Savings Tips — SavingsMania

20+ Baby Freebies for New Parents

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--Free Enfamil Formula ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

I signed up online for a free program called Enfamil Family Beginnings and received over $50 in free products and coupons shipped to my house for free! 

--Free Honest Co Diapers, Shampoo⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I signed up for two free trials from The Honest Co to maximize the $5.95 flat-rate cost of shipping. I got the diapers and wipes bundle (7 diapers+10 wipes) and the essentials bundle (soap, shampoo, lotion, household cleaner).  

--Free Gerber Baby Gift Box ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Call Gerber [1-800-408-7277] and request the free Gerber Baby Nutrition Kit, available from your pediatrician or hospital. I received a can of formula, a 3-6 month onesie, a $2 coupon, and a handwritten note from Gerber. 

 

--Target Baby Registry Freebie ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Click here to get this FREE baby registry kit from Target!

Here’s what you might receive in your gift pack (items may vary by location):

  • Dr. Brown bottle ($9.99 value)
  • MAM Newborn pacifier ($5.99 value)
  • Honest Wipes and Diapers sample pack ($2 value)
  • Johnson's samples
  • Cute bag
  • and MORE!

Get started here!

 

--Amazon Baby Registry Freebie (Savingsmania readers love this!)⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 

Create an online Amazon Baby Registry,and then you'll receive this nice gift pack, as seen above! Click below to get started!

Get this awesome baby kit, click here!

 

--Free Similac Strong Moms Kit ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I joined a free program called Similac StrongMoms and received the Similac Neosure Ready-to-Feed formula ($10.99 value) and a $2 off coupon. Please note, this welcome gift seems to vary greatly. Three of the ladies at the office joined, and we all got something a little different. One of us got $10 in Similac checks instead of samples.  

 

--Free Store Brand Formula Coupon⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I printed a coupon worth $5 off my store brand formula! To get yours, head over toStoreBrandFormula.com; enter your name, location, desired formula brand, baby’s birth date, and click “Get My Coupon.” Then, print the coupon immediately. Don’t forget to use the back browser to print the coupon a second time!

 

--30 Days Free Amazon Prime ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Must Have for busy moms! Get diapers, baby supplies, formula and more shipped right to your door in 2 days! Join Amazon Family and get a free month of Prime 2-day shipping and 20% off diaper subscriptions. 

 

--Free Gymboree Class & Coupon⭐⭐⭐⭐

I signed my son up for this years ago and he had a blast. Print a FREE class coupon and receive a voucher for 20% off my next purchase at Gymboree, Janie & Jack, or Crazy 8.

 

--Free Walmart Baby Box of Freebies⭐

I signed up for the Walmart Baby Box, which is a 4x per year subscription box that costs just $5 per box in shipping charges. This really is a nice box of freebies!

--Free toys from Pampers Rewards ⭐⭐⭐

I’ve long been a member of Pampers Rewards. Cash in your points for gift cards, magazines and more!

 

--Shutterfly Freebies 

Shutterfly is always offering freebies. Right now they are offering a FREE photo book!

 

More Offers!

 

Debit Card Dangers

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Debit cards are a nice convenience to use, but they are also a big moneymaker for banks. For example, if you unintentionally let your balance get too low, each debit that comes through will bounce. With fees as high as $34 per bounce, this can quickly add up to hundreds of dollars in a matter of seconds. So for example, if you forgot to track a few debits and a large check went through, many banks will honor the large check and then bounce all the debits, even debits as small as $2. Here are some ways to avoid the banks stealing your hard-earned money:

Tip #1: Keep Your Balance as High as Possible

Keep a cushion of money in your account to avoid bouncing checks or debits. Also, find out if your bank allows you to transfer money from your savings account to your checking account, to cover any unexpected expenses.

Tip #2: Track Your Spending on the Computer

Sign up for your bank's online banking program. This is an easy way to see what is going on with your checking account. Also, buy Microsoft Money or another financial software package. These software packages allow you to do your checking account online and not have to use your checkbook ledger.

Tip #3: Use Cash, Instead of Your Debit Card

Cash can't bounce and that's the beauty of it. Also, I've found spending actual cash makes you more aware of what you are spending. It seems when you swipe a debit card, it's so easy to spend more because it doesn't seem like spending "actual" money. At the beginning of each week or payday, take out what you think you'll need and stick with that.

Tip #4: Don't Spend Deposits that Aren't Credited Yet

There seems to be a line of thinking that once you deposit a check in the bank, it's yours for the spending. This is not true. Most banks put holds on checks for several days, even up to a week. It's best to wait until the deposit has cleared before swiping your debit card at the store. Debits go through at lightening-speed, and if the bank chooses to continue to hold your deposit, you'll get huge fees on the "bounced" debits.

One way around the hold banks put on checks is to cash the check, and then deposit the cash. Cash must be available immediately for your use. This way, you won't have to wait several days for your money.

