July 2010 - FREE Today

Why Free Shipping IS a Big Deal

Why are we excited about free shipping? You may think of free shipping as an afterthought but with today's shipping costs, free shipping is as important as the sale discount. For instance, Lane Bryant has a $7.00 flat shipping fee -- which is a good deal for shipping -- but for every sale item you buy, you have to calculate that seven dollars back into the cost to find the real savings. Whenever you are shopping online, check the site for a free shipping minimum. Many sites will give free shipping once a certain purchase amount has been made. Here are a few stores we have found with great free shipping offers:

MyWinesDirect.com: EVERY ORDER SHIPS FREE! This is especially important with an item like wine. Shipping costs could easily exceed the cost of the product. If you haven't checked out the incredible selection of premium quality wines (many for under $15.00 a bottle), you are missing a treat. And with free shipping, it's an affordable treat to share with friends and family. They also have an excellent Free Online Wine Guide with information on wine storage, serving wine, tasting wine, food and pairings, using wine in recipes and more.

Drugstore.com Drugstore.com offers free shipping on all prescription orders, and free shipping on regular orders when you spend just $25 or more. This is important when buying small items online because if you are buying household items, the cost of shipping can cancel out any savings. 

Beauty.com: Sister site of Drugstore.com that features beauty, makeup and skincare -- Beauty.com also offers free shipping after $25.

Fragrancenet.com: Buying perfume online can rack up shipping costs, but with savings of up to 70% off designer brands and free shipping with orders of $70.00 or more, you can save big on your fragrance purchases.

Home Depot: Shipping fees can really set you back when you buy major ticket items online like a washing machine, or a patio set. Home Depot ships major ticket items FREE. So you get to keep your savings!

Keep checking the site -- we will keep you posted on new free shipping offers when we find them!

--Renee

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Trend with Benefits

You check in to CheapToday and FreeToday to find the latest deals and freebies, but do you ever hunger for more? One of the hottest trends in the world of frugalistas is newsletter membership to your favorite stores. These email newsletters usually give you access to exclusive deals and freebies sent especially for you. Because these great offers are customer-specific, you won't find them anywhere but in your own email inbox, so if you don't sign up you lose out. Restaurants are great, many have free birthday treats for members and other fantastic special offers throughout the year. Don't limit yourself though; many other stores have great programs too. Here are a few of the programs we have found that really deliver.

BEAUTY.COM: This one never fails to deliver! About three times a month, you will receive awesome free gift with purchase offers that you won't find on the site. Plus, if you join Ebates you will get cash back whenever you shop Beauty.com!

OMAHA STEAKS: If you love the offers you see for Omaha Steaks on our site, just wait til you start getting your own offers! About three times a month, you will get mouthwatering deals --  quite often with bonus burgers and almost always with free gifts!

NEW YORK & COMPANY: If you simply must be fabulous, sign up for New York & Company's eList.  They are great about keeping you up-to-date on their many fabulous sales, plus you'll receive special offers not on the site!

Other stores that we have found to have excellent member offers include Bath & Body Works, Victoria's Secret and ProFlowers.com.

These are just a few of the stores that have GREAT membership benefits for newsletter subscribers. Sign up for your favorite stores and start cashing in on this shopping trend with benefits!

--Renee

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Do You Feel Lucky?

Most of our freebies are a sure thing. You sign up and you get something -- it's very simple. Usually it's something small like a free shampoo sample, perfume sample,  or a free gift with purchase. But recently we have added a fun option that lets you live dangerously with much bigger rewards like free vacations. It's not a sure thing you'll win if you enter, but it IS a sure thing you won't win if you don't. There are two sizzling hot contests right now, both with free vacations for the winners, plus when you sign up for the Dollar General Savings Zone, you'll have the chance to enter their occasional sweepstakes. So do you feel lucky?

