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2009/11/17
18 Tips to Having a Killer Black Friday
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, so chances are you are creating your “to do” list for a memorable holiday dinner. Don’t forget that the day after Thanksgiving marks the official beginning of the holiday shopping season with Black Friday sales. Black Friday falls on November 27 this year, and to help consumers save as much money as they can, Ask Coupon Sherpa has released 18 Tips to Having a Killer Black Friday.
“With the economy still slow and many Americans on a strict budget, retailers are going to be offering a lot of great deals this holiday season,” said Luke Knowles, co-founder of Coupon Sherpa, a comprehensive resource where consumers can find free online coupons, printable coupons and grocery coupons along with a free, downloadable iPhone application that provides access to mobile coupons. Ask Coupon Sherpa is the site’s blog that publishes money-saving tips. “The Black Friday sales day is an ideal time to take advantage of deep discounts.”
Among the 18 Black Friday Sales Tips in the Ask Coupon Sherpa article are:
Buy the newspaper: There’s a reason the Thanksgiving Day newspaper is the fattest newspaper of the year. Advertisers annually stuff this paper with coupons and circulars promoting their best Black Friday ads. You can increase your savings with online coupons. Just make sure they can be used in combination with in-store Black Friday sales or newspaper coupons.
Do your research: If you have your eye on a particular item, surf the price-comparison Web sites for their Black Friday ads and record the prices for reference while shopping. Don’t forget to add any fees to the price. Some stores allow you to place an order online for in-store pickup the next day which saves you the cost of shipping. You’ll still want to hit that store pretty early, however, and bring your printed-out receipt as sales clerks may not focus on filling online orders when pressed by throngs of shoppers.
Develop a game-day plan: After searching through the Black Friday ads, draw up your shopping list and establish your priorities before you hit the stores. Decide which stores you want to shop and in what order.
Are all parts included? Is the sale item stripped down or sold with all necessary parts? For example, some stores will low-ball the price on a computer printer but not include a printer cartridge, which can run to a pretty hefty figure. As a matter of fact, you should always check the price of printer cartridges before buying a printer. A $50 printer isn’t a great deal when the cartridges cost $50 each and run out quickly.
Hitch a ride: Parking on Black Friday is a nightmare and can waste precious time. This is one instance, however, when biking or taking the bus doesn’t make sense as your arms will be weighed down with packages at the end of the day. Ask a friend or relative to drop you off and pick you up.
Stick to your list and budget: In the tumult of Black Friday, it’s easy to wander off target, so make sure you stick to your list. Bring the Black Friday ads with you just in case you lose your list. And NO personal shopping. Wait for post-Christmas sales to treat yourself.
18 Tips to Having a Killer Black Friday is a prime example of the engaging content that is found on Ask Coupon Sherpa, which was introduced by brothers Luke and Jesse Knowles. It was the Coupon Sherpa iPhone application that sparked the idea for the expanded Coupon Sherpa web site in August and the Ask Coupon Sherpa blog in September. Launched in April, the Coupon Sherpa iPhone application allows iPhone and iPod Touch users to access in-store coupons from their mobile device and present that coupon to the cashiers at participating merchants.
The Knowles received such an overwhelming response to the iPhone application that they decided to expand Coupon Sherpa into a one-stop online destination for coupons. The Ask Coupon Sherpa blog reflects the Knowles’ commitment to making the Coupon Sherpa site an engaging and fun community for cost-conscious consumers.
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Coupon Sherpa is a comprehensive resource where consumers can find accurate and up-to-date online coupons, printable coupons and grocery coupons along with a free, downloadable iPhone application that provides access to mobile coupons. With the iPhone application, consumers can present the coupons (on their mobile devices) to the respective store’s cashier and receive the applicable discount. Merchants can post an unlimited amount of coupons on the application for free. For more information, visit www.couponsherpa.com.
2009/08/01
Two weeks ago I was honored to finally meet in person a super granny, Sally Wendkos Olds who is also known to her five grandchildren as Oma Sally. On February 17, 2008, when Nana’s Corner was relatively new, Sally responded to a post I had published about the Legacy Project as a way to celebrate Grandparents Day. We have been communicating ever since and when the opportunity to meet came about, I didn’t want to miss it. I am so very glad I did. Sally is a very accomplished woman and loving wife and grandmother. I don’t know where she finds the time!
Sally has written 20 books, published many articles, helped residents of a village in Nepal start a library…just a few among her many achievements. She is also a lecturer, active in the second wave of the women’s movement, avid traveler, and so much more. Two of Sally Wendkos Olds’ books are included in my unique baby shower gifts recommendations for expectant moms and grandmoms below – all of which I have in my own grandmother’s book collection in my office (except the breastfeeding one):
Books for Expectant Moms:
- We enjoyed the first edition, our daughters can now enjoy this updated edition.