Tip #5: Understand Your Bank's Policies

When you open a checking account, many banks aren't clear as to how long they hold checks or how quickly they process debits and checks. Be sure to call and get any questions you have answered. If you don't like the answers they give you, it's a good idea to find a new bank.

Tip #6: If You've Gotten Burned Already, Fight Back

When it comes to burning customers with bounce fees, banks hope you won't fight back and request courtesy credits. If you've been a good customer, call and explain the situation and see if they'll credit the majority of the bounce fees. If you find yourself in the same situation a second time and losing more money in bounce fees, consider finding a new bank with more customer-friendly policies.

Canning 101

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Canning is an awesome way to save money and have nutritious food on hand.  

Here are the supplies you need! 
--Canning Jars and Seals – use mason-style jars with sealed lids and rings, which can be found at most grocery stores 
--Wide-Mouth Funnel – makes filling jars with sauces or jams easier and less messy
--Lid Wand – for easy removal of lids and rings from boiling water 
--Ladle – for filling jars 
--Large Pot – for boiling canned preserves and jams, fruits, tomatoes and pickled vegetables 
--Pressure Canner – used for canning vegetables and meats because it has the ability to reach a higher temperature 
--Tongs of Jar Lifters – rubberized lifters make removing cans from their water bath less slippery, but a good pair of tongs can work just as well 
--Clean Cloths – used to wipe down jars, lids and rims of jars

The Process of Preserving 
1. START BY STERILIZING YOUR JARS. 

Wash your lids and jars in hot soapy water. Then move them to a boiling water bath for ten minutes to sterilize. Remove jars from the water bath, but leave the lids in the hot water until you’re ready to use them to ensure they don’t come in contact with anything before you seal your jars. 

2. SLICE, DICE, PICKLE AND POUR. 

It is best to can your fruits and vegetables immediately after you harvest them for the highest vitamin and nutrient concentration.The longer a fresh piece of produce sits, the more vitamins it loses. Prepare fruits and vegetables by slicing and dicing, prepare your jams and preserves using your favorite recipes (or ours, as we’ll have several of our top recipes coming up this week), and pickle vegetables before placing in the jars. 

Tomatoes should have lemon juice or another citric acid added to them prior to canning to ensure their pH level is above 4.6, and ascorbic acid solutions can be added to fruits to prevent browning prior to placing in jars. 

Iron, aluminum and copper should not be used when preparing your fruits and vegetables to can. These metals can cause discoloration of the produce. 



3. FILL YOUR JARS. 

There are a few things to remember when filling your jars. First, be sure not to fill them completely. Produce expands during the boiling process, so leaving adequate space at the top prevents the jar from leaking and making a mess. 

After filling your jar with produce, unless canning jams, jellies and preserves, you’ll be pouring liquid to submerge the fruit or vegetables. Pour the boiling water, pickling solution or juice to cover up to the top of your produce. 

Make sure there are no air bubbles along the sides of the jar and that the produce is submerged in the liquid. Wipe the rims of the jars down with a clean cloth and cap with the flat sealing lids and rims. 

4. PROCESS YOUR JARS. 

Preheat water in your pot or pressure cooker. For hot produce, water should be preheated to 180º F, and for cold produce, it should be around 140º F. This will help prevent the jars from cracking when they are placed in the pot. 

Water should be an inch or two above the top of the canning jar when they are placed in the pot for a water boiling process. Use a pressure canner according to the manufacturer’s directions to determine the amount of water needed in the bottom prior to adding the jars. 

Add the jars using your tongs or jar lifter, and place them in the vessel so they are not touching. Place the lid on your pot or pressure canner. With water bath canning, bring the water to a slow boil and then start your timer to process for the length of time dictated by which vegetable you’re canning and the altitude at which you live. For pressure cooking, you’ll want to check for the length and temperature needed for your region as well. 

5. REMOVE YOUR JARS AND LET THEM COOL. 

Place your jars on a flat wood or cloth-covered solid surface to let them cool. Let them sit for a day to completely cool. While cooling, your jars will start to pop, creating the vacuum seal. 

After they have cooled, press down on the center of your jars to ensure they have sealed completely. Any lids that spring back have not sealed and can be placed in the refrigerator and eaten first. 

6. LABEL AND STORE YOUR PRESERVED FOOD. 

Label your jars with the contents and the date. You can write directly on the lid with a Sharpie or download and print or purchase specialty labels for your jars. 

Once you have them labeled and have wiped off any food pieces or water from the outside of the jar, store your food in a dark, dry place until you’re ready to enjoy. 

