Shipping on ALL Fashion Apparel, Accessories and Footwear End Date: 02/08/2011
- Save Big on Valentine's Day Flight Deals at CheapOair.com. Book Now! Offer Valid till Feb 14, 2011.
- Best Flight and Hotel Deals for Valentine's Day. Save $15 with Coupon Code VALENTINE15. Book Now! End Date: 02/14/2011
Get Ready for Camping!
a friendEverything Backpacks
Want to prepare early for back to school? DollarDays offer a large selection of elementary school, middle school, high school and college backpacks just in time for school or can be used all year round. Shop DollarDays today! Wholesale Backpacks & Supplies – Dollar Days sells an assortment of wholesale backpacks including, mini backpacks, mesh back packs, clear backpacks and backpacks on wheels. Buy products by the case or buy in bulk at low cheap closeout prices. Find great deals on discount school supplies including pencils, scissors and notebooks.
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40% off Dresses at Ann Taylor Loft
Looking for something to wear to a graduation, brunch or party? Ann Taylor Loft is offering 40% off Spring Dresses on their website. Visit anntaylorloft.com.
Did you like this? If so, please bookmark it, about it, and subscribe to the blog RSS feed.Save Money on a Spring Bedroom Makeover
I LOVE new bedding. It brightens my day when I make my bed and it looks fresh and comfy. My favorite bedding sources have always been Ralph Lauren, Laura Ashley (OK, in the 90s) and Garnet Hill. But you can spend a mint on a new comforter, bed skirt and shams if you’re not careful. I have some resources for you if you only have a little cash to spend. Here’s what I found that is new for Spring online and includes all the pieces you need for a bed makeover. Don’t forget to always Google the name of the site with the words “coupon codes” before you buy anything on the internet. It is one of the best ways to save money.
Walmart – Better Homes and Gardens Citrus Blossoms Damask Comforter Set – This set comes with a comforter, shams and a bed-skirt and costs only $85.00 for a King set. It is also reversible so you get two beds in one. See picture at the top of this article. So Springy and bright! Bonus: they give you free shipping to the store if you have a Walmart that’s convenient to you.
Did you like this? If so, please bookmark it, about it, and subscribe to the blog RSS feed.Embrace the Wabi-Sabi in Your Life
How many of us have wasted precious minutes and hours of our lives obsessing over making sure that something is perfect: ourselves, our homes, our spouses, our children. In the Western World, striving for this kind of perfection is a daily activity but it can be unhealthy and does not jibe well with the idea of loving ourselves the way we are. Instead, the Japanese have a wonderful concept called Wabi-Sabi, which is basically the “art of finding beauty in imperfection”.
According to Japanese architect, Tadao Ando, “wabi-sabi is flea markets, not warehouse stores; aged wood, not Pergo; rice paper, not glass. It celebrates cracks and crevices and all the other marks that time, weather, and loving use leave behind”. To me, it is smile lines vs. plastic surgery, Country Living vs. Traditional Home and potluck dinners vs. fancy restaurants. It is appreciating what we have rather than always striving for something newer and better.
How can we incorporate this more into our daily lives? Try a few of these ideas:
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Complement someone on something that represents their natural beauty, like their eye color, rather than their new blouse.
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Resist the temptation to apologize for your messy house the next time you have a visitor.
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Next time you need a new outfit for an event, see if you can borrow one from a friend and offer to repay the favor.
I hope you can embrace the Wabi-Sabi in your life. I promise you’ll feel happier!
Darcy Ratner and Julie Arnheim
Founders, Rubbingnickels.com
Drop a Hint This Mother’s Day
Are you anticipating disappointment on Mother’s Day this year? My Mom has a story about her first Mother’s Day with my Dad, when he gave her a “steam iron” and actually thought she’d be excited. I’m sorry to report that her marriage to my Dad no longer exists and I always wondered if that was the reason. 
