Category: Money

Fall Fashion Shopping At Marshalls And TJ Maxx

It may be fall here on the Jersey Shore but the weather has swung wide, from summer warmth to winter cold. Neither CJ nor I were prepared for the winter - CJ because he outgrew a size and me because I’ve lost 80 pounds. I was sent a gift card for both TJ Maxx and Marshalls and decided that it was the perfect time to see what kind of outerwear bargains I could find at each store.

I went to Marshalls first, because it was near the drugstore I had to stop at. They had a huge section of coats for the whole family, including larger sizes for women. I found three that I liked and narrowed my choice down to this one.

marshalls columbia jacket

It’s a Columbia ski jacket. First let me say how thrilled I was that I fit in a 2x jacket with room to spare. Second let me tell you how shocked I was at the terrific price that coat was selling for. $80 instead of $210! Score!

marshalls columbia jacket tag

Wednesday on the way home from sign class RB and I stopped at TJ Maxx. They too had a large area of coats for the whole family. There must have been at least seven choices of different coats in CJ’s size. We chose a blue Columbia ski jacket for CJ. It was really warm and nice - not thin like some of the coats you see. It was on sale for $24.99 - how can you beat that! In other stores it would regularly sell for $79.99. At the rate most kids outgrow clothes who could afford to spend that much money?

tj maxx cj coat

I’ll definitely be checking here first before I buy any more coats anywhere else. While we were there we walked the whole store. They had an amazing footwear department with loads of really nice boots. I’ll be popping in again this coming weekend because they had some boots that I’ve wanted for ages on sale for under $40 but didn’t have my size.

If you’re shopping for outerwear, or any other fall fashions, be sure to check your nearby TJ Maxx and Marshalls. I’m sure glad I did.

Nov 15, 2009 | 1 comment | View Post

A Brush With Ida And Why ShopRite From Home Rocks

Want to know where I went last night? To the grocery store. TJ had a mini retreat with his confirmation class and while he was there I thought it would be a good time to go to the store. We left two hours before he’d be finished and set out for the grocery store. The roads were empty, unheard of at 7 pm. Care to know why? Because we were in the middle of a Noreaster some of you knew as Ida. Parts of New Jersey were underwater, there was flooding and beach erosion and some areas were declared a state of emergency. In my area it was pouring, the wind was whipping and it was cold. The church we’re members of is on an island between the ocean and the bay. The area was like a ghost town. The streets were covered with sand and the beaches were gone. I got out of the car and was blasted by wind and rain. It almost blew my fat butt over. This is what the boardwalk looked like. There was no beach to take a picture of.

ida beach sand on boardwalk 1

ida beach sand on boardwalk 2

Now for those of you wondering why I didn’t just go to the store today like usual, it’s simple. I just wanted a morning off - a morning that I didn’t have to get up and rush to the grocery store.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate the grocery store. I love ShopRite, it’s the only place I will go to do my regular grocery shopping. I’ve always been a ShopRite girl. I’ve shopped there regularly for more than fifteen years and have found that they have the widest selection and the best prices.

Each week I sit down at the computer and go through the ShopRite circular online. I browse the add and click on it and it gets put onto a grocery list that I print out. Then I take my list and go to the store. That’s the part I hate. After working all day, five days a week, the last thing I want to do is take a two hour trip to the grocery store. Which is how I get stuck going to the grocery store on Saturday morning. No matter I go there are so many other things I’d rather spend my time doing, like doing something with the boys or for myself.

Online grocery shopping is gaining popularity in a lot of areas. When I saw on the ShopRite site that some of their locations were offering online grocery shopping I was curious to see if their service worked like a popular service already in place in our area that a couple of my friends use. I checked into it and was thrilled to learn that it doesn’t - in my opinion it’s much better.

shoprite from home logo

The ShopRite From Home service allows shoppers to do their grocery shopping online with access to more than 25,000 unique items, including access to the weekly sales circular. When you shop ShopRite From Home you pay exactly the same price item for item that you would if you went to the store. Why would I choose the competitor who only a limited amount of items, no access to the weekly circular and different (sometimes higher) pricing? I wouldn’t. It doesn’t make sense to me. The ShopRite From Home system makes much more sense to me.