 

How to Season and Clean a Cast Iron Pan

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Seasoning 

Traditional cast-iron skillets don't emerge from the box with a nonstick surface. That comes with seasoning, or coating the skillet with cooking oil and baking it in a 350° F oven for an hour. It won't take on that shiny black patina just yet, but once you dry it with paper towels, it will be ready to use. You'll reinforce the nonstick coating every time you heat oil in the skillet, and you can hasten the process by seasoning as often as you like. Or you can forget seasoning and go with Lodge Logic (available at hardware and cookware stores), a line of preseasoned skillets from Lodge Manufacturing, the oldest U.S. maker of cast-iron cookware. 
Cleaning 

A cast-iron skillet isn't ideal for a set-aside-to-soak sort of person. For best results, rinse the pan with hot water immediately after cooking. If you need to remove burned-on food, scrub with a mild abrasive, like coarse salt, and a nonmetal brush to preserve the nonstick surface; you can also use a few drops of a mild dishwashing soap every once in a while. If the pan gets a sticky coating or develops rust over time, scrub it with steel wool and reseason it. To prevent rust, dry the skillet thoroughly and lightly coat the cooking surface with cooking oil. Cover with a paper towel to protect it from dust. 

Tips 

  • Although everything from Dutch ovens to cactus-shaped cornbread pans comes in cast iron, nothing is more versatile than a basic skillet. Either a 10- or 12-inch will do. 
  • There's only one thing you shouldn't attempt in cast-iron cookware: boiling water, which will cause the pan to rust. 
  • Cast iron takes longer to warm than other surfaces but retains heat remarkably well and diffuses it evenly. 
  • Cast iron remains hot long after you remove it from the stove. As a reminder to be careful, drape a thick towel or a mitt over the handle. 
  • To avoid getting smudges on all your kitchen towels, designate one to use exclusively for drying your cast-iron skillet. 
  • Cooking in cast iron increases the iron content in food. The longer the food is in contact with the skillet, the more it absorbs. 

 

50+ Uses for Magic Erasers

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Here are great ways to use Magic Erasers: 

1. clean inside the crock pot 

2. remove melted plastic on a glass top stove 

3. clean swimming pool steps 

4. remove baked on brown spots on cookware 

5. clean antiques & collectibles 

6. clean & shine things up before you sell them in a yard sale 

7.remove dried paint from door hinges 

8. remove tarnish from silver 

9. remove mold & mildew from anything plastic 

10. clean & polish gold jewelry 

11. remove soap scum in the tub and shower 

12. remove marks on walls (this is one of my fave uses for them) 

13.  splatters inside the microwave 

14. remove marks on vinyl siding 

15. clean mirrors in the bathroom (keeps shower mirrors from fogging) 

16. remove adhesive residue after removing stickers 

17. remove waterline mark around the pool 

18. remove hair dye from countertops & floors 

19. clean light-colored suede 

20. remove black scuff marks from baseboards  

21. clean the outdoor side of window sills stained from leaves, dust and dirt 

22. clean plastic coolers inside and out  

23.remove rust spots & stains on countertop 

24. remove cooked-on stains in pots and pans 

25. remove soot off the walls near the fireplace 

26. clean within the grooves of lawn ornaments 

27. clean sticky/dusty range hood over the stove 

28. remove nail polish spills or stains 

29. clean airbake cookie sheets & bakeware (the kind with all those tiny grooves) 

30. clean oven shelves & the grates on the grill 

31. remove wet nose marks from pets on the windows (even car windows) 

32. remove toothpaste splashes from bathroom mirrors 

33. remove melted plastic on the side of the toaster oven 

34. remove grimy green algae from cement (bird baths, steps, ponds, etc) 

35. clean stained elbows from dirty work 

36. remove green mildew from siding and gutters 

37. remove paint spills & oversprays 

38. remove toilet bowl rings (cut a piece off & let it set in your toilet overnight; don’t flush it; doesn’t always work) 

39. remove built-up algae, water deposits, etc from ceramic flower pots 

40. clean dish drainers that are gunked with lime and build-up 

41. remove bird poop from concrete bird bath 

42. remove coffee & tea stains that remain inside a mug, caraffe, thermos even after washing 

43. clean the plastic agitator inside your washing machine 

44. clean window screens (even when they are still in the window) 

45. remove built-up baked on grease inside the deep fryer 

46. clean boat & outdoor furniture upholstery 

47. clean vinyl striping on motorhomes, vans, boats 

48. clean car tires, including white walls 

49. clean pebbled surfaces like the outside of plastic coolers 

50. remove scuff marks from your patio furniture 

 

15+ Homemade Gift Basket Ideas

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Holiday Gift Basket Ideas

No matter the holiday, gift baskets are always a hit!

And here's a tip: To save money on basket fillers, stock up on items throughout the year when there is a great sale, coupon or clearance. 
Such a relaxing gift! For your best friend, give a Pampered Spa gift basket, including a mini towel, bath mitts, cozy slippers, eye pillow, luffa sponge, body sugar scrubs, bath salts & bubble bath, shower gel, bath bombs, and candles.
My mom would love this. Give a Coffee Lovers basket which could include gourmet or flavored coffees, flavored sugars, cinnamon sticks, two coffee mugs, demi spoons and a coffee table book about coffee.
Get ready for the movies! Give a Movie Lovers basket, which can include favorite DVDs (or Redbox coupons), popcorn, popcorn seasonings, bottles of water or pop, chocolate bars, and licorice.
For the tea fan on your list, give a Tea Buddy basket which can include: Gourmet teas, flavored sugars, cinnamon sticks, tea cozy, two pretty tea cups and saucers, homemade cookies/baking, homemade jam, small potted houseplant.

