By Wendy Mihm | Wednesday March 16, 2011

ThredUp is a new online childrens’ clothing and toy exchange that is, in my humble opinion, brilliant.

Why?  Because they have figured out everything we moms despise and therefore procrastinate about when it comes to either giving away, donating or selling our kids’ outgrown clothes.

Here’s how it works. 

To buy childrens clothes

• You browse through boxes of other peoples’ kids clothes and toys online at the ThredUp site

• Then you select one you like and buy it for $5 + $10.95 USPS shipping

• Your box shows up at your door within few days

To sell childrens clothes

• List the items for sale in your box of used clothes and toys on the ThredUp site

• When another member picks your box, ThredUp will arrange to send it, 100% free of charge

• ThredUp provides boxes, postage, and even schedules the pick-up

Badda bing.  Done.

That’s it!  See?  Painless.

I told you it was brilliant.

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By Wendy Mihm | Tuesday March 8, 2011

Neighborgoods is the hottest, hippest new thing to hit the neighborhood since the gourmet food truck.  You can save money and resources by sharing things like bicycles, tools, ladders, bounce houses – you name it – with your friends and neighbors.

Here’s how NeighborGoods works:

• Add the things you have available for people to borrow to your Neighborgoods inventory.

• When you need to borrow something, “shop” for it in the various Neighborgoods categories.  Don’t see it there?  Add it to your wish list.

• When someone in your community has what you need, they will let you know.

• Safety mechanisms are built in, including automated calendars and reminders.

• You can also create specific sharing groups for your office, school, neighborhood etc.

Go check out the website—people are loving this service.  From the reviews, it sounds like they are having as much fun meeting all their neighbors as they are saving money by borrowing stuff!  Seems like a pretty excellent way to save money, strengthen your neighborhood ties, and maybe even make a new friend or two.  I mean, wouldn’t want to make friends with the lady pushing the vacuum cleaner down the street?

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By Wendy Mihm | Wednesday February 23, 2011

Swagbucks is a bit like an airlines mileage program, only you never have to set foot in an airport. 

If you go to their website and register, it allows you to earn Swagbucks by doing many of the things you already do, as long as you do them via their website.  You can even watch a surprisingly wide range of video programming, with topics ranging from entertainment, fashion and beauty, parenting, pets and nature, food and so on.

You can search for and print coupons before you go to the store, and if you somehow have free time, you can take surveys.

All of these activities accrue Swagbucks into your account.  Once you have a bunch (a bunch!) you can redeem them for various items in their Swag Store.

I have used a couple of their coupons and tried watching a video once, but I am not a convert yet, to be completely honest.  But I thought it was worth mentioning because the concept is pretty compelling—especially since you’re going to do much of this stuff anyway.  Plus, in my research, I ran across some users online who really loved the weekly contests, who got into the habit of using it, and really enjoyed rewards.

So have a look at the site and decide for yourself.

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By Wendy Mihm | Tuesday February 22, 2011

Eco Buys is a website that features one-a-day deals on baby gear. 

Today’s deal happens to be 50% off The Bumble Collection diaper bags, which are naturally water and stain resistant, PVC-free, eco-friendly, and machine washable.  As you can see, the discounts are for real, but you have to be quick:  the deals are for one day only and they start selling at 9:00am EST.  When they’re gone, they’re gone.

But remember, as with any of the offers on our Deals and Steals page, nothing is a bargain if you didn’t need the item in the first place!

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By Wendy Mihm | Friday February 18, 2011

Clinique is offering free shipping off any order at Clinique.com all weekend long with this coupon code: WEEKEND

Just enter the code in at checkout to take advantage of the offer.

Personally, I love their “Even Better Skin Tone Correcting Moisturizer.”  It helped clear up some light pigmentation on my face after Alex was born, plus it has SPF 20.

But you must be quick, because the offer expires at the end of the weekend, or 11:59pm EST on Sunday, February 20th to be precise.

Happy shopping!

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By Wendy Mihm | Thursday February 17, 2011

Tiny Prints is offering 35% off their gorgeous, customizable photo notebooks with this coupon code:  DOD0217.

We did our 2009 Christmas cards with Tiny Prints and got scads of compliments, so I can tell you first hand that Tiny Prints does fantastic work.  These look like they might make wonderful gifts for someone, too.

Anyway, standard shipping is $7.95.  Or you can get free shipping with a $45 purchase and stackable coupon code FREESHIP.

Thanks, Bradsdeals.com!