After you go online and purchase from ShopRite From Home you have two options - pick-up or home delivery. Wondering what pick-up is? It’s like drive-thru groceries. You shop online, pull up to the store, have your car loaded and then drive away. Sweet! I can totally see a number of situations where this would be great but I prefer the other option - home delivery.

Using ShopRite From Home is easy. Go to shoprite.com and click where it says shop online. Find the store nearest to you and click on it to start shopping. The first thing I recommend doing is signing in and creating a list. This way in case you have to leave your computer or if something happens your list is saved. Within your account you can create lists. Each time you log in you can see your master list, your last order, your last list and any custom lists. Shopping is easy, just click on the category and items you want or use the search function. Every single thing that I bought was the same price that I am used to paying for it regularly. I was able to find every item that I wanted.

ShopRite from Home customers get the same pricing and same programs that they would get if they shopped in the store - Price Plus Club Card, Baby Bucks, ShopRite Family Rewards, Shoprite for OnePass miles, Upromise, targeted special savings on your receipt, and check cashing. After shopping online you schedule delivery for a time convenient for you.

You’re able to use manufacturer coupons on items. There is no mandatory credit card to order. For pickup you can pay the same way you would if you were in the store - cash, check, credit card, debit card or gift card. For delivery you can pay by check, credit or gift card. There is a reasonable service fee for the personal shopper and a small fee if you have your order delivered.

ShopRite From Home orders are packed at your nearby ShopRite. The folks there get to know you and your grocery preferences, just as they might if you went to the store.

I was fortunate enough to be able to try out the ShopRite From Home service a couple of weeks ago. It spoiled me for all future grocery shopping. I placed my order on Thursday and scheduled delivery for Saturday morning. Saturday morning it was overcast, chilly and rainy. I got a call from the store asking me how I’d like my meats sliced. I was impressed. Why? Because I knew that meant my meat was being cut right then so it would be fresh. A little over an hour later they pulled up.

shoprite from home van

shoprite from home van 2

See that balloon peeking out of the van door? It had friends. I was brought an arrangement of fresh flowers and some balloons. I was feeling totally spoiled. Then my groceries were brought in and put on the table. I received a checklist and signed for the order. In under fifteen minutes they were gone.

Upon unpacking the bags I found that every item I had ordered was there. The deli products and meats I’d ordered were still cold. The cold cuts were sliced perfectly and wrapped well. The meat was cut as I’d discussed on the phone that morning and packed well. The ice cream was actually still frozen, something I can’t always say when I go to the grocery store. The cans weren’t dented and the boxes weren’t crushed.

I loved my ShopRite From Home experience and recommend it highly.The service is a wonderful option for anyone with a busy schedule, as well as seniors, folks that don’t drive and college students.

Here’s why I think ShopRite At Home rocks:

I could shop in my pajamas. (I didn’t, but I could.)
I didn’t have to leave the house to go to the store. No going out in the rain.
I didn’t have to wait on any lines.
I didn’t have to load the car with the groceries.
I didn’t have to unload the car and carry any bags in.
I didn’t have to nag RB or TJ to carry bags in.
I got flowers. Well not just me - all first time customers get them.

The one single thing I didn’t love about ShopRite From Home - it’s not available at all locations.

For those that don’t like the service fee. Isn’t your time valuable? Spending a few dollars for the personal shopper and the delivery fee was worth it to me as I saved a couple of hours of my time as well as the gas and wear and tear on my truck.

A HUGE thanks to ShopRite, ShopRite of Spotswood and everyone that made it possible for me to try ShopRite From Home. I think the service is great and can’t wait until it comes to my area.

I paid for the groceries that I ordered. This review has not been monetarily compensated and is based on the views and opinions of my family and/or self. Please note that the opinions reflected in this post have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.

Nov 15, 2009 | 14 comments | View Post

Weighting For Insurance

Life insurance is very hard to get for overweight people. I’ve had a very small policy for about ten years that I just canceled for financial reasons. Every year one thing I do with my bills is get quotes from competitors. One of the bills that I haven’t been able to lower in the past is that life insurance bill. Because I am overweight most companies wouldn’t even give me a quote never mind insure me. Hopefully by the time most of the weight is off money will be better. Then I’m hoping the term life insurance companies will consider me once again.