For the new mom and baby, a welcome baby gift basket would be a nice treat. Welcome Baby could include a Baby blanket, washcloths, socks, rattle, toys, and sleepers. 
For the gardener on your list, give a Gardeners gift basket, which could include gardening gloves, gardening book, garden journal, small hand tools, handmade seed packets, and garden clogs.

More Basket Ideas:

  • Chocolate Lovers (Chocolate of every kind and in every shape, nuts, gourmet coffee)
  • Homemade Specialty Treats (Flavored sugars, extracts, flavored vinegars)
  • Gourmet (Pickled peppers, gourmet cheese, deli crackers, fruit, wine, smoked oysters, olives, pickled asparagus, deli meat sticks)
  • Pet Lovers (Personalized pet dish, pet toys, pet treats, hair brush, pet shampoo)
  • Bookworm (Books, bookmarks, gourmet coffee or tea, snacks, online bookstore gift card)
  • Productivity Guru (Moleskin notebook, index cards, post it notes, post it flags, expensive pen, book on productivity tips)
  • Crafty (Expensive scissors, rotary cutter blades, needle case, pin cushion, spools of good quality thread, glue sticks, needle threaders, box of pins, sewing machine needles, fat quarters, craft store gift card, craft magazine or book)

10+ Tips for Making $$ on Ebay

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Recently I decided to declutter my home and post items on Ebay.  I made $2000 in a few months selling on Ebay, here's how! 

Choose the right products. New or very gently used sell better. Name brands like  Gap,  Coach,  iPhone, Playstation, etc. And items with original packaging are easier to sell. 
Apple laptop
Apple laptop

Tech


Consumer tech from big name brands 
Anything with Apple,  Samsung or  Sony. Recently I sold an iPad mini for $100! That is money in my pocket.  
Geotrax
Geotrax

Baby and Kid Stuff

Gap Kids
Gap Kids

Children's Clothing


New in package usually sells the best, but gently worn is ok too. Think name brands for clothing:
Vintage dishes
Vintage dishes

Vintage

Add the word "vintage" to your description for more sales. I have sold: Try visiting your local thrift shops or Goodwill for finds that would sell on Ebay. Also check out yard sales, you never know what you could find! Look for: 

  • Vintage accessories: Gloves, handbags, scarves, belts
  • Brooches, pins
  • Keychains - odd, vintage, music/sports/auto related
  • Small electronics, calculators, cameras - vintage, best if with box and cables
  • Early video games, especially the little handheld ones, best with box/instructions, check if they work w/new batteries
  • Car-related items: keychains, accessories, etc.
  • Charm bracelets, charms, pendants: odd themes, can be sold as is or separately as charms
  • Costume jewelry: doesn't have to be designer, well made, unusual, odd themes
  • Collectible glasses (McDonald's, etc.), the older the better
  • Pens: vintage, older, unusual, again you should know what you're looking for.
  • Linens: aprons, handkerchiefs, curtains, sheets, vintage, unusual, check condition carefully
  • Buttons, fabric, other notions: odd, vintage, collectible
  • Christmas items: ornaments, music, jewelry, decorations, again Condition, Vintage, Unusual.
  • Sports memorabilia - pins, keychains, mugs, odd housewares, etc.
  • Fast Food toys, the older the better (<2000 at least), best if still in packaging
  • Tools/housewares- vintage, odd/unusual, best with box/cords/instructions.

And Now It's Time to Make $$!

  • Choose the right category for your item-try to be as specific as possible so that potential buyers will be able to find your listing.
  • Write an accurate description-brand name in the title, along with the condition.  Be as specific about the details as possible.  Buyers want to know exactly what they are buying.
  • Take excellent photos-for the best shots, use indirect daylight (not bright sun). You don't need a fancy camera, I use my iPhone and it works great.
  • Make sure your item fits in the box.  I recommend selling items that fit in USPS Flat Rate shipping.
  • Respect the buyers-once your auction is live, be sure to pay attention to any questions.
  • Never ship before payment! This is one of the #1 rules. Most buyers will pay quickly but never ship an item until you have received your payment!  Be sure to send out an invoice and a gentle reminder after a few days. If you don't get resolution, be sure to contact Ebay.
  • Ship your item as soon as possible–as soon as you’ve been paid, make an effort to ship out your item. You can pay for shipping and print your label at home.  If you already have the box then all you have to do is tape it up, put on the pre-paid label, & let your mail carrier pick it up or drop it off at the nearest post office!
  • Give feedback–whether positive or negative, leave feedback on your buyer’s feedback page.  