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By Wendy Mihm | Wednesday February 16, 2011

Soap.com is offering $10 off a purchase of $20 worth of Almay products from their site.

Just use coupon code FBALMAY to receive the discount at checkout.

If you spend $25, you can also receive free shipping!

But hurry, the offer expires at the end of the day today, February 16, 2011!

Thanks Spoofee.com!

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By Wendy Mihm | Tuesday February 8, 2011

Ok, I’ll admit it.  This one got here in large part due to the cuteness factor.  I mean really.  Look at these things!  I’m going to print this coupon today, bake up these cookies and add them to a birthday gift we’re giving to a little girl in Natalie’s class who is turning 5 this weekend.

So here’s the deal: click on this link to the Nestle Tollhouse Cookie site then either just print the page or hit the “download the coupon” button and then print the page and voila!  You’ve got a $1.00 off coupon for Nestle Tollhouse Valentine Friends Sugar Cookies!

Pretty sweet.

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By Wendy Mihm | Thursday February 3, 2011

There are generally good and bad times to buy most things.  February happens to be a very good time to find great deals on luggage.  Why?  Because travel tends to slow down during the month of February and when travel slows down, fewer people buy luggage.  Manufacturers and retailers cannot charge higher prices for the things they sell when the demand is not there.

Ok, now that our little economics lesson is over, let’s get on with the deal.  Ebags.com is having a big sale on their luggage this month, and is also offering free shipping! 

But remember, nothing is a bargain if you don’t really need it, so don’t even click on that link if you weren’t in the market for luggage in the first place.  Also, Ebags is certainly not the only game in town.  Remember, since February is a good time for luggage deals, you can probably find them in lots of places.  I just happened to like their free shipping deal and the pretty picture on the Ebags website.

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By Wendy Mihm | Sunday January 30, 2011

What’s on sale today?  Well, if you’re looking to fill some “gaps” in your or your kids’ wardrobes, today might be a great day to do it.  The Gap is offering an additional 30% off all their sale items, online only.  It’s unclear how long the offer will last, and sizes and selections are disappearing quickly, so shop now for the best selection.

Hope you find some great deals.

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By Wendy Mihm | Friday January 21, 2011

It’s a new year and maybe time for some new shoes. Save up to 70% at the Naturalizer.com Clearance Sale Event!
As someone who is on her feet chasing a preschooler and a toddler much of the day, I gotta wear sensible shoes and am therefore picky about what I put on my feet.  Naturalizer is one of the few brands that lives up to the promise of delivering both lasting comfort and decent style.  And now they are having a blow out sale at their online store.

Speaking of being picky, FinancialRx.com has just joined the Google Affiliate Network, and as guardian of this website, I am and will always be extremely picky about which brands we choose to partner with in this network. I am looking for true quality and value, not necessarily just cheap prices on things that you’ll just have to replace.

So if you’re in need of some comfy shoes that last, have a look at Naturalizer’s sale.  And stay tuned for more Deals and Steals!

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By Wendy Mihm | Thursday January 20, 2011

Sometimes it’s hard to be a good gift giver.  And if you’re anything like me, you find yourself visiting the same stores again and again, trying to find something new to surprise and delight your Mother-in-Law/best friend/lovely neighbor/daughter’s teacher.

Or maybe you’re just looking to finally hang a picture or two on your wall, spruce up the half bath or polish up the guest bedroom.  Whatever the occasion, if you are in the market for some elegant, artful home decor or beautiful gifts, but don’t have the budget to spend a fortune, try One King’s Lane.  You can subscribe to their email list and they will send you an email a day, highlighting the often deep discounted items that are available for the next few days.  These items are often from up-and-coming artists and designers and are very unique and memorable.  But when they’re gone, they’re gone.

I also find that their items are so gorgeous that they tempt you to buy when you don’t really need anything.  So my advice is to subscribe until you’ve gotten what you need for your gift giving or decorating occasion, then unsubscribe.  Happy shopping!

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By Wendy Mihm | Tuesday January 11, 2011

We all have our favorite cosmetics brands.  Some people stay loyal for years, while others love to test out new brands every time their moisturizer runs out or they’re in the mood for a new eye color.  But if you’re like many of us, you love a good Gift With Purchase promo so you can get that cute bag full of wonderfully free goodies. 

Well, now you no longer have to wait because we’ve discovered a website that hunts down every single GWP promo and lists them all in one place.  It’s called MyGiftWithPurchase.com and the woman who runs it even mentions when the stores are offering free shipping along with the GWP.  That way, even if the store is far away, you can still take advantage of the offer. 