Nov 07, 2009 | 1 comment | View Post

Laptop Carrying Case Deal

buycom samsonite casual checkpoint computer case

Planning on gifting anyone with a laptop this holiday season? I know someone that’s getting one so I’ve been watching for good deals on accessories that will be needed. I found a great one on a laptop carrying case on the Buy.com sale page. This case is regularly $59.99 and is now on sale for $29.99. That’s a great deal! Check it out.

The case called the Casual Checkpoint Friendly Computer Case and it’s made by Samsonite, the same company that is known for making luggage. In this age of heightened security we’re becoming accustomed to having our things examined. Samsonite made this laptop carrying case with the traveler in mind. The handled case is 15.5″ x 11.5″ x 4″ and has a padded shoulder strap. It’s got one compartment for the laptop (15.4 inch size) and another compartment for any accessories, cables, chargers, etc that you may use. There are also additional pockets in the organizer pocket built into the front. The case was designed with new TSA rules regarding laptop screening in mind. Putting the computer in a separate compartment offers a clear and unobstructed view of the laptop without having to take it out of the case to put it through the xray machine. One of the straps attaches to a luggage carrier to keep it secure while you’re pulling it across the airport.

Nice deal, huh? I have to check the laptop size but if it’s what I think it is I’ll be buying this myself.

Oct 13, 2009 | 1 comment | View Post

Looking For An Inexpensive Digital Picture Frame?

Last time I shared a great deal on a digital picture frame I received several emails from readers thanking me. I still haven’t gotten around to getting one of these for myself so I’ve been on the look out for good sales. I came across another one today, again on the Buy.com sale page.

This deal is on a Haier 7″ digital picture frame. The frame has a 7 inch LCD display and a built in stand, and comes with a remote. It’s powered using the included AC adapter. It has 8mb of memory built in but since that will only hold about sixteen pictures I’d just use one of the built in multi-card readers which take SD, MS, XD and MMC cards. There is a USB port built in as well if you prefer using that. The frame has built in speakers so you can hear sound while viewing a slideshow of your pictures and movies.

The Haier PF710 7 inch digital picture frame looks to be a good deal. It’s on sale now for $28.95 and is regularly priced at $99.99, which is a 71% savings! It also qualifies for free shipping. I’m unsure what the warranty is but at this price the length of warranty isn’t a big factor. I haven’t seen this frame personally but if you’re looking for a really inexpensive digital picture frame this might be right up your alley.

Jul 17, 2009 | 1 comment | View Post

Deal Alert On Viewsonic 22 Inch LCD Display

I’ve been using a 17 inch monitor at home for several years now. It’s huge and heavy but it works. Recently I was given a 19 inch flat panel display and I have been loving it. Not only does the screen look clearer but there is an incredible amount of room on my desk. I’d been debating buying one for myself for a while but hadn’t seen the right deal. If you’ve been considering upgrading to a flat panel, I found a great deal that you’ll want to check out. I found it on the Buy.com sale page.

The ViewSonic VA2226w LCD is huge! It’s got a 22″ widescreen anti-glare display with 21.6″ being viewable. It’s an active matrix display that offers 1680×1050 native resolution. It doesn’t take up a lot of room on your desktop as it. It’s compatible with both Windows and Macintosh – it’s even Vista approved. The display comes with a three year warranty on parts, labor and the backlight. I have a 20 inch Viewsonic flat panel at work and love it. I love being able to open up and work on two documents at once if I need to.

The ViewSonic VA2226w LCD is on sale for $169.99! It usually sells for about $295.00 so that’s a 42% savings! Plus it qualifies for free shipping. I’d totally buy this for myself if I were monitor shopping. The price is great and I’m familiar with the brand from my current job and from my years in computer sales. If you happen to be monitor shopping, hurry on over and check this deal out because it won’t last forever.

Jul 17, 2009 | 2 comments | View Post

Where Oh Where Is the Summer Footwear?

I’ve discovered that as I’m losing weight things are getting looser, and that includes my shoes. My sandals are getting really loose, and they’re pretty worn anyway, so I decided it was time to replace them. I went to the store and they had no summer footwear left! Come on! It’s only July! The sandals I was looking for are similar to the Naot sandals in the picture. so what’s up with the stores being out of summer footwear in the middle of summer?