100+ Amazing Freebies for College Student

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  1. 24 Hour Fitness — Students get a discounted rate at 24 hour fitness, just show your student ID when you sign up.
  2. Aerie — 10% off in store when you show your ID.
  3. AT&T Wireless — Enter you student email here to see if you can save 10% with an AT&T student discount.
  4. Adobe — Did you know about Adobe's student discount? Students can get up to 80% off popular software.
  5. Allstate — College students can save a whopping 20% off for full time students.
  6. Amazon Prime — Amazon Prime's Student Discount is half the price ($49/ year) for students.
  7. American Eagle — 10% off with student ID (in store).
  8. AMC Theaters — Going to see a movie sometime soon? Get discounted student tickets every Thursday with school ID.
  9. Amtrak — Score 10% off your train or bus ride with ID.
  10. Ann Taylor — Want the Ann Taylor student discount? Get 15% off your order at Ann Taylor with your student ID.
  11. Apple Music — Get the Apple Music student discount and you'll score a membership for just $4.99 a month.
  12. Apple Store — Apple has a special section of their website for student discounts. Save up to $200 on a new mac.
  13. Arby's — Get 10% off your entire order when you show your ID.
  14. ASOS — Through Unidays get 10% off full priced items through their website.
  15. Banana Republic — Students get a discount at Banana Republic of 15% off your order with your student ID.
  16. Barnes & Noble — check out their deals on renting textbooks you can get up to 50% off rentals so don't miss out on that.
  17. Best Buy — Best Buy offers the student deal program where you can save big on laptops, computers and tablets.
  18. Billabong — Through UNiDAYS get 10% off your order.
  19. Brooks Brothers — Have a job interview coming up? Students get 15% off with your college ID.
  20. Buffalo Wild Wings — I love Buffalo Wild Wings. Such a great place for students to enjoy wings at a discount. Get 10% off your meal by asking your waiter about the Buffalo Wild Wings student discount.
  21. Burger King — did you know about Burger King's Student Discount? Yup, just ask for the student discount to get 10% off your purchase.
  22. Champs — With the student advantage car, get 10% off any purchase of $50 of more.
  23. Charlotte Russe — Bring your student ID for the Charlotte Russe student discount, you'll get 10% off your purchase.
  24. Chicago Art Institute — Show you ID for 20% off your visit.
  25. Chick-fil-A — one of the best places to eater during college so why not get a discount? The student's dicounts at Chick-fil-A is a free drink, just show your student ID.
  26. Chipotle — bring your student ID the next time your at Chipotle to score a free drink for students.
  27. Cinemark Theaters — Try showing your ID to get a student discount (varies but many do).
  28. Coach USA — There are discounted rates for students, just visit their site for details.
  29. Cricket Wireless — Cricket offers a discounted plan for students, just ask!
  30. Dairy Queen — ask about their Dairy Queen student discount with your ID, it's call the student meal deal.
  31. Dell — With the Dell Student Discount get huge savings through their Dell University program.
  32. Denver Art Museum — Colorado students get in for just $8 when they show their student ID.
  33. Dockers — Again, use UNiDAYS to score a whopping 20% off all full priced items from Dockers.
  34. Dunkin Donuts — Score 10% with ID at participating locations.
  35. Eddie Bauer — Get 10% off full priced items with your student ID.
  36. Esurance — Lower your premiums by 10% with a 3.0 gpa!
  37. Eurail — Any person under 26 can get a 35% off discount.
  38. Evernote — One year premium 75% off.
  39. Express — Get 15% off with student ID.
  40. Express Factory — Get 15% off with student ID.
  41. Farmers Insurance — With a B average you can get a heft discount.
  42. FedEx Office — Need some printing done, use your student ID to get up to 30% off your purchase.
  43. Firehouse Subs — Score 10% off participating locations with ID.
  44. Geico — Students with a B average are eligible for a student discount.
  45. General Motors — With GM combine student discounts (on financing) with any other offer they have going on.
  46. Goodwill — Most don't know but did you know Goodwill has a student discount? Just show your student ID for 10% off.
  47. Greyhound — Taking a trip? Get the student discount card to get 20% off your ticket.
  48. H&M — Want to get a student discount from H&M? Show your student ID to get 15% off your order.
  49. Hanes — Score 10% off your purchase for students.
  50. HP — Join the HP academy program for sweet deals.
  51. Houston Ballet — Show up 90 minutes prior to show for $10 Rush tickets.
  52. J. Crew — Show your ID to get the J. Crew student discount. You'll get a whopping 15% off your in-store purchase with it!
  53. Jiffy Lube — Got a flat? Get 10% off your total at Jiffy Lube with student ID.
  54. Jo-Ann Fabric — Get 10% off any purchase by joining the student discount program.
  55. Juicy Couture — Show your student ID to get 15% off your order at Juicy Couture.
  56. Kate Spade — Score 15% off full priced items with student ID.
  57. Lenovo — Score 25% of select computers at Lenovo.
  58. Limited — Trying to get a student discount at Limited? Show your id (in-store online for 15% off your purchase.
  59. Levi's — Get 15% off when you register your student status through the UNiDAYS app.
  60. Logitech — Grabbing a keyboard or mouse? Get 30% off through Logitech.com.
  61. McDonald's — score the McDonald's student discount by showing your ID and getting 10% off your order.
  62. Met Opera in NY — sign up for student discounts and get up to 25% off.
  63. Microsoft — Get 10% off with the Microsoft Student Discount.
  64. MLB TV — Score 35% off the premium MLB TV plan for students.
  65. ModCloth — Shopping at ModCloth and wanting to save? Get 10% off when you register for college students.
  66. Museum of Modern Art — One free admission per museum for full time students at NY colleges.
  67. New Jersey Transit — Get 25% off monthly passes for students.
  68. New York Times — Times are crazy right now, if you're subscribing to NYT students can actually get 50% off with their student rate.
  69. Norton — Students can get 50% off virus security.
  70. Pizza Hut — although it varies from place to place, expect an up to 20% off student discount when you order a pizza from Pizza Hut.
  71. Qdoba — Get a free soft drink when you show your ID.
  72. Papa John's — Discount varies by location (w/ ID) just ask.
  73. RadioShack — 10% off with ID (in-store).
  74. Redbox — Score a free one day rental when you like them on Facebook.
  75. Regal Theaters — Brings your ID many theaters offer student discounts.
  76. Sally Beauty Supply — Register with your beauty school ID for their student discount and you'll get can't miss student discounts and coupons.
  77. Sam's Club — Not only do students get exclusive deals, but also you'll get a free $15 Sam's Club gift card with your membership sign up.
  78. ShoeBuy — Register through studentrate and you'll get 10% off.
  79. Shoney's — Students can score 15% off your meal.
  80. Sony — Get 10% off when you join Sony's student program.
  81. Sperry — Get $10 off, after your first purchase.
  82. Spotify — One of our favorites, get a membership for $4.99 a month!
  83. Sprint — Spring offers up to 15% in monthly saves with their student discount program.
  84. State Farm — Get 25% off with good grades with State Farm.
  85. Steve Madden — Want the Steve Madden student discount? Luckily you can score a 10% off discount with student ID.
  86. Subway — Bring your student ID to get 10% your sub.
  87. Supercuts — 20% off your haircut with ID.
  88. Sweet Tomatoes — Get 10% off at some locations when you show your ID.
  89. Taco Bell — 10% off with ID.
  90. T-Mobile — With StudentRate get 10% off your monthly bill.
  91. TCBY — looking to score the TCBY student discount? Just show your student ID to get 15% off your order.
  92. The Economist — Get 12 weeks for $30 or the whole year for $96!
  93. Toms — I love Toms. Did you know they have a discount for students of 10% off with your student ID? Pretty sweet.
  94. Tommy Hilfiger — Get 15% off with ID.
  95. Travelers Insurance — With a B average you'll get a student discount.
  96. Urban Outfitters — Urban Outfitters does offer a student discount, but it's a little tricky. Some days it's offered others not. Just sign up for their student program to get the emails.
  97. Verizon — Depending on what school you attend you may be able to save on your bill from Verizon, just ask!
  98. Vineyard Vines — Score 15% discount in-store with your student ID.
  99. Waffle House — Have a late night? Going to Waffle house in the am? Bring your ID to get 10% off your order.
  100. Wall Street Journal — Students get WSJ for just $1 a week.
  101. Zipcar — Register with your schools email to see discounted rates for your school.