- The updated edition became available July 31, 2009.
- Written with professional advice and warm, understanding support.
- A busy mom’s guide to losing weight and looking fabulous!
- The authors are registered dietitians who share sound advice and weight loss tips that both new moms and grandmoms can use.
- You’ll find helpful ideas on how to have a healthier life while maintaining a busy life.
- Both my daughter and I have been following their nutritional and fitness advice.
- 40,000 names divided into 200 alphabetized lists.
- It’s easy to use and helps to take the stress out of choosing the right baby name.
- My daughter and son-in-law used this book to help them decide on name choices for their baby. She liked it better than the other books she looked at.
- After Luke was born, I gave the book as one of the baby shower gifts I gave to a fellow teacher who was expecting twins.
Books for Grandmoms:
- Great stuff to do with your grandkids.
- Grandmothers share quality activities they experienced with their grandchildren.
- One of her ideas, using Makit to create a family memory keepsake, is something I will begin to do with my grandkids. Her youngest granddaughter was designing one for this year while I was visiting with them. (I just ordered one for our next vacation week for Kaitlin to design while she is visiting us.)
- NanasCorner.com is listed on page 208 under “Grandmother Blogs.”
- A family chronicle to be prepared by grandparents and shared with generations who follow.
- Grandmom can create a loving record of a long-complete extended family or an unfolding work-in-progress with suggestions to help you along the way.
- The paper used in the album is lignin-free and acid-free, meaning it won’t yellow over time not damage the photographs.
- Included are adhesive photo corner holders and Exploring Your Family History, A Simple Guide to Tracing Your Roots.
- My son, Erik, and his new wife gave me this keepsake album for my recent 60th birthday. I’ve been researching our family tree and now I have a keepsake in which to extend our history to the present by including memories about our own family.
Books for Expectant Moms and the New Grandmoms:
- Gives parents and grandparents opportunities to bond with baby while building a closer relationship from the start – we refer to it every time we visit. It also helps us make up new activities to keep Luke stimulated and entertained.
- A developmental chart covering the first year is the guide for the many simple games and experiences to develop babies’ physical, social-emotional, and intellectual development.
- Recently awarded two prestigious parenting awards: iParenting Award and National Parenting Publications Gold Award.
- Helps you unlock the power of baby’s brain with simple activities that don’t require expensive toys.
- These are easy and fun – I do them with our new grandson, Luke.
- Teaching sign language to baby beginning at about 6 months of age can help baby communicate needs, emotions, and wants which gives parents and grandparents earlier and more meaningful interactions with baby.
- Beginning words are more, eat, and milk – these will help your baby tell you his needs.
- Many clear illustrations help you easily learn the signs.
- “Research shows that children who sign also have academic advantages, including better literacy skills.” (p 28)
- Kaitlin and Emily used sign language as infants and toddlers as they were transitioning from baby talk to understandable language.
- As a teacher, I teach my students the signs that they can use in class to let me know their needs instead of calling out and interrupting others.
I hope these books have given you some unique baby shower gift ideas…they are gifts that will last longer than the use of that adorable little outfit you can’t resist buying for a baby gift. Oh, before your give them as baby shower gifts, take time to read them for yourself.
Enjoy!
2009/03/09
I previously blogged about QualityBath.com on December 20 and January 23 telling you how pleased I was with their service and products and giving you their promo codes for additional savings off their low, competitive prices.
I’ve been debating on which quality lighting hanging lamp to buy for our son and his bride-to-be for a bridal shower present. Well, they don’t know it, but they’ve helped me out. They’ve registered for two table lamps! So instead of purchasing a chandelier, I may buy them two table lamps.
I went to QualityBath.com to see what selection they have. When the site came up, I found the following promo code for QualityBath’s Spring Cleaning Sale:
This is great! The shower (shhh!) is this month. Well, I’m off to shop for discount priced table lamps at QualityBath.com. They carry selections of quality lighting that offer great design and will enhance every decor style.
Other promo codes to help you save on Quality Bath products:
Spend $100 or more and save $5 with Google Checkout
- PROMO CODE SAVE5
Spend $500 or more and save $10 with Google Checkout
- PROMO CODE SAVE10
Spend $1,000 or more and save $25 with Google Checkout
- PROMO CODE SAVE25
QualityBath.com also offers 110% price guarantee - you can’t go wrong!