Jul 17, 2009 | 2 comments | View Post

TJ Maxx And Marshalls Save The Day

You know what they say about the best laid plans right? That’s how my day went yesterday. Fortunately, everything worked out in the end.

RB and I had decided that while TJ and his friend were at the movies we’d run some errands at several stores located near the theater. My mission was to pick up my Dad’s Father’s Day gift and possibly purchase a couple of things for ourselves, and to find TJ (who’s very picky) some board shorts.

After dropping the boys at the movies our first stop was Macy’s. I’ve been hearing about Macy’s One Day Sale for the past week. I saw four items that I wanted to pick up. One was a Father’s Day gift for my Dad, one was a gift for my brother LB2 and two were for us. The item I wanted to pick up for us was a set of pots and pans that was half price. I was very disappointed to learn that two of the items I’d wanted to pick up (the pots and pans and the item for my brother) were not available at the low price I’d wanted - that had been a morning only sale. We looked at the set of pots and pans anyway and decided that at full price they weren’t that good of a value for our needs. We looked through the cookware section, because we really need a new big skillet and pot. The pieces we wanted were all too expensive so we decided to wait. We paid for my Dad’s gift and went on our way.

Our second stop was Marshalls. I’d been sent a $25 gift card for them and since my Macy’s trip had pretty much been a failure I wanted to see what I could find. Imagine my surprise when we walked through their housewares area and found a skillet almost identical to the one in Macy’s for just under $15! They also had two silicone utensils for under $3 that I’d been unwilling to pay $6-$8 for elsewhere. Score!

Our third stop was Kohls. I was on a quest for board shorts for TJ. We found nothing in there in his size that he’d like.

Our fourth stop was TJ Maxx. I had another gift card and wanted to see what I could find in there. We were amazed at what we found. TJ Maxx carried lots of young mens wear, much of it in popular name brands. We found tees from Ecko and Nike. RB said he saw Hurley, Guess and Adidas among others. They even had tees with the graphic pictures like TJ likes. Then, we found a rack full of board shorts, ranging from $10-$20. Yeah baby!

Everything may not have went the way we planned it but we got everything we needed and spent less then we’d planned just because we stopped in Marshalls and TJ Maxx.

Jun 21, 2009 | 1 comment | View Post

My TJ Maxx And Marshalls Spendervention

If you watch network television you may have seen the commercials that TJ Maxx and Marshalls have been running, where women put on a Spendervention by showing their friend how much you can save by shopping at TJ Maxx and Marshalls instead of at big name fancy stores. This is the first time ever that TJ Maxx and Marshalls are featured together in television spots to try and educate the public about the off-price retail concept.

Here are the top five reasons TJ Maxx & Mashalls give on why off-price shopping is the way to go.

Buying Power - Our merchandise strategy can be summed up in two words – opportunistic buying. While other retailers buy merchandise several times a year, our buyers travel to market over forty weeks a year, sourcing from 10,000 vendors in 60 countries. These wide and frequent market trips allow us to buy closer to need and be smarter about trends. Also, because we are making deals closer to need, we are in a good position to negotiate a better price with vendors, and pass those savings along to our customers.
Unbelievable Savings - Today more than ever our buyers can negotiate even better prices with vendors due to many factors: department stores planning their inventories much lower, overbuying and then canceling orders, or designers overproducing. All these things allow us to deliver the same merchandise sold in department stores, at the same time, at much lower prices to our customers.
Product Quality - At T.J. Maxx and Marshalls our values extend to the important partnerships we have with our vendors. The vast majority of our merchandise is sourced directly from top designers and manufacturers. Over 95% of merchandise at T.J Maxx and Marshalls is the same first quality items that you would find at a department or specialty store at the same time.
Fresh Merchandise - While department stores only receive new merchandise seasonally, our stores receive more than 10,000 new items each week. When you shop at T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, you’re bound to find a new, differentiated selection of merchandise with every shopping experience.
No Sale, Ever - Our reputation has been built on offering our customers an ever-changing selection of brand name family apparel at great values every day. We know customers are bombarded with “sales” and savings messages all the time. We try to keep it simple for them by offering great values every day. There is no need to wait for a sale or clip coupons.

Putting their money where their mouth is, I was challenged to see what I could do with a $25 gift card for each store.