 

MORE TIPS:

 

Dorm Supplies

Retailers love the back to school season. Many students get excited about going off to college for the first time and spend a bundle on notebooks, pens, expensive plastic storage containers and packages of snack foods. So how do you get what you need and not overspend? Here are some savings tips:

  • Buy school supplies at the lowest price available. Late July and August are the perfect time to stock up, especially at stores like Walmart and Kmart. You'll find that their notebook prices may be under 50 cents, while other times of the year, the prices can be triple.

  • You'll find that a small refrigerator is a necessity, especially when it comes to saving money on food. Consider renting one from the college or do the math and see if it's cheaper to buy your own. Also microwaves will save you time and money.
  • Get your stuff organized. The summer before going off to school is the perfect time to go through your closets and drawers. Consider donating clothes you no longer like or that do not fit. Once you have your basic wardrobe organized, decide whether buying new clothes is necessary.

 


  • If you have a lot of stuff you don't need and don't want to bring with you to school, consider having a garage sale. Get your family involved in cleaning and organizing your home. Another way to get rid of extra stuff is to sign up for free seller accounts on ebay.com and half.com. Craigslist is a great way too to make some cash.

  • Trade with friends. Do they have an extra storage container you could use and you have an extra laundry bag? Set up a time to swap with them.

  • Did you receive a lot of cash for graduation? If so, resist the temptation to use it on school stuff. Look at what you have at home first before blowing that money. You might want to put it in a savings account for unexpected school expenses.

  • Secondhand shops are a good place to find dorm supplies, such as storage containers, desk fans, lamps, and more.

  • Garage sales may also have what you need and at even lower prices than secondhand stores.

Keep in touch with the family! Be sure your cell phone is up to date, has unlimited talk and text-

 

It's time to leave for school. The car is packed with your belongings. You saved quite a bit on money and have some in the bank. Now how do you save once you get to school?