No sales tax outside New Jersey
2009/01/23
My son is getting married in just a few months. The bridal shower plans are in the making. As the mother of the groom, I want to give a gift that will last for many years to come. They’ve been talking about installing new lighting in their townhouse, so I’ve been looking for a chandelier that will complement their decorating style. They’d want the lighting fixture to be traditional or contemporary and I need for it to be affordable, too, if I’m going to purchase it for them.
Since our experience with QualityBath.com was all positive when we purchased our bathroom vanity, I’ve been looking through their quality lighting fixtures in their online catalog. I’ve found a few chandeliers that I think will look great in their townhouse, but I can’t decide which one I like the best. The lighting fixtures are all attractive and the prices are just right for my budget. As you can see, one of the lighting fixtures is a fun one to hang over the bar they have in their loft. The others would look attractive hanging over their kitchen or dining room table.
What do you think?
My top lighting fixture choices are very affordable – between $100 and $300. QualityBath.com has weekend specials which I’ll check out. I won’t have to pay shipping with the free shipping offer at www.QualityBath.com
 since the cost is over $75. I’ll have to pay tax since I live in New Jersey, but if I didn’t there’d be no sales tax to pay. I can save even more when I use Google Checkout:
Spend $100 or more and save $5 with Google Checkout
- PROMO CODE SAVE5
Spend $500 or more and save $10 with Google Checkout
- PROMO CODE SAVE10
Spend $1,000 or more and save $25 with Google Checkout
- PROMO CODE SAVE25
I’ll be sure to shop around, but with their 110% price guarantee and great customer service, I’ll most likely be a returning customer!
2009/01/18
Today, President-elect Barack Obama embarked on a whistle-stop tour as a symbolic ending to a presidential campaign that began two years ago in January 2007 on the steps of the Old State Capitol in Springfield, Illinois, where both he and Lincoln began their political careers. Today is also our soon-to-be First Lady’s 45th birthday. What a wonderful way for the Michelle Obama and her family to celebrate both events (even though they had an earlier, more intimate celebration on Thursday, too)!
“We should never forget that we are the heirs of those early patriots, ordinary men and women who refused to give up when it all seemed so improbable – and who somehow believed that they had the power to make the world anew,” he told a crowd estimated at 35,000 in Philadelphia. “That is the spirit that we must reclaim today.”
2009 will be recognized for the inauguration of Barack Obama. Obama’s election as our 44th President marks one of the most important milestones on the path of equality, a change begun by Abraham Lincoln’s inauguration in 1861 and the dream continued by Dr. Martin Luther King. Nothing could be much more symbolic than celebrating Martin Luther King Day on the eve of Barack Obama’s inauguration.
Barack Obama has written three books that I’m sure you will enjoy reading. The books are Dreams of My Father, The Audacity of Hope, and Change We Can Believe In. They can be ordered in hardcover, paperback, audio download, or audio CD through Amzaon.com by following the links. Read editorial reviews below:
Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance
Elected the first black president of the Harvard Law Review, Obama was offered a book contract, but the intellectual journey he planned to recount became instead this poignant, probing life. Born in 1961 to a white American woman and a black Kenyan student, Obama was reared in Hawaii by his mother and her parents, his father having left for further study and a return home to Africa. So Obama’s not-unhappy youth is nevertheless a lonely voyage to racial identity, tensions in school, struggling with black literature, and a one month-long visit when he was 10 from his commanding father. After college, Obama became a community organizer in Chicago. He slowly found place and purpose among folks of similar hue but different memory, winning enough small victories to commit himself to the work. Before going to law school, he finally visited Kenya; with his father dead, he confronted obligation and loss, and found wellsprings of love and attachment. Obama leaves some lingering questions but still has written a resonant book.
The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream
Barack Obama’s first book, Dreams from My Father, was a compelling and moving memoir focusing on personal issues of race, identity, and community. With his second book The Audacity of Hope, Obama engages themes raised in his keynote speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, shares personal views on faith and values and offers a vision of the future that involves repairing a “political process that is broken” and restoring a government that has fallen out of touch with the people. At this defining moment in our history, Americans are hungry for change. After years of failed policies and
Change We Can Believe In: Barack Obama’s Plan to Renew America’s Promise
failed politics from Washington, this is our chance to reclaim the American dream. Barack Obama has proven to be a new kind of leader–one who can bring people together, be honest about the challenges we face, and move this nation forward. Change We Can Believe In outlines his vision for America.
In these pages you will find bold and specific ideas about how to fix our ailing economy and strengthen the middle class, make health care affordable for all, achieve energy independence, and keep America safe in a dangerous world. Change We Can Believe In asks you not just to believe in Barack Obama’s ability to bring change to Washington, it asks you to believe in yours.
Search for other books about Barack Obama:
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