My first trip was to Marshalls. The store had lots of great buys on summer clothing but since I am almost eight weeks out of surgery and my weight will continue to change I have decided not to go clothes shopping until my clothes are falling off I absolutely have to. Not a problem though, because I found some great bargains in their housewares department. I found three name brand cookbooks for $4.99 to $6.99 each. I found a silicone spoon for $2.99. I found a small pan that will make a great new egg pan for $6.99. There were a lot of other things in the store that caught my eye including entire sets of pots and pans and a couple of Coach bags.

The next day I went to TJ Maxx. TJ Maxx advised anyone wanting to make an old outfit look new by adding a pop of color to it and that oversize attention grabbing bags are in. They had some really cute bags there that fit both of these suggestions. They also had separates to make your own outfits that were selling for half of what they sell for in expensive boutiques. I now know where to look for clothes once I lose all of my weight. I ended up finding some nice shirts for CJ at $5.99, who needed short sleeved shirts for the summer.

I was very pleased with my two shopping trips, and how much I got for my money. I’m not finished shopping for Father’s Day so I’ll be going back this week to see what I can find for that.

I’d love to hear if you’ve ever shopped at TJ Maxx or Marshalls and what you thought of it.

Jun 14, 2009 | 1 comment | View Post

I’m A CVS Caremark All Kids Can Grant Winner!

I recently received some very exciting news. Back in March, TwitterMoms gave me a heads up on the CVS Caremark All Kids Can campaign. My youngest son has Down Syndrome. I thought it was perfect timing for a campaign like this and I wrote a post about the importance of inclusion. The title was “With Inclusion, All Kids Can“.

I’ve learned that I am one of five bloggers that CVS chose to receive a $1,000 grant to the nonprofit of my choice that supports children with disabilities. When I read the email I had such mixed emotions. It made me happy, sad and very proud all at once. I am totally thrilled to have been selected as one of the winners.

I’ve chosen the National Down Syndrome Society to receive the money. I chose them because their mission statement parallels my own beliefs. Their vision is what I wish for my son. “The mission of the National Down Syndrome Society is to be the national advocate for the value, acceptance and inclusion of people with Down syndrome. The National Down Syndrome Society envisions a world in which all people with Down syndrome have the opportunity to enhance their quality of life, realize their life aspirations, and become valued members of welcoming communities.”

A big thanks to CVS Caremark All Kids Can for selecting me as a winner and to TwitterMoms for giving me a heads up about the CVS Caremark All Kids Can campaign in the first place.

Jun 11, 2009 | 3 comments | View Post

Zune Blowout - Gift Idea For Grads

I found a great deal on a Microsoft Zune 4GB MP3 Player tonight while browsing the Buy.com sale page. This MP3 player is black and it comes with a FREE Microsoft Zune Car Pack AND Microsoft Zune Premium Headphone. What a great gift this would make for new grads!

This Zune 4GB MP3 Player is loaded with freatures. It can hold up to 1000 songs, 25,000 pictures, or 12 hours of video. It has a built in FM tuner that allows you to tag songs you like to purchase later when you sync with your computer. You can connect wirelessly to your computer or network and sync the Zune. You can even share content with other Zune players through the use of wireless sharing.

This kit includes the Microsoft Zune Car Pack , which will automatically find the best station for you to broadcast on and allows you to charge your Zune while playing it. The kit also includes the Microsoft Zune Premium Headphone , which has an in ear design for sound quality.

The Microsoft Zune 4GB MP3 player regularly retails at $209.99. It’s currently on sale for $87.77, a savings of 58%! And it qualifies for free shipping. Grab one now, they won’t last forever at this price.

Jun 09, 2009 | 1 comment | View Post

Get Ready for Garden Ready Vegetables - Burpee Planting Ideas And Giveaway

I have never tried planting a garden. The house I live in used to be my grandparents (on my Mom’s side) way back when. I remember that they did successfully grow some vegetables in the back yard. I’m hearing about more and more people growing or planning to grow their own vegetables. The folks at Burpee have shared some information and suggestions with me, which I am in turn sharing with you. Happy planting!

Get Ready for Garden Ready Vegetables

According to the National Gardening Association (NGA), 43 million U.S. households plan to grow their own fruits, vegetables, berries, and herbs in 2009. That’s a 19 percent increase from 36 million in 2008.