Food

  • Before leaving for school, have a bake off with your family and friends. Prepare batches of cookies, bread or other treats and swap.

  • Are you on a meal plan? Be sure to take advantage of it and schedule in when you will eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. If your class schedule means you'll need to miss a meal, have easy to prepare meals in your dorm, such as cereal, oatmeal, macaroni and cheese, and cans of ravioli.


  • Between meals, carry a bottle to fill at water fountains or filled with your favorite beverage. Or if you are a coffee drinker, pack a thermos.

  • Trips to the vending machine can add up. Fill a pocket of your backpack with healthy snacks, such as fruit, Jell-O cups, or pretzels.

  • Buy your snack foods in bulk. Larger quantities are usually cheaper and it's easy to divide up the food into smaller portions.

 


  • Shop at the grocery store for food. Check out the Sunday paper for grocery store ads and match coupons to save more!

Books and Tech

  • Buy books after you've gone to the class. There are times when you don't really need the book.
  • Sign up for Amazon Student- FREE shipping and more!

 

  • If you do need the book, can you and a friend buy the book and split the cost? Can you check the book out of the library? Or get a free ebook version?

  • If book sharing or using the library copy doesn't work out, check the bulletin boards to see if someone is selling their copy.

Best Buy coupons, deals and more!

Sign Up for Special Student-Only Offers and Receive Promotional Codes Via E-Mail


  • Online bookstores charge a lot less than campus bookstores. Go online before heading to the campus bookstore.

Get those books for FREE! Click below-

 


  • As a last resort, buy the book from your campus bookstore. You'll find of all of your options they charge the most. Even if you get stuck paying full price, take good care of the book and sell it at the end of the year.

Entertainment and More

  • Use your student ID card to get into free concerts, special lectures, comedy shows, athletic events and more.
  • Movie theatre chains that offer student discounts include AMC Theatres (discounts on Thursdays), Cinemark (discounts vary by location) and Marcus Theatres ($5 Thursdays) — but independent theatres often have student discounts, too. 

  • Many colleges offer well-equipped gyms and recreation centers. Take advantage of the opportunity to get a free workout.

 


  • Join clubs, many offer special trips and events to members only.

  • Parks, museums and window-shopping are all free. Students get discounted access to museums, including major ones such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. 

  • Keep your long distance bill down and e-mail family and friends.

  • Even if you have a printer, consider using the school's computer lab for print jobs. You'll save on ink cartridges and paper.

Don't pay for cable! Get Starz, Showtime and more for FREE! Click below-

 


  • For a cheap, fun night at home, invite some friends over, make your own pizza (or order pizza with coupons!) and play some board games.

  • Many businesses will offer student discounts. You just need to ask.

  • Find out when happy hour is to get your fill of good food at a cheap price-it will also give you a break from campus and dorm food.


  • When going home for break, consider riding with another student who is heading in the same direction. It's a much cheaper and fun alternative than paying for a bus, plane or train ticket.

Remember that all it takes is some creative thinking to save money while at college. Good luck while you embark on your college career.

Coupon Stack With These 5 Web Sites

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1. Target allows unlimited coupons per order. Target.com does not allow in-store coupons (any coupon that doesn’t have a promotion code—for example: TGTXXXXX) to be used online. 

 

2. Kohl’s allows 4 coupons per order. Combine a sitewide coupon (like $10 off a $50 purchase or 15% off an entire order), category-specific coupons (like 30% off Home or 20% off Appliances), and a free shipping coupon simultaneously. FYI Kohl’s mobile app only allows two stackable coupons.

 


3. Amazon allows unlimited coupons per order. Amazon allows unlimited coupons to be stacked as long as they’re eligible. Make sure to check out Amazon’s coupon section to save on hidden deals you might not even know about!

4. Gap, Banana Republic, Old Navy and Athleta allow 5 coupons per order:

Not every coupon code will work with one another, but if you try combining a percent-off coupon with a dollar-off coupon—instead of two percent-off coupons—it will more likely work. Try a Gap ‘EXTRA’ promo code with an Old Navy ‘SHIPALL’ code! 


5. Michaels allows unlimited coupons per order. Michaels allows unlimited coupons online, but only for single items. So while you can’t combine a 15% off sitewide promotion with a single-item coupon code, you can find promo codes for each of the items (or groups of items) you’re buying and use them together. 

6 Ways to Help Your Local School

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There are many ways to help your child's school, without spending extra money. Here are some ideas!
  • Box Tops for Education
    Box Tops are available on hundreds of items sold in the store. These are all worth 10¢ each and they do add up quickly.
  • My Coke Rewards

Donate your points here and your child's school can cash in points for sports equipement, art supplies and more!

  • Smile.Amazon
    Shop through smile.amazon.com and your charity/school gets a percentage back from what you’ve purchased from Amazon.  You still get the items you want (even free prime shipping) and they earn too.
  • Sell Old Phones & Tablets
    Sell your old tech online and earn money for yourself and your school at the same time!  You get every penny your item is worth and Maxback gives a 10% donation to your school of choice. 
  • Your Local Grocery Store
    Add your school to your rewards card and every time you shop, scan your card at the register and the store gives a percentage of your purchase back to your school.  There is no cost to you at all!

