What to do in a hurricane?

Here are some great resources on what to do in a hurricane

American Red Cross

FEMA

The art of online shopping

 

I love online shopping.  There are no crazy lines and you can get great deals online. There is no need for customer service but if you need help, most of the online help centers are great and for your troubles they usually give you an extra something off or free shipping.

Here are the things I learned about making online shopping work for my family.

• Shipping/return - Never pay for shipping and returns.  

Here is how:
Most stores have free shipping after if you buy $X amount of dollars.  For example, Macys has free shipping if you buy over $99.  I always buy $99 worth of stuff and something half the items are stuff I plan to return.  Since Macy's is nearby I can make an easy return and keep what I want.  This brings me to my second point.  Looking at the return policy.  If you can return at the retail store then buy away.
Here are stores that you can shop online that also have store returns.

Macys
Kohls
Target
Babiesrus (for most items)
Old Navy/ Gap

Of course there are many others.  Some online stores like amazon has free shipping on returns for some items, especially baby stuff.

• Always google for discount codes and promotional codes.  

Here is an example:
If you are a Kohls card holder, almost once a month Kohls has their (15,20,30% off sale) and they always have free shipping code.   I love this sale because I can usually get a code for 30% off their clerance items and must have things I need.  Recently I bought this.  I needed it and most stores had it for around $12.  I used my 30% code plus free shipping code to get it for $7

• stay loyal to a few stores.  

If you shop the same stores all the time, you will learn the store cycles and sales.  You will see how the retail store works and even how their online sales are.   When you stick to a few stores, you can get those store credit cards which makes returns easy.  If you have no receipt, they can look up the item off your card. Some have loyality discounts.  Amazon has loyality discounts they send you directly to your email.  They also have perks like free "Prime Shipping"


Hope these tips help.  Let me know if you have an other tips.

FREE 8*10 Collage @ Walgreens

Its that time again.  Free stuff from Walgreens.  Use coupon code PRINTONE.

Free chick-fil

Starting August 20th you can make reservation for free breakfast from Chick-fil.  Here is the link

Jills Steals & Deals

Jill Steals : Lots of stuff check out the website.  Here are a few things

Dress -$29
Beautiful dried flowers -$39
Vacation package: Orlando $199 for family of four

Amazon has a new site..

   Amazon has a new site called MY HABIT.  I have been watching the site for a month now.  It is a great site if you use a promotion code, you can get cute outfits for free or for a few bucks.  The problem is the site sells out in a few minutes after they start the sale @ noon.   If you are lucky enough to get something, use promo code  INTLSHIP.  to get $25 off your $25 purchase or more.  Shipping is always free.

Walgreens free 8*10

Walgreen - use coupon code "FREE" and you can get a free 8*10 today only!

Enjoy!

Hotwire Hotel Deal $13 a night!

Not sure how long this will last or what the exact deal is.


Hotwire   has  La Quintas hotels for $13 next spring. Most dates are in May and June, but some go earlier (I got $13 for Jan).   Works if you don't include Sunday so M-Sat.  
  Great for travel when you have lots of things to do and just need a bed.  By no means La Quintas a 5 star hotel but it has a bed, some have pool and free wi-fi. 

Here are the locations that worked for me.
Andover, MA
Salem, NH
Milford, MA
Auburn, MA
Somerville, MA
Warwick, RI
Portland, ME
Farmington - Plainville, CT
Windsor - BDL airport, CT
New Haven, CT
Plattsburgh, NY
Clifton, NJ

There may be more locations so check any areas you might be interested in and mess around with dates if you are flexible.

Check out CVS near you for clearance

Just found CVS brand diapers on clearance for 75% making then 1.49.  I got a few in different sizes.  I am going to try one pack on my son and if it does not hold then I can return the rest but I know if I don't get it asap they will not be there next time.    Check out your CVS.  Also they had pampers swaddlers for Newborn for 50% off making them $5.