Now you can maximize every dollar you spend toward cosmetics—now that is smarter spending.  Thanks, MyGiftWithPurchase!

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By Wendy Mihm | Friday January 7, 2011

Whole Foods is advertising an upcoming sale on tilapia, a white meat, mild fish that cooks up much like snapper.  Because it’s Whole Foods, they indicate these fish were raised in Ecuador and Costa Rica (not in China), under strict standards that prohibit antibiotics, pesticides or added growth hormones.

All Whole Foods stores in the U.S. and Canada will be offering tilapia for $4.99 per pound on January 14th, which is about 40% off!  If you visit the Whole Foods website, you’ll find some recipes for preparing the fish that even your kids will like.  I’ve made this fish for my own kids quite a few times in the past and they have actually eaten it.  No, seriously.

Go fish!

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By Wendy Mihm | Tuesday December 21, 2010

It’s just four days before the fat man comes, and you still have people on your list to buy for.  Sure you’re done with your Mom, your brother and your kids.  All the obvious people.  But it’s suddenly seeping into your brain that you have nothing for the incredibly wonderful people that make your life hum along so wonderfully. 

Like the woman who cares for your daughter when she stays at after care at school.  Or the stylist who dries your hair pin-straight.  Or how about your gardeners?  I know, I’m freaking you out, right?

Well here’s a quick and inexpensive solution that everyone will like: Starbucks.  For the next two days, Tuesday December 21st and Wednesday December 22nd, Starbucks is offering a Free $5 Starbucks gift card with the purchase of every Via Ready Brew 12 Pack Purchase.

Considering the price for a regular 12-pack of Via Ready Brew is $9.95, that’s an excellent deal.  Happy shopping, Santa!

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By Wendy Mihm | Monday December 20, 2010

If your family celebrates Christmas, and if you are anything like me, these things are likely happening to you right now:

• You are admitting to yourself that it is a tad too late to create and order that perfect photo book that you had designed in your head for your in-laws.  But it was really lovely, honest.

• You have realized that you have reams of wrapping paper but no pretty bags, which everyone knows are at least fourteen times easier to wrap things in.

• You have some stuff for the kids’ stockings, but you’re not sure it’s enough, or if the split between kids is even.

• Scores of boxes have shown up on your front porch, but you can no longer distinguish which ones you ordered for your husband, which he ordered for you, and which are gifts from your out of town family.

• You still have not figured out the menu for your Christmas dinner.

Well, today’s Deals and Steals can’t help you with all those dilemmas, but we can help with the stocking stuffing piece.  One word:

ToyZam!

Why do I like this place so much?  First, they are not too large as to be overwhelming and they are organized in a way that makes good sense to me:  by maker.  All their Melissa and Doug toys are grouped together, all their Legos together, Alex toys together, Sprig toys, Fisher Price, etc.  They also have groupings by interest group, such as remote control toys, craft activities, dolls, wooden toys for infants, etc.  Best of all, however, was the play area where kids (and adults) could try out a variety of toys for sale.  That way you can see what your kids are interested in before you buy.

ToyZam is a national chain and they are all having sales of various kinds. 

Pasadena ToyZam Sale

The ToyZam in Pasadena is on Lake street near the Children’s Place Store and they are having an excellent sale:  buy one toy and get a second one of equal or lesser value at 50% off.  But take advantage of this sale and of having a real toy store right here in town because come January, ToyZam will be gone, as they are only a temporary store.  Remember, this is the same store front that used to sell the Halloween costumes, so who knows what it will be next…

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By Wendy Mihm | Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Hurry!  Now until December 21st, you can get free shipping on all orders placed at LLBean.com—there is no minimum order!  LL Bean does not have rock-bottom prices, I know, but their products are well-made and they last.  This is an excellent way to give high-quality gifts at the last minute, without getting gouged with those awful rush shipping charges.  But remember, your time runs out on December 21st, so you can only procrastinate for so long.  Happy gift-giving!

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By Wendy Mihm | Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Need some cute, fun stocking stuffers for the cute, fun girls and women in your life? Or maybe you need to refresh your look for that upcoming flurry of upcoming holiday parties. Whatever the reason, this is the season to grab some great deals on some gorgeous and hip cosmetics by Stila. They’re having a blowout warehouse sale at their online store and are offering some great deals.

Have a minute? Check it out and enjoy!

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