8+ Ways to Get Deals at Costco Without a Membership

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Big box stores like Costco have many advantages, from bulk sizes to fantastic store brands, but the $50 membership fee isn’t one of them!


While I know several people who split the membership cost with family members, neighbors, roommates and friends, it’s still nice to avoid the extra cost. And you can -- if you use these strategies to shop at Costco without a membership.

 

Here are eight clever ways to enjoy all the benefits of Costco without paying for an annual membership.

 

1. Use a Costco Cash Card

Here’s a big secret Costco probably doesn’t want you to know: You can shop without a membership as long as you have a Costco Cash Card.

"Non-members may use the cash cards to shop at any Costco location in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and online at Costco.com or on Costco.ca," says Costco's website.

Only members can buy Costco Cash Card from the store’s website, but that’s OK. Use this trick to save even more money: Buy your Cash Card from a discounted gift card site or from eBay.

It doesn’t matter how much is on the card; even a card with $2 left on it will get you in the door and pay for part of your purchase. Then you can use cash, a debit card or an American Express credit card to pay for the rest.

2. Visit the Pharmacy

Prescriptions can be really expensive. You can fill new prescriptions, refill existing prescriptions, or transfer prescriptions at the Costco Pharmacy. Plus, did you know you can order online at Costco Pharmacy services? Your medication can be delivered for free via standard USPS within 6 to 14 days.

You might have already heard you can score cheaper prescription medications at Costco. But did you know you don’t have to be a member?

 

3. Hearing and Optical Services

Did you know at most Costco stores you can buy glasses and hearing aids? They have special events a few times a year, sometimes with free samples. Keep in mind that while you can go in and see what they offer, you do need a membership to buy glasses, contact lenses, or hearing aid equipment. One trick to get around the membership is to load a Costco card with $20, then pay the difference in cash. From their web site: Members and non-members may use the cash cards to shop at any Costco location in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and online at Costco.com or on Costco.ca. Costco Cash balances may be used toward membership or merchandise.

4. Price Comparing at Costco

Do you like to shop around for the absolute best price? Costco is a great place for that. Just ask customer service for more info about membership. They will give you an application. Browse around the store before making up your mind and check out the prices.

5. Food Court Treats

Their pizza is so good!! You will definitely want to try a slice for only $1.99. Plus their $1.50 for hot dog and soda combo are a great, cheap lunch. You can also pick up a large pizza for only $9.99, which is enough to feed an army. We’ve gotten a few of these for birthday parties in the past, they are perfect for feeding a crowd. FYI, food courts only take cash as well.

6. Costco Deals Online

Say you are looking for the best deal on a TV or iPad. You can look for your item at Costco.com and get the deal Costco members get! The advantage of buying online is that you can use non-American Express credit cards, which are not accepted at Costco warehouses. FYI, the website does state “Non-members may be assessed an additional surcharge. The surcharge does not apply to prescription items.”

 

7. Get the American Express True Earnings Costco cash card

Let’s say you open the card, and during the year you use it to purchase $1,500 in gas, $1,000 on eating out/travel and $3,000 in other purchases. You earn $45 + $20 + $30 in cash back rewards, which gives you $95. If you have a $55 Gold Star membership, you’ve paid for your membership renewal and you’ve made $40! If you’re a $110 Executive Gold Star member then you’ll only have to pay an extra $15 for your membership renewal.

This card has no annual fees for Costco members and offers cash back.  How you earn: 3% back on gas (up to $4,000/year), 2% back on U.S. restaurants and eligible travel, and 1% back on other purchases. Your cash back comes once per year in the form of a rewards coupon, which you can redeem at Costco for cash.

 

More Costco Secrets!

-       You can stack Costco coupons with rebate apps like Ibotta, Checkout51 and Snap.

-       The delicious Costco made to order cake is only $18, while at the grocery store it is over $20.

-       Some of the worst buys at Costco are razors and shampoo. I typically tend to avoid the health and beauty section for that reason.

-       No more having to clip out coupons! They are now automatically applied to your card, which makes it much easier to get deals.

-       Kirkland batteries are identical to Duracell batteries.

-       Need ink for your printer? Costco ink cartridges are only $7.49.

-       Watch Groupon or Zulily for membership deals. Recently Zulily offered a free rotisserie chicken, free Kirkland products and more with membership.

 

 

 

How to Remove Jar Labels

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There are two easy ways to get labels off jars. One is with nail polish remover, which is a little smelly. The other is our preferred method: hot water and olive oil. First, peel off as much of the label as you can with your fingers. Then get some really hot (but not boiling) water and fill the jar with it, which will start to melt the adhesive from the inside. After a few minutes, dump out the water and use a rag or paper towel dipped in olive oil to gently scrub the label away. It works every time!