And while 54% of gardeners in a recent NGA survey said they were gardening to save money on food bills, respondents also cited food safety and taste as other factors.

But for the many families who were not able to start their seeds indoors this winter, garden-ready plants offer a last-minute chance for fresh garden variety herbs and vegetables.

Garden-ready plants are simply transplants grown from seed that are mature enough to be planted in the ground after the threat of frost has passed in a gardener’s locale. Some gardeners opt to start their vegetable gardens from transplants because they waited to long to start seeds indoors or because they prefer the convenience of starting with transplants in the spring.

Vegetable transplants can be found everywhere from local garden centers to mail order companies like nationally recognized W. Atlee Burpee & Co (www.burpee.com). For folks who want basic varieties, garden centers are a great place to shop. However, newer and often times more unique varieties can only be found via mail order supply companies.

Regardless of what types of vegetables gardeners purchase or where they purchase them, they can be assured that growing them at home will be worth their effort.

According to a recent cost-analysis study conducted by Burpee, folks who grow their own vegetables will see a 1 to 25 return on their investment. So for every $50 you spend on a vegetable garden, you’ll see a return of $1,250 in homegrown produce.

Money-savings aside, vegetable gardening offers lots of other benefits. Long-time vegetable gardeners will tell you that the flavor of a homegrown tomato is beyond compare to a store-bought type. Plus, when you grow your own food, there is peace-of-mind that the food you are serving you family is safe — free from pesticides and contamination.

For the many families planning to grow their own fruits and vegetables this season, here are a few edible varieties available as garden ready plants via www.burpee.com.

NEW - Burpee Exclusive - Sweet Seedless HybridTomato - The world’s first seedless tomato!

We’ve come to appreciate seedless watermelons and virtually seedless cucumbers – now the world’s first seedless tomato!
Beyond the lack of seeds to digest, this tomato is first rate for taste. In fact, precisely because there are no seeds to store the sugars for later use, all the sweetness is immediately available for you to enjoy in every rich slice. This is a totally new tomato on every level – the perfect balance of flavor and sweetness, meat and gel, solid firmness and juiciness. And to top it off, the indeterminate plants have a full package of disease resistance to ensure plenty of healthy yields.
Medium size, 8-10 oz fruits. 68 Days.

NEW - Burpee Exclusive - Sweet Pepper Pinot Noir Hybrid
Fruits blush to shades of citrus, berry, and cherry red.

Like its namesake, this attractive sweet bell shows a tremendously broad range of impressions. Light green when young, the large blocky fruits blush to shades of citrus, berry, and cherry red, displayed simultaneously for a beautiful bouquet. Firm, thick walled fruits are crisp and very sweet, with a clean refreshing aftertaste, produced on highly adaptable plants that set in cool weather as well as in hot, humid conditions.
70 days.

NEW - Burpee Exclusive - Hot Pepper Ristra Cayenne Hybrid
This super producer yields impressive numbers of foot-long fruits.

They start off a lovely lime green then ripen fully to bright crimson red. Exceptionally thin walls make the harvests excellent for stringing into large “ristras” for quick drying. Then snip one from the bunch when ready to use and crumble into a pot of chili or bowl of salsa. Chop or slice thinly and eat fresh too. Strong plants hold fruits high for easy picking.
70 Days.

NEW - Basil Cardinal
A beautiful standout in the herb patch and ornamental bed.

At first glance you’ll think this is a celosia, with its heavy, tightly packed blooms glowing in cardinal red. A closer inspection reveals that tell-tale scent, rich and heady with a touch of spice. Strong, deep burgundy stems hold the flowers above the smooth, bright green leaves, ensuring a vibrant show throughout the summer even as you continue harvesting fresh leaves. A beautiful standout in the herb patch and a flavorful addition to the ornamental bed.
Ht: 24-30″. Annual.

WIN IT!

One winner will receive some Burpee garden gloves and several packages of Burpee seeds.

HOW TO ENTER. (MANDATORY)

To enter visit the Burpee vegetable seeds and plants page and take a look at all the vegetables you can grow with their seeds and plants. Then return here and leave a comment on this post telling me one vegetable you wish you had planted in your yard. There is one catch - your answer can’t be the same as the answer before yours.

BONUS ENTRIES - LOTS OF THEM!