On the positive side, in this era of frugality and cutting back, it isn’t a bad idea to ask for “practical” gifts if that’s what will make you happy. I’d be perfectly happy with new living room carpet as a Mother’s Day gift, though I’m sure I’m probably not going to get it. I also would love to be able to hire back my house-cleaners, though I’m not going to get that either. But I bet if I dropped a hint for a new Cuisinart, he might be able to drag himself down to Macy’s, as long as I gave him a coupon.
So what’s the best way to ask? Well, if you don’t want the family to waste money on flowers because you have blooms in your yard, drop a not-so-subtle hint by leaving the page of a catalog with a nice scarf, necklace or earrings on the counter, write the web address on the page in sharpie, followed by MOTHER’S DAY, in capital letters. I’ve tried this before for birthdays and holidays and I swear it’s the sharpie that makes the difference. If you like pedicures, you can do the same thing with a salon brochure. Circle or highlight the service you want and once again, write MOTHER’S DAY in sharpie on it. I know it sounds obnoxious, but isn’t it great to get a gift you really want?
Here’s a shout out to all the mothers on the net! We hope you are honored in a special way this Mother’s Day.
Darcy Ratner and Julie Arnheim
Founders, Rubbingnickels.com
Get the Latest Sookie Novel!
The Sookie Stackhouse saga is one of my favorite series, of late. HBO agrees with me and has made the books in to a popular TV series called “Trueblood”. Sookie is a fun heroine and the Vamps she hangs out with are sexy, strong and fun to read about. You can pick up this latest book in the series at Amazon for only $9.99 for the hardback which is listed at $25.00. It’s a great read!
Did you like this? If so, please bookmark it, about it, and subscribe to the blog RSS feed.50% Off on Spring Fashions…
Visit the New York and Company website and get 50% off of everything on the site. Great deals include: trendy scarves for $8.47, beaded thong sandals for $13.00, flutter sleeve v-neck tee for $9.97 and the Bryant Park t-dress for $14.97.
Save money on your basics for Spring!
Did you like this? If so, please bookmark it, about it, and subscribe to the blog RSS feed.The Explorateur: A Cottage Industry
Today, we’re talking to Gabriella, who recently turned her travel blog into a subscriber-only website that provides readers access to unique travel experiences and great deals on travel. She has insightful advice for those of us who are trying to “make money on the internet”. You can contact her at info@theexplorateur.net if you have any questions about her site or her experiences.
Tell us about your business: The Explorateur is a website that showcases honest reviews on hotels, information and insider tips on new happenings in the travel world, and exclusive offers at amazing hotels worldwide, for subscribers only.
Why did you start this business? I love to travel, have a passion for discovering new places. I am also aware that no matter what budget people have, they are always looking for a good deal on travel. And, with The Explorateur, we always have a great exclusive for them at a fantastic, unique hotel or venue around the world.
What is your background? I started out working at a tour operator, in the department handling contracting and advertising programs. After 6 ½ years I took a different direction and started my own company (Trumarketing) that handles sales, marketing and PR for hotels and destinations worldwide. I launched The Explorateur as more of a hobby and a blog, but it quickly took shape and turned into a more comprehensive venture with a more defined goal and reach.
What skills did you need to acquire for your new endeavor? The ability to adapt to a VERY dynamic, ever-changing environment. Everything about travel is different now: the way people get information, the way they process it, and the things they’re looking for. We have to be on the pulse of what makes sense for people who love to travel. We also have to negotiate the best deals possible and utilize different forms of social media to enhance our visibility while minding our own limited budgets.
Biggest challenges? Information overload. There is so much info, so many people saying so many things that it’s almost impossible for a consumer to keep up. But, by carving out a niche such as a pathway for exclusive deals, it keeps readers engaged and loyal to the e-publication.
What have you learned and advice to others: Always be willing to learn and take constructive advice- nobody knows it all and part of the biggest challenge in starting your own venture is tackling the unknown. Look to people who can help advise you or guide you based on their own experiences, while following your ideas and instincts as well.
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