Chance to Win a Colorado Vacation for Four at Colorado.com: If you love beautiful country and an activity packed vacation, this contest is for you. The lucky winner will receive a five-night, six-day Colorado Trip Giveaway for four people. To enter, answer the question on the home page and then fill out the form. This trip promises a host of adventures including whitewater rafting with Echo Canyon River Expeditions, a visit to the rock formations of the Garden of the Gods at the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, and an excursion on the historic Cripple Creek & Victor Narrow Gauge Railroad. Air, car rental and lodging are included plus much more. Follow our link to sign up and read all the details.

Zantac Beat the Heat Sweepstakes: Enter to Win 7-Day Trip for 2 to a Man v. Food Destination:  Adam Richman has made a huge hit with his show "Man v. Food" on the Travel Channel as he travels around the country entering eating contests of all kinds. If you win, you'll have a choice to vacation in one of two cities featured on his show. Plus, everyone who enters gets a $3.00 Zantac coupon, so even if you don't get the vacation, at least you won't have heartburn. Follow our link to learn more and enter for your chance to win. Entries must be received by September 30, 2010.

Sign Up for Coupons, Specials and Occasional Sweepstakes with Dollar General Savings Zone:  Did you think it wasn't possible to get prices lower than the Dollar General? Signing up for the Dollar General Savings Zone will not only give you access to additional savings and updates on specials, but they also have occasional sweepstakes with chances to win prizes. This offer is available in select states only; follow our link to see if yours is on the list. Just go to the drop down box next to "State". There are 20 states on the list, so you have a pretty good chance of getting in on this excellent savings opportunity.

These are the contests we have posted right now, visit the site often for other chances to spin the wheel of fortune!

--Renee

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Three Flavors of Freebies

When you see the word "Freebie," you may be thinking instant gratification -- but it rarely works that way. The art of Freebie is one of patience. But understanding the different "flavors" of freebies and which ones are the quickest will help you find inner tranquility as you wait by your mailbox.

COUPONS: The coupon freebie is the fastest. Usually a coupon is sent directly to your email, or you can print it off directly from your computer. Make sure to check the expiration date -- you often have only a few days to use the coupon. To avoid embarrassment and frustration, call ahead and make sure your local store will be honoring the coupon. The exception to the "speedy delivery" of the coupon freebie is the coupon that is sent snail mail. In that case, it can take anywhere from four to eight weeks to arrive

SAMPLE SENT VIA SNAIL MAIL:  If you like samples you can taste, touch, use and smell -- this is your kind of freebie. It's a great way to try out new foods and cosmetic items before you buy. But there will be a wait because this freebie relies on snail mail. An average sample takes around six to eight weeks to get there, which can be fun because by the time it arrives, you have forgotten you requested it so it's a special treat! There are two exceptions: Walmart and Brand Name Samples on Facebook.  Walmart freebies are some of the best and arrive within two to four weeks as a general rule. We have also noticed that Facebook freebies from major brand names such as Kraft, Proctor & Gamble, General Mills and others arrive in about four weeks. Of course, it varies from brand to brand, but we have had very good results from Facebook-based freebies.

REBATES:  If you have the patience of Job and pit bull tenacity when it comes to saving each and every dime -- you can get money back with rebates. Manufacturers offer rebates because most people just don't have the patience, so they can look generous without having to deliver. Rebates offers require EXACT conformity to the terms of the offer, and usually take three to four months to arrive. 

Here are some absolutes to be successful in the rebate game:

• You must have your original receipt, not a copy. The item to receive a rebate must be highlighted.
• Keep a copy of the receipt for yourself along with ALL paperwork sent.
• You must print the rebate form, READ IT, and follow it's instructions directly.
• The UPC code from the product will be required, so don't throw the package away. READ the terms of the rebate to see how the manufacture wishes to have the UPC included. Many times they want you to cut the code right off the product packaging.
• Put it ALL in the envelope you are mailing and check twice to make sure you have receipts, rebate form, and UPC codes all included.

RELAX -- its gonna be three months. But a penny saved is a penny earned.

You will see a mixture of all three flavors of freebies on the site. Pick the ones you like best, there are always more on the way.

--Renee

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