1 - Subscribe to my RSS feed.
1 - Follow me on Twitter AND leave your Twitter name here.
1 - Tweet this giveaway.
1 - Fave this blog at Technorati AND leave your Technorati name here.
1 - Stumble this giveaway AND leave your Stumble name here.
1 - Blog about this giveaway, including a link here.
1 - Place my button on your blog.
1 - Visit HereAndThere.US (my Mom) and leave a comment on any post (except a giveaway post) there. Then return here and leave a comment on this post telling me one thing you read or learned on my Mom’s blog. (That’s two comments you need to leave for this bonus entry, one there and one here.) Unlimited entries for this method of entry.

Leave an additional comment for each entry you qualify for. You must have completed the first entry according to the instructions to be eligible for any bonus entries.

THE SMALL PRINT.

US addresses only please. This contest will end on Tuesday 06/09/09 at 11:59 pm est. If you’ve entered any of my giveaways before then you know that only comments containing all of the requested information will be eligible for entry. The winner must contact me to confirm they wish to receive the prize within two days of my email notifying them they’ve won. Good luck to everyone! Members of my own family are not eligible to win but are still welcome to leave a comment.

THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.

Jun 03, 2009 | 59 comments | View Post

DirectBuy

My brother (LB2) got engaged earlier this year and recently he and his fiancee decided to rent their own place. When I hear how much rent he was going to be paying I reiterated something I’ve told him for years – that he should buy instead of paying rent to make someone else rich. He told me that this apartment was in a brand new building that noone had ever lived in before and that things were exactly the way he wanted in it. I told him he should buy a fixer upper and renovate.

If you watch General Hospital on ABC’s New York channel 7 then you’ve probably seen the DirectBuy commercials that have aired recently. I have never been to a DirectBuy but I can see where the idea of saving thousands would be very appealing to anyone renovating or remodeling their home. It looks like they carry many of the more expensive items needed to remodel an older home or even outfit a new home including home improvement products, home furnishings, flooring, outdoor items and home accessories.

DirectBuy has locations in 35 states within the US and more in Canada. DirectBuy Mountain View has been recently added, for those of you in Northern California. If you visit their site you can request a free visitor’s pass. If you decide to go (or if you’ve ever been) I’d love to hear what it’s like so feel free to leave a comment.

May 26, 2009 | 1 comment | View Post

Brother Label Printer Deal

While browsing the Buy.com sale page I found an awesome deal on a Brother Label Printer. If you’re in the market for a label printer run and check this out. The sale is on the Brother PT-80 Thermal Label Printer. It retails for $49.95 and is on sale for only $13.99! And they’ll ship it for free too!

This little label printer is loaded with features! It runs on four AAA batteries and can print both 3/8 and 1/2 inch non-laminated labels, using six different type sizes and nine different type styles. Labels can have up to two lines of text and you are able to include symbols and even the time and date on your labels. The unit has a mini keyboard and a 12 character display. The unit has received great reviews on the site and has an average rating of 4.5.

I think almost anyone would have use for one of these. It’s a great item to pick up for the house and it could even make a nice little gift. My brother LB2 is moving into his first place and I’m considering ordering this as a little housewarming gift to help him stay organized. We have a friend with a small business that’s working on organizing and this would be right up his alley. If you need a basic label printer be sure to check this one out and take advantage of this deal while it lasts.

May 19, 2009 | 2 comments | View Post

Home movies

Our PTA recently looked into a Movie Night. It turned out that the theater manager didn’t want to rent out one of the theaters during the spring break, so we couldn’t have the event. The whole idea of Movie Night was a fun one for the children and it got me to wondering how we could enjoy watching a movie as a group without being at someone else’s mercy. I found a possible answer on the Buy.com sale page.

What I found was the Senario AL-100 Mega Vu Torpedo 6ft Video Projector. This device connects, by composit video cable, to lots of things including DVD players, video game systems (xBox, Nintendo, Playstation), digital cameras and computers. It projects an image up to six foot in size diagonally up onto a wall or onto the ceiling. No worries about sound, it also has a built in speaker and amplifier.

A projector like this could be a fun investment for not only a PTA but also families, teams, organizations, neighborhood associations and even small businesses. The projector’s foot is also a handle for easy carrying. This projector is on sale for $69.99, which is $100 lower than it’s regular price. And, it qualifies for free shipping.